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Topic Closedwhich r-pod should I buy?

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Direct Link To This Post Topic: which r-pod should I buy?
    Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 7:00pm
I like that idea, Bob.  If I get a voltmeter, should I be looking for 120 on the meter when plugging it in?  If I see less than that, does that mean I should use my generators instead?  If you could help me know what's safe or too low, I would appreciate it.  Thank you!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 6:32pm
Quite often the voltage at a campground can be under the standard of 120 volts.  It it is too low, it can conceivably damage sensitive electrical devices or affect the operation of your air conditioner.  I always keep a digital voltmeter that plugs into one of the pod's outlets.  I began using an analog voltmeter years ago for that purpose, back in the days when brownouts were more common.  I take no chances with my electronics.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 6:21pm
You should be able to run the dryer, but nothing else while you are drying your hair. We have a toaster and a four cup coffee maker. If we run both we blow the circuit. But no biggie, we just reset the circuit and choose which appliance to use.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 5:11pm
Seanl, thanks!!  That's the clearest it's ever been explained to me!  And it makes sense even a blonde can follow.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 5:03pm
Originally posted by SchipperPod

What do I use for a voltage number?  I'm still really confused.  If I plug in with a 30 amp service at a site, you're saying that that's divided between outlets?  I guess if someone could tell me, for most camp sites with electrical hookup, what are my amps, what's my voltage, and how many watts I can then use... - I don't even know enough to ask this question correctly.

Okay a little electrical theory. Power ( which is measured in watts) is Current (amps) times Voltage.
The formula is written like this P=IxE. So if you turn the equation around then I (current)= E (voltage)/P(watts).
when you plug into the post at a campground the campground provides you with 120 Volts at 30 amps. This goes into a distribution panel in your Pod. This is like your breaker panel in your house. At the distribution panel the electricity goes through breakers to different circuits  in the trailer. The plugs are on a 15 amp breaker so you can run anything that uses less than 15 amps on that circuit. So to calculate how many amps an appliance uses. you take the watts, in this case 1800 for you hair drier and divide it by the Voltage. so 1800/120=15 amps. So if you have nothing else plugged in you can use your hair drier.  If you do overload the circuit then all that happens, as has already been said, is you trip a breaker that has to be reset. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 4:56pm
furpod and Sleepless, thank you!!  I'm finally starting to get it!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 4:38pm
In this case.. 1800 watts / 120 volts = 15 amps. That means, while your blow dryer is running, nothing else on that circuit can be on.

You have 30 amps of 120v available. But you can't use all 30 amps on one circuit. It is divided up into several circuits, and none of them can draw more than their breaker allows, without tripping said breaker.

Just like at home, you have the CAPABILITY to draw more amps then you can have (likely 200 amps at 240v) but nobody turns EVERYTHING on in their house, or pod at once..
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 4:21pm
What do I use for a voltage number?  I'm still really confused.  If I plug in with a 30 amp service at a site, you're saying that that's divided between outlets?  I guess if someone could tell me, for most camp sites with electrical hookup, what are my amps, what's my voltage, and how many watts I can then use... - I don't even know enough to ask this question correctly.
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Teri & Jeff Black
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 2:21pm
Amps multiplied by the voltage will give you the wattage.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 2013 at 2:13pm
How do I convert amp numbers to wattage?  I never really understood the relationship.
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Teri & Jeff Black
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