120-Volt Energy Management: Part 2

Earlier, in Part 1 of this series, we discussed an overview of the 120-volt AC system and how electricity comes in from the shoreline source and supplies the appliances. In this article we will talk about what individual appliances require for electrical power, and how to manage your system to prevent overloading the source.

Most campground sources or shoreline power will have two or three outlets available for power. Smaller campgrounds typically only have 15-amp and 30-amp power which will limit the number of appliances you can run, and are usually not a good option for the bigger 5th wheel trailers or large motorhomes. To run both roof air conditioners and other appliances, these rigs require 50-amp power which supplies two “legs” of 120-volt power.

Outlet
30 and 50 amp outlet

Proper energy management starts with an understanding of what power your appliances will draw in your rig. Most 120-volt appliances will have a data plate that has the model, serial number, and amp draw at maximum capacity. Maximum capacity means the amp draw when that appliance is working at the highest load. For example, an air conditioner that might only draw 8-10 amps during fairly cool temperatures but will draw a maximum of 14 amps when it is really hot.

Make a list of all the appliances in your coach that operate on 120-volt power and use the chart below to see what applies to your rig:

Load management basics chart

Notice there is quite a range in the amp draw for some of the appliances, such as a microwave that can be anywhere from 6-13 amp. It’s important to identify your specific model and calculate the draw. However, there is an easier way which we will cover later.

Let’s look at a typical RV plugged into a 30-amp shoreline plug. The power comes into the distribution center with a main circuit breaker and has individual breakers for appliances such as the refrigerator, air conditioners, and others. If you are running one air conditioner it could draw 8 amps at moderate temperatures and up to 14 amps during high load. Units built before 1990 might have air conditioners that could draw up to 18 amps!

Let’s say your refrigerator running on 120-volt power is drawing 6 amps, so in theory this rig is only drawing 14-20 amps during normal operation. But now we need to factor in the temporary usage appliances and the battery converter or charger! Interior lights, roof vent fans, LP appliances and other system running on 12-volt power draw from the house batteries and the converter or battery charger will kick on to recharge the batteries as they draw down to a certain voltage. This can draw anywhere from 4-9 amps without any warning! Most RVers understand that using a microwave oven, toaster, or other 120-volt appliances will create a spike in the amp draw and plan for it. However, you need to be aware of these items that will create a “peak” in amp draw such as the converter.

Now it is time to find the actual amp draw of your appliances. Keep in mind, anything that creates heat with a glowing coil or metal such as hair dryers, curling irons, or hot plates draw a lot of amps. You need to know what that appliance draws so when you use it temporarily, you might need to shut something else off, like the roof air conditioner. I use a meter called Kill A Watt which plugs into any 120-volt outlet and then plug the appliance in to find the amps or watts it draws. You can find these on Amazon or at any home improvement store in the electrical department.

Kill a watt outlet

Plug in all appliances that will be used even temporarily to calculate the amp draw. Don’t forget about the chargers for cell phones, laptops, and CPAP machines at night! Once you get all the data collected, you will need to physically manage the energy draw by shutting off items like the roof air conditioners, refrigerator, or electric water heater while temporary appliances are being used.

There is another option though, an energy management system (EMS) such as the Intellitec model which is used by several manufactures in larger units. This system has appliances such as the roof air units, refrigerator, and electronic water heater connected to a smart computer that will automatically shut off these appliances temporarily as the amp draw gets over the limit. In the case of the air conditioner, it shuts down the compressor, but the fan will still run to provide air flow, then the compressor if needed. For the refrigerator, it will shut down the 120-volt operation which means it switches over to propane. All this is usually is for about 2-3 minutes as the microwave or other appliance is drawing a higher load so food will not spoil and the interior temperature will not get uncomfortable.

Powerline energy management system

Here is an example of the Winnebago version called Powerline which tells you the AC amp load and sheds appliances.

Surge guard

An easier option is the Surge Protector by Surge Guard which is a protection from a spike in voltage from the campground source and will shut down if the power from the source goes down below 110-volts. This protects motors and condensers in appliances but also shows the amps your rig is using at a quick glance. You can get this portable version, or a more secure option can be permanently mounted in your service compartment.

Whatever method you use, it’s important to understand the load your appliances and equipment will draw and manage it according to the power available.

To read more about 120-Volt Electrical Systems, check out Part 1: 120-Volt Electrical Basics!

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51 Responses to “120-Volt Energy Management: Part 2”

  1. Ron Herman

    I am looking to put a energy management system in my RV to handle a 3rd A/C

  2. Stacey Murdock

    Standard distribution panel 30 amp input. Investigating burned wires in newly acquired used class B. Hot wires to circuit breakers, bare copper wires to cas ground, neutral wires to insulated terminal block but with additional bare copper ground wire on the terminal strip to probably vehicle frame ground. Shouldn't the neutrals be ungrounded in this scenario?

  3. Paulette Lafaver

    generator starts and runs but little power to the coach. Could it be the governor or voltage regulator and where are they on a Onan 5000 ???

  4. Ashley

    rv life with trial and error kinda project.....fridge thermistor had no ohms. i replaced and blew a fuse it seems, but in the process of troubleshooting i unplugged the wires from circuit board on fridge. There is a green and purple wire coming down from top of fridge. there is also a white wire not connected on either end to anything. the options are 12v, 12v ground, gv ground, and gv 12 volt......i think.... any help in direction is greatly appreciated. i found specs for circuit board, but none with wires attached so i can find where they go.

  5. Richard

    The plug in the picture looks like a 20 amp plug and you have it labeled 15 amps, could this mislead someone?

  6. Jesus Mora

    When I turn on the water pump the interior lights star getting low deem and flash a litlle, this just started, I was connected to the 30 AMP plug

  7. James J Allen

    I need to hook up to shore power at home, my RV is 30amp, the outside outlet at home is a 20amp circuit. I have the 30amp to 20amp stepdown. What guage outdoor extension cord should I use?

  8. Gordon

    On the 2004 Vectra they hav central air and heat with this unit there has always been like well sounds like a dry bearing, since day one we bought new. Been in shop nobody knows what it is .it just keeps running , making noise . Should hav insisted on a replacement ya got any input on it

  9. Ricky Berens

    Rv is 50amp. Going to Yellowstone this June and one campground we are staying at only has 30amp service. If I get a 30 to 50 amp adapter, will it hurt my RV electrical system? As stated I will only be able to run one of me AC units.

  10. Ted

    Will a 50 amp surge protector work on a30 amp cord with an adaptor?