Getting the best generators for RV air conditioner will give a massive boost to your outdoor experience. While numerous models on the market with the uneven quality might engulf you, let this rounded-up collection of 6 options help you make a decision more easily:
- Champion 3400-Watt – My top pick
- Briggs & Stratton 30545 P3000 – Most affordable
- WEN 56310i-RV – Quietest
- Westinghouse iGen4500DF – Highest Wattage
- Honda Power Equipment EU3000IH1A – Highest quality
- Pulsar PG4000iSR – Remote start
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | My top pick Champion 100263 |
| View on Amazon |
 | Most affordable Briggs & Stratton 30545 P3000 |
| View on Amazon |
 | Quietest WEN 56310i-RV |
| View on Amazon |
 | Highest Wattage Westinghouse iGen4500DF |
| View on Amazon |
 | Highest quality Honda Power Equipment EU3000IH1A |
| View on Amazon |
 | Remote start Pulsar PG4000iSR |
| View on Amazon |
Champion 3400-Watt – My top pick
- Features both a recoil starter and an electric start for extra convenience
- Can run on either gasoline or propane to ensure it’s always operated when one fuel source is out
- GFCI-protected outlets that avoid electric shock efficiently
- Doesn’t have rubber outlet covers
- No remote start
Designed with the user’s safety in mind, this generator features a well-equipped control panel with an appealing and clean layout that even the low-tech individuals can use.
It’s also powerful enough to run a 15,000 BTU RV air conditioner.
The best thing about Champion 3400-watt is the dual-fuel application – gasoline and propane – to ensure continuous operation even in an emergency.
Lastly, while providing a manual recoil starter with a pull cable, it also has an additional electric start option for extra convenience, especially during the winter use.
Product Specs
| Peak Watts/Running Watts | 3400/3100 |
| Noise Level | 59 dB |
| Max Runtime | 7.5 hours on gas 14 hours on propane |
| Highlight Features | have both a recoil starter and an electric star, dual-fuel construction, GFCI-protected outlets |
Constructed as a dual fuel inverter generator, Champion 3400-Watt gives versatile applications, like RVs, camping, tailgating, and backup power plan, to be the top-pick for anyone.
Briggs & Stratton 30545 P3000 – Most affordable
- 7 outlets for versatile usage
- Has a telescope and built-in handles for extreme portability
- Features a LED and LCD message center, illustrated instruction, and user-friendly control panel to easily use
- Compared to other similar counterparts, this gives lower running watts
Not to say that there are an LED and LCD message center.
What we love the most in this unit is its Quiet Power Technology. A flip of the toggle switch (found at the control panel’s top) will lower the noise level down to 58 dB at ¼ load – quieter than a normal conversation.
Featuring a 1.5-gallon fuel tank, this generator can run continuously within 10 hours, providing up to 3000 peak watts and 2600 running watts to run any RV air conditioner overnight.
Product Specs
| Peak Watts/Running Watts | 3000/2600 |
| Noise Level | 58 dB |
| Max Runtime | 10 hours |
| Highlight Features | 7 outlets, telescope and built-in handles, LED and LCD message center, Quiet Power Technology |
Priced around $800, Briggs & Stratton 30545 is the most affordable generator with more than enough power to run not only an RV’s air conditioning system but also other smaller appliances.
WEN 56310i-RV – Quietest
- Have alert light whenever the oil is low
- All functional buttons on the control panel are guarded for ultra-safety
- Have EcoMode Switch for higher energy efficiency and quieter operation
- CARB compliant
- Hard to add oil
- The plastic shell is prone to damage
- Problems of leakages
In detail, the unit produces purely clean power while lowering emissions to be safer for sensitive electronics usage. For example, smartphones, microwave ovens, and laptops.
Featuring 3100 surge watts and 2800 rated watts, it is ideal for house appliances with electric engines, such as ACs and fridges.
On its control panel, you’ll find many functional buttons and importantly, they’re protected by a “press to reset” circuit breaker. Another worth-mentioning feature is the EcoMode Switch, highlighting only high energy efficiency but also sound pollution protection.
Product Specs
| Peak Watts/Running Watts | 3100/2800 |
| Noise Level | 57 dB |
| Max Runtime | 7.5 hours |
| Highlight Features | EcoMode Switch, have alert light, CARB-compliant, “press to reset” circuit breaker |
With only 57 decibels of noise level, WEN 56310i-RV is considered the quietest generators to perfectly use in the public campgrounds or at home without bothering your neighbors.
Westinghouse iGen4500DF – Highest Wattage
- More powerful than other dual-fuel generators
- Have a remote control for convenience and ease to use
- Covered outlets for safety and longer lifetime
- Emit lower air pollutants (according to the EPA certification)
- No complaint. We’re happy with this purchase
That said though, this unit can handle any 15,000 BTU air conditioner with excessive power to spare for everything else in your RV.
We like the Westinghouse because of its remote control, making it easy to start and utilize. And also, is the covered outlets that product the generator itself from moisture and dust, meaning a longer lifetime and safer to use.
The iGen4500DF earns some extra scores for its both CARB and EPA certification for fewer emissions as well.
Product Specs
| Peak Watts/Running Watts | 4500/3700 on gasoline 4050/3330 on propane |
| Noise Level | 52 dB |
| Max Runtime | 18 hours. |
| Highlight Features | dual-fuel generator, built-in parallel capability, Covered outlets, remote control, EPA certification |
While highlighting the highest wattage, Westinghouse iGen4500DF emphasizes EPA and CARB compliant for both safety and low emissions while operating.
Honda Power Equipment EU3000IH1A – Highest quality
- Reliable pull starts for people who love using this than an electric starter
- The lightest and most portable construction in the 3000-watt generators of Honda
- Avoid overheating and overloading sufficiently
- Require more maintenance
It additionally has an offset handle for superior maneuverability and two attached wheels at the back to move around effortlessly.
If you’re the type of camper who relies more on pull start rather than electric start models, this is what you’re after. Fans of this Japanese-made generator commented on its safety design to avoid overheating and overloading sufficiently.
Product Specs
| Peak Watts/Running Watts | 3000/2600 |
| Noise Level | 57 to 65 dB |
| Max Runtime | 7.7 hours |
| Highlight Features | offset handle & wheels, pull start, avoid overheating and overloading |
When it comes to choosing the highest quality generator for RV air conditioner, Honda EU3000IH1A is the most well-known choice on the market.
Pulsar PG4000iSR – Remote start
- Easily operate the unit from near to far
- Have an Integrated USB Outlet for charging conveniently different electronics
- Compact and lightweight design
- Bulky and heavy
- Run roughly at no or little load
It nails up 4000 peak watts, 3500 running watts, and up to 12 hours of continuous operating. Furthermore, the generator allows you to easily run it through the Remote Start and Electric Push Start.
Everything now is simplified by a simple push of a button from near or far.
While giving a parallel socket (like the Westinghouse iGen4500DF), there’s also an Integrated USB Outlet to deliver only purely clean power. A perfect electricity source for your cellular devices while being away from home.
Product Specs
| Peak Watts/Running Watts | 4000/3500 |
| Noise Level | 63 dB |
| Max Runtime | 15 hours |
| Highlight Features | Integrated USB Outlet, 4000 peak watts, 3500 running watts, Remote Start and Electric Push Start, parallel socket |
For RV travelers who wish to enhance their nomad lifestyle and freedom, the Pulsar PG4000iSR is the best candidate thanks to its convenient remote starter.
How to choose a good generator for RV air conditioner? (buying guide)
Power Output
This is the most vital feature to help you find out a suitable generator. If it’s just to operate your RV air conditioner, a 2500W to 3000W unit is a good go-to.
But in most cases, we know that you’ll also use it to run some other RV appliances, such as refrigerator, fan, and lighting. In this case, you should consider a higher power model. The number depends on how much power output you need.
To determine this indicator, list out the peak wattages and running wattages of all RV appliances (including your AC). Then, make a sum. These two numbers are what you should remember when considering the power output of a generator.
A suitable generator should feature higher surge wattage and running wattage than such number data. Don’t go any lower!
Runtime
The runtime of a generator depends on how long you intend to use it to run your RV air conditioner as well as other appliances. The longer the usage, the longer the runtime.
Also notice that longer runtime needs more fuel to consume, meaning a bigger tank and therefore, your generator will be heavier and bulkier. If your real need isn’t that much, just go for 1.5 to 2 gallons of a fuel tank.
The largest in this list is the Pulsar PG4000iSR with over 3 gallons’ fuel tanks.
Noise level
It’s not always true that the more powerful the generator, the noisier. Inverter units are a shining example of that. They provide powerful motor while keeping noise level at the low range to avoid bothersomely.
The only downside of this generator type is its costly price.
Or, you can go for the traditional generators but only the one featuring noise absorption features to decrease its noise pollution while running.
The pleasant noise level of an RV generator should be within 50 to 65 dB.
Who makes the best generators for RV air conditioner?
Champion
Three things that make Champion Power Equipment becomes one of the most popular American company are their products’ quality, outstanding design, and caring customer service.
Briggs & Stratton
This is one of the most reliable brands lately thanks to the versatile and durable built of their generators. They’re known for a favorite choice of many RV-ers with a tight budget who can’t afford such expensive models from Honda or Yamaha.
WEN
Founded in 1951, WEN has been now the worldwide brand that gives a perfect compromise of affordability and quality.
Westinghouse
In the generator industry, Westinghouse is like an OG with nearly 130 year’s expertise. They’re a leader about technologies and innovations. One of the brands that produce the first portable generator.
Honda
Produce over 46 thousand generator models in different sizes over the world, it’s possible to find at least one Honda unit fitting intensively your needs and requirements.
Pulsar
Pulsar might be the youngest brand in this list but it strikes back with the fastest growth. Their products focus on enhancing performance while keeping modest quality, making them one of the best portable generators on the market.
FAQs
What size generator do I need for a 13500/15000 BTU air conditioner?
Like refrigerators, air conditioners eat up more power to start than when it’s running. Accordingly, for a 13,500 BTU AC, the surge wattages should be 2800 to 3000W while the running wattages are within 1500 to 2000W.
With a 15,000 BTU AC, the surge wattages are 3300 to 3500W and the running wattages should be somewhere between 1300 and 1800W.
Will a 2000 watt generator run my RV AC?
With a 2000W generator, it can run an RV air conditioner for maximum 7000 BTU (featuring an average starting wattage of 1800W and running wattage of 650W)
How many hours does an RV generator last?
The runtime of an RV generator depends on the fuel tank capacity and energy efficiency rating of that unit. In general, it’s within 8 to 20 hours.
How much fuel does an RV generator use?
This is based on the fuel type that your generator is using, how energy efficiency of it, and how much you use the unit. There are three types of fuel – gas, diesel, and propane.
If you only calculate the needed fuel amount due to the fuel type, the diesel will give the highest efficiency – 75 gallons for every 2 loads’ air conditioner. Next is propane!
A standard 5000W gas generator eats up 18 gallons in every 24 hours of use and the propane needs 3.44 gallons/hour to generate 20 kWh or 6.1 gallons/hour for 35 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a generator on propane or gas?
While a propane generator consumes around 3.44 gallons/hour for 20 kWh, a gas unit just needs 0.75 gallons/hour to generate a similar or even higher amount of power.
Therefore, a gas generator runs cheaper.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the secrets to quickly determine the best generators for RV air conditioner is considering your required power output and power needs. That said though, getting know the running wattages and peak wattages of your RV air conditioner is one of the first tasks to do.
We hope this article has been helpful, especially the rounded-up list. Thanks for reading!
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I’m James J. Decker, a hobbyist and DIYs and also a big of home improvement and gardening tools. I immensely enjoy how these amazing products improve productivity and efficiency, and allow me to do jobs for which I would’ve otherwise needed professional help.
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The Westinghouse iGen4500 Portable RV Inverter Generator is a top-rated portable generator for RV air conditioner units. One of the primary reasons for this is the ease of use. The generator’s 4500 starting watts and 3,700 running watt capacities are outstanding, as well.