Generator for Air Conditioner
Submitted: Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 21:09
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cyoung2203
OK...I have a 1.5HP household reverse cycle air conditioner on my van.
What size generator do I need to run it? any simple rule or calculation to work to?
Cheers in advance!
Craig
Reply By: Member - BUNDY BOY (WA) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 21:31
Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 21:31
cyoung2203
i have used 1hp window style air con .and also a free standing room reverse cycle....in my patrol and the ambo.....and use a 2kva honda with no drama's as long as you don't turn them up flat out.......i would not get anything under a 3kva...or higher if you plan to use other appliances at the same time\
Cheers
AnswerID:
360612
Reply By: Member - Tony V (NSW) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 22:57
Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 22:57
Hi
0.75kw = 1 HP (roughly) Start up or peak load will be up around 2.5 kw. 3kw should be enough.
AnswerID:
360626
Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 06:48
Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 06:48
Tony,
That was what I thought but found out that whilst that applies to kw/hp out put for an engine, aircons are different.
They rate kw/hp as cooling power which is way above the power required to run it. Eg a Heron 2.2 kw caravan aircon actually only draws about 1200 watts and we were able to run it happily from a Kipor 2000 (which delivers a constant 1600 watts).
Cheers,
Jim.
FollowupID:
628418
Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 08:55
Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 08:55
Quite right Jim, but it is even harder than that sometimes.
The best place to start is to look at the rating plate on the appliance for the AMPS draw. (Amps x 240V = watts).
Then you need to allow for start-up which can be double, or more. That is difficult to estimate as it depends on the motor trype and how it is controlled.
A lot of cheap 240V air compressors (for example) claim to be 2.5HP, but aren't really. They might draw 2.5 x 750W, but their motor output is much less than 2.5HP. That is INPUT, not OUTPUT. Bit of a con, really.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome
FollowupID:
628434
Reply By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 08:53
Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 08:53
My 2kVA will run the Caravan A/C but it just revs out and uses to much fuel, so I just use a fan when away from the mains ,
.
AnswerID:
360659