Silly Little AC Question

[PhyerPhyter]

When shopping for a generator I need a 3000 watt generator (or higher) with 30 amp service to support my TT air conditioner. 2000 watt generators with 15 amp service wont cut it and will trip out. So here in lies the question. How come at home plugged in with the 15amp adapter plug to a 15 amp GFI AC works fine and doesnt trip the breaker or the GFI. Why does it work at home and not on a generator? Just a thought that popped into my head....

[tnchuck100]

The home 15 amp circuit is more tolerant of the start up surge that the A/C presents. The generator will not tolerate the overload...even for a half-second.

[RVhiker]

At my house, the 15 amp plugs are wired with 12 gauge wire and 20 amp breakers so really they have 20 amps of power available - depending on what else is plugged into that circuit, of course.

[firefighter]

I just had an Electrican check the AMPS from the house with the A/C running in the trailer. From now on I won't be turning the A/C on in the driveway. It wa using about 14.5 Amps and that is to much of a load for 14 gauge wire. If I went with 12 gauge wire and a 20 amp fuse it would be ok. I certainley don't need a fire in the house.

[tinlizzie23]

For that reason, I installed a dedicated line directly from the service panel to an outdoor receptacle beside the 5er parking space. Wire is 12 gauge, breaker is 30 amp, and receptacle is GFI and weatherproof. That way there is nothing on the line but the trailer, and it has never tripped the breaker, even with the A/C running and other normal usage inside the trailer.

[RoyBraddy]

The output of the 2KW Honda EU2000i is only 120VAC at 13.3 AMPS as shown on the panel below. It actually is probably only 12AMPS of usable power after everything is said and done with.- This is just a tad short from the 15AMP house circuit.


photo from google images

Some folks can play some games like running the a/c blower first then switching in the A/C compressor and sometimes that will work with the 2KW Generator.

My house circuit is wired with 12gauge wiring but has the 15AMP receptacles. the circuit breaker is a 20AMP CB... This runs my trailer A/C just fine...

[clutch]

Our RV plug is just a 110v with a 20amp breaker. It has 10 ga wire so it works well for us.