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bzgenius
Explorer
Jun 10, 2017

a/c is 15.5k btu???

Was trying to look at my a/c unit to figure out what generator to get and it is a dometic quick cool with no other info on the unit anywhere not even in the electrical box on the roof. The compressor is RKC5515EXA which is a 15.5k btu compressor unit. Why in the world would they put one that big on a little tc. Now I am faced with buying a big generator or buy a smaller a/c unit and that a little 2000 watt gen will run.
  • I'd go with a smaller a/c unit. Bigger isn't always better when it comes to air conditioners. If you live in a part of the country that deals with humidity, they often cool the camper too quickly. As a result, they dont run long enough to dehumidify the air.
  • Take a look at the Micro-Air easy start device. They claim that you can start and run a 15k AC with a Honda 2000i generator.
  • My suggestion is a new small A/C (9000-1200 btu) about $700 and Honda 2000 about $1000. That would be a total of $1700, about the cost of a big generator.

    That will give you both new units with a more efficient A/C and much lighter weight generator. You typically will get 8 to 10 hours run time with one tank (1 gal) of gas. The bigger generator will require more fuel.

    Wayne
  • bzgenius wrote:
    Was trying to look at my a/c unit to figure out what generator to get and it is a dometic quick cool with no other info on the unit anywhere not even in the electrical box on the roof. The compressor is RKC5515EXA which is a 15.5k btu compressor unit. Why in the world would they put one that big on a little tc. Now I am faced with buying a big generator or buy a smaller a/c unit and that a little 2000 watt gen will run.


    That's a TECUMSEH Rotary AC compressor, you'll need a 3000 watt generator to start up that AC unit. The problem is the start up amps that is needed for that unit, the RLA is 13 amps plus the fan motor, the require starting amp will be at least 20-22 amps minimum. Your AC unit is commonly known as a 1 ton system. Here's aLINK to the spec sheet for that compressor. You may want to look into this device, I can't tell you one way or the other if it really works...Micro-Air
  • Try it first. Not all AC are created equal and sometimes 15k takes lower starting current than 12k.
    Campers do have huge heat exchange and if you park in no shade 120F spot, you really need that big output.
    Look at those Prevost conversion. Those buses do have good insulation, yet 5 AC units on the roof and 20kW generators.