AC surge current?

Steve,

The microwave alone shouldn't cause a problem for the generator as even the most powerful models run about 1200 watts or about 10 amps. An air conditioner on the other hand, can draw considerably more power to run depending on BTU size; 15 amps and up is not uncommon (and even twice as much as that though only briefly when starting).

If these were the only things connected and on, the generator should be able to handle them - again depending on the BTU size of the AC unit. Generators state their capacity in Watts, but must of the devices we connect are in Amps. Calculating Watts in an AC circuit is complicated, but pretty close to the much easier Watts in a DC circuit for most residential settings. Here's how it's done:

Watts = volts x amps. Pretty simple stuff. Your generator is rated at 5500 watts. The microwave is say, 120 volts / 10 amps - which equals 1200 watts. The generator has 4300 capacity available now. Suppose your air conditioner is rated at 120 volts / 15 amps - which equals 1800 watts. 4300watts - 1800watts = 2400watts capacity is left. But, the starting current for the AC is as much as 25 amps for a few seconds (and once started drops back to 15 amps) - which means there's only 1200 watts capacity left. Add up the rest of the appliances you're running at the same time (TV set, Cable / Satellite box, stereo, toaster, lights, computer, etc.- you get the idea), and you can see how you might have exceeded the 5500 watts capacity of the generator for a few seconds. It's at these times that your hear / see the generator speed falter and sputter, lights dim, etc.. If this is happening a lot, you may need a larger or additional generator.

I hope this helps and good luck!

According to specs, they will take a 44 amp AC power surge. Obviously number and type of batteries as well as battery condition , etc, plugged in, not plugged in to outside hydro, or generator all come in to play here, but a 15,000 BTU roof AC will only draw, 15-17Amps AC when compressor kicking in, ( or less on some new models) and should level out at 12 -13 amp draw after. As well, this will depend on proper wiring to and from main panel as well as AC unit, and incoming voltage, AC unit condition ( cleaned and maintained properly) etc.

Hello, I have the same exact generator, 2400 Yamaha. It works fine for my Ac, and then some. After it first kicks on, is the biggest surge. Then I have even after ac is running, I have had tv on and even used microwave. But as far as running you ac on your rv , not problem. I do it all the time. Mine is ulta quite, and 8 to ten hours run time on about a gallon of fuel. Mike

What size circuit breaker is on the generator that is tripping? You'll need a 20amp for AC alone, then consider other things that are drawing current when RV plugged in like , converter, fridge etc that may be drawing current at same time. Make sure fridge is on propane, as well as water heater if you have electric element option on water heater. AC may only draw 12-15 amps when running if good and clean and wired properly, but will draw 17-18 amps when compressor kicks in. Perhaps generator not designed for that surge?

This generator is a 5KW model. This means it can supply up to 5000 watts of power, total. Not all devices list the watts they need to be provided - instead these devices list the power they need as volts and amps. This can make it hard to determine what the actual watt requirements are for the device.

Overly simplified, watts is equal volts times amps (watts = volts x amps). A single 120 volt light bulb that uses .833 amps consumes 100 watts. If you checked a regular 100 watt light bulb with an ammeter, you'd find it does indeed draw .833 amps.

Working the formula a different way, we can learn how many amps this 5000 watt generator can supply at 120 volts, too. If all the loads you need to connect to this generator are 120 volt types, that means the total amount of amps the generator can supply is 5000 watts / 120 volts = 41 amps purely resistive loads (like a toaster or light bulb) maximum under ideal conditions. There is never a time when ideal actually happens, and not all loads are purely resistive - many are inductive. Inductive loads are motors (like your A/C), fluorescent lamps, computer power supplies, etc. - so figure more like around 30 amps total instead.

If you try to connect devices that require more than 30 - 35 amps, the generator will probably have problems trying to supply this load for any longer that a short length of time. Additionally, motors like those in A/C compressors draw significantly more power when first starting and can cause the problem you are describing. Try running the generator with loads other then the A/C to see how well it can supply the load(s). Or try running only 1 A/C unit and other non-A/C loads.

What I'm trying to tell you is that you may need to do some active load management to be sure that you aren't trying to get more power out of the generator than it is capable of supplying. You may need additional generators or swap this one to a larger size to handle the load properly and safely.

I hope this helps & good luck!

15,000 BTU stating current 18 to 20 amphs. And running amphs will be around 6.5 to 7 amphs.

Your generator is too small. if you have a unit that only has a duplex outlet or you can carry it with one hand, it might be time to upgrade. To find out the wattage you will need look at the data plate on the saws, there will be a number next to the word AMP once you have this from both saws add them together. With this amperage we will make a small calculation using watts law which states Watts divided by voltage equals amps. Also most generators are designed to run a constant current unlike the erradic draw that would be created by only one saw. When you figure out your load demand, add 15% to it as allowance for the surge in power. In cases of chain-binding or really hard wood, the saw requires much more amperage.

Most likely the air conditioner draws more power than the generator can supply. Check the current needed for the air conditioner in amps. It should be on a plate attached to the it. If the generator is a 5000 watt it can supply 5000 divided by the voltage required by the airconditioner. i.e. 240 (=20.8 amps) if you live in the UK or Ireland or 120 (41.6 amps) in most of the rest of the world. If it's a 12 Volt Airconditioner than you divide 5000 by 12 Note this is the absolute maximum that can be drawn and as power generally fluctuates will still probably cause the circuit breaker to trip. You should ideally be drawing no more than three quarters of the current available. If there are other appliances being run off the generator this again reduces the amount of current available.

5.8 amps. see page 9 (5300 btu is considered a 6000 BTU, 4800 is considered 5000 btu, sorta like a 2x4 ain't really a 2x4 LOL)
You cannot run an ac on an inverter, not enough juice to get it started.


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I am assuming this is an electric wall mount heater, if the unit is drawing current then it should relate to heat as 3.41 btu is = 1 watt.
take the voltage reading and the amp draw and mutiply them to determine the wattage eg; 240 volts x 20.8 amps = 5000 watts = 17,050 btu. if the unit is fan assited and you are drawing 1 to 2 amps this would indicate the fan is runnning without the heat element being energized hope this helps