I have no trouble running the AC and refrig at home on a 20A circuit with GFI receptacle at the house. Your sister may be on to something about the receptacle needing to be replaced. GFIs are notorious for failure and in the past several years even the brand names (GE, etc) are suspect. An electrician recently told me he had replaced three in a row out of the box new and all failed upon installation due to faulty parts.
Also, I would hesitate to run a fifty foot cord, just like you indicated it might be the problem----unless it was at least a 12 gauge extension cord and most are 14 or 16 in my experience. I am fortunate that my PC cord will reach the outlet easily and therefore there is no extension cord involved.
My immediate solution if I had the problem would be to use the current only for the AC and run the refrig and HWH on propane. You can run a six foot refrig a long, long time on a tank of propane and the refrig will be more efficient than on electric.
Just my thoughts.
Paul
The easiest thing to do is just go to HD or Lowes and buy a good (? we hope!) GFI receptacle and replace the old one you are hooked up to. If doing that sort of thing is uncomfortable or inappropriate for you to do I would just bite the bullet and call an electrician. Electricity is something a guy should never DIY if you are not comfortable and competent in doing it. I know I will only do very basic, simple things and then I make the call.
I also have had to replace GFI receptacles in a few rvs over the years, but not so far in the PC. You and I both have 2013 models and I truly believe the parts were more reliable in many ways back then.
a brand new 15 amp 50 foot outdoor cord(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d7/a3/ae/d7a3ae5506817d1ef60dabde37150fe9.png)
The easiest thing to do is just go to HD or Lowes and buy a good (? we hope!) GFI receptacle and replace the old one you are hooked up to. If doing that sort of thing is uncomfortable or inappropriate for you to do I would just bite the bullet and call an electrician. Electricity is something a guy should never DIY if you are not comfortable and competent in doing it. I know I will only do very basic, simple things and then I make the call.
I also have had to replace GFI receptacles in a few rvs over the years, but not so far in the PC. You and I both have 2013 models and I truly believe the parts were more reliable in many ways back then.
Thanks again Paul. It's not actually my place but I'm sure my sister will call an electrician if we can figure out if the problem is on her end. I'm just trying to help troubleshoot this for her first since she's already doing me a big favor by letting me stay there for a while.
I also think parts were more reliable in the older models. So far mine's holding up well but I haven't used it like I did the first one, a 2005 2350. I put 20k miles on that one the first year I had it then had 50k on it when I traded it eight years later. No real problems on either except I had to have the air conditioner replaced under warranty in the 2005 one.
One other option I forgot, rather than a generator and all that other stuff, have your sister have an electrician add a 30amp RV outlet and buy a 30 amp 50' RV extension cord. Bet it will be cheaper than generator + the other stuff.
Between your converter/charger charging your house batteries, the a/c drawing 14 amps while running (and 50 amps for half a second to start the compressor and 5 or so amps for the refrigerator plus TV, lights, etc and add a long extension cord (probably too small a wire gauge you can not use a 20 amp outlet.
It just won't work, as you found out. Extension cords must be 10 gague (8 gague is even better) and you need to limit what you are using.
Which means a/c ONLY no TV, no refrigerator no non LED interior lights, no fans, etc.
To properly run your RV with an external generator you need 2 Honda 2200i generators with the parallel kit.. Well over $2000.
You should be able to use your inboard Onan to run it all as long as you can accept the noise.
Don
The problem is that you are using a 15 amp extension cord.
Ohm’s law:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law
Think of voltage as water pressure, resistance as restriction, and current as flow. Smaller gauge wire= higher resistance, and higher resistance = less current. But the power dissipated through resistance (restriction) becomes heat. So If the circuit breaker wasn’t doing it’s job the extension cord would eventually catch fire, because you are drawing more than 20 amps thru a 15 amp extension cord. Calculate the total load, then start by turning things off to keep it below 15 amps.
Instead of paying an electrician to replace a circuit breaker that’s actually just doing it’s job, consider investing in a longer 30 amp shore power cord, or even a 20 amp extension cord. If the contacts in the 30a to 15a adapter plug are burned that adds resistance too.
RE: Generator - I use one of these, and couldnt be happier -
https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-watt-super-quiet-inverter-generator-63584.html
(https://shop.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/5/6/56720_W3.jpg)
Carry it on a receiver mount cargo carrier with a couple cans of gas. MUCH quieter than the onboard when we boondock at festivals. I have one with 350 hours, and a newer one with 40 or so. Love them. Runs Ac just fine, i have frige and water heater on LP. 'Sturgi-stay' kit is handy for this also. I always use the external tank first, and only go to onboard tank for last resort.
You need a voltage readout and current draw reading. Right here is the answer:
https://www.amazon.com/Hughes-Autoformer-PWD30-Power-Protector/dp/B0791RW8M2
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/816EHkkovRL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
I love this item. Shows on my phone how much power (Amps ) is being used. And incoming voltage. It has settled a few arguments over whether I was drawing too much power, OR if the supply was bad. In an instant.Quotea brand new 15 amp 50 foot outdoor cord(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d7/a3/ae/d7a3ae5506817d1ef60dabde37150fe9.png)
You need a HD cord. I have a 30 foot shore power cord, and a 30 foot extension. Use a DOGBONE 30A to 15A adapter at the end for the outlet when I am moochdocking. I would suggest getting a better cord for your needs.
https://www.amazon.com/MICTUNING-Heavy-Extension-Handle-Organizer/dp/B07H7C2HQN
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61ZijuhbP-L._AC_SL1000_.jpg)
https://www.amazon.com/Epicord-Dogbone-Adapter-Handle-15M30F/dp/B076H29WF1
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rl8CYkU0S._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
OK.. now that I spent your money, you are set. roflol
No questions if your wiring is sufficient, and a meter that both protects you and informs you of use and supply rates. You will find power issues 'down the road' will be simple to diagnose.
Good Luck!