By dean calgary canada question.
Generator to run jayco air conditioner.
What is the minimum size rv generator that i need to run my 26 trailer with air conditioning as well as the microwave or tv.
When getting a generator for your travel trailer or a motorhome like class c rv this is one of the critical point.
To choose the right size generator you need to know the starting surge watts and running rated watts required by your rv s air conditioning unit.
Any generator used should deliver high quality alternating current at 50hz and can handle the compressor kicking in on demand.
All air conditioners run on 240v however many owners require the versatility to use a portable generator when in remote locations or the commonly used term free camping.
Ac in your rv is without doubt the one that would need more watts than anything else.
An alternative way to solve the problem of what size generator to run air conditioner is by totaling the wattage of all you need to stay on during blackouts.
Checkout my previous post on how to fix leaking rv air conditioner.
Ac is by far the appliance that consumes most watts.
So after your 3000w generator starts your 13 500 btu air conditioner which might run at 2000w you have around 600w to use on other items.
Will the generator be enough to run the air conditioner or not.
This reduction in power allows rvers to start and run their air conditioner with a smaller generator like a 2 000 or 2 200 negating the need to haul around a bigger generator like a 3 000 watt or run two smaller generators in parallel.
So a 3000w generator might give you up to 3000w to start that air conditioner but for long term use might only be rated 2600w.
In 2019 dometic released the ibis 4 reverse cycle rooftop air conditioner which improved the many industry leading features of the ibis 3 and incorporated them into a new light weight roof top design like the harrier the ibis 4 uses inverter technology to eliminate start up current issues and can be run from a 2000 watt generator but the ibis 4 features an industry first it features a.
Easy start advertises it can reduce the current required to start your rv s air conditioning by 65 75.
They can run at higher levels but reliability and longevity will be compromised.
Before bringing in the calculator remember that some machines draw extra wattage for a moment while running.
So our 1600 watt generator can only sustain 1600 x 0 8 1280 watts continuously.
We cannot give you a specific answer because we do not know the specifications of your air conditioner microwave tv nor how long you intend to running them nor in what combinations.
Every air conditioner is different but they all require a specific number of start up watts the initial burst when the unit is turned on.
The surge watts can interfere with the calculations if not included.
Here it is important for you to check whether it leaks when the ac is on or when it rains and maybe even if it leaks in both situations.
