Generator and AC question

[DeltaRon]

OK, I am an electrical dummy. I own 2015 FC 28 with two 15,000 BTU AC/Heat Pump units, 50 amp. Just bought a Briggs and Stratton P3000 inverter generator. My primary usage will be to keep my 6 volt Lifeline batteries charged. BUT, there may be instances when I would like to run ONE of my AC units. The generator will handle 3,000 watts starting power and 2,600 running watts. Question: Will this generator handle the load? Or will I need to parallel with a second generator?

[AstroBruce]

I am not familiar with this generator, but unless it is overrated in its output, it should run one AC unit. Give it a try.

Bruce

[jayseejay]

Hi DeltaRon,
Are you sure both your units are 15K? We also bought in 2015, and I understood that dual AC 50 amp coaches were being equipped standard with one 15K and one 13.5K AC unit. If yours is the same as ours, the 13.5K unit would obviously be less of a load for your generator.
Best,
Joe

[DeltaRon]

jayseejay, my invoice shows both are 15,000 BTU. Wish you were right.

[J. Morgan]

I THINK it will run either one.

My 2400 start and 2000 run Yamaha will run my ancient 11,000 btu Armstrong.

Your cooler is 136% the output of mine, and your generator is 130% the output of mine, I have to imagine that efficiency gains will make up the 6%.....

Assuming....


Gradiens super tenui glacie.

[WindyJim]

The starting current of your air conditioner is the main concern. Once it is started you should be fine.

In some instances you may have to initially open the 115 volt breaker that feeds your converter, then start your A/C, then re-close the breaker.

It goes without saying that with the A/C running, don't try to use the microwave too.

[BayRat]

For reference, Coleman Mach 15 says 2,025w on a 100 deg day running
(1,560W on an 80 deg day), so you should have enough reserve to start one unit up, if you don't have much else running at the same time.

[Absalom]

Unfortunately it will not. I have a 2016 27fb with one 15k btu AC unit and the p3000 Briggs and Stratton and it's a no go. Odd thing is, it will start the AC and run for about 30 seconds then turn off with an E7 code on your AC (something about loss of stable 110 v power). I don't know if it has a delayed circuit breaker but that's what it seems. So I got the 2200 inverter generator and the parallel kit and now it runs everything just fine.

[Naper]

I have a Yamaha 2500 and it runs my 15000 AC

[fluxcap]

I also recently got the Briggs P3000 (Amazon prime day deal!!). I tested it with the dometic 13,500 in my Argosy and while it works, the generator would overload and die if I manually cycled the a/c compressor on and off (by turning the thermostat knob) without adequate time between cycles. If the thermostat operates normally and the compressor has time to fully shut down between cycles, it will kick back on with no problems.

[tjdonahoe]

Amazon 4000 Chinese 3500 run, does good with the 15000 Ac ....

[Mas Tierra]

I have just reviewed and tested my Honda Eu3000i (Handi) generator with our International 27 FB which has one 15,000 BTU Dometic Penguin II Low profile Heat pump (A/C). The Honda Eu3000i is manual start (easy), has 1.5 gallon fuel tank (runs AC for 3 hours), weighs 74 lbs, and produces 21.7 continuous AMPS of electricity. Your AC unit like mine draws 15 AMPS while "running" but the limiting factor is "inrush" current or the short burst of current required to start the AC compressor. This "inrush" current can be 2-6 times the run current and is temperature dependent. For the Dometic 15,000 BTU AC the inrush current is 25 AMPS @75F and 40 AMPS @ 95F. The Honda Manual states this generator should run a 13,500 BTU AC and that a 15,000 BTU AC requires a 3500 watt generator. NOW my testing (running AC for 3 hrs in FL withn 90F outside temperature) RAN JUST FINE with Eco throttle off. The red overload light never came on. I plan to install an aftermarket Hard Start Capacitor to reduce the "inrush" current demands of the AC. Hey Lewster please correct any errors I made in this post.

[xrvr]

If it will start just put the air on max so it won't cycle the compresser. Might work this way.