Quote:
Originally Posted by Winnie2020
I was researching this very issue this morning for the same trailer (2021 model) as the OP's trailer. There is only one A/C unit that comes installed from the factory. I stumbled across a DuroMax Inverter generator (XP4500iH) that produces 3,600 running watts on gas and 3,240 on propane. I'd planned on going out to storage today to pull the appliance manuals in order to calculate running watts for the electric appliances but perhaps someone here can answer:
1) With the AC running, does the AC consume 100% of the 30 amps or is there room to run the TV, microwave and a few lights at the same time?
2) It sounds like from multiple sources, that an Inverter is the only way to go. Comments?
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Dometic recommends that a single 13.5 or 15 amp air conditioner be operated with a generator rated for 3500 watts and two air conditioners be operated with a generator rated for 5500 watts. That takes into account starting amperage requirements, other amperage draws within the trailer and voltage drop from the generator to the trailer power system. Until the popularity of inverter generators made them the "most commonly used type" most people had "contractor generators" that were loud, often smelly and burned lots of fuel. They were most often located as far away from the trailer as possible (to reduce noise and heat) so voltage drop was a more significant factor "back then" than now.
When you look at your 3600/3240 watt generator, and analyze the trailer distribution system, you come up with these "numbers":
The Air Conditioner circuit breaker is a 20 amp breaker. 20 amps at 120 volts is 2400 watts. So, the air conditioner will not draw more than 2400 watts of power (except for theoretical power during startup)... In reality, the compressor will draw around 12.5 amps (1500 watts) and the fan motor will draw around 2.5 amps (300 watts). That 1800 "running watts" is significantly variable, depending on the temperature, the "freon charge", compressor temperature and so many variables that it's "impossible to pinpoint an amperage draw for calculating purposes"... in other words, every trailer will be slightly different, but speaking in generalities, around 1800 watts should be a good guess.
With 3240 watts on propane power, that generator will produce a minimum of 840 watts of "surplus power" when the air conditioner is running.
The converter/charger in your trailer is probably a WFCO 55 amp unit. 55 amps at 12 volts is 660 watts.
So, with the air conditioner and the converter/charger operating at "full power" you'll come very close to maxing out that generator when operating on propane. When operating on gas, you'll have a "wee bit of surplus wattage"....
As you can see, "doing the numbers" is the best way to take into account what you need and what you have.... In "real world use" you'll seldom have 20 amps used by the air conditioner and 55 amps used by the converter, so there's a "built in fudge factor" when calculating requirements using the maximum potential....
It's the same "theory" when calculating a tow vehicle or a trailer size: Use the maximum/worst case scenario and you'll always be "on the safe side" of your numbers...