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RVs 30 amp campground hook up vs 3300 watt generator?
Alright here's a brief explanation and then a question or so.
Most RVs are equipped with a 30amp hook up. When you stop at an RV park they usually have a 30 amp hook up as well and that is sufficient to run the fridge, air conditioner small TV and whatever else that usually comes standard on a RV.
110 volts x 30 amps = 3300 watts
Ok now onto a generator that supplies 4000 watts peak demand and 3300 watts of continuous power.
Reading through different forums related to RVs and generators. It's still suggested to have a larger generator such as 5000 watts to 10,000 watts to run the RV.
Main question I guess would be what's the difference between the incoming powers? Why would one work better than the other? Why does the majority suggest a larger generator?
Thanks in advance
2 Answers
- PimpMyRideLv 79 years agoFavorite Answer
The 30A RV park hookup is probably the best solution.
While small generators are great for "backup", the power they provide is often "dirtier" than what the RV 30A hookup delivers. Surges and changes in the current draw make their small engine strain to maintain the appropriate RPM's and it's partly the engine RPM that determines not only the amount of current produced but also the output frequency. While commercially delivered AC is generally within about 1/10th of a percent of 60Hz, small generators can swing as much as perhaps 4-5Hz in either direction. Likewise, the voltage is more stable with the 30A hookup and not as sensitive to a sudden current demand that will drop the voltage.
That's also the reason for recommending a larger generator. Having a higher output capacity allows the engine (and the generator itself) to run with less strain which evens out the sudden changes in demand.
- ?Lv 49 years ago
You don't say how big your RV is, so I don't know how big a space you're trying to cool. If it's under 25' or so, the 3300 will work fine. If it's bigger than 26', you may need more generator.
Plus, there's the size of the tv. Right now you may have a small one, but one day you may want a big screen, and those things drink up the juice. They probably factor in big screen tvs when they recommend more watts.
