Can a 30-amp electrical system run two air conditioners?
Dear Mark,
We are considering buying a Winnebago Sightseer 35J with two roof air conditioners. But the coach only has 30-amp service with an Onan 5.5 KW generator. Can these two air conditioners run at the same time with only 30 amps?
Mark Says: Most RV manufacturers use some type of energy management system so both roof air conditioners can operate at the same time on a 30-amp system. Our 2006 Bounder 35E is a good example. It will power up one A/C and then the other. Once they are both running it can sense if there's a requirement for more power placed on the system, like somebody making a pot of coffee, and it will shut one A/C down or both depending on the power requirement. When there is no longer a requirement the A/C units automatically start back up.
Many manufacturers use smaller BTU air conditioners. It was no good to have two 15,000 BTU units if you can only run one, so now they might use a 13,500 and an 11,000 BTU unit which a 30-amp system can run at the same time.
Basically what I am saying is most of today's manufacturers offer some type of power management system to operate both A/C units with a 30-amp system. On the other hand most manufacturers have a built-in system to prevent you from using both A/C units and attempt to use the microwave or other power consuming appliance.
Learn more about using your RV and its operation with Mark Polk's best-selling DVDs, books and eBooks.
We are considering buying a Winnebago Sightseer 35J with two roof air conditioners. But the coach only has 30-amp service with an Onan 5.5 KW generator. Can these two air conditioners run at the same time with only 30 amps?
Mark Says: Most RV manufacturers use some type of energy management system so both roof air conditioners can operate at the same time on a 30-amp system. Our 2006 Bounder 35E is a good example. It will power up one A/C and then the other. Once they are both running it can sense if there's a requirement for more power placed on the system, like somebody making a pot of coffee, and it will shut one A/C down or both depending on the power requirement. When there is no longer a requirement the A/C units automatically start back up.
Many manufacturers use smaller BTU air conditioners. It was no good to have two 15,000 BTU units if you can only run one, so now they might use a 13,500 and an 11,000 BTU unit which a 30-amp system can run at the same time.
Basically what I am saying is most of today's manufacturers offer some type of power management system to operate both A/C units with a 30-amp system. On the other hand most manufacturers have a built-in system to prevent you from using both A/C units and attempt to use the microwave or other power consuming appliance.
Learn more about using your RV and its operation with Mark Polk's best-selling DVDs, books and eBooks.
posted by Chuck Woodbury at
2:30 PM
3 Comments:
I own a 2007 Four Winds Dutchmen Super C motorhome with two series 8000 roof A/C units by RVP products. There is no controller to prevent the operation of both units on 30 amp, as each has it's own wall thermostat. One of the controllers also controls the furnace, and there have been times when the furnace is running in the front of the coach, and the A/C is running at the rear.
Is there any way to install a central controller to prevent this from happening. I guess Four Winds didn't want to spend the extra money despite the inconvenience to the owner.
Dennis Myhre
By
D Myhre, at October 18, 2008 5:48 AM
I have a 1999 Winnebago Adventurer with 30 amps and 2 a/c's. I run both a/c's and still have amps left over. With both it only uses about 22 amps and that includes having some small appliances like lights/radio on at the same time. If the RV park is full and everyone is using a/c on a hot day, sometimes the park's breaker will trip. In which case I use one a/c. But the rig can handle both easily.
By
Tumbleweed, at October 18, 2008 2:50 PM
I have an Itasca Sunova 35J myself and can attest to the fact that yes both will run. Winnebago includes the power management system that is described in the forum that will make sure you dont overtax the power. It works extreamly well. If you should say turn on the microwave, it will drop the 2nd AC off unitl its done. Enjoy your unit, as we love ours!
By
jbreault, at October 25, 2008 9:14 AM
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