Gulf Stream 8404 WFD, Owner'S Manual

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14
Consult your generator’s manufacturer’s owner’s
manual for further details on its use and maintenance.
(FIG. 5) 110-V SHORELINE CONNECTION
DO NOT USE A CHEATER PLUG TO HOOK UP
YOUR MOTOR HOME TO A 110 VOLT CIRCUIT.
DO NOT USE AN EXTENSION CORD WITH A
CURRENT RATING LESS THAN THE AMPERAGE
YOUR MOTOR HOME REQUIRES. EXTRA
EXTENSION CORDS REDUCE THE AMPERAGE
AND VOLTAGE BEING SUPPLIED TO THE RV AND
MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS.
30-Amp and 50-Amp 110-Volt Service
30-amp service is 110-volt service limited to a total of
30 amps of draw. A three pronged power supply cord
much like your clothes dryer would have in your house
identifies this type of power supply(FIG. 5). Each
appliance in your vehicle is capable of working by itself
with this type of service. However, you may not be
able to operate all your appliances at the same time
without causing a circuit breaker to blow.
A typical component in your vehicle such as a TV or
VCR will draw only about 1 amp. Other items such as
coffee makers and microwaves will draw 10-15 amps
when used. Roof air conditioners usually draw the
most, pulling up to 15 amps when the compressor is
running. So as you can see, with 30 amp service, you
can use only one air conditioner when hooked up to
shore power even if your coach is equipped with two.
The combined draw of two air conditioners may only be
29 amps, but other items in your coach such as
converters, refrigerators, water heaters, etc. will put
your draw over the 30-amp mark causing a circuit
break. You may be asking yourself ”Why then did Gulf
Stream install two a/c’s if I can only use only one at a
time?” This is done so that you can direct more cold air
to the front or rear of the vehicle if you desire. Plus,
usually they both can be operated while using your
generator.
30-amp service is the most common electrical service
in the RV industry and can be found at most, if not all,
RV campgrounds. This makes 30-amp service the
most user friendly as far as availability. If your vehicle
is equipped with 50-amp service, you will be able to
run any installed appliance at any time when a 50-amp
service park is available or you are running your
generator.
50-amp service is also 110-volt service, but it is
capable of running up to 50-amps of draw. Some
people believe that 50-amp service is the same as
having 220-volts of ac power. Yes, 50-amps of service
does have 220-volts, but only 110-volts is capable of
being supplied to any part of your system at any given
time. A four pronged power cord that is very unique
identifies 50-amp service, as two of the four prongs
each carry 110-volts of ac power. 30-amp service has
only one prong that carries 110 volts of ac power.
Each of the 110-volt lines in a 50-amp cord supplies
power to a designated part of your RV. In doing this,
when ac powered components are installed they can
be put on separate power feeds according to how
much amperage they draw. One example of this
method consists of installing two air conditioners for
use at the same time. Each one is powered by a
different power supply feed; therefore they both can be
used simultaneously. Think of 50-amp service as
having two shoreline power cords in one casing as
opposed to only one in 30-amp service.
If you travel to an RV park that does not offer 50-amp
service you will have to use an adapter to hook up to
shore power. Use of an adapter is not recommended,
but may not be avoidable. When using an adapter
remember that your coach will not have sufficient
power to run as many options as with 50-amp service.
You may be able to run both your air conditioners for a
limited time; however, this will cause damage to both
your ac units as well as other components by operating
them on insufficient power.
Listed below are components that might be used in
Gulf Stream vehicles and the maximum amperage
draw each one has. Whether your power supply is 30-
amps or 50-amps this chart may help you decide which
components you can safely use for an extended period
without damage.