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William5829's avatar
William5829
Explorer
Jun 10, 2014

Size AC unit in travel trailer

We just purchased a 2011 Rockwood 8315BSS and we want to buy a generator for our trip out west. I can't seem to find anything about the size of the AC unit in the paperwork in the trailer .It's probably a 13,5000 BTU but wanted to make sure before getting the wrong size gen set. Was going to call FR with vin number but they don't seem to want phone calls as there is none listed on their sites. Also will this unit keep the trailer cool we will go through Texas, NM, and Arizona in middle of August....I've read through most of the post and what a wealth of information they certainly helped us with the final phase of buying the trailer and now getting it ready for the trip.

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  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2014
    zackyboy3rs wrote:
    Bumpyroad wrote:
    yes you can have too much AC. if too large it only runs periodically and you lose some dehumidification. should run most of the time when it is really hot.
    'bumpy


    In eastern NC when it is hot it does run 85-90% of the time. "I" can not have too much AC.


    then I would say that you have an AC sized exactly right for your climate and size and construction of RV. how does it do on dehumidification when it is 99% humidity and 80 degrees?
    bumpy
  • biggrigg's avatar
    biggrigg
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2014
    zackyboy3rs wrote:
    Bumpyroad wrote:
    yes you can have too much AC. if too large it only runs periodically and you lose some dehumidification. should run most of the time when it is really hot.
    'bumpy


    In eastern NC when it is hot it does run 85-90% of the time. "I" can not have too much AC.


    You got that right!!!
  • zackyboy3rs's avatar
    zackyboy3rs
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2014
    Bumpyroad wrote:
    yes you can have too much AC. if too large it only runs periodically and you lose some dehumidification. should run most of the time when it is really hot.
    'bumpy


    In eastern NC when it is hot it does run 85-90% of the time. "I" can not have too much AC.
  • wwest's avatar
    wwest
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2014
    William5829 wrote:
    We just purchased a 2011 Rockwood 8315BSS and we want to buy a generator for our trip out west. I can't seem to find anything about the size of the AC unit in the paperwork in the trailer .It's probably a 13,5000 BTU but wanted to make sure before getting the wrong size gen set. Was going to call FR with vin number but they don't seem to want phone calls as there is none listed on their sites. Also will this unit keep the trailer cool we will go through Texas, NM, and Arizona in middle of August....I've read through most of the post and what a wealth of information they certainly helped us with the final phase of buying the trailer and now getting it ready for the trip.


    It isn't so much as just running the A/C as it is supplying the compressor motor startup SURGE current, especially for the subsequent restarts with head pressure.

    Even non-inverter gensets that are always revved up to a fixed RPM often have problems with this. Since an inverter type genset may well be simply idling along when "hit" suddenly with a 3000-5000W A/C startup load they have even more problems.

    Oftentimes the A/C motor's protective CB will cycle several times before head pressure declines enough to allow a restart.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2014
    BarneyS wrote:
    I would go for a Honda EU2000i and the Honda EU2000i Companion. These two together should give you the capacity to run either a 13,500 or 15,000btu air conditioner in very hot climates, plus they are light enough by themselves to be handled easily. The cost is almost the same as the 3000is and you get an additional 1000 watts in addition to easier handling.
    Barney


    I sort of question that dragging out and hooking up two gen sets is "easier" than one heavier one with less of a footprint. How about a Yammy in the mid 2000 range?
    bumpy
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Explorer III
    Jun 10, 2014
    I would go for a Honda EU2000i and the Honda EU2000i Companion. These two together should give you the capacity to run either a 13,500 or 15,000btu air conditioner in very hot climates, plus they are light enough by themselves to be handled easily. The cost is almost the same as the 3000is and you get an additional 1000 watts in addition to easier handling.
    Barney
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2014
    yes you can have too much AC. if too large it only runs periodically and you lose some dehumidification. should run most of the time when it is really hot.
    'bumpy
  • zackyboy3rs's avatar
    zackyboy3rs
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2014
    Can never have too much AC. I think the 13.5 will have a tough time in Texas heat. I am in eastern NC & have the 15k unit. It runs all the time during summer days.

    I can not answer the generator question.
  • edbehnke's avatar
    edbehnke
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2014
    pretty straight forward. go with Honda or Yamaha. if you want to run A/C, quietly, you will need two 2000 watt gens or at least a 3000 watt. and a 3K gen is heavy.

    you can probably run A/C with a 2000 watt but it was max out and be noise.

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