Elecrical Outlet Amperage Max

[dowgars]

How are the electical double outlets fused? Are they 15 A or ? Can I plug in a portable air conditioner rated at 12.8 amps ( I understand about start up amps) 14000 BTU's and run it through the van wiring when I'm plugged in?? Thanks

[Ford_6L_E350]

It should be through the breakers. 15A should be ok.

Mike

[salivan]

Oooh ... something else to buy! Did you do the math for the BTUs based on sq. ft.? How do you vent the air to the outside? I checked on-line and was surprised that the 12,000 BTU portable units were not too expensive.

Philip

[Pntyrmvr]

Originally Posted by salivan

Oooh ... something else to buy! Did you do the math for the BTUs based on sq. ft.? How do you vent the air to the outside? I checked on-line and was surprised that the 12,000 BTU portable units were not too expensive.

Philip

Hi;

I believe he will put the unit in a modified window opening and let it run. Not the prettiest thing, but neither is a sweat soaked pillow.

There's a photo or two of it around here somewhere.

Regards,

Gavin

[dowgars]

Air n water has a NewAir 14000 that will fit at the front end of my passenger side cabinet and against the left side cargo door. It is almost triangular shaped so the exhaust appears it would crawl nicely all the way up to my solid top side window and the plastic window attachment parts will fit nicely with a little adaptation. My only hesitation is if my wall outlet will support the startup amps. 12.7 are the running amps. I'm talking when I'm plugged in or use 2 Honda 2000's.

[daveb]

Adding a 20A relpacement socket would never hurt. Of course the wireing must also be up to par. A 20 A socket has heavier componets and will run a little cooler.

home depot

[dowgars]

You may see my previous posts where I tried this with a 5000 btu and a honda generator. 5000 btu is no where near big enough.

[dowgars]

I've heard that circuit breakers have a delay or other accommodation for a start up surge before tripping. As for replacing the recepticle I would worry about the wiring. The van set up 15A should be adequate for the continuous amperage. I'd like to hear from someone with more electrical knowledge than me specific to the van. Thanks

[Gooseberry]

A 15 amp breaker is not really a 15 amp breaker it depends on the ambient air temp and the continuous load. The load center style breakers are a thermal magnetic type breaker as they have a bimetallic strip that will trip the breaker like when a motor bearing is going out and it’s drawing to much current and a magnetic coil that will trip on a short circuit. I think all breakers have an 80% rating unless they are marked 100% rated.

You could switch to a 20 amp receptacle but you’re wiring is only 14g so that would need to upgraded to 12g and then the breaker will need to be 20 amp also.

[dowgars]

So Gooseberry: Do you think my wall outlet and van electrical will handle a air conditioner rated at 12.7 amps with the van plugged in? ( I won't hold you to it. I'd just like your opinion)