Forum Discussion

keeperofthecode's avatar
keeperofthecode
Explorer
May 06, 2014

Will generator run my unit

I got a 4000 watt generator that has two 115 plugs and each one is labeled 20amp. It also has a 240 plug that is also labeled 20 amp. I've read on here that a 4000 watt generator should run my trailer with my 13,500 AC unit but this generator doesn't actually have a 30amp plug. Should I try it with the 115 plug adapter or should I be seeking a different generator? Also is there possibly a way to combine the power from the two 20amp plugs to give me more amps? Trailer is a 2014 Forest River RV Wildwood X-Lite 272QBXL and I've already installed all LED lights to help with lowering power consumption as well as energy efficient LED TVs. Thanks for helping a newbie.
  • JJBIRISH's avatar
    JJBIRISH
    Explorer
    May 09, 2014
    Might be able to cross reference it to something like a Generac and find something…

    9321-0,1 Generac - 3ZC12/A Dayton
  • keeperofthecode's avatar
    keeperofthecode
    Explorer
    May 09, 2014
    My generator is a Dayton 3ZC12. I found a wiring diagram for it but that is about all. One website let me to believe that the 4000 is what it is rated for normal usage and can actually surge higher but I have found nothing conclusive to verify that.

    http://www.partstree.com/parts/?lc=briggs_and_stratton_power&mn=Dayton+3ZC12&dn=6445
  • Adam-12's avatar
    Adam-12
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    Yes your generator will run the 13.5K A/C. I have twin Hondas (close to a true 30A output) run in parallel for my 15K A/C and it runs perfect. One day just for grins and giggles however, I wanted to try my small Powermate genny in the driveway. It like yours only produces 20A. So, I plugged in the trailer and ran the A/C without any problems. I will say though like others mentioned, I did NOT have anything else turned on while the A/C was running.

    Also, I added a "hard start" capacitor to my A/C a few years ago, so I don't know if that was the sole reason why the A/C started right up and the 4000W genny didn't bog down.
  • JJBIRISH's avatar
    JJBIRISH
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    Depends on the generator I guess, my 4000 has a 4000 watts continuous run rating and 33.3 amps at 120 volts and a 6600a surge rating…
    It produces enough stable power that it is equal to the 30 amp CG power in all respects…

    While it has the 120 volt 15 amp, duplex receptacle, It also has a 120v/240v 20a that can be used for a 2400 watt, 20 amp, 120 volt connection, or a 4000 watt, 16.7 amp, 240 volt connection…

    But it also has a 120 volt, 30 amp, round plug to use for the camper…
    it gets very limited use and is almost exclusively for emergency power…
  • Quality_Johnson's avatar
    Quality_Johnson
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    And I have a 3500W Champion generator that I just bought used. It has a 30A RV receptacle (fused at 25A) on the power panel, plus a 20A standard household outlet. Of course, you can't use them both at the same time to full capacity, as that would total more than the generator rating. But you have a choice which to plug into, or use them both up to capacity of the generator. It just depends on which type of generator you have.
  • SprinklerMan's avatar
    SprinklerMan
    Explorer
    May 07, 2014
    I have a 3500 watt generator , it will run my camper fine , as long as I turn off the AC if I want to use the microwave .
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    May 07, 2014
    The two 20 amp 120 volt circuits cannot be combined. They will either give you 240 volts or short out and burn up the generator, depending on how you wired that.

    A 4000 watt generator produces only 16-2/3 amps at 240 volts, which is why there is no 30 amp receptacle on it. The only way you can get a full 30 amps would be to spring for a 2:1, 240 volt to 120 volt step down transformer.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 06, 2014
    Probably going to be marginal. Best shot is to turn off all breakers except the main and air until the air is running.

    Even better would be to break out the power to the air on a separate circuit so one plug could power the air and the other could power the rest.

    Or if you can still return/exchange the generator....
  • RJCorazza's avatar
    RJCorazza
    Explorer
    May 06, 2014
    20a will run your AC. You will not be able to run 2 high current appliance at the same time (microwave, AC, electric water heater for example). I have run my 13.5k AC on a 15a circuit without issue, but with nothing else. You cannot combine your (2) 20a recepticles. Keep in mind your trailer operates on 120v only!

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