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Portable generator capable of running central ac
Posted on 8/27/20 at 3:36 pm
Posted on 8/27/20 at 3:36 pm
4 ton central air.... what running/starting watt should I look for? Can't swing a whole home so I'm thinking of investing in a big portable. I can't find a straight answer online on what central units draw.
5
Posted on 8/27/20 at 4:00 pm to Slim Chance
The running load isn't that bad the starting load is what is going to kill you.
Posted on 8/27/20 at 4:08 pm to Slim Chance
You’re definitely gonna need something 12 KW and above
Posted on 8/27/20 at 4:20 pm to Slim Chance
(no message)
This post was edited on 1/11/21 at 1:07 pm
Posted on 8/27/20 at 4:43 pm to footballdude
OP, cheaper to buy a couple 5K window units and run a 6500w genset. 
Posted on 8/27/20 at 5:03 pm to footballdude
(no message)
This post was edited on 1/11/21 at 1:07 pm
Posted on 8/27/20 at 5:29 pm to footballdude
Didn't think about the gas. Well scratch that idea. Lol. I'll stick with what I have. 8k/10k watt generac portable. It's big enough to run my camper with ac going and my fridge in the house. That's what I've been running since this morning when the power went out. Thanks for the info!
Posted on 8/27/20 at 5:42 pm to Slim Chance
Get one of THESE and you’re golden as long as you have a natural gas or propane source.
Posted on 8/28/20 at 6:13 pm to BillyGibbons
quote:
Get one of THESE and you’re golden as long as you have a natural gas or propane source.
I can run my generator on Propane, it is more efficient and cheaper to run on gas. We run 3 window units off of the generator and it does fine and keeps the bedrooms nice and cold.
Posted on 8/29/20 at 6:11 pm to Slim Chance
(no message)
This post was edited on 8/29/20 at 6:12 pm
Posted on 8/29/20 at 6:21 pm to tiger91
There should be a data plate on your condenser, it will have one line that says LRA stands for Locked Rotor Amps, that should be the most it would pull on startup. You will need something capable of that value in surge capacity to be safe. Also you need enough surge to start the air handler too.
Watts = Volts x Amps
For example 220 volts at 30 amps is 6,600 watts.
Installing a hard start kit on the condenser can also help In reduce the starting amps By a good amount.
Watts = Volts x Amps
For example 220 volts at 30 amps is 6,600 watts.
Installing a hard start kit on the condenser can also help In reduce the starting amps By a good amount.
This post was edited on 8/29/20 at 6:23 pm
Posted on 8/29/20 at 7:59 pm to BillyGibbons
quote:
Get one of THESE and you’re golden as long as you have a natural gas or propane source.
Never saw that before, I ordered one.
Posted on 8/29/20 at 8:08 pm to BillyGibbons
I converted my EU2000 to propane and it runs great except eco mode doesn’t work
Posted on 8/30/20 at 4:07 pm to footballdude
quote:
looked up a random 12k portable generator on the internet, looks like that model would need as much as 16 gallons of gasoline to make it through 1 night powering a 4 ton central unit.
As much as 40 gallons to run for 24 hours straight.
These are ROUGH numbers just based on their description on the web site
We run a 17.5 generac portable. We use rouglhy 12-15 gallons per day. Thata running ac for a 3bedroom house plus fridge, lights and ceiling fans
Posted on 8/30/20 at 10:58 pm to Slim Chance
Pack up the suburban leave town get a hotel it’s cheaper
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