im sure this has been asked a million times but here goes. my wife and i are picking up our new wildwood travel trailer this coming saturday. it has a 15,000 btu a/c what is the best size generator to run the a/c as well as lights and smaller size lcd t.v. (27 to 32 inch lcd t.v.) as well as water pump. my father has a 5500 watt portable "construction site" generator we can borrow. im not sure of all the specs on it yet. also do i need any type of adapter to regulate voltage to safely run things in the trailer. many thanks

5500 watts will do it. Obviously we dont know what outlets are on it, but there is standard RV 30 amp plug on many. If you are looking at using this rig in places with other folks around, you likely would be happier with an inverter genny. quieter, lower fuel consumption.Honda's, Yamaha are the premium ones, Champion, black and decker, predator are also seen frequently. 3000 watts are enough usually.

Generators can be pretty pricey. You might want to try one out by renting it for a day. My Champion fires up my 15k A/C without even a whimper. My old Honda EU3000is wouldn't run my 13.6k A/C in my old trailer without a hard start kit in it. You might consider putting in a Microair Easy Start for your A/C. That would run you about $300. But you could run your rig with a smaller generator, saving you even more money. I've seen posts from folks running 13.6k A/C units with 2000 watt generators. I don't know about the 15k units. My brother-in-law has a Champion 2000 watt generator. I'll have to try it after I get my Easy Start and get it installed.

thanks guysi found the model on lowes.com website this is ithttps://www.lowes.com/pd/Generac-Rapid-Start-5500-Running-Watt-Portable-Generator-with-Engine/50205129

kerrlakeroo wrote:5500 watts will do it. Obviously we dont know what outlets are on it, but there is standard RV 30 amp plug on many. If you are looking at using this rig in places with other folks around, you likely would be happier with an inverter genny. quieter, lower fuel consumption.Honda's, Yamaha are the premium ones, Champion, black and decker, predator are also seen frequently. 3000 watts are enough usually.yeah, i wouldn't camp with this generator around anyone. was going to test run on our back 40 acres...

5500 is more than enough power but heavy, noisy and a gas hog. 3000 can pretty reliably start an air/con and you can go as low as 2000-2400 in some cases (2000 you likely need to add a soft start to the air/con and it still may have difficulty at times)

Generator size for a 15,000 btu a/c question | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

afidel
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2017
Champion dual fuel 3,500, rated for 14+ hours at 25 percent load with a 20lb cylinder. I know at least a few of the full timers I follow on YouTube are using them and are happy. Propane is clean, plentiful at RV parks, and cleaner burning so less air pollution for you and fewer oil changes for the generator.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Jun 27, 2017
TomG2 wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Dennis12,

The Champion Inverter generators are quiet. They make a lovely 3400 watt unit with remote electric start. That would be my choice.

X4

X5
phillyg
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2017
Our Honda 3000si Handi would not run the 15000AC when we upgraded the trailer from one with a 13500. We found a quiet Champion 3400 that does the job, and will run the MW at the same time.
TomG2
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
pianotuna wrote:
Dennis12,

The Champion Inverter generators are quiet. They make a lovely 3400 watt unit with remote electric start. That would be my choice.

X4
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jun 27, 2017
Ron3rd wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Dennis12,

The Champion Inverter generators are quiet. They make a lovely 3400 watt unit with remote electric start. That would be my choice.

X2
X3
Unyalli
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
The 3400 watt Champion inverter will do quite a bit. Here is a video of it starting a Coleman Mach III 15k air conditioner in eco mode on the RV propane system at 6200 feet altitude.
Champion 3400

- Jeff
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 27, 2017
pianotuna wrote:
Dennis12,

The Champion Inverter generators are quiet. They make a lovely 3400 watt unit with remote electric start. That would be my choice.

X2
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2017
To run a 15K AC unit reliably you will need at least 3K watts, our Champion 3100 inverter genny easily runs our rig's AC unit and has done so at over 8K' elevation. Of course the generator you posted shouldn't have any issues either if it is running properly, although the sound of it will certainly be heard throughout your back 40.

For not much more than the price at Lowes for the genny you linked, you could have a Champion 3100 or 3400 inverter generator that will deliver clean, residential grade power, much quieter and certainly more fuel efficient. Champion has been making power equipment for decades, has outstanding customer service, and a 3 year warranty should you require it.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 27, 2017
Dennis12,

The Champion Inverter generators are quiet. They make a lovely 3400 watt unit with remote electric start. That would be my choice.
GordonThree
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
Honda 2000 and a Micro Lite EasyStart?

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Generator size for a 15,000 btu a/c question

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