Generator Size - No BS

[cardinal96ss]

Our Generac 6500 runs the one 15K and one 13K Coleman A/Cs just fine.
2 x MarcS. Remember power (watts) is the product of volts times amps.

[B-O-B'03]

I turn everything off, just to start the AC the first time, when it is really hot. After that it cycles just fine, with all the other things (inside & outside fridges, converter, etc) turned on.

-Brian

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by Dave W

Just throwing this out as I don't have any experience yet with these - a hard start capacitor such as these, SUPCO SPP6 Relay/Capacitor Hard Start Kit. I have a couple but haven't installed them yet as we haven't had the need. Supposedly they work wonders and some reviews have reported that even 2-3K gen sets will run an a/c though I really wonder.

I really want the capacitor for my cabover so I can run the 11,000BTU A/C on one Honda. Might put on the 15,000 BTU on the 5th. I can't decide if I want the SPP6 or SPP6E. I saw a bad review on the SPP6E on Amazon by an EE.

[cvin]

My understanding is not all generators of the same wattage are built the same

I got the micro air for my 13,500 AC hoping to run it off 1 champion 2000 watt inverter genny
Turns out the champion 2000 watt wont run it even with the microair, but honda 2000 yamaha 2000 etc will

My champion is a lower level 2000 watt genny and it just cannot do it, but several people are running microair with honda 2000 and have done great

Bascially you get what you pay for

If i had known this would probably have gone the microair route and 1 honda, i may sell these 2 champion and get a honda

That being said i have had a few champion gennys over the years and been pleased with them and pleased with customer service, availablity of parts/repair manuals etc

If you are happy with the genny you have maybe just getting the microair or a hard start capacitor would work

My suggestion is you go that route to confirm with microair that your genny will work

[Tinner12002]

Originally Posted by Racebug

I know I can run three 15,000 BTU air conditioners with my 5500 watt onnan. I guess if all the planets align and all 3 cycle at the same time, it would trip...

Well your gen must be a lot different than my 5500 as mine will only run 2 compressors at any given time, it will run all three fans but only two compressors at the same time. My rig is set up to cycle whichever two zones needs the air. Maybe Keystone changed something but I thought you needed a 7000 to run three ac units 100%.

[Tinner12002]

Originally Posted by Skippy38

Ok so I just went through Hurricane Irma and was out of power for 114 hours. Generator for my house is an older Troy Bilt 3550w/20 amp output that ran enough to get me by in the house. I tried to power my 29RLI with it and it would barely cycle the compressor on the single Dometic Brisk Air II 15k a/c but it would. It would not run anything else without tripping the breaker on the generator.

So, my question is: How many watts/amps do I really need? I am thinking about getting one of the new Harbor Freight 3500w inverter generators that has a 30 amp output, but if the 3550 Troy Bilt didn't work would the HF? Is it a matter of watts or amps? Or both? The Dometic specs for my model say minimum generator size is 3.5kw. Am I over thinking this?

If your wanting to save money I would look at getting 2 Generac 2000s and hooking them together same as using 2 Honda 2000s and hooking them together. Have a couple friends with the generacs and they really like them.

[Outback 325BH]

Originally Posted by Racebug

I know I can run three 15,000 BTU air conditioners with my 5500 watt onnan. I guess if all the planets align and all 3 cycle at the same time, it would trip...

The bigger you go in generator, the more surge watts you get.

I have an open frame 240/120 volt generator that is 5,500 running and like 7,200 surge watts.

I'm not suggesting to use an open frame, just trying to illustrate that a 5,500 watt genny has some potential.

I assume your Onan is 120 volt only which gives you all power on one leg. (My open frame 5,500 is 240/120 so it has two legs... which means only 22 amps per leg. Mine could not do what yours does. It is one reason why people need to understand when genny shopping.)


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