You shouldn't have a problem as long as it is a properly wired 30 AMP system.Our 5ver is a 50 amp unit also but have had to use 30 amp at times and have had one that would not even handle one air conditioner but recently had a 30 amper that ran both Air Conditioners at the same time no problem.We are pretty big electrical users so that should give you some idea.Just make sure you use a Surge Protector.

We use the two high powered appliance rule in our rig when on 30AMP and we check with each other to make sure we can run the coffee pot, the washer/dryer, the hair dryer, or the toaster. It has been a long time since we tripped a 30AMP breaker. We are lucky since our Suburban hot water heater has a higher set point on electric than propane so if we turn off the electric and turn it on later the water heats a bit more. Our AC is also a heat pump so we also use it to heat as long as the outside is over about 40 to 42 degrees, otherwise it won't keep up. (On 50AMP our two heat pump/ACs can keep us warm down to 30 degrees because they have automatic de-ice modes and the furnace automatically comes on below 30.)
The main thing that works for us is to communicate so we both understand what can be run at any given time.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Wednesday 27th of October 2010 08:00:10 PM

As usual, good advice.

Racerguy makes a good point.  Not all 30-amp services are created equally.    Many don't provide all the amps they are supposed to and it often depends on how many people are on the same circuit and using it at the same time.

I agree that is important to have a "surge protector with voltage protection" for those times when your voltage might go too low during periods of high use on the circuit.

If you have a good 30-amp service where you will be, you shouldn't have any problems.  I like Bill's "two high powered appliance rule".  Anything that heats or cools uses lots of amps - air conditioner, water heater on electric, blow dryers, toasters, microwaves/convection ovens, electric fireplaces, electric heaters, etc.

If you don't have more than two of those on at any one time, you should be fine.  Also, keep in mind that high powered appliance use a surge of amps upon start-up, so even though you may be able to run three or more high powered appliances at the same time on 30 amps, you are more likely to trip a breaker when turning them on.

You should be just fine, but the more you know, the better you can adjust if there is a problem with the service.   

I might add a few “trips” that could be of assistance:

First, you would be surprised at how many amps the refrigerator takes.  5 is not uncommon.  That may not sound like much, but it all adds up to the 30 amp limit.  Other than the air conditioner / heat pump, naturally the biggest electrical offender that can run on gas, like the refrigerator, is the electric water heater.  When both the water heater and the refrigerator are drawing max power they add up to well over half of your available amps.

Oh, you may not be aware, but the 30 amp power limit is actually closer to 25 amps or so.  You see most electrical circuits and breakers only allow for about 80% of so of rated capacity all the time or continuous draw. So if you get real close to 30 amps and stay there for some time you can trip the breaker.  That is especially true if the voltage is low.  When voltage is low, amps go up to make up the difference in power required.  (That’s a little techno speak, but breakers trip based on amps.  It takes more amps to make the same power when voltage is low.  Power is equal to volts times amps.  So if one is low, the other has to go up to make the difference in the equation.  Power = Amps x Volts)

So, what we do, and you may want to consider especially if you have a microwave and want to run the heat pump, is to run the refrigerator and water heater on gas.  Naturally you can switch them back to electric and “manage” the loads to save a bit on LP costs.  But I’m just suggesting how what can be done to deal with the 30 amp issue if it does indeed become an issue for you. It really can be depending on what else you have in the rig – especially the infamous – high amp - hair dryer.  {Grin}  As was suggested, you can’t run everything at that same time – most likely not the air conditioner and the hair dryer.

For reference, remember, 30 amps is not 20 amps less than 50 amp service.  It is 70 amps less.  That’s because a 50 amp service is two legs, or feeds of 50 amps.  That equals 100 amps total power that is split between two 50 amp circuits in the rig.  So when on 30 amps, you actually have 70 amps less than the 50 amp service.  When you take this into consideration it may help explain why some people decide to run the refrigerator and water heater on LP when connected to 30 amps for an extended period of time acknowledging it does use LP.

If any of this is confusing I apologize.  But a little information sometimes makes the problem more manageable.  A good power monitor, like the Progressive Industries unit, which provides an amp meter to tell you exactly how many amps you’re drawing instantly for the entire rig, can be invaluable in this situation.  It will give a continuous readout of amps and voltage as well as protect the rig from low and high voltage issues.  We have found this to be a “must have” for us.  But that's just us.

Safe travel and good luck in your new position.

Bill