ac amps

[rbarrieau]

looking at a honda 2000i generator.. How many amps does my roof top ac draw? could tis generator run it with 16.5 amps output?

[jimh]

my guess would be abt 13 amps. the problem u may encounter might be starting it. my gut reaction would be that it would but i would the judgement of others on that.

[Filthy Beast]

Remember though that the 2000i has a max rating of 2000 watts(16.7 amps). I believe the continuous rating is 1600 watts(13.3 amps). It might do it if nothing else is running.

[jimh]

i wouldn't do it. i was thinking that 16.5 amps was continuous output and that it would have a surge of abt 25% or more. u should be able to do it if u can get the air conditioner to start without bogging down the gen. that would be too close for my comfort zone.

[rbarrieau]

thanks for the imput , maybe the generac 2000 /18amp would do better.

[KyDan]

The surge wattage is huge on most roof AC units.
Even a real 2000 watt might not work.
You'd need to test it before plunking down your hard earned ca$h.

Many folks have gone with the Yamaha 2500.

Remember if you are at altitude or really hot weather the generator has
to work harder to start the compressor on the AC each time.

My honda 2000 started my roof AC on a cool day in Kentucky (alt 600)
but when we were in western states in hot weather (alt 6000) it
didn't even get close.
I even shut off everything else including the converter and started the
AC fan first so the compressor wouldn't be trying to start at the same
instant as the fan.
No go.

[bikendan]

very few are able to run an a/c with a 2000w generator.
you haven't stated the size of your a/c, for one thing. is it a 13.5k or 15k or a smaller unit?

altitude will have something to do with it also. and if the a/c is newer or not.

[rbarrieau]

2006 /13500btu plan on staying near sea level (beach)

[bikendan]

the Yamaha 2400 is the smallest wattage generator that claims it can run most 13.5k a/c's.

i've only seen a handful of owners that state their 2000 will run their 13.5 a/c's and they all had Dometics.

my only suggestion is to go see if a Honda dealer will let you try running yours, as a test.

[ken0042]

For a reference; my Dometic 13.5 A/C seems to draw 1400 watts max set on "high", and a max of 1275 watts on "low."

Keep in mind the other power draws you will have; for example my fridge draws just under 200 watts, and my DC power converter draws about 50 watts. I would say if nothing else make sure your fridge is set to run on propane; and that nothing else is running at the time.

That all being said, I would agree with the other posters that you want to make sure you have power to spare; and would look at something that has a bit better output.