2001 Rockwood Roo A/C information?

theRooCrew · 06-09-2019, 08:37 PM

We're looking into getting a generator for our 2001 Rockwood Roo, but don't know where to find the specs on how much power the A/C uses. Took a shot in the dark and ordered a generator from Costco and it won't run the A/C. I know there's a specific thread for generator questions, and I will go there next once I get an idea of where to find the specs.

Thanks!!

**bikendan** · 06-09-2019, 08:57 PM

First question, is your a/c a 13.5k or 15k?
Second question, what generator did you buy because you've given us nothing about it.

theRooCrew · 06-09-2019, 09:06 PM

200w generator from Costco.
We don't know what the A/C power is since we don't have a specific manual for the Roo, and haven't been able to find on the Roo/ A/C itself the specs.

Thurman · 06-09-2019, 09:21 PM

Your A/C power is 120vAC (99% sure of that). "Most" RV A/C units will draw 12--14 amps when running normally oh high A/C. So, using volts x amps: 120x14=1680 watts. IF your Benny is only 200 watts, then NO it will not run your A/C unit. Even if there's a typo and you have a 2000 watt Benny that's marginal to start the A/C unit as start up amp draws can be as high as 20--22 amps. You might look into an RV A/C soft start that might allow your Benny (if 2000 watts) to start up and run

**bikendan** · 06-10-2019, 01:24 AM

A 2000w inverter generator will not run a nearly 20 years old a/c, unless you install a Micro Air unit.
You probably bought the Smarter Tools unit that has the Yamaha engine. You could buy a second one and parallel them, to run the a/c.
Wish you had come hear first before buying the 2000w inverter generator.

theRooCrew · 06-10-2019, 10:14 AM

We're going to return the generator to Costco, and look at one that will actually do the trick. I wish we had asked here too, I thought that my husband had it figured out. ;-) we do now, at least more than before.

Thank you guys! :-)

rockfordroo · 06-10-2019, 11:19 AM

The Micro Air at $300 might be cheaper in the long run than getting another generator, but that would be for you to decide.

**bikendan** · 06-10-2019, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theRooCrew

We're going to return the generator to Costco, and look at one that will actually do the trick. I wish we had asked here too, I thought that my husband had it figured out. ;-) we do now, at least more than before.

Thank you guys! :-)

Well, I now think you bought the A-iPower 2000w inverter generator. The 2000w is the surge amount, while its normal amount is only 1600w.
As was said, installing a Micro Air unit might be cheaper than a bigger generator.
Costco currently has the Firman 3200w/2900w inverter generator for $639 with free shipping. It has a review rating of 4.5 out of 5. It has been well reviewed here.
BUT it weighs 95lbs but it has wheels.
The Champion 3100w inverter generator is also well loved by RVers.

theRooCrew · 06-10-2019, 12:25 PM

We will look into the micro air unit as well. We only really want the generator to run the A/C since everything else runs off of the battery or propane gas. We don't have a TV or radio in our Roo. It would be great to have here in CA when PG&E shuts off our power for safety reasons... and when the weather forecast is wrong and it gets hot/humid. We travel with our dogs too, so we don't want them to get too hot either.

67L48 · 06-10-2019, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

[...] The 2000w is the surge amount, while its normal amount is only 1600w. [...]

This is critical. Everyone loves to talk about maximum power. What matters is nominal power. People seem to constantly size thir nominal power needs against a generator's maximum/surge power output. Not a great plan.

Altitude matters. You'll lose ~3% of power for every 1,000' over nominal 500'. So, when I camp at 9,500' in the Rockies, that supposed 2,000 W generator is actually providing me ~1,200 W.

To avoid getting frustrated: switch focus from max to nominal power and don't neglect altitude effects.

theRooCrew · 06-10-2019, 12:45 PM

Excellent advice, thank you! We do sometimes go up to Carson Pass and it's 8,000 ft in some areas.

**bikendan** · 06-10-2019, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theRooCrew

We will look into the micro air unit as well. We only really want the generator to run the A/C since everything else runs off of the battery or propane gas. We don't have a TV or radio in our Roo. It would be great to have here in CA when PG&E shuts off our power for safety reasons... and when the weather forecast is wrong and it gets hot/humid. We travel with our dogs too, so we don't want them to get too hot either.

Well, as a native Californian and resident for 60 years, I'm well acquainted with camping in California and did it in our Roo for 10 years.
Personally, I'm a fan of the two 2000w inverter generators setup. For your purposes, I would keep the one you bought and get a second one and the parallel kit.
That way, if you won't need the a/c, you just take the one 50lb inverter generator. If you got a bigger one, then you'd have to lug a 75-100lbs generator with you, even if you won't be running the a/c.
As for PG&E, we lived in Napa before we moved out of California and I was a state firefighter there. So our friends have already been hit with this.

rlh1957 · 06-10-2019, 03:13 PM

You can put a start kit, hard start kit on your AC compressor... not too expensive, it is easy to install on the roof. Easy to install even if you are not electrically or mechanically inclined. It is just an extra capacitor that stores energy and discharges when the unit is switched on. It gives the extra kick to help it start when lower wattage generators are being used. The generator still has to be at least 2000 watts, but that is still stretching it as the 2000W rating is peak starting amps and actual running amp output of the generator is probably around 1500 watts, maybe 1750W. A 2500Watt Generator would be better to have. Even with that rating you will only be running the AC and maybe a few lights. The electric on the HW heater or electric fridge won't be able to kick in and run without tripping the breaker. Most likely not, but you might.

theRooCrew · 06-10-2019, 03:49 PM

This is what we have right now.

Thanks so much everyone for the help. It's awesome to have advice from experienced Roo owners.

Here's our Roo!

**bikendan** · 06-10-2019, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theRooCrew

This is what we have right now.

Thanks so much everyone for the help. It's awesome to have advice from experienced Roo owners.

Here's our Roo!

That's what I thought, the A-ipower 2000w/1600w.
They were on sale at our Costco for around $439.

theRooCrew · 06-10-2019, 03:57 PM

We saw the Champion 4000w RV ready DH series open frame inverter with quiet tech. on Amazon. Would that work?

theRooCrew · 06-10-2019, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

That's what I thought, the A-ipower 2000w/1600w.
They were on sale at our Costco for around $439.

Yep, that is the one. I meant to type in 2000w, not 200w in my post.

rlh1957 · 06-10-2019, 04:14 PM

You won't make any friends at a campground with an "Open Frame" generator, even if it is Inverter Gen Power. The Open frame are just to noisy... engine exhaust and mechanical clatter.
Compare side by side and you will see. Even an Inverter with a 58dBa rating might not be welcome running all night long. Some campgrounds have quiet hours they expect generators to be powered down.

theRooCrew · 06-10-2019, 04:38 PM

We plan on running it during the warmer part of the day if necessary. We wouldn't want to upset anyone also trying to enjoy camping. We had a generator in our old RV that we'd only run for a few minutes at a time to use the microwave. I don't think we really ever used the A/C in it. But we were out camping near Ione a few weekends ago and it got really hot and humid all of a sudden. We escaped inside our 4runner for a while. We were hoping to get an invite from our campground neighbors into their super awesome 5th wheel, they had their A/C running! ;-)

theRooCrew · 06-10-2019, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

Well, as a native Californian and resident for 60 years, I'm well acquainted with camping in California and did it in our Roo for 10 years.
Personally, I'm a fan of the two 2000w inverter generators setup. For your purposes, I would keep the one you bought and get a second one and the parallel kit.
That way, if you won't need the a/c, you just take the one 50lb inverter generator. If you got a bigger one, then you'd have to lug a 75-100lbs generator with you, even if you won't be running the a/c.
As for PG&E, we lived in Napa before we moved out of California and I was a state firefighter there. So our friends have already been hit with this.

You're lucky to be out, it's only getting worse! Thanks for your hard work keeping our beloved California safe.

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