15k BTU on 2200 watt generator

jjrbus wrote:

otrfun wrote:

Slownsy wrote:
I often se get the Champion generater instead. But just read some reports yesterday that several said it would not run ther air conditioner, and some said depending on conditions it may and may not.
Frank

In order to make the most sense of reports like this, ideally you'd want to know the make and model RV a/c unit being discussed (to obtain the continuous current and LRA ratings). For instance, there are very efficient 13.5k BTU RV a/c units (LRA ~50 amps) made by Coleman-Mach that can be started (and run) by a smaller Honda 2000 watt inverter generator. These very efficient units are rarely used for OEM installations and must typically be special ordered. On the flipside, there are some very inefficient 13.5k BTU RV a/c units (LRA ~68 amps) that even a larger 2800-3000 watt generator can have trouble starting. You'll see inefficient units like this used quite often in OEM installations. The BTU rating of an RV a/c unit only gives you a very general idea of the power necessary
to start and run it. If you know the continuous current and LRA ratings of an RV a/c unit it can definitely give you the upper-hand in finding the best generator for the job.

As TomG2 already commented, Champion makes a large assortment of open-frame and inverter-style generators. We've owned a few Champion generators in the past---they're good generators that offer a lot of bang-for-the-buck. Just got to make sure you choose the one that's most appropriate for your application. Good luck!

Thanks for the input, have you experimented with the Micro air?

Between my brothe and I we have installed the micro air on two units, One a coleman MachIII 13.5KBTU the other a dometic 13.5K BTU. In both cases with a honda 2000 in eco mode, both AC's will easily start on the honda 2000 even up above 5000 ft. But then they will overload after a bit. The honda 2000 seems to be good to about 3500ft. Now on both units the honda 2200 will start and run them on a hot day at 5000ft plus. In once case it was run several times at 7,000ft. the micro air will detect impeding overload and kick out the load if it thinks it is close to overload. On occasion at 7000ft and 90F or so it would kick out once, then come back on and run for hours.

The honda 2200 has two advantages, 200more VA, but more importantly a much larger engine so less affected by altitude. BTW the honda's were jetted for sea level, not high altitude.