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<channel><title><![CDATA[Airstream Central - Info for Airstream Owners - Comments for article: Campground Power]]></title><link>http://www.airstreamcentral.com</link><description /><language>en-us</language><copyright><![CDATA[http://www.airstreamcentral.com]]></copyright><generator>N/A</generator><webMaster>humphrey@musician.org</webMaster><lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Sep 2010 01:05:06 CDT</lastBuildDate><ttl>20</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #1]]></title><link>http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment72</link><description><![CDATA[We always use a volt meter and polarity checker when settling down at a campsite.  Recently we sprung for a 30A former.  It has made all the difference in the world when it comes to using necessary electric appliances.  Yet it still maintains the equation of (1V x 1A = 1W).  And yes, the Lisa Douglas analogy really works.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by retoocs at 5:39 pm, Wed 22nd Oct 2008)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (retoocs)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:39:54 CDT]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment72</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #2]]></title><link>http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment94</link><description><![CDATA[One other important issue that needs to be checked and is almost as important as the low voltage issue.  That is the frequency of the AC coming into the trailer.   Here we have found that some who use gen sets are not aware that if the frequency (60 cycles) is low... even though the voltage is 120 volts... you will not get the power your requireing.    You can actually burn out the compressor and other items because it then cause a higher than normal current draw. 

Compressors are frequency dependent to make them run at the rated RPM.   If the frequency of the power coming in is low it can hurt them.   If high it can damge them also.   Thus you want to add a frequency meter to the old inst pannel in the trailer... so that you can see the voltage, frequency and current demands your placing on the line. 

Auto adjusting transformers are good for pumping up the voltage when low.  But won't work if they are off AC frequency (60 cycles)  which they were designed for. 

For more info on transformers and how they work check out google for ac transformers and frequency dependency. 

If you run off of a gen set... you need to have a calibrated frequency meter to insure that the 60 cycles is right on.   ( a cheap way to do it also is to use a AC powered clock that has a motor in it.   Here you use your watch or stopwatch and time it for 1 min.  If both hands of the two clocks are on the same number when done.. your pretty close to 60 cyc... but todays clocks mostly have been changed to digital and only convert the power to DC to run them... so make sure its a old motor one. )    If you need better meter... radio shack.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by GMAs at 2:11 pm, Mon 5th Jan 2009)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (GMAs)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:11:59 CST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment94</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #3 (Reply to Comment #2)]]></title><link>http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment95</link><description><![CDATA["... if the frequency (60 cycles) is low... even though the voltage is 120 volts... you will not get the power your requireing. ..."

To be quite honest, I can not see how the above scenario would ever happen with the generators commonly associated with gen sets.  And power is a function of current & voltage only.

On most gen sets, frequency is determined by the speed at which the generator's armature is rotating (usually 1800 or 3600 rpm).  A little slow, and frequency drops.  The voltage will drop too.  A little fast, and the opposite occurs.

I did not mention frequency in my original article because the slant was toward people who plug into campground power.  While it is great to be able to monitor frequency, I feel that the general camping populace will do just fine by just monitoring voltage.  If the frequency is off, line voltage will be affected.

TomW<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by TomW at 3:44 pm, Mon 5th Jan 2009)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (TomW)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:44:44 CST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment95</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #3 (Reply to Comment #2)]]></title><link>http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment96</link><description><![CDATA[I agree with you Tom... on the shore power... but some places have gen sets that provide power till a hour and then go quiet.  such as in mexico. 

As to the voltage going low.   Most alternators have voltage regulators built into them.  Even if the RPM drops the voltage regulator will throttle the alternator so that it keep the voltage up around 120.

As you know the motor on the AC is like a transformer and frequency dependent on getting up to RPM.   If the frequency is down it won't be making the RPM  or putting out the required power the compressor side would need to perform correctly. 

Most of the AS people now use some sort of AC gen set to power the trailer while sitting when they are away from the shore power or out in the rough.   it is actually more common than it used to be  as most enjoy the AC and other good life electric dependent items now a days... 

No the article was very informative and hope you will keep writing more...

GMAs<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by GMAs at 3:00 am, Thu 8th Jan 2009)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (GMAs)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:00:53 CST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment96</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #5]]></title><link>http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment103</link><description><![CDATA[It sounds to me that you have this figured out!  I am just in the process of shopping for my RV.  If I am not in a campground that supplies power (more wilderness sites) can I plug in my laptop to an outlet in the trailer and have my laptop run off the trailer batteries?  Would I have to run a generator and what size generator?  Multiple electrical appliances would not be an issue but I would like to do some writing on my laptop while off in the wilds.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Linda O at 7:34 pm, Sat 31st Jan 2009)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Linda O)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:34:16 CST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment103</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #6]]></title><link>http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment108</link><description><![CDATA[The laptop will probably require more power than the batteries provide if you use the power brick that plugs into you household electrical socket. However, you may be able to find a car/airline adaptor for your laptop that will run it from a 12volt source, if so, you can plug it in and you are in business!<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Eric at 2:59 pm, Mon 9th Feb 2009)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Eric)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:59:13 CST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment108</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #7]]></title><link>http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment111</link><description><![CDATA[If I were going to use a 25 ft. Air Stream in a trade show using Refregerator, AC, TV computers etc. How many AMPs would I tell them I needed?

Thanks for the help.  Kathryb<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Kathryn Childers at 12:00 am, Tue 24th Feb 2009)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Kathryn Childers)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:15 CST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment111</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #8 (Reply to Comment #7)]]></title><link>http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment165</link><description><![CDATA[Kathryb,

You would need a thirty amp, 240 volt circuit. 

You can run the AC using 20amp 120 volt circuit but just the AC will pull 12.5 amps, not leaving much for the Fridge, TV, Computers, and lights etc.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Warren at 1:36 am, Tue 23rd Jun 2009)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Warren)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:36:25 CDT]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment165</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #9]]></title><link>http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment338</link><description><![CDATA[I am transforming a 91 Ford e350 ambulance into a camper van. I have a 1000watt power inverter, and it runs my 32'' tv/dvd player, and lights while traveling. I just installed a small 5200btu 110 a.c. in the rear window. My questions -I have the tv/dvd,lights plugged into a power strip, and I have a 15amp conversion adapter that goes from 15amp to 30amp,to plug into the campground connection. Can in plug the a.c.,tv/dvd,lights all into a short 25' 12 gauge extension cord with a 3 way female plug, then plug straight into the adapter into the campground connection ? will it be enough power? Thanks so much<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by robin willis at 4:23 pm, Fri 9th Apr 2010)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (robin willis)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:23:40 CDT]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.airstreamcentral.com/articles/45/1/Campground-Power/Page1.html#Comment338</guid></item></channel></rss>