Instructions for Connecting an Adapter to Run 2 Air Conditioners on a RV

Some large campers need two ACs but are not factory equipped to power them.

A functioning air conditioner is one of the greatest comforts for the user of a recreational vehicle. Larger RVs need two air conditioners to cool the living space in hot or humid climates, and there typically is a unit serving the main communal area and another serving the master bedroom. Many older RVs -- and almost all of those powered through a 30-amp connection -- will be unable to run units simultaneously without the addition of an aftermarket adaptor. The adapter ensures the start-up cycles of each condenser unit, which spikes the amperage demand, never happen at the same time.

Things You'll Need

• Energy management adapter
• Screwdriver OR wrench
• 20-amp extension cord

Instructions

1. Attach the aftermarket energy management adapter to your RV in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Typically, the unit is sold with fasteners for a screwdriver or a wrench, and you will be advised to fit it either in the generator bay or in the bay set aside for storing your shore power connection cord.

2. Follow the adapter manufacturer's instructions concerning the connection of the unit to the two ACs and to your RV's thermostat controls. A series of clearly marked terminals on the adapter must be matched to feed wires serving the separate AC units and to wires coming from the thermostats.

3. Connect your RV to shore power as you normally would, attaching your 30-amp shore power cord to the proper outlet on the campground power pedestal.

4. Run a heavy extension cord from the 20-amp outlet on the pedestal to the connector supplied on the adapter for this purpose. It should be clearly marked.

5. Allow your new energy management system to operate the two ACs in tandem, albeit not simultaneously. It will be programmed to trade off the demands of your AC thermostats with the power it has available, and route that power automatically. There is no manual override.

Tips & Warnings

• Even using a proper adapter, you will blow the pedestal's circuit breakers if you put much load on them beyond the two roof ACs. Switch off one of the ACs at its integral control panel if you need to use a cooker or another appliance that demands high amperage.

• If your generator fascia has both 30-amp and a 20-amp outlets, this system will work from the generator also, as long as the two ACs do not exceed the generator's maximum load capacity.

References

• Good Sam Club: Operating Two ACs on Shore Power
• RV Net: Running Two ACs at the Same Time

Resources

• New RVer: Keeping Cool with RV Air Conditioning