Electrical Questions
- What is the proper operating voltage for a domestic RV air conditioner?
- How much electrical power (amps/watts) does my air conditioner use?
- What size generator do I need?
- The circuit breakers in my RV have been tripping while my air conditioner is in use. What could be the problem?
- # The supply voltage may be too low (see Question 2 in this section).
- Too many electrical loads on the vehicle's 30-amp power supply such as refrigerators, converters, coffee pots, microwaves, electric water heaters, etc.
- Long extension cords (see Question 5 in this section). For assistance in proper sizing of power cords, consult with your RV dealer or service center.
- Condenser (outside) coil is plugged with dirt, leaves, etc. (see Question 1 in the Maintenance section and Questions 5 & 6 in the Cooling section).
- What about extension cords?
Proper operating voltage is 115.0 VAC. The unit may be run safely between 103.5 volts and 126.5 volts. Do not operate the air conditioner outside of these parameters, as serious component damage may result.
Air conditioners are designed under specific operating conditions reflecting average use. The specification charts listed with each model reflect that model's power consumption at these design temperatures only. Design temperatures for most Coleman®-Mach® RV air conditioners are 95° F. outdoor temperature, 80° F. indoor temperature and 50% relative humidity. We are aware that the conditions under which our air conditioners might be operating may vary considerably from these design parameters. Thus, the power needed under these varying conditions may not reflect the design temperatures listed.
It is not the policy of RV Products to size generators for application in recreational vehicles or related structures. However, we recommend a 4,000-watt generator. Our 7,100-BTUH Mini Mach (Model 6727) can be operated using a 2,500-watt generator or larger. The increased power needed when starting the air conditioner compressor* is of greatest concern when sizing the generator. See Question 2 in this section for details.
* A compressor start assist kit may need to be added if your air conditioner is not factory equipped with one. Consult your dealer or service technician for assistance, if needed.
This is a very broad subject with many possible answers. Some of the most common include:
If you have eliminated the problems listed above, you may have more serious problems. You should seek professional help from an Authorized Service Center.
Light gauge and/or long extension cords tend to cause significant voltage drops to the vehicle/air conditioner. If used, the extension cord should be sized to maintain proper voltage at full load conditions. Serious component damage may occur if the air conditioner is operated under low voltage conditions (see Question 1 in this section). Neither 115-volt cheater plugs or 15-amp outlets are recommended.