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Old 06-20-2019, 09:15 AM   #1
DKidneyBean
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Newbie Generator Help

Hello We have a Bullet Crossfire 1900RD with the 13,500 BTU AC.

What size generator would run that AC? I don't imagine running it a whole lot where we'll be camping but would like to have one.

Thank you
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Old 06-20-2019, 10:07 AM   #2
Logan X
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You should be able to run the air conditioner with a 3000 watt generator (maybe 3500 watts). I’m a fan of Honda generators, it’s what I have, because of thier reliability. As a cheaper option, I have heard good things about the Predator generator. Just make sure you get an inverter generator designed for RVs. Inverter generators run quietly while open frame construction style generators are very loud.

I have heard of people installing soft start capacitors on thier air conditioner so they can use a 2000 watt generator. Although I’ve heard the soft start capacitor works, I think it voids your warranty. Anyways, that’s a different conversation.
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Old 06-20-2019, 10:34 AM   #3
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My son uses a 2200 Honda inverter for his 13.5 AC. It is quiet and handles the load without any problem. I have a 3100 Champion. Works great but quite a bit nosier, about +10dB at full load.
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Old 06-20-2019, 11:27 AM   #4
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As stated, it will take a 3,000w generator to start your A/C. Get a good inverter type Generator. These are much quieter (50 to 58dba) than the open frame construction type.
I prefer the single 3kw generator rather than using two, 2kw units linked together. Each option has it's own pros and cons.
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Old 06-20-2019, 08:57 PM   #5
DKidneyBean
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My son uses a 2200 Honda inverter for his 13.5 AC. It is quiet and handles the load without any problem. I have a 3100 Champion. Works great but quite a bit nosier, about +10dB at full load.
" nied " Bingo! - This is what I was wondering. So your son has had no problems with the Honda 2200 Honda inverter for his 13.5 AC? I've heard both sides. And wanted to hear more feedback.
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Old 06-21-2019, 03:45 AM   #6
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My original RV was a 20' Trail Lite with a 13.K AC. The first year I rented a Honda 2000 and it ran the AC but struggled at startup. If you have a good tool rental business in your area with generator rental and sales, contact them and see if you can bring your RV over and try out some of the units.
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Old 06-21-2019, 03:50 AM   #7
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in addition, take a look at the youtube channel for Long Long Honeymoon https://www.youtube.com/user/walkaboutgroup. The couple has reviewed a number of units.
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Old 06-21-2019, 04:44 AM   #8
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actually a new Honda 2200watt generator will run a small a/c. but 2 hondas will be a plus too.


it just depends on what you are looking for and how much you want to spend.



I'd just put refrig on gas and take it away.
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Old 06-21-2019, 05:05 AM   #9
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Hmm, I didn’t think the Honda 2000 watt would run an air conditioner. I’m going to try it when I get home today.
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Old 06-21-2019, 06:00 AM   #10
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Our Champion 2800/3100 inverter runs our 15K BTU a/c just fine. The Champion weighs 90# full of fuel, so I can still, at 71, hoss it in and out of the truck if needed. A little noisier than a Honda at 58 db but everything is a trade-off.
In "eco" mode, it will run 6-8 hrs on 1.6 gal of gas.
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Old 06-21-2019, 06:46 AM   #11
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Hmm, I didn’t think the Honda 2000 watt would run an air conditioner. I’m going to try it when I get home today.
I did some quick research on this and found multiple people who blew up the compressor on the AC unit using a 2000 watt or 2200 watt generator. For a 13500BTU AC, it needs something like 2500 or 3000 watts to start and 1500 to 2000 watts for sustained use. I believe the Honda 2000 on provides 1600 watts of sustained power.

I think a 2000 watt or 2200 watt generator is undersized for this task and if it does start the AC, I think there is a substantial risk of damaging the AC unit. JMHO and YMMV.
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Old 06-21-2019, 04:05 PM   #12
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According to Dometic (What would they know, they only build the air conditioners) the 13.5K BTU and the 15K BTU RV air conditioners require a generator with a minimum of 3500 watts. There are a lot of things to consider besides "what is the minimum size generator to run my air conditioner. You also have a refrigerator that (if set on AUTO) will draw 325 watts (heater circuit) in addition to the 50 watts (approximate power to operate the door heater and control circuits) as soon as you plug in the trailer to the generator. Don't forget that the Converter will also draw around 5-8 amps. At 120 VAC, 8 amps is 960 watts. So, between the refrigerator and the converter, at "plug-in", the load on the generator will be roughly 960+325+50=1335 watts BEFORE the air conditioner is even turned on.

Surely you can turn all that "stuff off" and just run the A/C, but that means no TV, no (or very limited lights, stereo, limited water pump) use as well. Once the trailer battery discharges, then you'll be "in the cool with no lights or refrigerator" so keeping the converter operational and keeping the refrigerator functioning (even on propane, it uses roughly 60 watts).

Can you run a 13.5K BTU air conditioner on a 2000 or a 2200 watt generator? Yes, but not if you want to use the trailer facilities while doing it.
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Old 06-21-2019, 10:49 PM   #13
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My choice would be the Predator 3500 from Harbor freight. They're very quiet and get great reviews by owners. Also, they cost way less than the Hondas.


We would have bought one but it wouldn't fit under the tonneau in the back of our truck so we went for the Champion. It's noisier and cost more, but it fits in the truck.
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Old 06-27-2019, 07:38 AM   #14
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My choice would be the Predator 3500 from Harbor freight. They're very quiet and get great reviews by owners. Also, they cost way less than the Hondas.


We would have bought one but it wouldn't fit under the tonneau in the back of our truck so we went for the Champion. It's noisier and cost more, but it fits in the truck.
Another contender would be the Northern Tool Powehouse model. It looks like the same unit as the Predator but has a 2 year warranty. Find whichever one is on sale at the time.
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Old 06-27-2019, 08:03 AM   #15
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What's the advantage of running two Honda generators...assuming they would be linked somehow? Also what would be the advantage of two 12v batteries guessing would be connected parallel? That would keep the output the same but does it strengthen the batteries. In series the output would double making it 24v with a 24v output correct?
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Old 06-27-2019, 08:31 AM   #16
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Running the Honda generators in tandem effectively doubles the available amperage/wattage. This configuration is typically used to start/run the A//C for the TT.
A single Honda 2k generator would not produce the required amperage to start the A/C individually.
Batteries are simply storage devices. The more amps you can store, the longer or more 12v accessories you can run. 2 batteries in parallel will effectively double the storage capacity. It would not "strengthen" them, just more storage.
Connecting the 2 batteries in series would double the voltage output. This is usually done with 6vdc batteries to provide the 12vdc used by the TT. It does not increase the total amp hours of storage provided by a single 6vdc battery.
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Old 06-27-2019, 08:48 AM   #17
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In parallel you still 12 volts but double the Amps (storage). Remember a typical Lead Acid Battery should be kept above 60% for best battery life and performance.

I have 4 6 volt GC2 duracell batteries wired series parallel, I go an entire weekend dry camping without running my generator (We prefer to dry camp). Using power as I like and even the heater at night. A/C is not happening off of batteries though.

I installed a Soft start capacitor on my A/C and can run it off of a single Yamaha 2200 generator if absolutely required but as John stated, I can't do anything else electrically.

I do have 2 of the Yamaha 2200 Inverter Generators that connect in parallel. These will run the A/C nicely when connected and I can do other tings as well.

The smaller generators are lighter and can be moved around easier. Having 2 generators that connect in parallel means I can leave one at home and lighten my load if I know I'm not going to be needing A/C or a lot of electrical (We try to dry camp in the mountains to get away from the heat and not have to bother with A/C). We also try not to microwave either. But if I know I'm going to be needing/Wanting A/C and using a lot of electrical "off-grid" I can bring both and go for it.

The Inverter Generators (Honda, Yamaha, Predator, Champion, etc.) can be connected with a parallel kit. In fact I use the Predator Parallel kit with my Yamahas since my expensive Yamaha parallel cable died and the Predator parallel kit was less than half the cost.

The Predator generators were not on the Market when I bought my Yamaha generators 5 yrs ago. I would happily go with the predators and save a ton of money. The Yamahas and Hondas are a bit pricey. Good quality but spendy. I have not heard much bad about any of the modern Inverter Generators. Minor differences in noise and/or output but definitely the way to go.

Last but not least, having separate generators means I have available emergency power at the house in the event of a power outage. I can use them separate for different purpose or together if I need for power on a single circuit.
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Old 06-27-2019, 08:58 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by DKidneyBean View Post
Hello We have a Bullet Crossfire 1900RD with the 13,500 BTU AC.

What size generator would run that AC? I don't imagine running it a whole lot where we'll be camping but would like to have one.

Thank you
Keep in mind that a 13.5k BTU air conditioner will use about 2750 watts to start and lock the compressor rotor, and 1250 watts to run continuously...

You want to keep in mind that you may be topping out the capacity of your generator if you don't buy at least 3000 running watts... the idea is to have a generator that is twice the amount of wattage that you will need when running not only your air conditioner, but things like your refrigerator, your ice maker, your TV set, and other incidentals...

You may wish to purchase a plug-in amp, watt, Hz meter, so that you can get a better idea of your actual overall power consumption...

I have had very good results with the 4500/3650 Champion Power Equipment model 100216, which runs about $299 to $350 at Tractor Supply...

If you're going to use it a lot, you may want to spring for the 100319 twin 4000/3500 watt open frame DH inverters, which come with a parallel kit, and which will more than handle your 30 amp and 50 amp requirements...

The beauty of this system is, and I am picking one up in the next month, you can run one inverter at a time, they will Throttle Down When not under load, they will save you fuel, they have a sine wave output, and they burn less fuel... Since the idle down, they run much more quietly... the set is about $1,164, and I think it would pretty much pay for itself in a very short time... The "twins" are each much lighter than one big generator...

I hope this is helpful...
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Old 06-27-2019, 09:39 AM   #19
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If you want to run the whole camper get a 5500 watt generator.
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Old 06-27-2019, 09:50 AM   #20
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I've been using the Yamaha 2400ISHC for 6 years with no issues starting my 13.5K AC. Yamaha made this HC (high current startup) version of the 2400IS specifically to start high load startup motor like the 13.5K AC. Puts out 20 amps for the first 8-10 sec after startup. Really quiet @53db
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