The amperage meter will only occasionally start fluctuating. It is a 15 amp circuit. It will "sometimes" start fluctuating between 20 and 35 amps and sometimes spike to as much as 78 amps.
2006-11-13 16:34:37 · 3 answers · asked by wannabesparky 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Does your meter have an RMS stamp? Cheaper meters will work fine with filtered city power and constant DC but will not play nice with an RV generator output. Smaller generators put out "messy" power that work fine with most appliances anyway (except clocks and computers).
If your amperage spikes that high, you will blow fuses and you won't need a meter for that. If your fuses aren't blown, then they simply haven't seen their rated amperage.
The AC is the biggest load in an RV, (unless you've done something crazy with your home entertainment system). You can't buy a fold-down camper unit with anything smaller than a 30 amp "shore power" cord. The AC is just too big of a load. All RV's with 2 AC units have a 50 amp cord.
I don't know if you have a generator or an AC problem at all. But you can't run an RV AC unit on a 15 amp cord. If it's the installed wiring and generator youre running on, you should be okay. If you've rigged a generator up and you're using 15 amp cord, it's just too small to supply the AC.
If the concern arose when the lights dim when the AC turns on, keep in mind that your little Onan is going to struggle with starting an AC unit more than the National Grid will when you plug into shore. Voltage will dip, and Current will spike on startup, that's just how those things are built.
I hope somewhere in there you found something useful. I don't work on RV's anymore and it's hard to know what's going on if I'm not seeing it. But most electrical problems can be solved without a meter. (My test light was handy while my meter collected dust. I really only even used the voltage settings for the suspect batteries. And no, I couldn't afford an RMS one myself!)
2006-11-13 17:49:31 · answer #1 · answered by Michael 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may be problems in the compressor, which is causing variable draw in the current. Have the A/C serviced.
Incidentally, in the words of "The Art of Electronics": "The correct term for the phenomenon measured in amperes is CURRENT. 'Amperage' is strictly bush-league."
2006-11-13 16:38:21 · answer #2 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the fuses dont blow or the breaker doesn't trip and the lights don't dim..... quit worrying......
2006-11-14 01:20:06 · answer #3 · answered by Barrie66 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋