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Generator Size

Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 11:57 am
by dtshep
Hello ALL, I have a 24RB 1993. My generator went out. It was an Onan 4k LP. I have a chance to get a 3600 LP Onan but was wondering if it would be enough for my AC. The AC unit is 13,500 BTU. Manuel says yes. Any input wopuld be appreciated. David

Re: Generator Size

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 11:37 pm
by wanderso
I'm new to this discussion board, but have been doing the "RV thing" for about 15 years. I expect there are several seasoned pros here with far more experience than me that will give some good responses. Here's mine:

An Onan 3600 is supposed to support up to 30 amps per their website. In a cursory search, a 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner typically draws around 14.5 - 15 amps in cooling mode. It likely bumps to 16 amps or so to start the compressor. If you have a microwave, depending on wattage, you may not be able to run both at the same time, but I expect you will also be able to do so. For reference, I owned a 2008 Winnebago View. They had a 4000 Watt Onan on the Gas model (mine) and 3600 Watt propane generator on the diesel models. Both had the same 13,500 BTU air conditioner. In my case, I regularly used the microwave and AC simultaneously without issue.

RV generators can be very expensive ($3-4,000) If I was in your situation and the current generator can't be fixed but you have access to a good alternative like what you describe for free or much less cost, I would use it. I expect you may need to have some brackets fabricated to mount it due to size differences.