[C320-list] Air conditioner voltage

[Doug Treff]

I'm thinking that 900 Watts is just not capable. I've heard success stories with the 2000 watt generators, with a caveat:

It's not the continuous amperage you need to worry about, it's the start-up amps. I have heard there are "soft-start" capacitors that can be installed which will enable 2000 watt generators to run a boat AC but I have no personal experience with them.

Here is a link to a discussion on CruisersForum that talks about it:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f115/soft-start-options-for-air-conditioning-207985.html

And here is a link to a specific product that I found using a google search. Be sure to check specifics with the vendor to make sure your particular setup will benefit from this:
https://www.microair.net/products/easystart-364-3-ton-single-phase-soft-starter-for-air-conditioners?variant=30176048267

--
Doug Treff
doug at treff.us

On Tue, Jul 30, 2019, at 12:07 PM, Ted Harrison wrote:
> Thanks Dean that is great information. 
> 
> Ted Harrison
> 
> > On Jul 30, 2019, at 11:30 AM, Dean Vermeire <dean at vermeire.us> wrote:
> > 
> > I don't know what air conditioner you have, but the MarinAire 16000 btu reverse cycle air conditioner consumes 1480W max.
> > 
> > Dean Vermeire
> > 
> >> On 7/30/2019 10:17 AM, Ted Harrison wrote:
> >> Does anyone know how many watts it takes to run the air conditioner?
> >> 
> >> I just tried a Ryobi 900 watt generator that is compact and runs on the small propane tanks.
> >> 
> >> It charges the batteries fine. So I wondered if it would run the air conditioner! Wishful thinking.  So I was wondering how many watts does it take to run the air?
> >> 
> >> 
> >> Ted Harrison
> >> Hull 424 1997
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
>