Most RV owners assume each campsite has dedicated electrical service, but many RV parks run multiple sites off shared transformers and circuit panels. This means your neighbor’s electrical usage can directly impact the quality of power reaching your RV, especially during peak demand periods.
The most common setup splits a 50-amp service between two adjacent sites, or runs several 30-amp sites off the same circuit breaker. When multiple RVers run high-draw appliances simultaneously — air conditioners, electric water heaters, or microwaves — the voltage at each pedestal can drop below optimal levels. Low voltage makes your appliances work harder and less efficiently, causing air conditioners to struggle, LED lights to dim, and motors to run hotter than designed.
This shared infrastructure explains why some experienced RVers avoid running major appliances during obvious peak times, like early evening when everyone’s cooking dinner or mid-afternoon when air conditioners are working hardest. It’s not just about being considerate; it’s about protecting your own equipment from voltage fluctuations and brown-out conditions.
A basic voltage meter can help you identify problematic electrical service before it damages your RV’s systems. Consistent readings below 110 volts on a 120-volt system indicate the park’s electrical infrastructure is overloaded. In these situations, running your generator during peak hours might actually be gentler on your appliances than using shore power, even though it seems counterintuitive to run a generator when you’re paying for electrical hookups.