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Champion 3100 inverter genny question

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Explorer III
I anyone using the Champion 3100 to run their 15K air conditioner? If so, how does it do?
2016 6.7 CTD 2500 BIG HORN MEGA CAB
2013 Forest River 3001W Windjammer
Equilizer Hitch
Honda EU2000

"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"
17 REPLIES 17

RSD559
Explorer
Explorer
We brought our new trailer home yesterday. I hooked up the Champion and fired up the 15k A/C unit. Granted, we're only about 500 feet above sea level, and it was only about 75 degrees. In Eco mode, it blipped up to about half throttle and never went any higher. It handles it well. We did have the dealer install a hard start kit, which runs about $30. I don't know how much of a difference that makes. I may be looking at the $300 kit in the near future. We spend a week every year at Lake Siskiyou, at the base of Mount Shasta. The loop we use is slowly being converted from 30 amp plugs to 15-20 amp plugs. Non-kitted 13.6k units will work on some of them, but not all. For our 15k unit to work, we would need the $300 miracle and a real miracle to go with it. We'll see if they got to our site, in late July.
2020 Torque T314 Toy Hauler Travel Trailer- 38' tip to tip.
2015 F-350 6.7L Diesel, SRW.
2021 Can Am Defender 6 seater. Barely fits in the toy hauler!

dfb
Explorer
Explorer
Just bought a second one

dfb
Explorer
Explorer
Just bought a second one at costco for 599.. Ordered the parallel kit to have 5600 watts.. At 599 this is a steal....Yes, it runs our 15 with no issues at 5k feet...

jbpatton
Explorer
Explorer
Pick one up from Home Depot online for $399.00 Dual Fuel have not tried it out yet.

RSD559
Explorer
Explorer
dfb wrote:
Costco has them on sale 599!
and the dual fuel for $850!
2020 Torque T314 Toy Hauler Travel Trailer- 38' tip to tip.
2015 F-350 6.7L Diesel, SRW.
2021 Can Am Defender 6 seater. Barely fits in the toy hauler!

dfb
Explorer
Explorer
Costco has them on sale 599!

RSD559
Explorer
Explorer
Champion always understates the capacity of their generators. I don't know of anyone who has pushed it to the limit. It'd be interesting to see what the actual limit is. But the 3400 watt also sells as a 3500 when purchased from a certain store, Cabela's, I think.
2020 Torque T314 Toy Hauler Travel Trailer- 38' tip to tip.
2015 F-350 6.7L Diesel, SRW.
2021 Can Am Defender 6 seater. Barely fits in the toy hauler!

magic43
Explorer
Explorer
Yes Ron, it will handle it fine, but as others have mentioned, pay attention to the other high current items.
magic43

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Add a soft start (or is it called had-to-start) kit to your A/C.


Wiz,

Sadly a soft-start is a 400 dollar item. It wish it wasn't so...

starcraft69
Explorer
Explorer
It starts and runs them just fine and no its not iffy. I have been using to run ours in 98-104 degree temps and it runs like a champion pun intended. Most negative remarks are from those who dont have one or who don't have any experience with them they are a great generator.
2007 chevy 2500 HD 6.0 longbed
2015 Eagle HT 28.5 5th wheel
tucker the fishing dog

djousma
Explorer
Explorer
Ron3rd wrote:
I anyone using the Champion 3100 to run their 15K air conditioner? If so, how does it do?


Yes,and does just fine. However, the A/C is also brand new. One that is older and maybe a little "tired" might cause problems. for now, I am fine.
Dave
2016 F350 Lariat 4x4 FX4 SRW CC SB 6.7 Magnetic Metallic
2017 Forest River Cardinal 3850RL

troubledwaters
Explorer III
Explorer III
I think a 3100 is a bit iffy for starting that AC reliably day after day. That's less than the 3300 that I have seen as the recommended watts needed for starting a 15K BTU AC. If it was the 13.5K I would say go for it. But I see a soft start in your future.

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Explorer III
Thanks for the info folks.
2016 6.7 CTD 2500 BIG HORN MEGA CAB
2013 Forest River 3001W Windjammer
Equilizer Hitch
Honda EU2000

"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"

jamesroadking
Explorer
Explorer
I also have a Champion 3500/4000 watt that runs my 15k A/C, main fridge, a small beer fridge in the garage of my toy hauler, all the trailer's electrical, microwave, inverter etc. with the exception of water heater which is gas only.
I have the generator's exhaust plumbed into a shock Harley Electra Glides muffler to quiet it down. Works great!
A 3100 watt Inverter generator puts out Less amps that a 3500/4000 non Inverter generator.