Generator

My 2k Hondas are doing fine at 6500', but I have 3.

Try this site utahwildlife

Is it one of the dual fuel models running on propane? If so, try gas. You could also install a hard start capacitor on the AC unit.

Yes, power goes down as the elevation goes up. Ive ran my Honda 3000/13,500 in Moab/4000, Denver/5000ft and Flagstaff 6900 ft with no problem

Our Champion 3100 inverter generator easily runs our rig's AC tested at over 8500' elevation, still has power left to run our Iota converter and a couple of fans too. Not sure which model you have but many report running their AC unit successfully with the Champion 3500 watt open cage non-inverter version.

Gasoline engines lose 3 percent of their rated power every 1K' elevation, since we most often camp between 7K' and 9K' we lose a quarter of our Champion 3100's rated power, not an issue thus far as a simple press of the remote and she readily purrs into life. They now have a 3400 inverter genny for added oomph.

In the "old days" manufacturers would sell a "high altitude" kit. Contact Champion and see what the have to say.

fulltime5er wrote:
You could also install a hard start capacitor on the AC unit.

Hard start kits are ALWAYS a good idea !

Make sure your water heater and refrigerator are both running on propane and I would wager your genny will power the air conditioner.

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's not a dual fuel generator. We had the fridge and water heater on propane. The generator ran the fan to the air but as soon as the compressor kicked on the generator would not pull it. We think it might be the type of air conditioner unit. It's a Dometic.

Just installed one of these. I run a 15k btu unit with a Honda 2000

https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters

Without a device like this, an A/C unit can have a momentary draw of 50+ amps on start up. That combined with a loss of power due to altitude will create a non-start situation.

My Honda 2000 will run the A/C on my unit. Obviously the fridge and water heater need to be shut off but there is another high power consuming appliance that needs to be unplugged. The converter (or in my case inverter/battery charger) can use alot of power. In fact my Xantrex charger can trip the overload breaker on my Honda all on its own.