Air conditioning and generator

That should power a 13.5k btu AC no problem... Even a 15k btu if you don't have any other major loads.

I upgraded the AC on my Minnie Winnie to a 15k btu one and I have run my roof air, fridge and microwave all at the same time with no issue. I have a 3000 Watt Onan genset.

Biggyniner wrote:
That should power a 13.5k btu AC no problem... Even a 15k btu if you don't have any other major loads.

I upgraded the AC on my Minnie Winnie to a 15k btu one and I have run my roof air, fridge and microwave all at the same time with no issue. I have a 3000 Watt Onan genset.

Agreed. As long as your not running multiple items at the same time that are high amp draws (Microwave, coffee pot, hair dryer or curling iron, toaster) and the AC, you'll be fine. If you need to run multiples, kick the AC off for a few minutes while your thawing the chili in the micro and your lady/daughter are using the hair dryer and then kick back on when their done.

I use a percolator for coffee on the gas stove and cook outside generally so we seldom trip a breaker. Occasionally if she is using an electric skillet and powers up the microwave and then starts making the toast, we'll kick a breaker. She's bad at math and doesn't seem to remember, 2 items max from the above list all the time ;-)

I have the same generator (Champion 3500/4000) that I use when power is off at the stick house and I need to power essentials such as the basement sump pumps or the chest freezer until line power is restored.

In the past, I’ve exercised the Champion by hooking the shore power cord from the motorhome to the 30-amp plug on the Champion and turning on the A/C. I’ve been able to power both (2) roof A/Cs with no other loads on the Champion. I started the A/Cs one at a time.

I’ve not tried powering anything more at the same time, as I never plan to use the Champion camping (since I have a built-in generator, plus a Yamaha 1000-watt that I use for charging batteries off-grid.)

I'm confident that you will have no problem running the A/C and a few other things concurrently with the 3500/4000.

Wayne

I used to run a 12,000 btu ac on a 1500 watt generator, Its all about how you start air cond. I would turn temp knob to warm so compressor did not cut in, then start fan, then turn knob to cold so your not getting all the load at one time And if you can always install a hard start kit

I have a Champion 3500 and I can power 1 15K AC but I turn the AC off to run other loads while its on. I haven't tried to run much ac power things with the AC running.

Jerry1943 wrote:
I have a 2016 Lance model 1985 with a Coleman air conditioner. I am wondering what the btu’s are?

Check the build sheet (options sheet / window sticker).
If you don't have it, call the factory and give them the VIN and they should have records on what you RV has.

I could be way off base though, because maybe Lance uses 13.5k BTU on all TTs.

My RV experience has been only with Northwood Mfg... they use difference sizes depending on the model. Their build sheet shows what size A/C the unit shipped with.

You may never have to worry about it. Many people ask this question, few ever actually do run air.

Jerry1943 wrote:
I have a champion generator. It puts out 3500 watts running 4000 start up. How big of an air conditioner will it power?

It shouldn't have any problem running a 13.5k BTU A/C

People run 13.5's on Honda 2000 gens.

We ran our 13.5 A/C with a Honda EU2000 last year with no problems. As others have said, we didn't run anything else.

One thing to keep in mind with "camping" generators is many of them have an "economy", "eco", or low idle switch. When less power is needed (just lights or battery charging) they down throttle to save fuel and run VERY quietly. If you are going to run A/C, the gen may not idle up fast enough for the A/C and things may shut down.

Turn off the "eco" switch so the gen runs at full throttle before you turn on the A/C.

This worked for us. Speaking of elevation, I think it was about 75 feet above sea level.