Connecting RV to 15 amps at home?

[jrp81752@yahoo.com]

My motorhome uses 30 amp connection at campgrounds. But when visiting relatives and camped in their driveway I use a converter plug and use the house outlet which is of course only 15 amps. Is this dangerous? It allows me to have lights, refrigerator, tv, even heat with no problems. But haven't tried airconditioner yet.

[captmetal]

i plug into 110volt house plug often, it is what i have in the warehouse were i store, although rv calls it 15 amp, your house circuit could be as high as 30 amp most likely 20 or 25 amp, a 20 amp house plug should start the 13,500btu ac unit, be careful of the lentgh of the extension cord.

[gmc]

Most household outlets are either 15A or 20A...
A 20A outlet will have the ability to accept a 'true' 20A plug which has the 2 blades at right angles rather than parallel (in addition to the more 'normal' household plug...)

Multiple 15A outlets can be on a 20A circuit by code - though the outlet itself is only rated at 15A (the 'passthrough' connection to other outlets is rated at 20A.)

I wouldn't try running the A/C or Microwave unless on a true 20A outlet and circuit minimum - and even then only if no 'non-RV' extension cords (ie - no common 'orange' cords) are in use. Keep an eye on the '15-30A' adapter for heat issues.

Aside from the heavy loads - it is perfectly fine to plug in that way.. Did it all the time at last house when prepping for trip to run lights, charge batteries, cool fridge.

[Bob Denman]

I use a 15 amp plug at home. No a/c or microwave: no problem!

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by jrp81752@yahoo.com

My motorhome uses 30 amp connection at campgrounds. But when visiting relatives and camped in their driveway I use a converter plug and use the house outlet which is of course only 15 amps. Is this dangerous? It allows me to have lights, refrigerator, tv, even heat with no problems. But haven't tried airconditioner yet.

But, if you don't have enough volts, around 108, you could damage the AC unit. I would count on everything but the AC when on a household 15 amp plug-in. On the Axis, even on a 30 amp plug-in, running the microwave and the AC will throw a circuit breaker. Not to mention, you don't really know what other circuits are tied into your relatives' 15 amp plug-in and drawing more load. I purchased a Hughes plug-in volt meter and leave it plugged in the receptacle by the entry door so I know what it going on when on gen power or shore power. Interesting when on shore power at a RV park. Sometimes the volts are higher in the morning than in the afternoon when more people are running their AC units.

[Travelin' Texans]

If you have a surge protector use it between the rv & house plug. If you don't have a surge protector/EMS, GET ONE ASAP!

[JamieGeek]

I plug into the same 120V outlet in our garage that I have a refrigerator plugged into. Run both all the time (RV & Refer without running A/C). Usually do that when getting ready or unloading.

I've even ran the A/C on that outlet (by unplugging the refer first) but only for short stints.

[Bob Denman]

It all comes down to how much power you're willing to try using...

I'm not that brave...

[tenbear]

I have my MH connected to a 15A outlet using an extension cord rated at about 15A. The only things that are on in the MH are occasional lights, battery chargers and the various alarms. I would never try the AC, microwave or any other high current device. When preparing for a trip we do have the refrigerator and occasionally the water pump on. No problems.

[wredman]

I do it a lot in my 50a RV, and i have an adapter that lets me connect into 2 separate 15a circuits in the house. I monitor voltage, and use 12ga extension cords.

My EMS gives me clues about what works off of each side of the 2x50a system so I am careful about what AC can be used. Initially, the battery charger and refrig use up enough that one AC can not be used, but the other is sitting on an otherwise idle load circuit. When I notice the battery charger is at a near rest, I can run both AC units.

Besides voltage, the risk is a tripped circuit breaker in the house, low risk. People get close to that every day using a hair dryer on high.


The attention and care are about the same as I have to employ while camping on a 30a site in the summer. One AC at a time, unless everything else is idle, then 2 can be used. Never combine microwave, coffee maker, etc. and AC on the same side.

[lazinskm]

I have run the Ac with a 25ft 12g cord no problems and cord was cool. Never tried microwave.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by wredman

I do it a lot, and i have an adapter that lets me connect into 2 separate 15a circuits in the house. I monitor voltage, and use 12ga extension cords.

Can you tell us more about the adapter?
Where can you get them?

[wredman]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Can you tell us more about the adapter?
Where can you get them?

I did not buy from Homedepot, but I think this is the one I bought.

For a 50a RV

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Camco-50...FQq9Twod3rEAJQ


Note - it does not work at most campsites because neither circuit can be GFCI protected.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Can you tell us more about the adapter?
Where can you get them?

Yep, it has to be more than an "adapter" because if it just joins two 15 amp plugs together it would give new meaning to the term "suicide cord" and could possibly short the two hot lines in your house together causing bigger problems.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by wredman

I did not buy from Homedepot, but I think this is the one I bought.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Camco-50...FQq9Twod3rEAJQ


Note - it does not work at most campsites because neither circuit can be GFCI protected.

Yeah, that's not an adapter that allows you to plug into two 15 amp receptacles and it is for a 50 Amp RV connection so it wouldn't work for a 30 Amp RV.

[wredman]

The adapter maintains the 2 separate feeds to the 2 separate circuits in your coach. They are both separately monitor-able via the EMS just like connecting to a true 50a service.

agree - not for a 30a RV

[jrp81752@yahoo.com]

Thanks to everyone for their sage advice! I appreciate the benefit of your experience. This is our first motorhome and we seem to learn something new each trip out.

[jb1911]

I use the 30a cord that we plug into the service at campgrounds. I've got an adapter that goes from the 30a male end into the 20a outlet in the garage. We use the AC without any problems and it keeps the batteries topped up.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by jb1911

I use the 30a cord that we plug into the service at campgrounds. I've got an adapter that goes from the 30a male end into the 20a outlet in the garage. We use the AC without any problems and it keeps the batteries topped up.

I do the same with my van or rented RVs. I also use the 30-Amp cord which minimizes voltage drop, and then use adaptor at 20-Amp plug in garage. I often run A/C or vacuum while cleaning RVs.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by jrp81752@yahoo.com

My motorhome uses 30 amp connection at campgrounds. But when visiting relatives and camped in their driveway I use a converter plug and use the house outlet which is of course only 15 amps. Is this dangerous? It allows me to have lights, refrigerator, tv, even heat with no problems. But haven't tried airconditioner yet.

Originally Posted by wredman

The adapter maintains the 2 separate feeds to the 2 separate circuits in your coach. They are both separately monitor-able via the EMS just like connecting to a true 50a service.

agree - not for a 30a RV

The OP was about connecting a 30 Amp RV to a 15 Amp outlet.