a/c and generator question

[party of 5]

Does anyone know if you can run a 15k BTU a/c unit with a 3000 watt Kipor or Honda generator?

[bsmeaton]

TJ,

The 3,000 is more than adequate to run the AC which will consume about 1,800 of that. However, once you plug in the generator, you are also powering the converter which takes a chunk, as well as any other 110VAC device you have on (fridge will switch to AC). It will be pushing the maximum on your 3,000 and may have a hard time with the initial surge from the AC starting, but once going you should be fine.

Things you could not run simultaneously without overloading the generator would be the electric coil in the hot water tank (1,500), microwave (1,500), fireplace (1,500). You would have to remember to shut off the AC before using any of those major appliances, even those you may have on board such as a coffee pot, crock pot, or hairdryers/curlers, etc.

[noneck]

Just an FYI, you can force the fridge to gas mode by deselecting out of Auto...something I do when boon docking. Of course everything that Brad said is right on...(I'm not even gonna check his numbers). I have the Kipor, have tested it with my 13kw A/C but have not run it for extended A/C periods. My last boon docking trip was on coast ocean breeze did the cooling, used Kipor so DW could run sewing machine and surger! Roughing it in style!
Chuck

[exav8tr]

Party of 5, I plan on buying 2 Honda 2000's with the parallel kit. Almost the same price, but quieter and much more important to me is less weight, plus have 4000 watts max. two 47 lb gens is easier to move than a 134 lb one. Plus you can seperate them and use individually if you want. How does this sound to the others that boondock????

Phil;

[Emmel]

I use the Kipor and leave it in the truck bed, don't move it if you don't need to. The research I did was the 3000Kipor was quite a bit less than two 2000 Hondas, at least here in Ohio at the local Honda shop. I did take it out at the Rally in Daytona for a week, had a friend help me, you find out who your friends are! The 3000 ran the ac with no problem, just learn what not to run so you don't overload it. Kept the fridge on dc and the hot water also. There was a post on generators, do a search and see what other people think of the 3000 generators, different brands.

[MAMalody]

I like the two Honda idea, in fact, that is the once I am going with. Note: I have not done it yet, however, I come to the same conclusion you did.

[lawrenceb42106]

I use the Honda 3000 on our 15,000 a/c, just have to watch what else you run with it. I also leave ours in the truck. Harder for some body to borrow it from you. Keep it locked with a aircraft cable to the truck. Two people can move it it need arises.

[JH Sechelt]

I use a Honda EM3000cc Cycloconverter Generator. Runs A/C fine and I've even run the Vacuum at the same time. The 3000 Cycloconverter series only weighs 68 lbs dry so I can lift it in and out of the front compartment relatively easy. I do turn any thing that runs on LP to LP when using the gen-set and would turn the A/C off if I was using other appliances.

J&D