Will a champion 3500 generator run a 15k ac ???? Anyone have one?

[hylasw]

We live in the Southwest and have a High Country Cougar Fifth wheel I am trying to make up my mind on purchasing a champion 3500 generator the one you can run gas or propane or 2 Champion 2500 generators are piggyback them together.


I know if I piggy back the 2 champion 2500 I should have plenty of power to Run my 15k AC.


It would be nice just to have one generator and not have to carry 2 that is why I was looking at the Champion 3500 dual fuel but not sure if it would run my 15K AC.


The other problem is we are in Utah and alot of places we go camping are around 7000 in elevation and from what I hear you lose power on your generator in elevation.


Anyone have a Champion 3500 ? And does it work fine to run a 15k ac and have you tried it in high elevation ?

[Skippy38]

While I dont know about the Champion 3500, I had a Harbor Freight Predator 3500 that started and ran my 15k Dometic Brisk Air II just fine. It would also allow some other things to operate at the same time. I did not try it at altitude though so your mileage may vary...see below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RLujDP18Jg&t=200s

[Canonman]

This months RV Magazine has an article on generators and A/C. The author states a 3kw generator could run their 15k A/C easily. But, they have been able to use their Yamaha 2400 with some "TLC".
Our 3kw starts our 13.5 A/C just fine at all altitudes. Hope that helps.

[budmannz]

I just bought the Champion 200988, 4500 starting watts and 3500 running watts, and just used it in 108 degree (600 ft elevation) with a 15k A/C. Panel shows 50% usage. Also ran a few other things. Very impressed. I used a 30lb bottle of propane and it lasted almost 21 hours. I would think it would have enough power at higher elevation. While running the 15k A/C I tried to start my 9.2k second A/C, did not work. I suspect if I had the soft-start installed it would have handled it.

[German Shepherd Guy]

Canonman lives in Utah, which has the highest average elevation of any state in the union. I live in the rockies of S.W. Colorado. My experience has been a little different than his. My Champion 3500 struggles mightily to start my AC on my 2019 26RLPR. As well as on my old Keystone Zephyr before it.This is in my driveway @ 8,000ft. It did run my AC when I was in Albuquerque which is elevation < > 6500. Now I know there are fixes, things that can reduce the load on your generator at start up, and that is where mine struggles. This has been my experience with 2 different Champion 3500's. I still have them both, use them both all the time. Good generators.

[JRTJH]

Here are the specs on the 'typical" Champion 3500 watt dual fuel inverter generator:

Gasoline Starting Watts 3500W
Gasoline Running Watts 3200W
Propane Starting Watts 3150W
Propane Running Watts 2880W
Gasoline Starting Amps at 120V 29.2A
Gasoline Running Amps at 120V 26.7A
Propane Starting Amps at 120V 26.3A
Propane Running Amps at 120V 24.0A

As you can see, thee is a significant difference between "starting power" and "sustained power" as well as a very significant difference between gasoline capability and propane capability. When you add the 15% reduction in capacity for 5000 feet elevation (greater reduction at higher altitudes) you can see where a "3500 watt generator (rated at sea level running on gas) might only produce half that power at 8000 feet running on propane"...

So, where you're planning to use the generator and what fuel you're planning to use may well make the difference between "careful success" and "total failure".... Don't forget, most generators require a carburetor jet change to achieve the reduced power at altitude. Many simply will not run well, even at reduced power with the "sea level jets" if you're trying to operate it at 8000' in the mountains and expecting to run an A/C and use the converter to charge the batteries.....

At best, a 3500 watt dual fuel generator running on propane is "marginal at sea level" and becomes more "iffy" the higher you go.

[Canonman]

Note that all the inverter type generators I'm aware of have carbureted fuel systems. The higher the altitude the more likely you'll need to lean out the fuel mix. We were lucky and didn't have to mess with the carburetor at all. We often dry camp at elevations near 10k ft to escape the heat in the valley. 70+ degrees at that elevation is pretty warm and we do run the A/C on the generator. We did some camping on the Oregon coast during July and used the generator to run the A/C. Didn't notice much if any difference. That said, the DW accuses me of not noticing much most of the time

[jxnbbl]

If in doubt...I would recommend one of these.


https://www.softstartrv.com/

[Camping family]

Originally Posted by hylasw

We live in the Southwest and have a High Country Cougar Fifth wheel I am trying to make up my mind on purchasing a champion 3500 generator the one you can run gas or propane or 2 Champion 2500 generators are piggyback them together.


I know if I piggy back the 2 champion 2500 I should have plenty of power to Run my 15k AC.


It would be nice just to have one generator and not have to carry 2 that is why I was looking at the Champion 3500 dual fuel but not sure if it would run my 15K AC.


The other problem is we are in Utah and alot of places we go camping are around 7000 in elevation and from what I hear you lose power on your generator in elevation.


Anyone have a Champion 3500 ? And does it work fine to run a 15k ac and have you tried it in high elevation ?

I have the champion from camping world that has the 50 amp. I haven’t had to use it but per the information on it it is suppose to run a full 50 amp camper.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by Camping family

I have the champion from camping world that has the 50 amp. I haven’t had to use it but per the information on it it is suppose to run a full 50 amp camper.

That must be a "hoss" of a generator. About 7,000 watts.

[jxnbbl]

The easiest way to figure this out is to get the exact model AC that you have and look for the amps needed. I don't believe you will find any 15K ac that requires more than 20A. In my case, the GE AC seemed to have a bit more need than the Dometic. Anyways https://www.dometic.com/assets/12/86/3316570_71286.pdf
has a chart for Dometic with a bunch of models, the amps used and the far column the generator requirement. I've found that a 2500W generator to be fine on both gasoline and (reduced) propane. I find it hard to believe that a 3500W generator that has a 20+ amp production + a softstart wouldn't be able to handle a 15 AC + (for instance) your converter at the same time....even at elevation.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Camping family

I have the champion from camping world that has the 50 amp. I haven’t had to use it but per the information on it it is suppose to run a full 50 amp camper.

Which Champion generator do you have? Many of them have a 50 amp plug, but I don't know of any "portable generator" that can produce 12,000 watts of power (what the shore power cable can provide from a campground pedestal)...

If you identify the generator that you have, someone can provide you with the "true capabilities" of that generator. Many CW salesmen will "exaggerate the capabilities" with misinformation. The generator may "connect to a 50 amp trailer without needing an adapter" but it very likely won't "provide the same power to run everything in the trailer the same as your shore power cable".... If it had that capability, chances are that it would weigh well over 300 pounds and it would have a 12,000 watt continuous rating. That's roughly a 14,000 watt generator, way too big to fit in a passthrough or even in the bed of most trucks.

[BookPaul74]

I have a Predator 3500 and a 15,000 btu A/C. By the time I was getting ready to leave Arizona it was in the high 90’s. I got it to start but when it cycled and tried to restart it tripped the safety on the generator. I realize that the refrigerator was on auto so it was too much for it. Being in the middle of nowhere I didn’t want to risk a fire. Before I head out this winter I’ll install a SoftStart on the A/C. Of course I also plan to head to higher elevation if it starts getting hot.

[Jennifer Fuzion 414]

I have the remote start, electric start Champion 3500 model number 100262 and yes, it starts and runs my Dometic Duo Therm 15,000 all day long no problem. It even does it in eco mode no problem. You may want to install a Micro-Air Easy-Start to lower in rush starting current but it will run it, you're good to go.


If you do decide to install a Micro-Air (http://www.micro-air.com/products_gr...s_microair.cfm) there is a bluetooth version being marketed you may want to pick up instead.... it's being created by the Micro-Air people but sold through Hutch Mountain, see this link: https://www.hutchmountain.com/collec...4-soft-starter

If you do decide to get one from Hutch, buy their install kit as well, it's only $10.00 and is better than the Micro-Air version. The 3500 I have is running my AC in my 27' travel trailer, I just purchased a Fuzion and just ordered two more for the Mach 15's in that trailer, I love them (the Easy-Starts).


The below comment is from another forum but I can attest to his comments, and he's only using a 3200 watt Champion...

---
I have the non-BT model on my truck camper AC and it went from around 46 amps on startup down to around 19.5amps after completing the startup sequence. It does what it says and it is noticeable. You don't hear the compressor struggle on startup like you used to prior to installing the Micro-Air Easy Start. I can now run the AC (Coleman Mach) with my Champion 3200 Watt generator on ECO mode and it hardly even surges on startup now so I know you can run it with a 2200-2500 Watt generator. I thought it was over-priced when I bought it, but it does work so the cost has become less of an issue for me over time.
---

Jen

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Fuzion 414

I have the remote start, electric start Champion 3500 model number 100262 and yes, it starts and runs my Dometic Duo Therm 15,000 all day long no problem.
---

Jen

For clarity, are you saying that the generator will run YOUR A/C in its OEM configuration (without the easy start modification) or are y ou saying that it will run your A/C after the easy start modification?????

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Which Champion generator do you have? Many of them have a 50 amp plug, but I don't know of any "portable generator" that can produce 12,000 watts of power (what the shore power cable can provide from a campground pedestal)...

If you identify the generator that you have, someone can provide you with the "true capabilities" of that generator. Many CW salesmen will "exaggerate the capabilities" with misinformation. The generator may "connect to a 50 amp trailer without needing an adapter" but it very likely won't "provide the same power to run everything in the trailer the same as your shore power cable".... If it had that capability, chances are that it would weigh well over 300 pounds and it would have a 12,000 watt continuous rating. That's roughly a 14,000 watt generator, way too big to fit in a passthrough or even in the bed of most trucks.

DuroMax Hybrid Dual Fuel 12,000-Watt Electric Start Generator (9500 running & 235 lbs) ?


I didn't get the specs that said this generator could run for up to 20 hours on propane (per Camping World). Would the run time depend on the amount of propane in the tank connected? I have a dual fuel Champion I use at the house during outages but never run it on propane.

[Jennifer Fuzion 414]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

For clarity, are you saying that the generator will run YOUR A/C in its OEM configuration (without the easy start modification) or are y ou saying that it will run your A/C after the easy start modification?????

Yes, it did start and run it BEFORE I put the easy start system in, the only reason I added the easy start was because i went solar and wanted to save wear and tear on my inverter as well as the inverter module inside of the Champion (which I have replaced once since buying the generator in 2016.


Jen

[RickV]

I have the 3500 inverter and it worked fine on my old 5er with the Brisk Air 15K and could watch TV, run a fan etc but, that was in Florida and would have to turn off AC to use Microwave or Mud Maker.

[Sokcap48]

Yes it will. BUT camp away from any one they are noisy. I have one. You can contact Champion and they will send you Free of charge High Altitude jets. I live in southern Utah, 23 miles out of Zion. I have used mine around 6000 feet with the regular jets. Side note: Where we boondock in AZ I built a Quite Box and just leave there for when we go back in winter.

Edit:mine is single fuel gas/4375 peak/3500 run with remote. Pretty slick not having to get out in the morning when I am lazy��

[WDPatterson]

Originally Posted by hylasw

We live in the Southwest and have a High Country Cougar Fifth wheel I am trying to make up my mind on purchasing a champion 3500 generator the one you can run gas or propane or 2 Champion 2500 generators are piggyback them together.


I know if I piggy back the 2 champion 2500 I should have plenty of power to Run my 15k AC.


It would be nice just to have one generator and not have to carry 2 that is why I was looking at the Champion 3500 dual fuel but not sure if it would run my 15K AC.


The other problem is we are in Utah and alot of places we go camping are around 7000 in elevation and from what I hear you lose power on your generator in elevation.


Anyone have a Champion 3500 ? And does it work fine to run a 15k ac and have you tried it in high elevation ?

The 3500 will barely run your air conditioner. You're better off with the model 100216, 4500/3650 watt generator at a minimum. It has the RV connector already on it. It puts out enough amperage to run your air conditioner and and ice maker, so it is giving you a little bit of room. 15000 BTU air conditioner is going to pull a spike as it starts.
My 15,000 BTU AC unit runs a little over 11 amps on one leg, and a little over 10 amps on the other leg. If I use the microwave, it will drag it down too much. So, you shut off the AC while you microwave or use the water heater. Otherwise, you can run the air conditioner all day long, along with a countertop ice maker.