jagibson58
Well-known member
Would adding one Coleman Mach soft start enable us to use the 12 volt refrig. and one hvac for one or two days ( probably connected to a family members 15 amp outlet) ?
Limited off the grid camping
- Thread starter jagibson58
- Start date
BryanValRox
Elite Member
We can run 1 AC from our garage 15 amp outlet and the converter which in addition to your battery takes care of the 12 volt side. No soft start needed.
Soft starts only address the initial in rush current when an AC unit starts up when signaled by the t-stat.
The watch out when using a 15 amp outlet to try to run you rig is the wire size and length of the extension cord.
Use the shortest cord possible with the heaviest wire gauge that your budget will allow. This has a huge impact on voltage drop which is not good for your 120 v devices.
I also highly recommend that you purchase on of these to keep an eye on your voltage, regardless of your camping environment.
The frig has nothing to do with the power to AC unit. Frig is DC, Air Con is AC power.
Will you be running the AC 24hrs a day? If so, that won't allow much power back to battery bank to keep frig running. If you're only running AC during the day, then you should be fine.
You'll want to use your RV's power cord and not an extension cord. Then just get a bonebone to step down to the 15 amp plug at the house.
Finally, you'll want to make sure the outlet/circuit you're planning to use isn't being used by other items in the home.
Will you be running the AC 24hrs a day? If so, that won't allow much power back to battery bank to keep frig running. If you're only running AC during the day, then you should be fine.
You'll want to use your RV's power cord and not an extension cord. Then just get a bonebone to step down to the 15 amp plug at the house.
Finally, you'll want to make sure the outlet/circuit you're planning to use isn't being used by other items in the home.
BryanValRox
Elite Member
OC, so I guess we will agree to disagree on the use of the rv 50 amp cord.
I don’t like dragging out the 50 amp cord at home, just to do maintenance or pre cool the refrigerator prior to departure.
I have found that a 12 gauge 50 foot cord supplies a normal and expected voltage to the rig.
It is capable of running one AC plus the converter which as you know keeps the battery charged and the 12 volt side functioning normally. ( in addition to any solar available)
I totally respect your thought process of the 50 amp cord with a dog bone at the house, and totally agree that the circuit of choice needs to be dedicated to the demand, however other options still exist that will safely function. In a head to head, I will concede that your set up will likely have less voltage drop to the rig.
In my case, I have found that using the 15 to 50 adapter at the rig connection still supplies normal and expected voltage to the rig for the electrial demands I ask of it.
Just saying there is more then one method to obtain a goal and everyone has to determine what works best for them.
Hope you had a Happy 4th
Best regards!
I don’t like dragging out the 50 amp cord at home, just to do maintenance or pre cool the refrigerator prior to departure.
I have found that a 12 gauge 50 foot cord supplies a normal and expected voltage to the rig.
It is capable of running one AC plus the converter which as you know keeps the battery charged and the 12 volt side functioning normally. ( in addition to any solar available)
I totally respect your thought process of the 50 amp cord with a dog bone at the house, and totally agree that the circuit of choice needs to be dedicated to the demand, however other options still exist that will safely function. In a head to head, I will concede that your set up will likely have less voltage drop to the rig.
In my case, I have found that using the 15 to 50 adapter at the rig connection still supplies normal and expected voltage to the rig for the electrial demands I ask of it.
Just saying there is more then one method to obtain a goal and everyone has to determine what works best for them.
Hope you had a Happy 4th
Best regards!
My thought on this is simple...most people buy (or have) cheap extension cords, that will lose voltage and heat up over a long run.
BryanValRox
Elite Member
Certainly respect you thoughts, and I can’t disagree. As with everything electrical, proper circuit sizing is extremely important and critical to safety.