A/C on Generator

HighClouds

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2023
Messages
135
My rig uses 50 amp shore power when plugged in. I’m thinking to get a 4500 watt portable generator to use when boondocking to run my A/C. The generator has, among others, a 120V 30 amp AC outlet.

Will my rig run things on 30amps from the generator if it’s pushing up to 4500 watts? Not looking to run everything, mainly the A/C for one nighters and occasional boondocking. Prolly need a 50-30 dog-bone to plug into the rig, right?

Also, will I still have access to my batteries for my DC items, like lights, for example, or does the generator override any battery power that’s available?

Trying to keep things simple, but dunno if that’ll be the result.

THANKS in advance
 
The generator will be similar to shore power, just more limited.

Be sure you get an inverter generator.

Generators are rated at maximum power, and their continuous power capability is much lower. A 4500W generator will typically provide about 3500W continuously.

Your generator will be less capable than a 30A shore power supply, because the shore power can supply substantially more surge current.

One factor to keep in mind is thata 4500W generator will weigh close to 100lbs. Loading it in and out of a truck may be a challenge. An option is to get two generators about 2200W each with a parallel kit, which breaks the weight into two pieces.
 
You will need to do power management but could run an air conditioner but likely not both. We have a pair of Champion 3400W inverter generators that, when paralleled, can run everything in our coach like shore power. However, for 1 night stops, I will often adapt down to 30A and run one of them and just run the bedroom air conditioner.
 
The 30a generator receptacle will most likely be a twist lock connector. At least that’s how my 7,000w home generator is. If that’s the case, then the standard 50-30a dog bone won’t work.
As already mentioned, a 4500 will be a heavy generator.
With a soft start on the a/c(s) you could probably run one a/c on a 2200w generator.
I can run my Furrion a/c on the wall outlets inside my shop.
Do your due diligence before diving in.
Rich
 
The generator will be similar to shore power, just more limited.

Be sure you get an inverter generator.

Generators are rated at maximum power, and their continuous power capability is much lower. A 4500W generator will typically provide about 3500W continuously.

Your generator will be less capable than a 30A shore power supply, because the shore power can supply substantially more surge current.

One factor to keep in mind is thata 4500W generator will weigh close to 100lbs. Loading it in and out of a truck may be a challenge. An option is to get two generators about 2200W each with a parallel kit, which breaks the weight into two pieces.

Good to know. Didn’t think about doubling up.
 
You will need to do power management but could run an air conditioner but likely not both. We have a pair of Champion 3400W inverter generators that, when paralleled, can run everything in our coach like shore power. However, for 1 night stops, I will often adapt down to 30A and run one of them and just run the bedroom air conditioner.

Power management is where I want to be. This notion for me is generally so we can boondock occasionally and only for a few days. Kind of a way to break up the campground monotony. Likely won’t run anything other than the MB A/C anyway. Thanks for you insight.
 
The 30a generator receptacle will most likely be a twist lock connector. At least that’s how my 7,000w home generator is. If that’s the case, then the standard 50-30a dog bone won’t work.
As already mentioned, a 4500 will be a heavy generator.
With a soft start on the a/c(s) you could probably run one a/c on a 2200w generator.
I can run my Furrion a/c on the wall outlets inside my shop.
Do your due diligence before diving in.
Rich

I do have soft start on all A/Cs, so good there. I think I have a 30A line from an earlier camper, so would use that and adapt at the rig side of the plug. Thanks!!!!
 
We run our 15k air-conditioning with a Wen 2250 generator. We can only run one and tv at the same time.
So if your willing to manage your power you can get a much smaller generator.
 
We've been using a Champion Dual Fuel 3400-watt inverter gen for 5 years. Never an issue running one AC (15K & 13.5 units), just not both simultaneously. We can run the TV, lights, etc at the same time. I think we can even run the Keurig with AC on, I can't recall for sure. If we use the microwave or my wife uses her hair dryer, then we do turn off the AC. Also, we do not have a soft start installed on either AC.

A 4500 watt unit you are considering should easily do the job, and others here have provided some excellent suggestions as well.

I should add, if I ever need to replace this unit (it's been a great generator) I would most likely buy 2 smaller units and run in parallel as others have done. Much easier to maneuver, transport and store.
 
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I used 2 honda 2200 (one companion with 30Amp outlet) more quiet than some and more responsive, can just use one if you dont need AC. Loved them. But spendy. Happy Camping!
 
Just some points we've noticed on our just purchased Westinghouse dual fuel 4500. We don't have a soft start on the 15000 btu AC unit, so the generator does load up to about 2900 watts upon starting the AC, but then throttles back to about 1800 watts give or take. It is advertised to weigh 62 lbs which seems accurate, I can lift it onto our trucks tailgate. Don't know about the durability of the unit and haven't had the chance to compare the noise level to other generators yet.

Jim
 
Just some points we've noticed on our just purchased Westinghouse dual fuel 4500. We don't have a soft start on the 15000 btu AC unit, so the generator does load up to about 2900 watts upon starting the AC, but then throttles back to about 1800 watts give or take. It is advertised to weigh 62 lbs which seems accurate, I can lift it onto our trucks tailgate. Don't know about the durability of the unit and haven't had the chance to compare the noise level to other generators yet.

Jim

You sure about that 62 pounds? My Westinghouse 4500 easily is over 100. This old man can't lift it, have to use a hoist to get it in the truck. 50# sacks of cattle feed no problem. LOL!
 
I used 2 honda 2200 (one companion with 30Amp outlet) more quiet than some and more responsive, can just use one if you dont need AC. Loved them. But spendy. Happy Camping!

I've been using 2 200W Hondas for at least 25 years (yea- they are old but dependable). Got them because they are light (comparatively speaking) so I can lift them by myself and coupling the 2 together gives me ample current for one AC and whatever else (within reason - not electric frying pan or hair dryer).
 
I have been using two 2500 watt generators in parallel for almost 3 years. However, AC wasn't an issue as we were mostly camping in the cooler months. Recently, we decided to take a week long trip in August and of course we needed the AC (there are 3 of them). The two generators handled one AC unit fine without the softstart but it caused me to re-evaluate our power requirements. Softstart came out with a plug in option called SoftStartUp which I recently purchased and after looking at the things we may want to run when boondocking, microwave, hot water, coffee maker, TV, residential fridge, etc., I realized even with the SoftStart the two 2500 units were no longer going to cut it. Champion came out with a 4000 watt inverter model that is 55lbs and just a little bigger than the 2500 (39lbs) watt models I was using. So, while I will likely only run two of the AC units using the new SoftStartUp on the two new generators I should have enough power (maybe put the hot water on propane) to safely run most everything else even if not at all at once. I should also note I only use propane for the generators so that does reduce the overall running load available.
 
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I have been using two 2500 watt generators in parallel for almost 3 years. However, AC wasn't an issue as we were mostly camping in the cooler months. Recently, we decided to take a week long trip in August and of course we needed the AC (there are 3 of them). The two generators handled one AC unit fine without the softstart but it caused me to re-evaluate our power requirements. Softstart came out with a plug in option called SoftStartUp which I recently purchased and after looking at the things we may want to run when boondocking, microwave, hot water, coffee maker, TV, residential fridge, etc., I realized even with the SoftStart the two 2500 units were no longer going to cut it. Champion came out with a 4000 watt inverter model that is 55lbs and just a little bigger than the 2500 (39lbs) watt models I was using. So, while I will likely only run two of the AC units using the new SoftStartUp on the new generators I should have enough power (maybe put the hot water on propane) to safely run most everything else even if not at all at once. I should also note I only use propane for the generators so that does reduce the overall running load available.

That’s only a 2700W generator running on propane.
 
My rig uses 50 amp shore power when plugged in. I’m thinking to get a 4500 watt portable generator to use when boondocking to run my A/C. The generator has, among others, a 120V 30 amp AC outlet.

Will my rig run things on 30amps from the generator if it’s pushing up to 4500 watts? Not looking to run everything, mainly the A/C for one nighters and occasional boondocking. Prolly need a 50-30 dog-bone to plug into the rig, right?

Also, will I still have access to my batteries for my DC items, like lights, for example, or does the generator override any battery power that’s available?

Trying to keep things simple, but dunno if that’ll be the result.

THANKS in advance


We have a 2019 337RLS with a 50Amp panel.. and I carry a quiet little Honda EU2000i generator that does just fine for us. Newer models are the EU2200i and should work for you.
I can run everything I need just not all at the same time. I primarily use it for keeping the batteries & cell phones fully charged, watching TV, Keurig coffee maker, and so the boss can plug in her electric curlers & hair dryer each morning.
We run our fridge and water heater on propane when using the generator but that won't be an issue with the 2025 model. The Honda easily handles starting and running my 13K BTU bedroom AC unit (without soft start) if needed. If we need to run other heavy loads the AC gets turned off for 5 minutes or so... never been an issue for us. We boondock at the Daytona 500 each year for 10 or 11 nights and the generation runs on average about 16-17 hrs per day. This past Feb it ran for around 170 hrs total on 16 gallons of mid grade gas. I use a Mueller 6.5 gallon auxiliary marine fuel tank hooked directly to the Honda with quick connect fittings and only add fuel to it every 3 days. I also purchased a 50Amp twistloc replacement cord end an made up a small 15' 20Amp cord so I don't have to deal with the big bulky 50Amp cord.

Kohree 50 AMP RV Power Cord Cover... Amazon.com

Here's our setup...

20240218_084600.jpg
 

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