Best Generator for 15000 BTU Air Conditioner Reviews & Guide

Do you have a 15000 BTU air conditioner? Then you must be looking for the best generator for a 15000 BTU air conditioner. Since the temperature keeps soaring, having an air conditioner in your RV vehicle is essential.

An air conditioner is one thing that will need a lot of power than other electrical appliances. That said, before you buy the generator, you need to calculate the total wattage you will need.

The one thing you need to know about air conditioners is that they will vary according to their BTU rating. And most will have 2-watt ratings- the startup and running watts. If you are buying a generator for your 15000 BTU air conditioner, the biggest question is:  how many watts does an air conditioner would need to run?

Let’s take a deep dive into what size generator you need?

What Size Generator Do I Need for A 15000 BTU Air Conditioner?

It’s no secret that an air conditioner unit will use lots of power than any other devices you have in your recreational vehicle. That said, when shopping for an inverter generator, you need to know the amount of starting watt the Air conditioner will need.

Most recreational vehicles have an air conditioner that will need 13500BTU or 15000BTU to run. An RV that has a 13500 BTU air conditioner will need at least 3000 watts to start. Once it’s up and running, it will need 50% less power, like 1500 watt when running.

A 15000 BTU RV AC will need 3500 to start and 1800 running watts. That said, when you are shopping for a generator, look for one that has more watts to power all of the other essential appliances on top of the AC.

In other words, if you are shopping for a generator to power your AC, the minimum you can settle for is 3000 watts. One last thing is to make sure that the RV has a 30-amp RV outlet. An outlet like those (TT-30R) is a must if you are going to run an AC in your RV.

How Many Amps Does an RV air conditioner Draw?

Most RVs will have a 30amp or 50amp capacity. Anything going beyond this poses risks.  A small recreational vehicle will work with 30amp, or a large 35-foot RV that has a lot of equipment will require 50 amp capacity.

An air conditioner will need around 12-16amps.  A 15000BTU draws on average 12.5-13.5amps. But this figure depends on the heating and cooling mode. For instance, the heating mode requires an extra amp-like 15amps.

3 Tips On How to Use the RV Air Conditioner

Cook outside the RV-This keeps the temperature inside the RV low, and you’ll need less a/c when you are inside. Outdoor cooking is fun and keeps the RV out of the cooking mess.

Keep the AC running when you need it-Don’t always turn the AC in the evening because during that time it’s cool. That way, you will save power when the temperature is cool.

Get an A/C that suits you– Choosing an A/C will depend on the size of the RV, the power, and several rooms you have. One thing you’ll need to remember is, getting a big A/C when you have a smaller RV makes no sense.

Reviews of Generators For 15000 Btu Air Conditioner

Image	Title	Price	Buy
Top Top	Champion 3400-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Electric Start		Check Lowest Price
Top Top	Champion Power Equipment 76533 4750/3800-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator with Electric Start		Check Lowest Price
Top Top	Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment WGen3600 Portable Generator 3600 Rated 4650 Peak Watts, RV Ready, Gas Powered, CARB Compliant		Check Lowest Price
Top Top	Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator, Yellow/Black		Check Lowest Price

1. Champion 3400-Watt RV Ready Portable Generator

The Champion 3400  portable generator is a good option for a 15000 BTU air conditioner. Most importantly, the generator is quiet like other generators such as Honda EU2200i. The good thing about it is that it is a dual fuel generator that runs on either gasoline or propane.

When the generator operates on gasoline, it gives off 3400 starting watts and 3100 as running watts. On gasoline, the generator can run for  7.5 hours at 25% load. While on propane, the generator gives off 3060 starting watts and 2790 as running watts.

When this generator runs on propane, it can run for 14.5 hours at a 25% load capacity. With that power potential, you can run a lot of devices and appliances you may have at home. What you’ll love about this generator is that it’s RV ready. That means it is designed for RV usage. The generator has the following outlets:

• 120v 30A RV(TT-30R)
• Two 120V 20A household outlets(5-20R)
• A 12V DC automotive-style outlet

Besides that, the generator is parallel ready. That means you can connect it to another Champion 3400 watt to double the supply power.

Because the generator is a closed frame, it can work in a silent mode and has a noise level of 59 dBa. Besides the air conditioner, you can run the sump pump, television, power tools. When you compare this generator with other brands, you may not find one.

The generator has a 192cc engine and battery. That means you can easily start it without any problem at all.

Pros

• Easy to control with a remote
• Water-resistant
• Has a folding handle
• Lots of RV connections are included
• Meets CARB
• Perfect for running delicate gadgets

Cons

• Difficult to change the oil

2. Champion 3800-watt RV Ready Generator

Do you need more power coming from your RV generator but you don’t have enough money, then your top priority will be champion 3800-watt RV ready. The unit is not silent as an inverter generator however it provides more power but costs less.

With a 2pound propane tank, the unit can run for 20hours on a 25% load capacity. This runtime is longer than what you’ll expect from Champion 3400.

The unit has a 4275 starting watt and 3240 running watts. This is a generator that you can use to run a 15k BTU A/C unit and other appliances. This is one of the best conventional(non-inverter) generators for RVs which Champion offers on the market. This model comes with a standard 30A RV outlet. It also has a Volt Guard built-in surge protector that protects the generator from overload and makes your RV’s safe.

Other outlets you’ll find in this generator include:

• 120V 30A RV (TT-30R)
• 120V 30A locking outlet (L5-30R)
• Two 120v 20 household outlets (5-20R)

The generator also has a plus cold start technology which ensures you have a smooth start during cold weather. Thanks to the Champion’s packaging, you’ll have a hassle-free setup. We consider the generator portable thanks to the folding handle that makes it easier to carry and pull. Its never-flat tires aid the generator’s movement from one place to another.

If you’ve always wanted an inexpensive portable generator that will emit awesome power, then the Champion 3800-watt dual portable generator is ideal for you.

Pros

• Good runtime
• Easy to start
• Versatile

Cons

• High fuel consumption
• A bit noisy(68 dBA)
• Not very good for sensitive devices

3. Westinghouse WGen3600 Portable Generator

Are you looking for an inexpensive 15k BTU generator that’s powerful enough to handle most of your jobs? It is an open frame generator. The most significant benefit of the open frame generator is the price.

The WGen3600 has 3600 running watts and 4650 peak watts because of its reliable engine. The generator has a 212cc and OHV engine that is protected by the cast-iron sleeve. On a full 4-gallon-fuel tank, the unit runs for 18hours on a 25% load. The WGen3600 has the following outlets:

• Two 5-20R 120V household duplex receptacle
• One RV-ready TT-30R 30 Amp receptacle
• One L5-30r 30 Amp receptacle

The good thing with these outlets is that they all have a rubber cover for protection.  Best of all, it has an intuitive control panel that makes it very easy to operate.

Since it has so many features and a warranty of 3 years, it is one of the best generators for 15000 BTU air conditioner. But if you want something quiet, we’ll suggest you look for a different model.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Long-running time
• Noisy
• CARB compliant

Cons

• Lacks electric start

4. DuroStar DS4000S Generator

This 7 horsepower engine gives out 3,300 as starting watts and 4,000 as running watts. That said,  the DuroStar DS4000 is perfect for running 15k BTU air conditioner if you have an RV vehicle. It will meet most of your RV needs and help you overcome blackout. The generator has an excellent power panel featuring a voltmeter breaker and a switch.

While the DuroStar DS4000 may be budget-friendly, it still provides the same performance as other standby generators. Something that will impress you is how quiet the generator runs. Customers that have bought it say it produces the same noise like a lawnmower.

With the 4-gallon fuel tank, the generator can run a refrigerator, AC, TV, and light bulb for 10 hours before running out of oil. The generator comes with a simple start switch and pulls the recoil cord. The generator has a fuel gauge which makes monitoring the gas level easy. Since this generator is fitted with a sturdy steel frame and four separate motor mounts, it will run smoothly.

Its low oil shut-off feature prevents the engine from damage when the oil is little. The generator has the following outlets:

• Two 120V 20amp household power outlets
• One 120V 30Amp 3-prong outlet

The generator has a handle on the side to aid easy movement and promote portability. Since it has a spark arrestor and EPA approval, the generator is safe to use in the national parks and forested areas.

At 94 pounds, it is quite heavy to carry because it has no wheels. That means you may need to buy the wheel kit at no extra cost.

Pros

• Affordable
• Easy to operate
• Heavy-duty steel frame
• 8 hours run time

Cons

• Needs frequent oil changes

5. Yamaha EF4500ISE Generator

It’s an expensive but quiet portable generator that provides 4000 watts of clean power for an RV or travel trailer. The EF4500ISE has a maximum surge power of 4500 watts, while it’s operating wattage is 4000. That said, Yamaha has the power to run 15000 BTU RV air conditioners.

The 4000-watt generator comes with an electric starter, fuel valve switch, and oil warning system. Thanks to its noise reduction system and low engine speed, the generator is quiet. Since it is an inverter generator, it provides stable power for delicate devices.

At the moment the Yamaha EF4500ISE provides 120-volt, AC. It can’t supply power to 240V appliances. And the good thing is that it can generate a maximum of 37.5 amps for surge power and 33 amps for a regular rated power. Yamaha has the following outlets:

• Two 120V 20A outlets
• One 30A RV twist lock

The only outlet it does not have is the 12V DC outlet. The central panel has an hour motor and power bar indicator that lets you track the number of hours the generator can run.

The generator has an electric starter for starting the generator. There’s also an option for a remote start which you can buy it separately. Its fuel tank is a 4.5-gallon capacity that runs for 15 hours at 1/4 load. The Yamaha EF4500ISE has a noise level of 60dBA, making it a quiet inverter generator in the 4000-watt category.

Pros

• Quality power
• CARB compliant
• Low oil warning light

Cons

• Weighs 194 pounds
• Expensive

Verdict

Now that you have this information at your fingertips. You have the knowledge of choosing the best generator for a 15000 BTU air conditioner.

To sum up,

If you need a really quiet generator and need to charge your sensitive electronic devices go for 3000+ watt rated inverter generators we have mentioned above: Champion 3400+ RV Ready Inverter

If not, go for cheaper non-inverter open frame generators such as Durostart DS4000s or WGEN3600.

If you need a lot of power and still insist on an inverter generator, then go for Yamaha.

Most consumers have field-tested those generators in their recreational value. That means you are buying the best unit that works. You can always bookmark this page for future references.