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What Size Generator To Run A Dometic AC Unit With A Soft Start?  

Updated 01/19/2026 | Published 08/10/2024

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Question:

Help! Woman going crazy trying to figure out which size/wattage portable generator to power roof 13,500 BTU Dometic AC for a 19foot 2022 Gulfstream Amerilite 199RK travel trailer. Keep getting wildly different answers from retail RV stores, mechanics, etc. So far, Ive been able to find that it has approx. 1300 running watts, which should be no problem for a 2500 watt genny, but starting watts seems to jump to around 3800 watts, which seems like a problem, but not sure. Several guys have said the 2500 @ about 39 lbs. dry weight will run it if we buy a soft startfoot to reduce the initial pull on it - do you think thats a valid statement? I dont care about running anything else but the AC, if thats necessary. BUT, being the dummy I am about these things, can other electrical items in the trailer - refer, etc. - run off the 12V volt battery at the same time the trailers hooked up to a genny to run the AC? Or is it all or nothing? Sure as heck hope so, as my husbands in great shape, but hes also 80, and can lift a 48 lb. sack of dog food, but a bigger genny is out of the question. Any help you can give me would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. We had a wonderful Dynmax Class C motorhome so this wasnt a problem before, but it burned to a crisp in a house/garage fire, so were down to a trailer - poohie, but better than nothing! Thanks so much for reading. PS - he doesnt know Im writing this...tee hee...wont he think Im smart after I tell him what Ive learned, via you guys?!

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Expert Reply:

Hello Annie, nice to hear from you again. So yes, you can use a Soft Start such as part # SSR54FR to reduce the startup power demand for your AC unit. This can reduce startup wattage by up to 70 percent, so definitely nice to have for running an AC unit off a generator. The # SSR54FR I mentioned is confirmed to work with the Dometic AC units too.

It is possible to run other appliances while the AC is running. Just keep in mind the power requirements for each appliance, and the capability of your generator. Take a look at the A-iPower 3,800-Watt Portable Inverter Generators # 289-SUA2000i-2. This is a pair of generators capable of 3,000 running watts when used in parallel. Each generator by itself weighs only 46 lbs, so a little less than a bag of dog food. They have enough capacity to start and run an AC with a soft start, and potentially another appliance or two depending on their power requirements.

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions. I am happy to help make your husband think you are an expert :)

expert reply by:
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Jesse M
Jesse M. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Jesse M.

1/19/2026

Hey Annie, how did things go with the Soft Start and the generator setup for your Dometic AC? Were you able to get it running smoothly without tripping the power? Your update could make it easier for others trying to power their trailer AC the same way.


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