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Old 07-11-2009, 06:14 AM   #1
GlennWest
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30amp service

Pulled to Louisiana this week and stayed at a horse farm area. Really nice, but not full hookups(dump station) and 30 amp. 1 ac, coffee pot perking, fridge running, electric hot water heater, tripped 30 amp breaker. I put fridge on propane and also Hot water heater. All is well now. Is this about normal? Any suggestions? Bear in mind I'm very new at this. Thanks and God bless.
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Old 07-11-2009, 06:34 AM   #2
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Yes that is normal.

These units are really not for 30 amp but we have all been caught at times and all you can due is exactly what you have done.

Your water heater an electric toaster and microwave are the big draw items other than of course the AC.

Just have to turn something off when you use a high draw item.
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Old 07-11-2009, 06:57 AM   #3
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Just a word of warning....

Watch your voltage when hooked to 30 amp service as well.

Many times/places the voltage will be low and draw higher amps, and in turn will burn out your motor driven appliances.

I rarely use my autoformer when hooked to 50 amp service. But I almost always need it when hooked to 30 amp service.
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Old 07-11-2009, 07:01 AM   #4
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Good point Huck.
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Old 07-11-2009, 09:46 AM   #5
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I hooked up my Autotransformer and it smoked and smelt burnt. First time I used it and it was in storage compartment when I bought it. I was very leary to hook up rv but we were desperate.
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Old 07-11-2009, 10:52 AM   #6
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I have my autoformer hard wired in to my electrical system, so I use it all the time, even when I use my 2000i generator. It continues to work as advertized. My sugestion is to call autoformer customer service, 888-540-1504. And get it sent in to have it checked out. Or you can go to www.autoformers.com. Has three year warranty. Good luck!!
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Old 07-11-2009, 11:05 AM   #7
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30 Amp Service

We are winter Texans, but enjoy the Provincial Parks here in Canada when not in the Valley.

All the Parks have at a maximum 30 Amp service. But as Huck mentioned be mindful of the voltage. We have a Progressive Industry EMS which has shut down our incoming power a number of times due to low voltage i.e. < 104.

Especially if the campground is at capacity and many running AC or heaters watch the volts.

Even better get a surge/low volt protection. I learnt the hard way last summer out in Cape Breton with a low/high voltage which fried a number of components in the unit.

We always use propane to operate the water heater.
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Old 07-11-2009, 11:06 AM   #8
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I didn't buy it. It came with the used rv. Previous owner had purchased it. Thinking back I remember it had a faint burnt smell when I first saw it.
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Old 07-11-2009, 11:23 AM   #9
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called highes autoformers and left message. It's Saturday. Worth a try I reckon. Also looking at unit to get serial # found tape around plug. Insulation had been cut back and taped over. Saw nothing wrong there. Previous owner probably checked wiring for short. Thanks everyone and God bless.
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Old 07-11-2009, 01:16 PM   #10
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You can switch the fridge and water heater to gas and then you won't have the breaker tripping. That is unless you hit the microwave while a/c unit is running, then it will trip.
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Old 07-11-2009, 04:13 PM   #11
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Actually with the fridge and water heater on gas, I could run one ac, microwave, coffee maker and lcd tv. I was a little surprised and kept waiting for it to throw while coffee was perking. Mine don't have a heating plate. We're in south west Louisiana and it was a little uncomfortable about 4 in afternoon. All is well now though. We found a full service park across town. 50 amps. Not near as beautiful as the horse ranch but full service.
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Old 07-11-2009, 04:24 PM   #12
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Thought I'd share something with everyone. I was backing my rv in the space (that ordeal I'll keep to myself, first time backing rv) but I cut it rather sharp and it quit moving. I then tried to go forward. Didn't want to move. Push hard on throttle and started dragging the tires. Several people and I looked a long time trying to figure out what happened. I looked at hitch for about the 100th time and noticed the emergency cable wasn't there. When I cut sharp it came unplugged and dropped down in bed. Well it worked good. Locked down all 4 tires. Anyone else ever done this?
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Old 07-11-2009, 04:41 PM   #13
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The only ones that haven't are probably fibbing!!!!! :roll: :roll:
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Old 07-11-2009, 07:12 PM   #14
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tripping emergency brake

I resemble that remark!
Joe
Once at a +90 degree turn with a cop behind me.
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Old 07-11-2009, 08:44 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennWest
Thought I'd share something with everyone. I was backing my rv in the space (that ordeal I'll keep to myself, first time backing rv) but I cut it rather sharp and it quit moving. I then tried to go forward. Didn't want to move. Push hard on throttle and started dragging the tires. Several people and I looked a long time trying to figure out what happened. I looked at hitch for about the 100th time and noticed the emergency cable wasn't there. When I cut sharp it came unplugged and dropped down in bed. Well it worked good. Locked down all 4 tires. Anyone else ever done this?
Congrats! You are now officially part of the club! ha Been there done that! Rather shocking the first time.....hum... Just readjust the cable so it won't hang up or pull tight.

As far as the power goes, we often manage just fine on 30 amp. Can only run one AC and no issues running most small stuff, but no Elec WH with AC or sometimes even the hair dryer. Fridge may be ok. Just have to experiment. Like others said, watch the voltage. Get a cheap voltage meter from CW and plug it in the kitchen so you can keep an eye on it when you turn stuff on. Need to keep it above 106-108V. 110V better. The AC will struggle if it gets lower. We have a Surge Gaurd from CW and it protects the trailer from surges and low Voltage, bad wiring etc. Will trip and reset after 2 min.

Bill
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Old 07-12-2009, 07:48 AM   #16
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Quote:
Anyone else ever done this?
I did it one time.
The first time I backed my first 5er into my driveway. She stopped on a dime!
It was kind of humbleing. Half on the road and half off....
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Old 07-12-2009, 11:12 AM   #17
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I think 30 amp means the connector only. That's all you can depend on.
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Old 07-12-2009, 11:52 AM   #18
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Don't forget that the breaker is only rated for 80% continuous of the rated number. In other words 24 amps continuous for a 30 amp breaker and 40 for a 50 amp breaker. Push it to the max and it will overheat and trip after about 2 to 4 minutes. I found that out at a park in the summertime. They had an electrician there doing some work so he looked over the breaker on my spot when it kept tripping. He replaced the breaker then measured the load and told me to shut something down as it wouldn't carry 45 amps continuous. It seems 2 AC's the washer, drier, fridge, water heater, computer, TV and satellite system were just a bit too much for the breaker to handle. Go figure..... :shock:

The park voltage was great, we just asked too much of the breaker.
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Old 07-12-2009, 07:43 PM   #19
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I'm yet to have a 50 amp to trip. We've been in Houston, TX, Baton Rogue, LA in over 110 heat index, running 2 ac, dryer, washing machine, everything on electric that will run on electric, 2 tv's, computer, no problems. Actually I ran both ac's on that 30 amp for a while. Got the humidity and temps down before cutting back to one.
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Old 07-31-2009, 05:41 PM   #20
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By the way, autotransformer never returned my phone call.
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