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Ltrip's avatar
Ltrip
Explorer
Jan 18, 2018

AC size and generator size - advice please

I am in the process of a major transition of my RV lifestyle.
I will be buying an Arctic Fox 29Y. Wife insists that we have a generator to run the AC. We often camp in forest service/state park/boondock where no electricity is available. We also do camp in RV parks with full hookups.
Standard is a 13.5k BTU AC. Optional is a 15K.
I am strongly leaning toward the Champion 3400-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Electric Start, largely for the ability to run on propane. I have figured out a way to transport it/store it, and move it around.
I will also install a Supco SPP6, Relay Start Capacitor 120-288V to assure the starting of the AC.

Will this generator and capacitor run the 15K? or should I stick with the 13.5k?

The trailer is total 30' long. Is there much of a difference inside between the 13.5k and the 15k? It seems like such a small difference, 13.5 to 15, that the coolness difference would be noticeably felt inside. What am I missing?

Finally. I am unfamiliar with the capacitor thingy. Where does that install? At the AC? Is it difficult?

Any comments/advice will be much appreciated!!!

FYI....moving FROM FW TH with 5.5k generator on board.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jan 18, 2018
    If the Champ has enough surge rating, you may want to try it first sans the capacitor.
  • busterbrown73's avatar
    busterbrown73
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2018
    My Champion 3100 (gas only) genny will start and run my 15K AC trailer with just the converter operating. If there are other concurrent loads (ie hwh, microwave, coffee maker), the generator will overload and trip. You have to be diligent when prioritizing usable amperage from your generator. These Champions are nice little machines though.
  • ctilsie242's avatar
    ctilsie242
    Explorer II
    Jan 18, 2018
    I would definitely look into an EasyStart capacitor or other soft-start system. The main reason is that this puts a lot less wear and tear on both the generator and the A/C's compressor due to the brief undervoltage. That way, you don't have to worry if the generator can handle 60 locked rotor amps that are thrown in its lap, and a 3000+ watt generator can handle the running load without issue.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jan 18, 2018
    “Wife insists that we have a generator to run the AC. We often camp in forest service/state park/boondock”

    Please camp away from me.
  • Ltrip's avatar
    Ltrip
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2018
    Thanks for the quick replies. Still would like to hear more.
    From my perspective, it is easy to say "Starting the AC, turn everything off" and also managing the load...only 1 other electric(110) device (MW, coffee maker, hair dryer, etc) running at the same time as the AC.
    What I am hearing is that, once started, the specified generator will run the 15k AC and 1 other electric(110) device at the same time.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jan 18, 2018
    Ltrip wrote:
    ..once started, the specified generator will run the 15k AC and 1 other electric(110) device at the same time.
    Not so sure about that.

    For comparison, 2 Honda 2kw gennies will run my Dometic Brisk air just fine, but run the toaster and they start screaming. However, 3 in parallel (6000 watts) and they don't even blink.

    The Champ is less than 2 hondas in wattage.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Jan 18, 2018
    Also, keep in mind that running the Champ on propane derates it, I think, about 15%
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Jan 18, 2018
    2oldman wrote:
    Ltrip wrote:
    ..once started, the specified generator will run the 15k AC and 1 other electric(110) device at the same time.
    Not so sure about that.

    For comparison, 2 Honda 2kw gennies will run my Dometic Brisk air just fine, but run the toaster and they start screaming. However, 3 in parallel (6000 watts) and they don't even blink.

    The Champ is less than 2 hondas in wattage.


    ....and 3 times the price. 'nuff said on that issue.
  • TurnThePage's avatar
    TurnThePage
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2018
    I bought the 3400 with remote start last year, and am VERY satisfied with it so far. It starts and runs my 13.5K BTU A/C with ease, much easier than the Yamaha EF2800i I used before. I added the Supco SPP6E to my Coleman MachIII A/C years ago, which helped a lot, but I would opt for one of the new easy start systems if I was doing it again. I think one of them is called Micro Air Easy Start, or something like that. It would give you much more flexibility with your AC. By the way, I would opt for the 15K A/C also.

    On edit: We LOVE the remote start feature on ours, which isn't available with the dual fuel option. It makes life extremely easy.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jan 18, 2018
    SidecarFlip wrote:
    ....and 3 times the price. 'nuff said on that issue.
    For you, maybe. I think we're talking about capacity here.

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