Quote:
Originally Posted by Long & Winding road
I agree with Chance. GM Tech did something simular (look at the end of "Before you buy a 2nd ac try this first" thread) with his RV and he said it worked fine. I think he used the 15000 + 1100 BTU AC's on 30 amp service Axis/Vegas.
Set the 15000 BTU Thermostat lower than the other that way it aways says on. My 15000 say 19.4 amp (not surge) on the sticker so if your other is at 10 amps even your at 29.4. I thing GM tech also said his Onan 4000 tested at 33 amp for total output (if I recall correctly). So as long as you DONT start at the same time you should be fine (But do your research and desided for yourself).
But you will be very limited on what you can run (a few LED lights should Okay but no blowdryers or Microwave at the same time - Maybe one TV be Okay?).
You could always cool down to like 68 deg inside - shut one AC off to run Micro or some other high draw item for short term, then crank up the other AC.
Let us know know it turns out.
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Thanks, sometimes I think I just type a whole pile of stuff and nobody actually reads it! haha.
Ok, a couple more ideas... Buy an ammeter and voltmeter displays for the AC circuit. (Alternating current not air conditioning.) That way you can see EXACTLY what the loads are. Trying to figure this stuff out by numbers and wattage is pointless. There are too many variables that people don't remember to factor in.
One of the biggest things that will make running two AC units on 4000 watts or 30 amp shore power overload isn't hair dryers or microwaves, it's your 12 volt battery system.
Hair dryers or microwaves are easy to remember to not use while both AC's are running, but do you know how much AC amperage your battery charger is pulling? If you run your batteries down, fire up your generator and then turn on both AC's, you'd most likely be over the 33 amps and not even realize it. It would end up that the 10+ AC amps that your battery charger is pulling would put it over the top.
Having the voltage display is also extremely valuable. Believe it or not, I get better (higher, more consistent) voltage off of my Onan while running both AC units than I do off my dedicated 50 amp circuit in my driveway. So in
my case, the two AC units actually run better off generator power than off shore power. I'd never know that without both volt and amp displays.
So short answer, at least in my opinion, get the rear Power Saver unit first and leave the front one alone. Get the volt and amp displays wired in, even if you have to pay somebody to install them. (It's actually VERY easy, just make sure you buy an AC ammeter with a hall effect pickup and
not a shunt.) If you're anywhere below ~33 amps, you're ok. There's always some wiggle room in those ratings. I ran a little Yamaha portable generator at 150% of it's max capacity for about 15 years! Just keep an eye on AC amperage and voltage if you've run your batteries down and then fire up the generator and both AC units.
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