Here's why campground power sucks

That 50-amp plug at the campground is not giving you the power you might think. 

In fact, when the campground is full, the power outlet might be capable only of supplying as little as 41% of the power it's rated for.

We learned this fact from our friend Mike Sokol, an RV electrical expert who has a free Substack that you can subscribe to for daily articles. In a recent article, he pointed out that the National Electrical Code doesn't require campgrounds to design their electrical distribution to support all the campsites at once.

This is a big deal for RVers. Primarily, it explains why the voltage at your campsite can sag way below the minimum required, when the campground is nearly full and everyone is running their air conditioners on a hot day.

According to Mike, when a campground has 36 sites or more "the park electrical service can be sized at an ampacity no greater than what is necessary to adequately supply just 41% of the total load."  (There's a lot more detail in Mike's post here.)

He continues: "That’s just 20.5 amps required for each leg of a 50-amp pedestal outlet! No wonder there’s a huge voltage sag in full campgrounds during hot weather…"

That drop in voltage is why RVers so often suffer burned-out air conditioners and melted power plugs. In the worst-case scenario, there's even a risk of fire.

Fortunately, you don't have to just stand by and hope that your Airstream doesn't suffer damage. There are several ways to fight back:

1. Get an Electrical Management System (not just a surge protector) that can protect your Airstream by cutting off the power if it gets dangerous. It will also show you the voltage available at the campground pedestal at all times, and how much power you are currently using.
   
   
2. Install an EasyStart on your air conditioner. This device reduces the startup current required by the air conditioner by up to 75%, which means it's a lot less likely to have a problem. The EasyStart also includes protection for your air conditioner compressor if you don't already have an EMS. 
   
   

3. Clean the metal ends of your power cord, and the power inlet (on the Airstream). Dark colored corrosion or carbon build-up is a warning that your plug may be about to melt down. We have a kit that includes the right tool and products to help you with this simple task.

   
   
4. Consider a Micro-Air EasyTouch thermostat upgrade. This device allows you to remotely monitor and change the temperature inside the Airstream, which can be helpful if you're away and worried about pets and power outages.

As Benjamin Franklin said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By planning ahead for these campground power issues you'll reduce your risk of a burned compressor or melted power cord this season.