Ok to run 5500 Onan on 20 amp curcuit?

If I'm ever in doubt, I listen for the compressor startup. If it doesn't have a normal positive startup, or if it has a strange humming sound after startup, beware !!

Thanks again everyone. I used to have an older TT which would easily run the A/C on a regular household outlet on a 20 amp circuit. With a pretty long extension cord too. Of course I wouldn't run anything else at the same time either, but not knowing if this "newer" A/C unit is different whereby possibly pulling more amps than that older A/C unit is what I dont know.

The start up amps was also what I was unsure of too. I bought a high capacity CAP to help reduce the start up draw but only to find out from other members that it was a wasted effort to replace the one on my current unit (viewing pictures) and it would make zero difference. Long story short.....I just want to by able to run my trailers A/C now and again and not have to wait until I get the time to run a larger amp circuit out there where its parked.

My prior 15k AC drew 15.5A - a very heavy load for a 20A circuit. I'd guess that you'll want a very short heavy extension cord and a 20A plug on a dedicated 20A CB. Note this is NOT the typical multidrop 20A household circuit with 15A plugs.

But you could try it and check the voltage at the AC which should be 108V or higher.

Yes you can but not much more than the one a/c unit.

You can run 1.

:S Man.....what a dim lit candle moment for me. I clearly have way too many things going on during the day if I cant put together a logical and understandable question when trying to brain drain at night. Hey, it least it was a complete sentence..... ;) Really it was just entertaining reading all your responses to my ridiculous question.

So anyways, the "real" question should have been about running a 15k A/C unit on a 20 amp circuit. I haven't had a chance to wire in a 50 or 30 amp circuit for my trailer so have it plugged into a 20 amp outlet. But it would sure be nice if I could relax in there with some cool air since this summer heat is proving relentless.

KATOOM wrote:
Does anyone run their 5500 Onan on a 20 amp plug? The Onan manual I have states the running amps well under 20 but I dont know what the start-up amps would be, if its even different.

Your question makes no sense. Are you sure that you are talking about an Onan GENERATOR? UR ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT AN AIR CONDITIONER running on 20 amps? Reply back so we can help you.

It's guess time until OP returns.

I too was scratching my hairs some...

Looking at Steve's previous posts alot are about running his air conditioner. Perhaps this is about running his 20AMP air conditioner circuit from his 5500 ONAN generator???

Just a guess...



My answer would be the 5500 ONAN 5.5KW Generator should run a 13,500BTU or a 15,000BTU Air Conditioner just fine...

Roy Ken

The question is worded completey wrong. But I guess we can almost know what was meant.

I lived in my MH for 5 months on a borrowed 20 amp circuit. The A/C ran almost all the time, along w/ all the normal sat tv etc etc. We tripped the breaker only 2 times, when DW mistakenly hit the Micro while the A/C was on.

And that was on a 100 ft 12ga cord no less. (hard to believe I know) I never had an ac voltmeter 9 yrs ago, but the A/C startup always sounded good.