Although I ultimately chose a Champion for my inverter generator, if you have the money, I highly suggest getting a Honda! Even though I’ve so far come to enjoy my Champion, Honda has a lengthy history in the industry and a reputation for excellence.
No exception applies to the Honda 3,000 watt inverter generator. With 3,000 beginning watts and 2800 operating watts, this device has more than enough power to run the air conditioning systems in 99% of RV campers and trailers.
It is one of the lighter generators in the 3,000 watt range, although being a touch heavier than average (nearly 80 lbs). However, thanks to its two wheels and incredibly handy foldable handle, dragging this big bad boy about is a breeze.
When RV camping in the middle of nowhere, the key is a quiet, fuel-efficient generator. You won’t be disappointed by the Honda. The Honda Handi can operate for up to 8 hours on a single tank of petrol and is quieter than most vacuum cleaners at 57-65 dB, depending on the load.
Another feature of this specific generator is an electric start, which, while not essential, can make life much simpler. Additionally, you can purchase an aftermarket kit to upgrade it to a wireless start generator.
The Honda may also run in parallel. You could theoretically buy two Honda Handi 3,000 watt generators and connect them in parallel for a total of 6,000 watts of power, even though you really don’t need that much extra power to run a 30 amp RV.
This specific Honda model generator has a starting battery built in (other generators don’t), so it’s essentially ready to use when you open the box. There is one issue, though, that you might want to be mindful of.
In my investigation on this particular brand, I learned that Honda disconnects the electric start wires from the batteries during shipping, presumably for safety reasons. As a result, you might need to open the front panel and reattach the electric start wires to the battery. Your electric start won’t function otherwise.
In This Article...
How big of a generator will I need to power my RV?
Maximum electric power that an RV with a 30-amp shore power connection and 120 V equipment could handle would be around 3,600 watts. You would therefore receive the same amount of power from a 3,600-watt generator as from shore power. For these coaches, you may additionally purchase a 4,000-watt generator to provide more starting power for the electrical motor.
For 30-amp RVs with AC systems, a 2,500–2,800-watt generator is sometimes a suitable minimum barrier.
Which generator size is required to power a compact RV?
A 2000-watt generator should be adequate if you have a tiny travel trailer. If the starting and operating wattage of the AC unit don’t exceed 2000 watts, it can even power a small air conditioner.
Check your daily electricity usage in your RV to see if 2,000 watts is enough. Keep in mind that not everything that requires a generator may be run simultaneously. So 2,000 watts should be adequate if you only intend to power your 11,000 BTU AC unit. You cannot, however, run a refrigerator and an air conditioner of this size at the same time.
The refrigerator, flat-screen TV, and laptop charger can all be powered by 2,000 watts if your air conditioner is not running.
For my RV, what size portable generator do I need?
The majority of RV generators produce between 2000 and 4000 watts of power. Be aware of your objectives before entering.
- However, something with 3000 watts or perhaps more is required if you want to run the microwave or air conditioner.
- Have you got a smaller trailer with fewer power requirements? For you, a 2000-watt unit ought to be adequate.
Think about the appliances you’ll want to use with your generator and investigate their specifications to get the greatest output for you. When in doubt, go big because a unit with a higher output won’t harm a smaller or less power-hungry setup.
For a 20-foot travel trailer, what size generator do I need?
A generator with at least 2400 watts, preferably more, is required for a travel trailer. The length of your travel trailer and the required watts determine the generator’s size.
For a 30 foot RV, what size generator do I need?
There are a few things you should be aware of if this is your first time RV camping. What size generator, for instance, is required for a 30 amp RV? I know the solution to that query and have five excellent possibilities!
The majority of 30-amp RVs, including the AC unit, can be powered by a 3,000-watt generator without any issues. In the end, I chose to purchase the Champion 4500-watt dual fuel portable generator, which I believe offers the best value. This specific type is extremely quiet, has an electric start, and is RV-ready.
Now that you are aware of the size of generator you require, be sure to read my assessment of the Champion generator as well as my recommendations for 4 additional models. For your convenience, I’ve also included a useful buying guide at the end of this article.
By the way, as an Amazon Associate, I make money when visitors to my website use links to purchase eligible goods.
Can an RV air conditioner be powered on a 3500 watt generator?
Yes, a 3500w inverter generator has enough power to run the largest RV air conditioner. On larger rigs, it can’t run numerous AC units concurrently.
A 15000 BTU RV air conditioner may be easily and trouble-free run on a 3500-watt inverter generator like the Champion 200987. Our generator cannot provide the necessary 3300 surge watts and 2000 continuous watts for a common 15000 BTU RV air conditioner to operate effectively.
1500 watts are available after the AC is turned on and operating to power additional appliances. This can run your coffee maker, microwave, TV, refrigerator, and charge your house batteries, among other appliances.
A 3500w generator, however, is unable to run several air conditioners simultaneously. Attempting to run two AC units at once will overload the generator and reduce its useful life.
For a 13500 BTU RV air conditioner, what size generator do I need?
To run your RV’s air conditioning, you simply need a generator with enough power. A 13500 BTU air conditioner can be powered by a 3000-watt portable generator.
The majority of the time, you’ll also have a few other appliances running in addition to your RV rooftop AC unit.
You may discover my suggestions for the best generator for RV air conditioners at the conclusion, including both rooftop and portable RV AC.
What is the wattage of an RV refrigerator?
You need to be aware of the model’s initial amp requirements in order to determine how much electricity an RV fridge consumes. The normal consumption of a double door style is 7-8 amps, or 900–1,000 watts per 120V. Less amps are drawn during operation than at startup. After turning on, a refrigerator typically uses 2-4 amps to run.
You will require about 1.2-2 amps, or about 80-90 watts per 120V, if you need to defrost.
Can a 30-amp generator power a 50-amp RV?
Yes! Some people are concerned that a 50-amp outlet may destroy their RV’s electrical system, however this is unfounded. You can plug a 30-amp RV cord into a 50-amp power receptacle, such as a power pedestal at a campground, by utilizing an adaptor. The female end of the adapter will plug into your RV wire, and the male end will plug into the power pedestal. The two primary types of adapters are dogbone-style and plug-style, as seen below. You’ll reap the full rewards of your RV’s 30 amps of electricity with this type of configuration. However, keep in mind that a 30-amp RV’s maximum power usage is 30 amps, independent of the outlet it is plugged into; in other words, even if you hook into a 50-amp outlet, your power usage is still restricted to 30 amps.
Can an RV air conditioner be powered on a 2500 watt generator?
One of the most beneficial inventions of our time, electricity has been a primary driver of human progress for millennia in fields like medicine and science as well as modern conveniences. Particularly when it comes to the world of camping, that field of greater technology living is not constrained.
But when we comprehend technology, we can employ it to its fullest potential. Sometimes we struggle with where to begin and how to make anything work. This is also true of the air conditioning in your RV. A heated trailer is the worst thing ever! So what size generator should you buy to power your RV’s air conditioning?
For them to start up and stay operating, air conditioners need a lot of electricity. The generator must have a minimum output of 2000–4000 watts in order to run the typical RV air conditioner.
There are many variables that will determine what size generator would work best for you, but for the most part, a 2000 watt generator will allow you to run your air conditioning and other appliances.
Given the wide range of generator sizes available, it will take a closer examination to determine which one would meet your exploring needs. We will examine the AC unit capacities and what is needed to run it because not every RV or travel trailer will require a 4000-watt generator.
Although it’s wonderful to know that you have so many alternatives, this piece will help you by explaining how generators operate in detail. It will also assist you in determining the ideal generator size for your needs and those of your adventure.
A 30 amp RV uses how many watts?
3,600 watts are provided by a 30-amp outlet (30 amps multiplied by 120 volts). As a result, even though the outlet’s breaker satisfies regulatory requirements, it could trip at any point between 2,880 watts (or 80 percent of 3,600 watts) and 4,320 watts (120 percent of 3,600 watts).
Will a camper run on a 5000 watt generator?
A 5000 watt generator can operate practically all home appliances, power tools, RV and camping appliances, including: A small window AC unit with a 1,200 watt capacity. 700-watt refrigerator with a freezer.
How many watts does an RV air conditioner require to operate?
The RV AC will need to be powered by roughly 100 watts of electricity for every 1,000 BTU of cooling output. This is caused by the average RV AC unit’s 10 EER rating. A 15,000 BTU RV AC with a 10 EER rating, for instance, will consume 1,500 watts of power.
Can my RV be powered by a 4500 watt generator?
3,600 running watts, 4,500-watt portable RV generator, gas or propane, electric start, model number 333-0005. Two 15,000 Btu RV air conditioners may be started and operated with ease by this dual fuel generator. It offers energy to operate gadgets and appliances inside your RV using gas or propane.