Portable Generator Question

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planning to run portable AC

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dont do this

I run my 4T central AC with Soft Start on a similar generator.

So I think the answer is “maybe”. Worth a shot, but it’s gonna be close upon startup. Running it should be fine.

Someone on this board referred me to a Facebook Group which is devoted to portable generators and questions such as yours. The group is called "Generators: portable generators to power entire house" and very helpful!

If going by the nameplate pictured, you'll pull around 21A with the compressor and fan running which translates to a little above 5000W. So that's about 72% loaded on your generator but still should run fine.

If you run a Micro Air soft starter, you can expect to reduce the locked-rotor amps by about 65-75%. So if you take the LRA on that nameplate at 99A and reduce by worst-case 65%, that leaves 34.7A. That would be 8316W starting, which is below the 8750W starting rating you listed for the generator.

Note that the 30A breaker being fed by the generator is likely not fully-rated, meaning it will only handle about 80% of the rating before the thermal portion of the breaker will start a time-delayed trip. 80% of 30A is 24A, so if you're running the HVAC you will be very close to the limit. I definitely wouldn't run the clothes dryer or any other 120V appliance that uses electricity to generate heat, like a hair dryer. As for electronics and lights (assuming they're LED), you should be fine running those.

So in summary, yes it can run your central air but it's near the edge of the limit of the 30A breaker so you'll need to be selective on what you operate.

Really appreciate this bapple. I have my electrician coming today to see what we need to do to upgrade me to a 50 AMP. I am more than likely going to sell the generator I have and get one of the duromax and Westinghouse tri fuels that have more capacity so that I’m not taxing the generator.

Great info, bapple! I was hoping someone would take the time to lay it all out that way.

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We spent about as much for a little 2200-watt, gasoline-only Honda portable generator (made in Thailand) as you paid for that much larger tri-fuel unit that's made in China

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Davis, your Honda generator is likely an inverter generator, which uses far less fuel than one that is non-inverter…and that is a huge deal when you are dealing with a hurricane, etc.

You have to be selective with loading the generator. I turn off all my breakers except for AC and Air handler. I also turn my air handler fan “on” first (instead of “auto”) so that its not trying to start at the same time as my compressor. Once running knock the air down low so that it wont cycle and come back on without your attention.

If you feel you have enough capacity after its running smooth then go back to breaker panel and introduce selective other loads (freezer, lights, etc.). I would avoid anything with an electric heating element. (Coffee pot, microwave, hair dryer, electric stove, etc).