Amperage List for RV Electrical System

[careybirdwell]

I thought I would post this list to help some understand their electrical system in their RV's a little better. A lot of folk call me and say they keep tripping their main 30 amp breaker. I show up look at system, and they have A/C running, a window unit blowing, Coffee pot brewing, electric skillet a cooking. I calculate everything up and they're trying run about 50 amps on a 30 amp service. (LOL) You generally only have a 30 or 50 amp service, so you can see the appliances amps add up really fast. And if your using an adapter to reduce it to a 15 amp plug ( also depends on the breaker of the outlet, but most residental type outlet are only rated at 15 amps). I know its getting that time of year, when everyone starts staying in their camper at the lease.

Air Conditioner 15-17 amps (multiply this by the number of AC units)
Refrigerator 5.7 amps
Electric Water Heater 12.5 amps
Microwave Oven 12.8 amps
Converter 4 amps
Electric Coffee Pot 9 amps
Toaster 10 amps
Hair Dryer 10-12 amps
TV 2 amps
Dirt Devil Hand Vacuum 2 amps
Electric Fry Pan 10 amps
Iron 10 amps
Food Processor 6 amps
Crock Pot 1.5 amps
Heating Pad 0.5 amps
1,100 Watt Heater 10 amps
Laptop computer 2-3 amps

Good Luck & Great Hunting

[Razorback01]

Thats some good information there. The only issue we have had is with the AC on, the water heater on electric, is someone trying the microwave.

[tpcollins]

I have 50 amps and with both AC compressers running and the water heater on, the wife's hair dryer will trip the breakers every time.

[careybirdwell]

Yes, but you still have to remember that the Fridge & Converter are always running. So add them to the list

[eltacs]

hahahaha

Yeah if I have the A/C on, I can run the microwave
- but if you have to many lights on -
- or if watching tv/dvd player, etc. ----- blows a fuse.

I had it figured out a long time ago.

The thing that always got me till I figured it out was :
A/C would always freeze up into a block of ice in the summer.
Guy told me :
Turn it on low cold - and step it up to high cold..... SLOWLY.
Also - keep the blower speed on high to keep the air flow high.

Never had another issue with it freezing up.

[careybirdwell]

hahahaha

Yeah if I have the A/C on, I can run the microwave
- but if you have to many lights on -
- or if watching tv/dvd player, etc. ----- blows a fuse.

I had it figured out a long time ago.

The thing that always got me till I figured it out was :
A/C would always freeze up into a block of ice in the summer.
Guy told me :
Turn it on low cold - and step it up to high cold..... SLOWLY.
Also - keep the blower speed on high to keep the air flow high.

Never had another issue with it freezing up.

Yep, RV A/C's are very bad about freezing up. I always recommend keeping the fan on high. The units have a hard time discharging the cold air fast enough.

[TripletDad]

Great information, but I have to ask - does anyone, especially on this forum, have an iron in the trailer ?! If I ironed my hunting clothes, I wouldn't be able to sit still.

Used to have a 30 amp trailer, and always had breaker tripping issues. We now have a 50 amp toy hauler and it happens only when the wife is using her hair dryer.

[careybirdwell]

Great information, but I have to ask - does anyone, especially on this forum, have an iron in the trailer ?! If I ironed my hunting clothes, I wouldn't be able to sit still.

Used to have a 30 amp trailer, and always had breaker tripping issues. We now have a 50 amp toy hauler and it happens only when the wife is using her hair dryer.

It is a list I give my customer, so not meant for just hunters.

[TripletDad]

Just thinking about it, I'm going to be a nervous, itching wreck in my popup blind!

Just kidding - great list!