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We typically boondock, and my understanding of all things electric is something akin to voodoo magic, so please consider the source…
We have 2 solar-charged AGM batteries, and our electrical needs are generally quite minimal. However, we now have a trip to some very warm national parks coming up and will be plugged in to AC power to run the air-conditioning unit we had installed recently. It feels kinda wrong and decadent, but so does having a television in my bedroom while I’m camping. Anyway, here is my question—if we do not have an inverter installed, does plugging in to external AC power allow me to utilize the factory-installed 110v outlets without potentially bursting into flames?
Hopefully, this isn’t the stupidest question you’ve seen all day.
Thanks,
Deb H.
Evergreen, CO
2017 Ford F250 4×4 Supercab long bed
2017 Northern Lite 9-6Q SEThe short answer is yes.
If and when you ever put an inverter in, you would have to be careful that shore power and the inverter never attempted to power the same outlets at the same time.
Safest and easiest way to accomplish that is to have a separate power strip hooked up to the inverter.
Regards
John
I don't like to make plans. They cause the word "PREMEDITATED" to get used in court!
DON'T FEED THE VULTURES!
My Body is a Temple! Ancient, Crumbling, Probably Cursed . . .Good news, just like John said, you are home free, plug into our heart’s content! Unless someone has done something crazy to modify your camper’s system there is no danger and even if they have it would not be related to your batteries or solar panel. There actually is a code for wiring RVs just like there is for wiring in your home. 🙂
Wait, let me back up. Some campgrounds are wired incorrectly and can pose a serious shock or voltage problem. You may want to consider using something like this to test the wiring and voltage after you plug in or ideally before plugging in right at the campground connection.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/KKmoon-KKM5-Digital-Display-Socket-Detector-Portable-Circuit-Polarity-Voltage-Tester-Wall-Plug-Breaker-Finder-RCD-Test/375937709It is really very basic and even if you have no understanding of electricity, you can easily assure yourself all is well by simply reading the number and lights on the device. When I was working on RVs I saw far more damage done by bad campground wiring than I did RV wiring.
Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SCLet me add something to what aardvark said.
Ideally, you would plug that tester into the park’s power supply BEFORE hooking up. If you have a 30 amp plug – which is different from the normal household plugs – you would need a 15 amp female to 30 amp male adapter. You would plug the tester into the adapter, then plug the adapter into the 30 amp outlet in the park. Once you’ve established that the outlet is wired correctly, no reversed hot and ground or anything like that, go ahead and plug in.
(Campground “handymen” often do the maintenance on these things instead of licensed electricians, and they don’t always get it right!)
Once you are plugged into the shore power, I would plug that tester into one of your inside outlets so you can keep an eye on the voltage. On a hot day, when all the RVs are trying to run their air conditioning at the same time, the voltage can drop, causing a local “brownout”. If the power falls below 110 volts, it can damage your air conditioner if you keep trying to run it. By damage, I don’t necessarily mean it will burst into flames or fail, but rather you can wind up shortening it’s life drastically.
Regards
John
I don't like to make plans. They cause the word "PREMEDITATED" to get used in court!
DON'T FEED THE VULTURES!
My Body is a Temple! Ancient, Crumbling, Probably Cursed . . .Not everyone is tech savvy enough to be comfortable with a digital multimeter.
And just because the campsites on either side were wired correctly is no proof that the outlet in YOUR campsite was wired correctly.
Regards
John
I don't like to make plans. They cause the word "PREMEDITATED" to get used in court!
DON'T FEED THE VULTURES!
My Body is a Temple! Ancient, Crumbling, Probably Cursed . . .And the rationale for having a means for periodic monitoring is incoming voltage can change depending on demand in the campground. Saw 110 one time when I plugged in and 85 at dinner time, it happens.
Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SC85 volts? Are you kidding me?
A. Seriously, how often does that happen?
B. Seems like you would have to be constantly checking although
probably mostly when the CG is pretty full.
C. A pity there’s no plug-in voltage alarm, or is there?It’s good to be a n00b - so I can aspire to be just stoopid.
Monrovia, CA
Yes they do, it is what we use, Progessive Power Management System. All automatic, connects and disconnects you automatically. Just plug in and forget it. Is a bit pricey, more than some folks want to spend. Plus surge protection built in.
Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SCMick,
Here’s a link. https://www.loveyourrv.com/progressive-industries-model-ems-hw30c/
This model does monitor and shut the power if voltage is too low or too high. I have been using one for years. 🙂
Steve
Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SC
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