What size generator

[Ted Lambert]

1rst What size generator is needed to power an air conditioner and nothing else?
2 nd What is an invertor generator?

[JJH3rd]

Watts the answer.
For example, a 12,000 BTU window unit that uses 120v and draws 12 amps when cooling expends 1440 watts (P=IE). This means that the generator needs to be able to produce say 1500 watts under load with a peak of somewhere near 2000w. By the way I am not an electrical engineer or qualified electrician so in this case it is best to take free advice for what its worth. However this gives you a starting point.

We have an inverter/charger in our MH, This inverter part takes 12volts from the house batteries and turns it into 120v "AC" for the devices that need regular wall electricity. The charger part re-charges the batteries when they are not providing power to various electrical things.

[LJowdy]

An Inverter generator is superior to others in that it converts the produced AC current to DC then converts is back to AC thus giving a constant maintained supply of Alternating current. In some cases a 2,000 watt converter will run an AC but it's stretched to its limits. If you're looking for just power for an air conditioner I'd go with nothing less than 3,000 watts.

[Ted Lambert]

One thing I did not mention this is a 13.5k BTU roof A/C.

If that will make a difference.

[Isaac-1]

It really does depend on the brand of generator here, and maybe model of air conditioner as running load is easy to calculate, however where things get complicated is the momentary starting load on an air conditioner, since it will vary with compressor load which can increase with ambient temperature. So a 2,000 watt generator may be able to "run" an air conditioner, but may not be able to start one, particularly on a hot summer day.

So while some sub 3,000 watt generators may work, 3,000 watts or higher in a good name brand generator is a safe bet, just watch out for some of those bargain imports whose output ratings seem to have came from the marketing department and not the engineers.

p.s. an inverter generator is built a bit differently than a traditional generator. A traditional generator runs at a fixed speed to generate 60Hz AC power at either 120 or 120/240 volts in the case of an RV this is usually 1800 or 3600 rpms, although some use belts and pullies that allow the engine to run at a lower fixed speed. This fixed speed rotor is what generates the 60 cycle per second wave form of the AC power. By contrast an inverter generator has an engine that speeds up and slows down with load, and drives a small 3 phase generator which operates much like an automotive alternator, the power from this generator is rectified to DC, then converted back to 60 Hz AC through an inverter circuit electronically.

[MSHappyCampers]

Yup, learn something new here every day! I didn't know there was any such animal as an "inverter generator"!

[unyalli]

Do you want the hassle of gas cans and additives and possible spills or would you like to run off the RV propane system you already maintain?

- Jeff

[cruzbill]

With this gizmo and a Honda 2000i inverter generator, you can start and run your 13,500 AC


https://www.microair.net/collections...-soft-starters

[unyalli]

Originally Posted by cruzbill

With this gizmo and a Honda 2000i inverter generator, you can start and run your 13,500 AC


https://www.microair.net/collections...-soft-starters

For less than the price of that Honda you can get a Champion 3100 and not need the micro air although getting one with the money saved would still be a good idea.

Really good video on the micro-air, it's no joke.

- Jeff

[Mr. Mike 62]

I use 2 2000 watt hondas and run them together. A single 2000 watt would not run my air conditioner.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by unyalli

Do you want the hassle of gas cans and additives and possible spills or would you like to run off the RV propane system you already maintain?

- Jeff

Propane is clean but you burn a lot of it in a generator, plus they are usually air cooled and noisy. Had one once, in one 5 day camping trip we used 2 15 gallon tanks as well as most of the onboard 40 gallon (32 usable) tank. Plus it overheated twice and shut down till it cooled off. Never again!

[hohenwald48]

Originally Posted by unyalli

Do you want the hassle of gas cans and additives and possible spills or would you like to run off the RV propane system you already maintain?

- Jeff

And the hassle of having to go refill your propane tanks every other day. Gasoline is more readily available than propane and easier to transport. Not sure what additives you're talking about.

[Bigdogboogie]

Originally Posted by unyalli

For less than the price of that Honda you can get a Champion 3100 and not need the micro air although getting one with the money saved would still be a good idea.



- Jeff

I just ordered the remote start version of the Champion 3100 from Overstock.

Signing up for their email list gets you an instant coupon via email that saved me 92 bucks. So, That generator only cost me $830.24 shipped.

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garde...s=&refinement=

The recoil start model is considerably less even before the coupon.

[saddlesore]

Used a Champion, USFS wrote me a ticket for not being approved in Federal & state forests (no spark arrester)
Had several air cooled that used propane or gas... both over heated and shut down under hot weather /heavy use conditions.
Went to water cooled gennies, gas & diesels ... (currant one is 12kw Kabota diesel) ....all good now.