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.
In This Article...
Can a Honda 2200 run the air conditioning in an RV?
We wager that you can determine the answer to this question based on our prior response. Running an AC unit with a soft starter shouldn’t be a problem because the Honda EU2200i has 10% more power than a Honda generator with 2,000 watts of electricity.
Your other devices and appliances will be able to function without being burdened by the new, demanding AC unit thanks to the extra 10% power.
The 2,200-watt generator will function just fine with your AC unit, much like investing in a 3,000-watt generator will allow you to power more appliances in your RV.
Your RV should be adequately cooled by the 13,500 BTU air conditioner, which is located in the middle of the street.
It’s improbable that two air conditioners will function on one little generator, despite the fact that most people want two air conditioners to make sure their entire RV is cooled to their preferred temperature.
Consequently, you have the choice of selecting a different BTU rating even if a 13,500 BTU air conditioner will function on a 2,200-watt generator. A small generator will enable 11,000 BTU air conditioners to function better, but your RV won’t be adequately cooled.
On the other side, a 15,000 BTU air conditioner might not be able to manage a 2,200 watt generator. The only way you could test this is if you bought a soft starter and utilized it in conjunction with the strong AC unit.
Can an inverter with 2000 watts power an RV air conditioner?
The usual roof air conditioner for an RV is rated at 13500 or 15000 BTUs; when in use, these air conditioners normally consume 1300–1600 Watts. These ACs can, however, temporarily consume up to 7500 Watts when they are starting.
The inverter’s rated power must be between 3000 and 4000 Watts in order to effectively power an RV air conditioner. However, you would only require 2000 Watts of inverter power if you used a soft starter mechanism.
For a 13500 BTU RV air conditioner, what size generator do I need?
You would require a starting wattage of approximately 3,000 watts for a 13,500 BTU air conditioner like the Dometic Brisk Air 2. The A-iPower 3,800-Watt Portable Inverter Generators – 3,000 Running Watts – Gas – Manual Start # 289-SUA2000i-2 is your best alternative for it.
Can a 5000 BTU air conditioner be run on a 2000 watt generator?
Most frequently, inquiries for 5000 BTU units come from campers. This is due to the fact that those are typically considered the smallest AC units.
Here is the size of generator required for a 5000 BTU air conditioner:
- Units with low efficiency (EER rating of 8) require a 625 W generator.
- A 500 W generator is required for devices with standard efficiency (10 EER rating).
- A 400 W generator is required for high-efficiency units (EER rating 12.5).
For the majority of the 5000 BTU air conditioners, a 500 W generator is required. The best option would be a generator like the Jackery 500W model.
Most of the time, it will. Just make sure the 5000 BTU unit’s EER rating is 10 or higher.
#1 Option For Camping: Battery Powered Air Conditioner
The traditional method of cooling a tent is as follows:
Basically, you need to purchase two gadgets (which is not ideal). You need to transfer and manage each of the devices, which will cost you roughly $500 each.
The most popular option for camping is a modern battery-powered air conditioner. The Zero Breeze Mark II battery-operated air conditioner is the best-selling model:
The system weighs less than 20 lbs. and has a battery life of 5 hours of intensive cooling.
You’ll see that a battery-powered AC unit costs a little more than a 500W generator and a tiny AC unit with 5,000 BTUs. This is as a result of the 2-in-1 unit’s improved new-age technology. But because it’s portable and simple to use, it’s considerably more practical than a brute-force generator, which also lacks some aesthetic appeal.
Can a 12000 BTU air conditioner be powered by a 2000 watt generator?
How much electricity your window air conditioner will use from your generator is one of the most critical factors to take into account when installing one, as we previously indicated. There are several different sizes of these air conditioners, ranging from 5000 BTU to 14000 BTU.
A 5000 BTU air conditioner uses about 450 running watts. An 8000 BTU air conditioner could consume as little as 715 watts, depending on the size of the room. The minimal power requirement for a 14000 BTU air conditioner is 1250 watts.
You can operate a small- to medium-sized window unit with a 1000-watt generator and be fine. A large window unit will require at least a 2000-watt generator to run. If you need to run several appliances at once, a larger generator would be a better choice.
You should also take into consideration purchasing more than one generator because doing so can be advantageous. By doing this, you may maintain operations without placing an undue burden on a single generator. A 2000-watt generator can typically power equipment with a 14000 BTU capacity.
Conclusion
In general, numerous criteria, like the size of your property and the quantity of cooling power you want, will determine what size generator you need for a window ac unit. But we advise choosing a generator that generates at least 1,000 watts of power. This will guarantee that you have sufficient energy to operate your window air conditioner effectively.
Follow these recommendations and upgrade to a newer, more efficient size generator for your window air conditioner if you have trouble running it on a generator.
What is an RV air conditioner’s wattage?
The capacity of an AC, which is expressed in BTUs, determines how much electricity it consumes (British Thermal Units). More power is needed to run an AC unit whose BTU rating is higher.
An RV air conditioner typically has a BTU rating of 13500 or 15000. A typical running wattage for an air conditioner of this size is between 1300 and 1500 Watts, and a beginning (surge) wattage of between 6000 and 7000 Watts.
But because Class A RVs are larger, they need more cooling power. Air conditioners in Class A RVs are frequently rated at 27000 BTUs and have a maximum operating power consumption of 3000 watts.
The most popular RV AC sizes and their associated power requirements are shown in the following table:
Please be aware that the “beginning wattage” refers to the power requirement for the AC to start. Even though this power spike lasts for less than a second, it should be taken into account while choosing equipment size.
The Honda EU2200i has a 30 amp RV plug, does it not?
In the same lightweight, small form, the EU2200i Companion provides 10% more power than the EU2000 Companion, allowing you to power more of what you need. The EU2200i Companion gives you the ability to accomplish more, whether it is with an additional refrigerator at home, a larger saw on your construction job, or a larger TV at your tailgate party.
Integrated 30A RV outlet and simple parallel connectivity with another EU2000i
One 30A and one 20A receptacle are available on the EU2200i Companion (needs optional adaptor). By using a straightforward parallel cord rather than an extra parallel kit, the 30A receptacle enables the parallel operation of two EU2200i models.
Want more strength? For a power output of up to 4400 watts, pair the EU2200i Companion with a standard EU2200i.
Alongside EU2000iK1/T1 versions, there will also be an EU2200i Companion. The following link will take you to a list of all serial numbers.
What is the capacity of a Honda eu2000i?
The Honda Super Quiet EU2000 is the Super Quiet series’ finest value. The Eco-Throttle, a proprietary Honda technology, is used in the Super Quiet series to regulate the engine speed to maximize efficiency based on the load, lowering fuel consumption, engine noise, and emissions. The EU2000 weights 46.3 lbs. and has a 1600 watt rating. Larger power tools, microwaves, and kitchen appliances can all be run on the EU2000. Accurately increasing the available wattage can be accomplished by getting two EU2000 generators and connecting them in parallel.
Features
- Ideal for satellite, TV/DVD, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, and more
- Stable electricity for computers and more from inverters
- High fuel efficiency: 9.6 hours on 1 gallon of petrol
- 120V, 2000 watts
- Less than 47 pounds makes it simple to carry!
- quite quiet
These typical uses of this generator are supported. Please be aware that not all applications can be powered at once.
What size inverter is required to power an RV?
Most RVs should run on inverters rated at 2000 to 4000 watts, depending on size (continuous). Inverters often provide surge loads 1.5 to 2 times higher than their rated continuous output to accommodate high demand startup loads like refrigerators and compressors.
For my RV, what size inverter generator do I need?
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. The movement of electrons is all that electricity is. More information on it can be found in our page defining the distinction between electricity and energy. A higher amperage indicates more electrons are flowing, which results in more electricity. Amperage is the volume of electrons that flow.
The two most popular electrical service capacities utilized inside RVs are 30 amp and 50 amp. Because a 50-amp service can manage a larger volume of electrons than a 30-amp service, it can handle more electrical power than a 30-amp service. The amount of electrical power is calculated by multiplying amperage by voltage. The majority of RV electrical equipment runs on 120 volts, whether the service is 30-amp or 50-amp.
You must multiply volts by amps to see how many watts are available. For instance, a 30-amp RV with a 120 V power source might manage 3,600 watts of electrical power, or 120 x 30.