What size generator to run AC??

Baja Man wrote:

supercub wrote:
Thanks for the replies, sounds like perhaps the best way is to get a couple of portable 2000 watt gens.

Just what I did.....

Two Champion Dual Fuel 2500W inverters

I didn't want to carry gasoline, clogged carbs from gas sitting, etc.
Propane is clean and readily available.

Each inverter is 39#
dBA is 59 at 23' (Honda is 48-57 at 23')

I believe my set up is great. Light, easy to handle, plenty of power, can use just one if no AC is being used, two fuels, and portable enough for other uses.

You forgot to mention a few "downsides" of propane for a generator..

First and foremost, propane has less energy density than gasoline, this means your engine will deliver less HP which translates to less generator wattage available per gallon of fuel.

You will burn through a lot more propane in the process, not a big issue if you are not mobile or moving about and can tap into a large propane tank..

20 lb portable cylinders hold a max of 4.6 Gallons of liquid propane, if you use propane "exchanges" you do not get 20 lbs worth of propane, you get max of 15 lbs, roughly 3.6 gallons of propane..

Typically with say a 3Kw gen, you most likely will burn through a full twenty pound cylinder (not an 15 lb exchange cylinder) every 24hrs assuming you run the gen 24/7!

HERE is a website that helps calculate your propane use by a generator..

There are also far, far fewer propane dealers than gas stations and most propane dealers shut their doors after 5 PM and may not be open on weekends. Pretty easy to find gas stations open up to 11 PM or even open 24hrs and open on Sat and Sun..

So, basically one would need to have multiple 20 lb - 40 lb cylinders just for the gen, switching them out to run a gen for a week. Not to mention handling/hauling them around to camp and to a propane dealer while camping. A full twenty pound cylinder weighs approx 38-39 lbs, 5 gallon gas can will weigh around 31 lbs and get longer run time.