RV air conditioners are essential for staying cool on the road, and understanding their power source is key to managing your RV's electrical system. Based on the provided information, RV air conditioners primarily run on a standard electrical connection.
The Primary Power Source
According to the reference, RV air conditioners run on a 120-volt circuit. This is the voltage commonly found in household electrical outlets in North America.
This 120-volt power is delivered to the RV's air conditioning unit in several ways:
- Shore Power: When your RV is plugged into an electrical hookup at a campground or home, it receives 120-volt AC power directly from the grid. This is the most common and reliable way to power an RV's AC.
- Generator: An RV generator, whether built-in or portable, produces 120-volt AC power that can run the air conditioner when shore power is not available (like during boondocking or travel).
- Inverter: While less common for running large rooftop AC units directly (due to high power draw), an inverter can convert 12-volt DC battery power into 120-volt AC power. However, running an AC this way requires a large inverter and a substantial battery bank, often combined with solar power, and is more typical for smaller AC units or specific setups.
Understanding the voltage is important because the total power consumed by the AC unit is measured in watts, which is derived from the voltage and the amperage draw. The reference notes you can "multiply by the A/C's amperage to convert to wattage," illustrating the relationship between these electrical properties. Higher amperage draw means higher wattage (power) consumption on the 120-volt circuit.
Practical Considerations for Running Your RV AC
Knowing that your RV AC runs on 120 volts helps you manage your power usage:
- Amperage Draw: RV air conditioners, especially rooftop units, have a significant amperage draw when starting up and running. A typical 13,500 BTU unit might draw 12-15 amps when running. This draw must be within the limits of your power source (shore power pedestal amperage, generator capacity, or inverter/battery system).
- Starting Amps: AC units require a much higher surge of amperage (often 2-3 times the running amps) for a brief moment when they first start the compressor. This is why some smaller generators or older hookups might struggle to start an AC.
- Circuit Protection: RVs have circuit breakers, just like a house, to protect the wiring from overloads. An individual AC unit will be on its own 15-amp or 20-amp breaker on the 120-volt panel.
In summary, your RV air conditioner relies on a 120-volt AC electrical circuit to operate, obtaining this power primarily from shore power, a generator, or sometimes a capable inverter system.
