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New rooftop a/c suggestions for 1986 Escaper


ThadSkill

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Hi guys,

 

I just bought my first motorhome, a 1986 escaper. I am looking to put a new rooftop ac unit on, the previous owner removed the factory unit. It seems that the ac breaker is wired at 20 amps, most of the new ac units require well over 20 amps to start. I was hoping for some suggestions, we will be taking the escaper to death valley this summer, and we need to beat the heat! on a separate note, the escaper doesn't have a standard 30 amp receptacle for shore power, it has either a 15 or 20 amp plug in (standard wall outlet). Will I need to upgrade this to run an ac? I know the breaker box is wired to handle 30 amps.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Thad

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It's OK typically motors draw over 200% to start but the duration is short once it's running the current draw is well with in reason. This is why sometimes lights will dim for an instant when a well pump etc starts. There should be a 30 amp pigtail in the small compartment on the camper they did not have 30 amp outlet. If someone has cut the plug off or replaced the cord that will need to be corrected if you want to plug into a campground 30 amp. If the cord has been cut you also need to know what the size of the wire is inside of the cable if it is not a #10 wire it will not stand a 30 amp load. A RV 30 plug is a special plug a TT30P it can only be plugged into a TT30R outlet this keeps people from plugging into a 240 outlet. A camper plug can be used with an adapter to plug into a standard outlet but that derates it to a max of 20 amps. 

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From the school of hard knocks

Get some Reflectix for the windows to reduce heat gain cut to fit...https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-24-in-x-25-ft-Double-Reflective-Insulation-Roll-BP24025/100318553

Coat the roof with Kool Seal, to reduce heat gain...https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/search?categoryId=&query=Kool+seal

Do not use Aluminum color roof coat.

There are new H.E roof ACs for RV that will use much less power than the original units...https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-appliances/air-conditioner/air-conditioners-coleman-dometic/coleman-mach-iii-pwr-savr_63152.

If you have a proper 30 amp power cord, replace the 15 amp plug with a proper 30 amp plug...https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/electrical-plumbing-lp-gas/rv-electrical-systems-and-accessories/plugs-connectors/power-grip-30a-rpl-plugb_55-8543

If somebody replaced the power cord with a 15 amp extension power cord get a 30 cord and plug.

If the new AC trips your 20 amp breaker you may need an HACR type breaker...https://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D-Homeline-20-Amp-Single-Pole-Circuit-Breaker-HOM120CP/100045009

 

 

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Probably have a hard time stuffing a #10 wire in a 20 amp plug. If it's less than a #10 wire in the SJ cord it is going to cause problems. In most cases the load center uses a 30 amp breaker it is wired backwards the power comes from load side of the breaker this is perfectly legitimate they work just fine that way it supplies power to the panel they generally have a 30-20 and 15 amp breakers, the 30 is the main if that is exceeded it will kill everything.

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Yes fix the electrical stuff but more importantly DON"T go to Death Valley in the summer. Temps are already exceeding 110 degrees this early in the season. Even a minor breakdown can be a death sentence especially in an old RV. When temps get dangerous they do close Death Valley entrances. 

Linda S

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17 hours ago, linda s said:

Yes fix the electrical stuff but more importantly DON"T go to Death Valley in the summer. Temps are already exceeding 110 degrees this early in the season. Even a minor breakdown can be a death sentence especially in an old RV. When temps get dangerous they do close Death Valley entrances. 

Linda S

Ya think they might call it "death valley" for a reason?

 

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