generator

[bsdf200]

I am planning to get a gen for my rig, I am thinking about 2, 2000, or 2500s but what I can not figure out is the ones I have been looking at all have 110 20 amp no 30 amp how can I run 1 air conditioner on 20 amp? Do I need to find one with 30 amps?

[mlh]

These small inverter generators have a parallel port so you can get a parallel port adapter for $50 or $60 and hook 2 generators together. A 2000 watt generator will have about 1600 running watts and a 2500 watt generator will have about 1800 running watts. Your 15000 BTU AC will pull 1550 watts but will require more than that to start it. A 2000 watt generator will run a 15000 BTU AC but it won’t start it without a device called a soft start and then it probably won’t run it for long. If you are going to run your AC you will need two generators.
Lynwood

[mlh]

Harbor Freight has a new inverter generator, 5000 watts 3900 running. It’s dual fuel with every you need to run propane, comes with 4 high altitude jets and is designed to be easily serviced. $999 and comes with remote start.
I’ve watched Harbor Freight over the years and I will bet it will be $1200 or more by next year.
Lynwood

[Daryles]

As Linwood said, I have two 2000W inverter generators and a parallel kit. I also installed a SoftStartRV on the bedroom AC unit. We normally only run one generator, it can handle most of the loads. When we want the AC on, then I run both with the parallel kit.

[C&P RV]

We have a Predator 3500 from Harbor Freight. Runs 2 AC units with softstart kits and no issues. Our Montana has 800 watts of solar so I turn off the converter when running both ACs and let the sun run everything else.

[bsdf200]

Thanks for the info, after looking at parallel kits I see that they have a 30-amp outlet, That's what I was wondering about how you could run AC on a 20-amp plug. I am looking at 2 small ones because of the
weight

[AZ Traveler]

A Honda 2200 Companion has a 30 amp plug. It will still need to be paralleled with another unit to start an ac without a soft start.

[AZMont]

I use an Onan/Cummings 4500i that already has a 30 amp plug on it. The unit has a remote start which is pretty handy. I carry it on a bumper mounted rack. The downside is it takes my spouse and I to lift it in and out of the bumper mounted rack. Once out of the storage rack, it has a long handle and wheels so is fairly easy to move around. When it looks like rain, I put it under my 5th wheel nose. I purchased the unit because we dry camp and needed something to supplement the solar panels.

[bsdf200]

So what is the best soft start system?

[rohrmann]

This is our setup with parallel 2000 Honda's with a 6 gallon gas tank for extended running. The unit with the yellow plug is the Companion model with the 30 amp outlet. We ran this way for almost two months last year until we got utility power on this property. Turned off the one generator at night when we didn't need A/C.

[Mikendebbie]

Originally Posted by bsdf200

So what is the best soft start system?

Don’t know how to evaluate which one is “best”.
I bought 2 MicroAir soft starts and paid a RV tech to install them.
I also bit the bullet and bought 2 MicroAir thermostats to replace the OEM Dometic thermostats.

There are lots of soft starts on the market. Lots of folks here install them using the instructions or YouTube videos. I did not trust my electrical knowledge - so I paid a guy to do it.

[R Bran]

Originally Posted by AZMont

I use an Onan/Cummings 4500i that already has a 30 amp plug on it. The unit has a remote start which is pretty handy. I carry it on a bumper mounted rack. The downside is it takes my spouse and I to lift it in and out of the bumper mounted rack. Once out of the storage rack, it has a long handle and wheels so is fairly easy to move around. When it looks like rain, I put it under my 5th wheel nose. I purchased the unit because we dry camp and needed something to supplement the solar panels.

This is exactly what I have. After researching this, Honda and Predator, I decided this was the best bang for my buck and will have no problem running one AC. I was told by several people the Predator wouldn’t run the AC without a soft start and that was an expense I did not want to have on top of the gen cost. They are coming out with a duel fuel model but you get more power from gas. I think I spent about $1400 after tax on it.

[twindman]

So do any generator setups have a 50 amp plug? With a 30 A (which I had to use for 3 days this summer) will run one A/C but when you start the microwave or a electric skillet etc, it would/could trip a breaker - just curious.
Thanks

[mlh]

The new 5000 watt Predator inverter with bigger wheels an extensible handle a 30 amp RV plug and regulator for propane is $1000.
I’ll pick mine up tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it works.
Lynwood

[rames14]

BSDF, we always traveled with a pair of Honda 2000’s. This year (with Solar) we decided to just take one Honda 2000. Granted we aren’t running AC here, but we have done just great. Having two smaller generators allows the flexibility to take one or two depending on the situation. There is no one size fits all generator. Figure out where you camp and what you need to run. There are lots of choices out there. Our youngest Honda is over 10 years old and the oldest is about 18 and they both still run great. There weren’t as many options back then. Still happy with them. As I’ve gotten older, lifting heavy items into the truck is getting less appealing. If we are running generator while at the camper, I leave it in the truck bed. If I run while away, I cable it to the landing gear.

[Kfinnert]

Like AZMont, I use an Onan/Cummings 4500i that already has a 30 amp plug on it when Mooch docking at my friends' farm in the Central Valley of Ca. It works great but we do need to watch the draw when using one of our two A/C's. When there, we have run the unit for days without a problem.

I agree too, that it is a heavy unit! I imagine, if it were placed on the tow rack of the trailer makes it more practical to haul with you. I have seen them place in the bed of the tow vehicle.

[JOSEPHSTILESCCS]

Get A Champion 4500 Watt Inverter
It Will Run Everything at half the cost of the 2 Hondas.
I have one and it runs everything.
Love it

[Kfinnert]

JOSEPHSTILESCCS - Is your Champion noisy? I looked at these too, and though they were fairly loud. What is your experience?

[KirkFess]

I bought a champion 3150 inverter. Supplies 26 amps. I bought it because I didn’t want to have 2 units to maintain. It was the biggest one that I could pick up by myself and load in the front compartment. It will easily run one AC unit, the converter, lights & TV all at once. I manage load by using gas on the fridge & water heater when AC is running. I also shut off the AC for a few minutes to run the microwave or coffee maker. This has worked well in temperatures up to 90. I have not tried cooling the unit with one AC at higher temps.
The Champion has been reliable and is not excessively noisy. It has a built in 30 amp camper receptacle.

If you must run 2 AC units, you need either 2 small units or one bigger unit. BUT, before you buy the extra capacity, try operating your camper on one AC and see if one is sufficient for you.

[BobStack]

I use a WEN 3800 and can run my whole 41’ Fifth wheel with one AC no problem. I have soft starts on both AC’ s and if I conserve can run both AC’s and I’m still only at 85% power usage. Love my WEN generator, so quiet!!