Air conditioner wattage

[ubuckster]

Where can I find the wattage used by my AC. Can I run my 2000 watt generator or do I have to add more power?

[tpi]

Hi- AC units and 2K watt generators are the luck of the draw. Usually larger generators are used with AC units. You may have better luck on the thread if you give the make and model of the air conditioner.

I have experience with the two units I've owned. One a Coleman Polar Cub drew about 900 watts. The other my 11K BTU Dometic Penguin draws about 1200 watts. Both were checked in rather mild weather, they draw more as it gets hotter.

At times a generator can fail to start a load that it could otherwise run.

[Jammer]

Usually the nameplate with the voltage and current ratings is visible from the roof once the shroud is removed. But, that may not help much.

Most air conditioners won't run reliably from most 2000 watt generators.

[SteveH]

2000 watts at 120 volts is about 16 amps. Most roof-top AC units will draw that plus some. If you ran it long term like that, it could damage both the AC unit and the generator.

[lewster]

Yamaha's web site says that their 2400 watt model will start and run a 13,500 BTU roof A/C. I know of several people that use this unit to run their roof A/C. I seriously doubt that a single 2000 watt genny would do the trick.

[pgr32e]

I tried a friends 2000 watt unit with mine, no joy, it shut down right away. Then went out and bought a Yamaha 2800 and it works fine. I know if I plug in to a good 15 amp circuit, it will work but if the breaker is a little weak, it will pop. My AC is original and I have the sense that it needs at least a 20 amp circuit to run well, but 37 years young and it still puts out cold air. It is noisy though so I try not to use it unless I have to.

[NevadaGeo]

Better give that airconditioner more than 20 amps. It might run a while on less amps, then it'll slow down then stop till all the smoke gets away. Then you gotta chase the smoke, the air won't run after you let the smoke out.
You'll see most folks with a fair size Excella have 3500 watt or so generator, just for the airconditioner. 2000 watt will run about everything else, but you'll have to start the 3500 to run the air.
Mine won't run on a 15 amp circuit house power, I start my noisey 3500 watt to run it even at the house (just another chore, there's a 30 amp circuit on the wrong side of the house.)

[noreen&sal]

I think it depends a lot on the age of the AC. My 3000 watt gen will stall if I try to start my 13,500 btu coleman on the AS. But it will run a 15,000 btu unit in the house during a power outage. Sal.

[azflycaster]

When you connect a generator to a trailer you have to consider the other power loads and not just the air conditioner. As soon as you apply AC voltage, the converter powers on and takes a few amps away from the total. If you have an automatic switching refrigerator, it will switch to electric and take a few more amps from the total as well. It is the sum of all these draws that must be considered.

[ubuckster]

Thanks to everyone. What a great site. I now know that I have to connect both of the Honda 2k's available to run the AC plus. I did not know that there were different ac in the AS for that year. But now that I'm praying for no snow left this winter I'm off to install some wood flooring.

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by noreen

I think it depends a lot on the age of the AC. My 3000 watt gen will stall if I try to start my 13,500 btu coleman on the AS. But it will run a 15,000 btu unit in the house during a power outage. Sal.

Very true, the late model AC's are not only more runtime efficient but have superior starting circuitry.

[Jammer]

Yes, starting capacitors degrade with time. Replacing them may help with starting under adverse conditions.

[noreen&sal]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Yes, starting capacitors degrade with time. Replacing them may help with starting under adverse conditions.

Thats on my list when the weather gets better. Thanks. Sal.