Portable Generator Solutions

You don't need a 30 amp receptacle on the genny. Get a 3000 watt Champion inverter genny and buy a 15 to 30 amp adapter from WangMart and you're good to go. That genny can be had for about $899.

You can get a power cord adapter but the ACs usually draw 13 amps plus starting current. I believe most folk go with 2500 to 3000 watts fir AC.

I am sure the folk will tell you a few different approaches to AC boonedocking.

rbpru wrote:
You can get a power cord adapter but the ACs usually draw 13 amps plus starting current. I believe most folk go with 2500 to 3000 watts fir AC.

I am sure the folk will tell you a few different approaches to AC boonedocking.

Correct; don't even think of running your AC with an 1800 watt genny.

We have the Champion 3100 inverter gen (non electric start version) and it works flawlessly on our Surveyor 245BHS. Runs the A/C with no issues, along with everything else we have thrown at it.

Take a look at a Kipor inverter generator. I have the 3000 that I bought in 2009, has worked good for me. I lock it in the bed of my truck at the tail gate. I also have a fiberglass bed lid that closes above it. I point the exhaust out and run it without removing it from the bed. I also have two co2(or whatever bad gas) detectors for safety.

Kipor IG3000 3000-Watt Generator Inverter

This runs my 13,00 btu ac, but only on high generator setting. The AC usually will not start if the generator is on ECO mode.

I also had to add a hard start kit to my AC, to get it to start reliability.

I very seldom run my AC with this setup, usually I just need to charge the batteries.

These days, I have 300 watts of solar and do not even need it for charging. One day I might get one of those small 1,000 watt Honda generators also.

Robert Wynkoop

MisterCipher wrote:
I have a 19' Rockwood Eco Pro. I'd like to get a generator for camping off the grid. I want to run the A/C so solar is out as a solution. I'm looking at portable generators as a solution but I don't see any with a 30Amp outlet (even with 1800 watt output). Am I right to conclude that a portable generator is not a solution to run the A/C? The larger generators that do have 30Amp outlet are just too big for me.

Am I reading this right? Or am I missing something?

-Lou

2000ish VA generator is hit and miss, mostly miss, at reliably starting a AC, or keeping it running much above 3000ft altitude.

the micro air easy start will solve the starting issue, but not the altitude issue. with the micro air I can easily start the AC at 5,000ft, with the generator in eco mode, ramps up as the AC starts, but after about 20 minutes overloads. below 3000ft starts and runs it fine.

I'll see this summer if the honda 2200 with an extra 200VA output and a 20% larger engine will solve the altitude problem. the 20% larger engine with a 10% increase in output should result in the ability to provide rated output at a higher altitude than the 2000. But we shall see..

If, along with the micro air easy start, it works at 5-6K ft, it will be for me the ideal solution.

other than that the options are:
1) two generators in parallel
2) a 3000VA or so generator (heavy)

with a supco cap, you may end up being able to start, I wasn't even with the generator not in eco mode.

I've read you can get 2 2000 watt gens and run them in parallel and run an AC unit.. But, usually not only one by itself.

I've got a 3000 watt Honda with the 30a plug and use it for the house in case of power outage. (I have a switch over power thing hooked to my panel)

Works great.

Sure, the 3000 gen is heavy, but I make it work if I need to bring it with me camping..

Good luck!

Mitch

mikakuja wrote:
We have the Champion 3100 inverter gen (non electric start version) and it works flawlessly on our Surveyor 245BHS. Runs the A/C with no issues, along with everything else we have thrown at it.

I agree,I think the Champion is the best value out there in portable gennies. I've got the electric start with remote and it runs my AC no problem.

To run an air/con, you need around 10-12amps continuous but you need 2-3 times that for a second to get the compressor turning.

You are looking at a generator rated for 2500-3000w to do that reliably. There are some after market modifications you can do to the air/con that help keep that 2-3 multiplier a bit smaller but most 2000w generators are only rated at 1600w continuous output, so if you do manage to get the air/con to start, you will be pushing that little generator to the max.

The plug isn't really an issue. A simple adapter will handle the 30amp plug and circuit breakers, don't pop instantly. So long as it starts, the draw should stay well below the 20amp outlet limits.

Particularly if you try to keep the generator at the minimum, you won't be able to run anything else without overloading the generator. You may have to add a disconnect for the battery charger and switch the fridge over to propane.

Some truck camper people use front hitch carriers. Check out the TC section for pics/reviews etc .

You could install a front hitch on your truck then install a LOCK n LOAD rack to mount a 3100 which has a 30 amp plug . Leave it locked in place, no need to lift on/off to use it. Weatherproof covers are avl. for the genny.

You can always install a 'hard start capacitor for an rv A/C unit' for less than $20, if you have starting issues because of a genny not supplying enough initial start up power.