Forum Discussion

Explorer

Aug 21, 2017

5,000btu AC unit will not run o 1,500 watt inverter. Why?

Okay. This was just a test I did to see if it would work and it did not, so I am trying to figure out why.

I bought a 1,500 (3000 peak) watt Travellers inverter at TS. I hooked it up to my TV batter and ran a 12 gauge extention cord to my Jayco Swift TT. It has a small 5000btu window unit that is rated at 515 watts and 4.5 amps. The AC unit would nOT operate on this inverter. What could be the problem?

24 Replies

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2017
1) The wires from the battery to the inverter could be too small.
2) The A/C unit may not work with a modified sine wave inverter (my best guess).
3) There may not be enough surge power to get the compressor to kick on.

Do the A/C power up and try to run or is there no power or no attempt?
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2017
Perhaps your owner's manual will tell you what any inverter error codes mean. Since you said 'batter' I guess that means ONE battery. That won't do. My guess is that "will not run" means it won't start it.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 21, 2017
What size and length is the 12v connection?
What was the error or shut down message?
ScottG
Nomad
Aug 21, 2017
Not enough surge current (way more than 4.5A) would be my guess or the wiring to the inverter is too small and your suffering a voltage drop through it.