Running AC with a 2000 Watt Inverter Generator

[plocklin]

Does anyone out there successfully run their A/C off a 2000 watt Inverter Generator?


I installed a watt meter in my Keystone Cougar and see the trailer pulls 1500 to 1600 watts with the AC running (when I put the refrigerator and water heater on gas). I originally thought it was 1800 watts until I realized the refrigerator was pulling 300 watts. The LED lighting only pulls about 45 watts when they are all on.


I have been wanting an inverter generator that would run my AC but am on a tight budget. When I put my refrigerator and water heater on gas the whole trailer doesn’t seem to pull more than 16000 watts with the ac on and fan on high.


The AC does seem to spike around 1900 watts with the initial power up but quickly jumps down to 1400 watts and slowly creeps up as freon pressure builds up in the condenser.


I was thinking a 2000W or 2200W unit that could realistically run 1800 watts should be enough.


What do you guys think?

[German Shepherd Guy]

Are you going to be doing all your camping below 3,000ft? Generators are rated at sea level and loose a fair percentage of power for every 1,000 ft gain in elevation. I live at 8,000ft and my 3500watt Champion generator will not start my air conditioner.


I think you would need to save up for something bigger but maybe others have a different tale.


Oak

[JRTJH]

I think that with the proper "soft start/energy management" additions to your air conditioner, you can probably run it on a 2000/2200 watt generator. How long will it work before you "burn up the generator"??? That's more the question.

Consider that any generator produces electricity by passing a wire wound coil past a magnet. Whether it's a generator or an alternator, the basic production is similar. In a generator, that "AC" power is "conditioned" and sent to the outlets. In an inverter generator, the alternator output is converted to "DC" output is sent to an inverter section where it is "changed to AC power electronically.

Any power production, AC or DC, produces heat in the wire windings of the armature. Those copper windings are insulated with a thick varnish coating (to prevent shorting the windings). As the demand for power output increases, the amount of electrons flowing within the windings increases. This causes heat and leads to the varnish "melting/burning" off the copper windings.

Running any mechanical device at maximum output for an extended time will lead to premature failure. Running a 2000 watt (peak) 1600 watt (continuous) generator at 1600 watts continuously, will lead to significant wear and probably to early failure.

Think about a gasoline engine "cruising along" at 2000 RPM vs that same engine operating at 6000 RPM, with a redline of 6200 RPM. Which would last longer and provide better "reliability" ? It's the same with generators.

So, will it work to operate your air conditioner on a "bare minimum generator system"? Yes, but the question is, "for how long" ???

[Steveo57]

I've got a 2018 Cougar with the Dometic 15k BTU AC. I've installed an EasyStart in my AC and my 15 year old Honda 2kw generator can run it. The newer Hondas are 2.2kw so they even have a little extra margin. Like John said it's running pretty much flat out with just the AC on so it's okay for occasional boondocking but I wouldn't want to rely on it for long term.

[German Shepherd Guy]

Originally Posted by Steveo57

I've got a 2018 Cougar with the Dometic 15k BTU AC. I've installed an EasyStart in my AC and my 15 year old Honda 2kw generator can run it. The newer Hondas are 2.2kw so they even have a little extra margin. Like John said it's running pretty much flat out with just the AC on so it's okay for occasional boondocking but I wouldn't want to rely on it for long term.

What is an "EasyStart?"


Oak

[plocklin]

Originally Posted by German Shepherd Guy

Are you going to be doing all your camping below 3,000ft? Generators are rated at sea level and loose a fair percentage of power for every 1,000 ft gain in elevation. I live at 8,000ft and my 3500watt Champion generator will not start my air conditioner.


I think you would need to save up for something bigger but maybe others have a different tale.


Oak

Good point. I did go to Angel Fire this last July. However we ran the heater at night as it got down in the 40's. Ran the AC during the day but we were hooked up to a dry dock.



My main goal here is to be able to boon dock overnight at a truck stop or rest area until I reach the final destination. This would usually be in a sweat box elevation like Texas or Louisianan.



So far what I have seen in high elevations as "cool" at night. But I am from Texas so anything less than 70 is sweater weather for me.

[plocklin]

Originally Posted by Steveo57

I've got a 2018 Cougar with the Dometic 15k BTU AC. I've installed an EasyStart in my AC and my 15 year old Honda 2kw generator can run it. The newer Hondas are 2.2kw so they even have a little extra margin. Like John said it's running pretty much flat out with just the AC on so it's okay for occasional boondocking but I wouldn't want to rely on it for long term.

Thanks, good to hear.
I don't plan on boon docking for long periods of time in the heat. But it would be nice on occasion or when the power goes out in the campsite you are staying.

[Ken / Claudia]

I found a 2600 genny would not run the A/C on high in summer temps around 115, near Yosemite unknown elevation. It would work on low. For me I am going to 2, 2000s to run A/C and other RV electric needs while dry camping in hot climates, so far that trip has not come up and 1 2,000 is fine.

[Daryles]

There is an article about this using an AC soft starter. Trailer Life, Aug 2019.
The device they reviewed is called EasyStart.
http://www.trailerlife.com/tech/this-is-cool/

[CaptnJohn]

Zero problems with 2 Champion 2000 paired. Quiet and reliable. Get 2 for less than 1 Honda.

[Ken / Claudia]

Capt, I wish I had more choices when I got the Yamaha 2000. On sale for 920 in 2013. Now costco as one with a Yamaha engine for 549 and as you found there are others way less than Honda or Yamaha. BTY I sent a email to Yamaha to find out if the costco will parallel with mine. The local factory repair center did not know.

[FlyingAroundRV]

From what I can see of RV A/C units, they look (an operate like) the old fashion "in window" aircon units.
Surely it must be time for the RV industry to move to the more efficient inverter type aircon systems like the split system home units. I met a guy at Oshkosh who built a "tiny house" RV and he installed one of those systems as his A/C. His RV was a little smaller than mine, but he could run his system quite successfully off a 2000 watt genny.
The split systems run continuously, but only as hard as necessary to maintain the temp required. Also, they start softer than the current RV roof systems. The soft start kits for the current aircon units just seem like a fudge to get more sales from an outdated technology, to me.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

Capt, I wish I had more choices when I got the Yamaha 2000. On sale for 920 in 2013. Now costco as one with a Yamaha engine for 549 and as you found there are others way less than Honda or Yamaha. BTY I sent a email to Yamaha to find out if the costco will parallel with mine. The local factory repair center did not know.

I bought the Champion at $449 each online. I forgot what I paid for the parallel kit. Like the bunny, they keep on running. I had asked around and found 2 shops that would repair in or out of warranty. Bought them at Lowe’s. Never needed repairs. Some like the ones from HF but repair guys didn’t. They were the same price at the time.

[Roscommon48]

you can run your front a/c 13.5btu with a new 2200watt honda.


you can always add a 'soft start' to your a/c to that will help.


to run more you need a bigger generator...a lot out there if you have the space for one.

[plocklin]

Originally Posted by Daryles

There is an article about this using an AC soft starter. Trailer Life, Aug 2019.
The device they reviewed is called EasyStart.
http://www.trailerlife.com/tech/this-is-cool/

Thanks, I will check it out.

[Logan X]

Be careful with those soft start devices. I’ve heard several people who installed them and sang their praises. They would also say their air conditioner failed after a couple of years, but it was unrelated...

[plocklin]

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

Capt, I wish I had more choices when I got the Yamaha 2000. On sale for 920 in 2013. Now costco as one with a Yamaha engine for 549 and as you found there are others way less than Honda or Yamaha. BTY I sent a email to Yamaha to find out if the costco will parallel with mine. The local factory repair center did not know.

I saw that Yamaha Generator at Costco for online for $449. but it is only rated at 1600 watts running. I don't know if it would run my ac and I don't want to buy 2 of them.

[Ken / Claudia]

You would need two of those type.
Having had gennys in my family camping since a child. This is my point about them. I am done lifting, moving, working on and listening to a large genny while camping. The suitcase type is for me. Under 50 pounds, less noise than the rv furnace. Moving it to where ever I need it is easy, One arm and only one person needed. I am not going to mount a genny on the rv or truck. I do not need the A/C offton and when needed, so far in the last 10 years I have had shore power. So 1 small genny works great. I will at some point get another to run parallel when dry camping in the hot temps.
On follow up Yamaha has not returned my email question yet. Regarding if a Non Costco Yamaha 2000 will parallel with a Costco Yamaha 2000.

[BAPotter]

German Shepard Guy: I think Champion has a high altitude jet for your 3500. I finally found the right high altitude jets for my Champion 2000's. Makes a big difference over 7,500.

[foldbak]

I have a 4000 watt LP Onan and a 4000 watt Aims inverter. The inverter wont run the the unit for long....but the gen will. The newer AC units are super power hungry.