What Generator for a 15000BTU AC unit?

Having owned a Honda EU3000is, I can tell you that your Honda will not run everything! Many years ago, I opened up my brand new $1400 Honda EU300is (I told you many years ago). Oiled and fueled it up and dragged the wife out to the front yard to watch it fire up the 13,6k A/C on our trailer. It was about 95 degrees outside. I unplugged the land line from the garage, fired up the Honda, turned off the Eco mode switch and then turned on the trailer's A/C. It couldn't handle the load. So, relaxing in my new room under a tarp in the back yard, searching this very forum, I discovered the hard start kit. Info about it had been offered up by another Honda owner who was most likely sleeping in his back yard. Put that in and the Honda would finally run the A/C. I was able to move back inside.
Long story short, don't count on it. If you're going to go with the more expensive solutions, rent one from a local rental yard and try it out first. Sleeping in the back yard in the summer in Central California is not fun.

Dennis12 wrote:
My 3000 Honda will run anything I need to run. May have to shut it down if i run the hot water tank on electric, but normally use gas. The nice thing is I don't have people around me discussed with the noise like the Champions put out.

I assume you're talking about Champion Generators not Champion Inverters. At 58db my Champion Inverter is about the same as my neighbors Honda. But if you mean the open-frame type construction Generators, you are correct sir, they can hit decibels in the high 60's.

First off, I run my 15K A/C with a Champion Inverter 3100 Watt. Its their original model in that class so no remote start, no dual fuel. But I did add an extended run kit so I can basically use my outboard motor's portable 6 gal tank for running more than 6 hours without refill. I think you can buy that model now for about $600 and if you want to add extended run, the kit parts run about $75 plus marine tank and hose.

I found this thread interesting because as I get older I'm thinking moving around that Champion 80# inverter will be less attractive to me. The 2000 watt models weight half that.

I watched Micro-Air's video (using the link above) and was impressed. I saw the question about have you tried this and sure enough there's a youtube that shows a bench test of a 16K A/C on a Honda 2000i. Here's the link to that one: Honda 2000i driving 16000BTU A/C

My 3000 Honda will run anything I need to run. May have to shut it down if i run the hot water tank on electric, but normally use gas. The nice thing is I don't have people around me discussed with the noise like the Champions put out.

The Honda 3000i will do it nicely. While its more $ than the Champions its quieter and more durable. Mine is going on 13 years. You should also install a hard start kit. Its a larger capacitor if your going to use the genny alot. Its not the running as much as the intial load to start them.

Three things come to mind

A) High-head starting

B) Altitude

3) Sneak loads like a converter huffing and puffing on low batteries

I can run my 15k with my Champion 3000. It's about 90 pounds. Plus, your wallet will be a lot heavier at the same time. So maybe it's not such a good idea. $599 at CostCo right now.

A 2000 watt peak generator might run an 13.5k air conditioner ok, but it's not going to hack it with a 15k unit on a day hot enough to want to run the air conditioner. The starting current may or may not be a factor, but the continuous rated power of the generator WILL be a factor. The OP's initial instinct is right on.

Find out the running watts. Add a Micro Air unit.

Ken Bry wrote:
Hello, we just upsized travel trailers and the new one has a 15000BTU AC unit on it.

I am guessing a 3000 unit or dual 2000s should but really am not sure. Weight is an issue as to big and heavy for my old body to move around would make it a pain. (literally)

donn0128 wrote:
My Yamaha 2800I works fine on a 15K AC.

My buddy upgraded from a Yami 2K (which was a dog) and went to the 2800i. It's a great machine with extremely good surge capacity. It runs his AC at or just above idle.
If it were me, that's the one I would get. (wish I could trade my Honda in on one!)