Recreational vehicles (RV) are an awesome way to enjoy the holidays with family. You will not get a lot of space here for your family or yourself. But it makes your family happy. Most importantly, you can save a huge amount of money that allows you to explore a new corner of the world.
During the hot summer, an air conditioner is not a luxury. It is necessary. And a generator is a very popular choice to run the air conditioner in the RV for a lot of flexibility. So, what size generator do I need for my RV air conditioner?
The air conditioner needs a higher starting watt than the running watts. Also, it depends on the BTU of the air conditioner. For an average Air conditioner, you need at least a 2000-watt generator.
There are a lot of facts to consider to run the RV air conditioner with the generator. Both generators and the air conditioner have to start and run watts.
This article will help you to understand the range of the generator to run the RV air conditioner. Also, you will be able to select the perfect generator for your RV air conditioner.
Can You Run RV AC on the Generator?
Yes, you can run your RV air conditioner with a portable generator. you just need to select an RV-ready portable generator. Then plug in the AC line in the generator. You are good to go.
You should be careful while selecting the generator for the RV air conditioner. You could select an Inverter generator if you have the budget. They are economical and produce less noise. If you are on a tight budget, you could go for an open frame generator. They are also worthy of money.
What Size Generator is Needed for RV Air Conditioner?
It is impossible to answer this question in a single word. Read the following part to get a clear idea about the generator sizing for the RV air conditioner.
How Many Watts Does an RV Air Conditioner Use?
It completely depends on the BTU or ton of the air conditioner. In most of the RVs and trailers, people use 11000 BTU, 13500 BTU, or 15000 BTU air conditioners. Apart from this, there are a lot of varieties of choice. But these are most common. Even some people use 2 air conditioners in their RV. these are exceptional cases.
Anyway, you already know the air conditioner needs a higher starting watt than the running watt. You must calculate the starting watt of your air conditioner, not the running watt to select the generator. So, how much wattage does an RV air conditioner use?
This is a chart of three popular generators from Honda.
| Air Conditioner | Starting Watt | Running Watt |
| 11000 BTU | 1600-watt | 1010-watt |
| 13500 BTU | 2800-watt | 1800-watt |
| 15000 BTU | 3300-watt | 2000-watt |
So, it is not possible to answer the question in a word or sentence. If you have a 13500 BTU air conditioner you need at least a 3000-watt generator to run the AC. You can not run other appliances with the generator while running your 13500 BTU air conditioner. If you want to run other appliances, you must calculate the wattage and go for a bigger one.
The calculation is the same for the 11000 BTU and 15000 BTU air conditioners.
Looking for the quietest generator for your RV? Read this article to explore the market-leading quietest generator for RV in the market.
How Many Amps Does an RV Air Conditioner Draw?
RV air conditioners draw 16-18 Amps at the starting point. And they draw 13-16 Amps during the operational period.
You can easily calculate the amps of your air conditioner if you know the wattage and voltage.
You just need to follow the rules,
A= W/V
Here,
A= Amps
W= wattage
V=Voltage
For example, if you have an air conditioner that draws 1600 watts in the 110-volt receptacles in the RV, it will draw (1600/110) = 14.55 Amps approximately.
Can You Run an RV Generator While Driving?
Yes, you can run your RV generator even while you are driving. RV generators are specially designed for the motorhome and trailer. They come with RV ready tagline.
You just ensure that you have placed your RV generator in the right place. and it is fitted with a generator cage.
How Long Can You Run an RV Air Conditioner?
It depends on the run time of the generator. Some generators come with up to 7 hours run time. on the other hand, some generators come with up to 14 hours run time.
Also, it depends on the load of the generator. a generator with 25% load will run longer than when it is running with 75% load.
For gasoline generators, the fuel tank is the crucial point. And for the propane generator, the propane tank is the main point here. Also, you will get a guideline with the generator on run time.
So, the run time of the air conditioner completely depends on your generator performance.
Can I Run My RV AC All Day?
Yes, you can run your RV ac all day long. You could set the temperature at an optimum level to avoid pressure on the compressor of the air conditioner.
What Is the Quietest Generator For RV AC?
Among all the generators, I found the Honda EU2200i is the quietest generator for RV Ac. It produces only 48 decibels to 57 decibels while running. The main drawback of the Honda generator is its price. If you have the budget you could grab this Honda EU2200i.
Honda EU2200i
- Weight: 40 Pounds
- Dimension: 16 x 20 x 11 inches
- Noise Level: 48 to 57 dBA
- 2200-watt
- Inverter Generator
- Parallel Compatability
- Up to 4.0 to 9.6 hours run time
If you are on a tight budget you could consider this Generac 7117 Gp2200I. This is the alternative to the Honda EU2200i. The most important point is you will get this generator at the one-third price of Honda. And the performance of this Generac generator is very good indeed.
Generac 7117 Gp2200I W 50St Inverter
- Weight: 46 Pounds
- Dimension: 19 x 11 x 17 inches
- Noise Level: 66 decibels from 25 feet
- Tank volume: 1.2 Gallons
- Inverter Generator
- Parallel Compatability
- Up to 10.75 hours run time
If you want to run a 13500 BTU or 15000 BTU air conditioner, you should buy a larger generator. So, you could consider this Champion 3400-Watt dual fuel generator.
It produces 59-decibel Noise while in the operation. You know our normal talking produces around 60 decibels. So this one is another quiet but strong generator for larger ac of your RV.
Champion 3400-Watt Dual Fuel
- Weight: 95.7 Pounds
- 3400 starting watts and 3100 running watts
- Dual Fuel inverter generator
- Dimension: 25.1 x 17.3 x 18.3 inches
- Noise Level: 59 dBA at 23 feet
- Up to 7.5 hours run time on gasoline
FAQ
Will A 3000 Watt Generator Run A 13500 BTU Air Conditioner?
Yes, a 3000-watt generator can run a 13500 BTU air conditioner. A 13500 BTU air conditioner needs 2800 starting watts. So, a 3000-watt generator is good enough for your 13500 RV air conditioner.
Please make sure that your generator is not connected with the other devices while running the air conditioner. Because you use almost all the power of your generator for your air conditioner.
Will A Honda 2200 Generator Run A RV Air Conditioner?
Yes, the Honda 2200 watt portable generator can run the RV air conditioner. But you can not all types of RV generators with the Honda 2200-watt generator. The 11000 BTU air conditioners are perfect for the Honda 2200i generator.
You can not run the 13500 BTU or 15000 BTU air conditioner with the Honda 2200i generator.
Will Honda eu3000i Run an RV AC?
Yes, you could run the 11000 BTU and 13500 BTU air conditioner with the Honda eu3000i. 135000 BTU air conditioner needs 2800 starting watt. So, the Honda eu3000i generator is a good option for the RV AC.
Will a 2000-watt Generator Run a 10000 BTU Air Conditioner?
Yes, you can run a 10000 BTU air conditioner with a 2000-watt generator smoothly. 10000 BTU air conditioner needs lower than the 1500-watt starting watt. So, you can use it without any hesitation.
Will a 3500-Watt Generator Run My RV AC?
You can run almost all the RV conditioners including the 11000 BTU, 13500 BTU, and 15000 BTU air conditioner with your 3500-watt generator. So, it would be a great decision to buy the 3500-watt generator for the RV.
How Big of a Generator Do I Need to Run a 5000 BTU Air Conditioner?
A 1000-watt inverter generator is enough for the 5000 BTU air conditioner. Because a 5000 BTU air conditioner needs around 500-watt to run in full energy.
Related: Generator for 15000-BTU Air Conditioner
Final Thoughts
Overall you have a lot of flexibility with your RV air conditioner and Generator. so take your time and select the perfect generator for your RV air conditioner.
Don’t forget to count the other appliances of your RV while buying a generator for your RV air conditioner. If you want to buy an exclusive generator for your RV air conditioner, then it is a different case.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to share.
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