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Like your home, the vehicle has a 110-volt alternating current (AC) system that requires an external source of 110-volt
electricity. A shoreline connection (extension cord) or an optional electrical on-board power generator or an inverter
can provide this power. In order to use your 110-volt electrical system, your shoreline (power cord) should be plugged
into either a properly rated external power source or the generator should be running, or in some cases the inverter
should be turned on. TO CONSERVE BATTERY POWER, USE OF THE SHORELINE IS RECOMMENDED
WHENEVER POSSIBLE. (FIG. 5)
Shoreline Ground Warning:
IF YOUR POWER SUPPLY IS
NOT PROPERLY GROUNDED YOU MAY EXPERIENCE A
DANGEROUS SHOCK WHEN STANDING ON THE GROUND AND
TOUCHING A METAL PORTION OF THE MOTOR HOME. USE A
CONTINUITY TESTER TO ENSURE PROPER GROUNDING.
Extension Cord Warning:
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!
(FIG.
5)
110-V SHORELINE CONNECTION
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 large three pronged power supply cord
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.
Summary of Contents for Indiana
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