Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-19-2017, 08:38 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 52
a/c and Champion Invertor Generator

Looking some advice. Will a Champion 3500 watt Invertor be enough to run my 15 amp A/C? And will it help if I turn off everything when starting up?

I plan doing some boon docking this fall and we might run into some hot day time weather, and having a/c will be a big help.

Thanks for your help
Slow but Steady is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2017, 08:57 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
clarkbre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Snohomish, WA
Posts: 1,151
You likely mean 15,000 Btu AC unit.

Regardless, the 15k unit takes approximately 3300-3500 watts to start and once its running, uses about 1300-1800 watts.

The Champion 3500 provides an even 3200 watts with a peak of 3500 watts.

It would run the AC fine; however, when you go to start the AC, I would make sure other things are off such as the TV, fridge, or any other power consuming device. Once the AC starts though, you are good to go with all other accessories.

This is also why you see a lot of people running dual 2000 watt generators wired in parallel. This gives a max output of 4000 watts and usually a continuous 3200-3600 watts.

Just a reminder watts/volts = amperage

3500 watts/120 volts = 29.17 amps peak
3200 watts/120 volts = 26.67 amps continuous
__________________

2017 Forest River Surveyor 247BHDS...
...Tugged by a 2016 F250 XLT FX4 SuperCrew, Shortbed 6.2L, 4wd, 3.73...
...Joined with a Husky Centerline TS 800-1200lbs WDH
clarkbre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2017, 09:43 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 122
Quote:
Originally Posted by clarkbre View Post
You likely mean 15,000 Btu AC unit.

Regardless, the 15k unit takes approximately 3300-3500 watts to start and once its running, uses about 1300-1800 watts.

The Champion 3500 provides an even 3200 watts with a peak of 3500 watts.

It would run the AC fine; however, when you go to start the AC, I would make sure other things are off such as the TV, fridge, or any other power consuming device. Once the AC starts though, you are good to go with all other accessories.

This is also why you see a lot of people running dual 2000 watt generators wired in parallel. This gives a max output of 4000 watts and usually a continuous 3200-3600 watts.

Just a reminder watts/volts = amperage

3500 watts/120 volts = 29.17 amps peak
3200 watts/120 volts = 26.67 amps continuous
The only challenge I see here is that it isn't like you can turn everything off, start your A/C, and turn the TV or coffee maker back on. The A/C cycles on and off at will. Therefore, you need higher start capacity. How much? I don't know, but I bet you can guarantee the AC will cycle exactly when the coffee maker is brewing and the DW is drying her hair.

So now what?
JeffandLori is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2017, 10:46 PM   #4
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 84
I have major problems starting my AC with this generator as I am at 4500 feet and that is with everything off.
__________________
Tundra 2017 CrewMax retired for a RAM Laramie 2500
FR 2017 T2460 EVO
Andersen sway control
Cahriad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2017, 11:24 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 321
Buy a wattmeter and learn what your camper uses. You can also use a clamp meter if you are comfortable. I know my converter when charging the batteries can use 500 watts. Remember your converter charges the batteries and supplies 12v. A converter with a 40amp charger is pulling some AC wattage. If you have a couple of fans and some lights that could be another 5amps DC.

If you only have a few hundred watts AC to spare, your converter alone can cause an overload.
carlsbad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 12:28 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 137
I don't know if you're looking at the dual fuel models, but be aware that the power output rating is lower if you use them with propane. I have a 3500 Champion dual fuel model and the rating on propane is only 3100.
DNA Dan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 12:57 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
FirstTracks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Cottonwood Heights, UT
Posts: 307
FYI I have the Champion 75537i (3100W starting/2800W running) and it operates my Dometic 15k a/c without issue.
__________________
Cottonwood Heights, Utah
2016 Evo by Forest River T2050 (23')
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8

Days camped in 2017: 53 (so far!)
FirstTracks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 01:09 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Posts: 504
Here's how to reduce the starting load.
One More Time Around: Honda 2000i VS Dometic 13,500 Air Conditioner w/ Micro-Air EasyStart
They say it will also allow starting/running a 15,000 BTU a/c on 2000 Watts.
https://www.microair.net/collections...nt=30176048267

The Easy-Start worked fine on my 13,500 BTU with my Honda 2000i until the temps were near 100° and I was at high altitude. This was when I needed it most.

That's when I went with the Champion remote start 3100/2800.
One More Time Around: Wolf Pup - Generator

The nice thing about this Champion generator is:
When you use the remote start the generator doesn't connect the load until it's up and running.
There is a electric choke that works with the remote start so you don't ever have to manually pull out a Honda choke.
There is a huge fill port so you can fill your generator at the pump without it foaming over.
There is an oil drain hose to make oil changes very convenient.
The remote start Champion 3100/2800 costs less than the Honda 2000i
jeffnick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 02:03 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
McRabbet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Hendersonville, NC
Posts: 239
I have a Champion 3400/3100 Dual Fuel Inverter and it starts my 13.5 kBTU A/C easily. A Champion tech recommended that I leave it set in Eco mode when calling for the startup load from the A/C and it will start without issue. I have done it with my refrigerator running too. I also have a PI HW30C EMS and can watch the Amperage draw when I start things up. I also added a Neutral/Ground plug on to the 20 Amp outlet on the Champion to be sure they are electrically bonded.
__________________
Rob Payne
Hendersonville, NC

2018 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2304DS, 10K Equal-i-zer Hitch
2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab 4WD 5.7L iForce V8
FROG Member since March 2017
McRabbet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 02:19 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Palinduff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 348
Consider a hard start capacitor for the A/C unit. Easier on the generator and A/C unit.
__________________
2017 F150 XLT 3.5l Eco Boost, SC, 8' Box, 4X4
Max Tow (10 speed, 3:73, 11,700lbs), HD Payload (2440lbs)
2015 Puma 253 FBS
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
2000 Honda EX 400, Rad Rover 6 Plus
Palinduff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 03:14 PM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 52
Follow up and results

Today a fellow member of this forum brought his Champion 3500 Invertor for me to try on our TT.

It started and ran the 15 btu a/c flawlessly, then he reduced the output and no change it ran perfect and the a/c did what it was suppose too. Then he turned on the tv, refri, and even the microwave and the Champion did it's job.

I just ordered my new Champion, and I am convinced for the money, it is a winner.

Thanks to Todd and his wife for helping out and I hope this might also help someone else.

Slow and Steady
Slow but Steady is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 07:20 PM   #12
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 53
High Altitude

I have the 3500 with the remote and as long as I am at a lower altitude, below 3500 feet, it works just fine, but not at a higher altitude. I've checked champion web page and they suggest putting in a high altitude jet on the carburetor.
kgriff5667 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2017, 07:33 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
BendOrLarry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 259
Quote:
Originally Posted by FirstTracks View Post
FYI I have the Champion 75537i (3100W starting/2800W running) and it operates my Dometic 15k a/c without issue.
Same experience here too. We live at 4000 feet and camp most of the time at or above that elevation.
__________________
2009 Sunseeker 2860DS
Bulldog keyless entry
Firestone airbags
Airlift remote compressor system
Ultragauge EM Plus OBDII monitor
BendOrLarry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2017, 12:47 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
FirstTracks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Cottonwood Heights, UT
Posts: 307
Sorry, I had a brain cramp when I typed that. My a/c is 13.5K, not 15. Not sure where that thought came from.

In summer we typically camp at 9000-10,000 feet. I used it for months at those altitudes without issue before changing out the carb jet.
__________________
Cottonwood Heights, Utah
2016 Evo by Forest River T2050 (23')
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8

Days camped in 2017: 53 (so far!)
FirstTracks is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:40 AM.