When it comes to powering an air conditioner, the size of the generator you need depends on the model of the air conditioner unit. A 12,000-watt generator is usually enough to power a central air conditioner, but a 1000 watt generator can run a small or medium window unit. For larger window units, you'll need at least a 2000 watt generator. If you need to power multiple appliances, it's best to opt for a larger generator.
We recommend a generator that can provide an alternating current of 3 tons for a 2 or 3 ton unit. This will give you enough energy for other essential electrical uses, such as lights or a refrigerator. Portable generators can also be used to power an air conditioner, but they must have a minimum power of 4000 W. The average air conditioner for a small room consumes about 3500 W when starting and then decreases as the house cools down.
The largest portable generator can only power 12,000 watts, which is not enough for larger air conditioning units (2.5 tons or more). Generator sizes are measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW), with 1 kW equaling 1000 W. When buying a generator and air conditioner, you'll need to calculate how they'll work together. You also need to consider what other electronic devices or appliances you'll use with the generator.
An air conditioner needs a lot of energy, so normally you can't use the generator for anything else simultaneously. To power an average RV air conditioner, the generator must have at least a capacity of 2000 to 4000 watts. Overloading a generator (forcing it to supply more electricity than it can handle) can cause it to shut down or overheat, damaging both the generator and your appliances. To avoid performance problems, make sure your air conditioner unit is the only large appliance that works on your generator.
A good generator should take this into account when buying one, since it can be annoying to cool a house that has them due to its insulation. With the right size and maintenance, your generator can comfortably power your air conditioner throughout the house. Electricity is one of the most useful discoveries of this era and has been the main source of energy for human progress for centuries. A 3.5 KVA generator with a maximum output power of 2800 watts can theoretically power a typical 24,000 BTU AC unit (British thermal units).
Unfortunately, air conditioners use much of the energy that could be used by generators to power most of the RV. To save energy and make sure your AC runs efficiently, it's important to choose the right size generator.
