What Size Generator Is Needed for the Advent 15,000 Btu Air Conditioner

Updated 05/02/2019 | Published 05/01/2019

Question:

Hi, Im looking at adding an A/C unit to my 26ft enclosed trailer. The trailer is black and does have an extra 6 inches in height, therefore Im trying to decide if I go 13.5K vs. 15K not typically in super hot climates, generally Midwest area. Anyway, I know this ACM150BCH unit has a startup capacitor, but Im trying to see what size generator would be needed to start and run this unit. The specs only say 1,750 wattsinch so do you have any more info on starting watts and running watts needed? Thank you.

asked by: Jon

Expert Reply:

If you are trying to decide between the Advent Air RV Air Conditioner part # ACM135BCH for 13,500 Btu's or the Advent Air RV Air Conditioner part # ACM150BCH for 15,000 Btu's then you would need take the total square footage of your trailer and then multiply that number by 20. This will then give you the correct number of Btu's that is needed to cool that area per hour. If you are in doubt, I would just go with the larger option as it will be better to have more than you need than not enough.

In regards to starting the above two units with a generator, you would need at least 4,000 watts to start the 13,500 Btu model and at least 5,000 watts to start the 15,000 Btu model. For this, we have etrailer 6,000-Watt Portable Inverter Generators part # 333-0003-2-0007 which will do the job and then some for either option.

I have asked Advent several times in the past for hard numbers on the starting and running watts while using the start capacitor and they have failed to provide this but we do have this information for the comparable Atwood option, part # AT15033-22.

expert reply by: Conner L