Will a 3000 watt generator run an air conditioner?
A 3000-watt inverter generators can power a range of devices from air conditioners, microwaves, hot water heaters to small power tools - items commonly used around the home, at trade sites, camping, caravanning, and with this size, as a power backup.
If you have a 3-ton (30-Amp, 36,000 BTUs) air conditioner, you need at least a 14 KW generator. If you have a 4-ton (40-Amp, 48,000 BTUs) air conditioner, you need at least a 17 KW generator. If you have a 5-ton (50-Amp, 60,000 BTUs) air conditioner, you need at least a 20 KW generator.
Usually the running load of 13500 btu is near 1970 watts. It's easily to be overload standard. If you want to run 13500 btu air condition ,please use 3000 watts generator.
It requires about 3,500 watts of power to start up a typical 15,000 BTU air conditioning unit, and about 1,500 watts to keep it running. Most RVs use a 15,000 BTU air conditioning unit. Small RVs and trailers will use a 13,500 BTU unit, which require a little bit less electricity.
A 3000 watt generator can run a washing machine, refrigerator, television, blender, computer, microwave, radio, and portable fans – just not all of these at once.
Most of the 5000 BTU air conditioners will need a 500 W generator. Something like Jackery 500W generator would be ideal. Jackery 500W is the most popular generator for 5000 BTU air conditioner.
- Pulsar PG10000B16 10,000W Dual Fuel Portable Generator.
- Pulsar PG10000B 10,000W Portable Dual Fuel Generator.
- Champion 3500-Watt Portable Generator.
- Briggs & Stratton 30545 P3000 Power Smart Series Portable Generator.
- Honda EU3000iS Gas Powered Portable Generator.
Standby generators have the strength to power central air conditioners, so you can return to a cool home. A 14-kilowatt standby generator could power a 4-ton central air conditioner. A 17-kilowatt model could run a 5-ton central air conditioner. Obviously, this all depends on what else is being powered.
Yes, a portable generator can power your central air conditioning unit. Portable generators are not just for powering small appliances; they can keep energy-intensive home systems running during power outages as well.
A 3000-watt portable generator has enough power to run a 13500 BTU air conditioner.
How many watts is a 13 500 BTU AC?
Motorhome 5th Wheel and Camp Trailer Roof Top Air Conditioners | Watts Required for start up | Average wattage once running |
---|---|---|
7000 btu RV air conditioner | 1700 | 600 |
10,000 btu RV air conditioner | 2000 | 700 |
13,500 btu RV air conditioner | 2750 | 1250 |
15,000 btu RV air conditioner | 3500 | 1500 |
For a 13,500 btu AC unit like the Dometic Brisk Air 2 you'd need a starting wattage of right at 3,000 watts.

So, while a 13,500 BTU air conditioner will run on a 2,200-watt generator, you also have the option of choosing a different BTU rating. 11,000 BTU air conditioners will run better on a small generator, but your RV won't be cooled as efficiently.
Most RVs these days are being outfitted with air conditioning units that produce 15,000 BTUs of cooling energy. Units of this size require 3,500 watts of power just to start up. Once its running, the unit only needs about 1,500 watts.
For instance, a 10,000 BTU Window AC Unit has a starting watt of 3000 and 1200 running watts. Only a generator with a maximum capacity of 4200 watts will be able to provide for it.
When overloading a generator, there is a solid chance it will start to operate in an unstable manner, meaning it will output power intermittently. This is highly damaging for devices, as they are designed to work under a stable wattage stream.
For example, 3000 Watt equals to: 25 Amps, if you use 120 V.
You would need a 2,500 to 3,000 watts generator for such a gas furnace. In the same way, the generator capacity should be 4,000 watts for a 0.5 or ½ HP blower motor and 7,000 to 8,000 watts for a 1 HP fan. What is this? Similarly, a 40 kW electric furnace needs that much electricity to operate the heating elements.
Will a 3500-Watt Generator Run My AC? If the only thing the generator has to power is your air-conditioning system, then a 3500-watt generator may be able to do it. You can only run one AC system at a time, with a handful of heating systems, as these systems almost always draw a lot of power.
In general, to run an 8000 BTU air conditioner on solar, you would need a 3000 Watt Pure Sine Wave inverter, which can handle both the running and starting power of these air conditioners.
How many watts does a 8000 BTU air conditioner use?
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How Many Watts Does A Window AC Use? (500 – 2,500W)
Window AC Unit Capacity (in BTU): | Power Draw (in Watts): |
---|---|
8,000 BTU | 800 watts |
9,000 BTU | 900 watts |
10,000 BTU | 1,000 watts |
11,000 BTU | 1,100 watts |
Generally, you will need at least a 4,000-watt generator to run a small air conditioner window unit and at least a 6,000-watt generator to run a whole-house air conditioner. An air conditioner needs lots of power, so you typically cannot use your generator for anything else simultaneously.
3,000W generator for all standard refrigerators and freezers. The 3,000W generator is the most common generator used to power a fridge. 5,000W+ generator to power all very big and huge refrigerators and freezers. Not many people have such a big fridge, however.
You'll need a generator between 7.5 kW and 20kW to run a 2-5 ton AC unit. Specific size generators with the power needed for AC units of these sizes are included below.
Generally, determining what size generator you need for a window ac unit will depend on many factors, such as the size of your home and the amount of cooling power you need. However, we recommend using a generator that produces at least 1,000 watts of electricity.
A typical 2,000-square-foot house has a 3.5-ton air conditioner. This size of AC unit uses about 3,500 watts per hour when it's in cooling mode. When a central air conditioner is running in the fan-only mode, it uses approximately 750 watts per hour.
2 tons is a measure of the cooling capabilities of the AC unit, while watts is a measure of instantaneous energy requirements. Depending on the SEER rating, a 2-ton air conditioner usually uses between 500 watts and 7,033 watts.
You simply plug the gen cord into the 20- or 30-amp outlet on your generator. The opposite end splits into several household outlets, where you can start connecting additional extension cords safely indoors.
If you've ever wondered if your 2000 watt generator will run an air conditioner, the answer is yes, but only a portable or window air conditioning unit. You can power most small home appliances with a 2000 watt generator very smoothly but your central air system will not run efficiently.
3 ton AC unit produces 36,000 BTU of cooling output. As you can see, 3-ton central and mini-split air conditioners use anywhere between 1,440 watts and 2,571 watts. Namely, the least energy-efficient 14 SEER 3-ton AC unit uses 2,571 watts to run.
How many amps does a 13 500 BTU RV air conditioner use?
Electrical Requirements for an RV Air Conditioner
The standard size is 13,500 BTU, but some are 15,000 BTU. Two very popular models are the Dometic 13500 btu rv ac, which draws 12.4 – 13.3 amps, and the Coleman 13500 btu rv ac, which is rated at 13.3 amps.
Yes, it's technically possible to power an RV air conditioner with solar panel. But to generate enough power, a large amount of solar panels and upgrades to the electrical system are required. Or, another device called a “Soft Start.” The vast majority of RV owners will not go to these lengths.
The typical BTU rating for an RV air conditioner is 13500 or 15000. Air conditioners of this capacity will typically have a running wattage of around 1300-1500 Watts, and a starting (surge) wattage of about 6000-7000 Watts.
An inverter for that large of a system used to power air conditioning is going to be extremely large. For an RV air conditioner, the starting wattage is typically around 3,000 watts. However, you'll want to purchase an inverter between 3,500 and 4,000 watts so you don't max out your inverter.
Built-in RV generators are the more expensive but preferred option for powering an A/C unit if your RV comes with a generator compartment. Once installed, there is no manual setup when you need power. Your RV air conditioner and everything else will run automatically, just like at home.
A typical travel trailer or motorhome's microwave oven is rated at 800 watts, but in terms of heat produced, not power draw). As most are only 50% efficient, that 800-watt microwave oven's power draw is about 1200 watts.
Running Watts (heating) (1) 1750 Compressor Locked Rotor Amps 50.5 Metering Device Capillary Tube Refrigerant Charge – R-410A 17.75 oz. Evaporator Air Delivery (CFM) 320 – High Speed Generator Size See “Generators” Below Unit Weight (pounds) 83.5 lbs. (2) Use time delay fuse or circuit breaker (U.L. H.A.C.R.
Air Conditioner Capacity (BTU) | Amps |
---|---|
10,000 BTU | 8.70 Amp |
12,000 BTU | 10.43 Amp |
14,000 BTU | 12.17 Amp |
15,000 BTU | 13.04 Amp |
In general, a 5000 running watts generator should provide enough power to run an RV AC unit (15000 BTU) without any issues.
The answer is yes, but with some caveats. A Honda 2,000 watt generator will produce 1,600 watts of continuous power and 2,000 watts peak. A moderately small 10,000 BTU air conditioner will require at least 2,000 watts on startup, and 700 watts continuous power.
What size generator do I need to run camper AC?
To power the average RV air conditioner, the generator needs to have at least a 2000- 4000-watt capacity. There are a lot of factors involved in what size generator will work best for you, but for the most part, you will be able to use your AC and other appliances even with a 2000 watt generator.
Can I run my RV AC all night? Yes. You can run your RV air conditioner all night either from a generator or if you are connected to a 50 amp hookup where you are parked. And most generators can run your AC all night using very little gasoline.
According to our Chart above, the minimum power to start a 15000 BTU AC is 3500 watts. It takes 2100 watts of run power.
If using 6 volt batteries, at 200 AH, you will need about 12 to 14 of these batteries. Expect about similar overall weight, as these are heavier batteries. AGM Batteries – Look to getting between 14 to 18 of these batteries in 12 volt, 100 AH varieties, or about 8 to 12 in 6 volt, 150 AH varieties.
A 3,000-watt generator will power most 30-amp RVs, including the AC unit with no problem.
The starting wattage of 5000 BTU air conditioner is usually around 2000 Watts, however, it can be as high as 3000 Watts. This means that an inverter that could run these units, should have a surge power rating of at least 3000 Watts. Most 1500 watt inverters can handle this amount of surge power.
How much electricity does a 12,000 BTU air conditioner use? A 12,000 BTU air conditioner uses roughly 900 watts per hour, assuming a minimum SEER rating of 13.
Portable air conditioners consume slightly less electricity than electric heaters, which are notoriously power hungry. So, yes, portable AC units use a lot of electricity. As a result, it's important to ensure you use an energy efficient model.
The 12,000 BTU window air conditioner has a running wattage of 1700 watts and a starting wattage of 5,100. To work effectively, you will need a generator with an average of 6,800 watts. The generator's wattage should be equal to or greater than the wattage of the appliances you wish to operate.
An AC unit that is rated for 8,000 BTU draws up to 1,800 watts when starting and 1,200 when running. A 4,000 watt generator like the # 289-AP5000 would easily handle that.
What size generator do I need to run a 15000 BTU air conditioner?
It will still need 1,500 watts to keep running. Many boondockers have reported being able to run a 15,000 BTU air conditioning unit with a 2,200 watt Honda generator after adding a soft start. MicroAir makes the most popular soft start called “Easy Start”.
Will a 3500-Watt Generator Run My AC? If the only thing the generator has to power is your air-conditioning system, then a 3500-watt generator may be able to do it. You can only run one AC system at a time, with a handful of heating systems, as these systems almost always draw a lot of power.
Generally, you will need at least a 4,000-watt generator to run a small air conditioner window unit and at least a 6,000-watt generator to run a whole-house air conditioner. An air conditioner needs lots of power, so you typically cannot use your generator for anything else simultaneously.
3,000W generator for all standard refrigerators and freezers. The 3,000W generator is the most common generator used to power a fridge. 5,000W+ generator to power all very big and huge refrigerators and freezers. Not many people have such a big fridge, however.
In general, to run an 8000 BTU air conditioner on solar, you would need a 3000 Watt Pure Sine Wave inverter, which can handle both the running and starting power of these air conditioners.
As a general rule, you'll need 1200 watts of solar panels for each ton of cooling power, which in practice translates into 20 x 300-watt solar panels to run a five-ton air conditioner.
The starting wattage of an air conditioner can be as high as 6 or 7 times its running wattage. For example, an 8000 BTU window AC unit might require 700 watts to run, but it could draw up to 5000 watts (for an instant) when turned on.
So, while a 13,500 BTU air conditioner will run on a 2,200-watt generator, you also have the option of choosing a different BTU rating. 11,000 BTU air conditioners will run better on a small generator, but your RV won't be cooled as efficiently.
According to our Chart above, the minimum power to start a 15000 BTU AC is 3500 watts. It takes 2100 watts of run power.
Will a 3000 watt inverter run a RV air conditioner?
An inverter for that large of a system used to power air conditioning is going to be extremely large. For an RV air conditioner, the starting wattage is typically around 3,000 watts. However, you'll want to purchase an inverter between 3,500 and 4,000 watts so you don't max out your inverter.
In general, a 3,500 – 4,000 running watts generator should provide enough power to run a small RV AC unit (11000 BTU) without any issues.
To power the average RV air conditioner, the generator needs to have at least a 2000- 4000-watt capacity. There are a lot of factors involved in what size generator will work best for you, but for the most part, you will be able to use your AC and other appliances even with a 2000 watt generator.
For every 1,000 BTU cooling output, the RV AC will require about 100 watts of electric power input. This stems from most RV AC units having a 10 EER rating. Example: A 15,000 BTU RV AC with a 10 EER rating will run on 1,500 watts.