What size generator do I need to run an RV air conditioner?

Q: What size generator do I need to run an RV air conditioner?

Plan on at least 2350 running watts and 3450 watts of surge capacity. That covers 1845W of running load plus the largest start-up surge, with 25% headroom.

The 13,500 BTU rooftop AC defines RV generator sizing — its starting surge is what separates the generators that work from the ones that almost work.

The load

RV air conditioner (13,500 BTU) — 1300W running, 2900W starting
RV converter/charger — 500W running
Wi-Fi router + modem — 15W running
LED lights (per room) — 30W running

SIZING PLATE4 LOADS · +25% HEADROOM

Total running watts

1,845 W

Peak (largest start)

3,445 W

Buy at least

2,350 W rated

Look for ~2,350W running / 3,450W surge or better.

Field note: A soft-start kit (roughly a hundred dollars installed) can cut the AC's starting surge nearly in half and let a smaller, quieter, lighter generator do the job. It's often cheaper than buying the next generator size up.

Right size: Mid-size inverter (3,500W / 4,000W surge)

Typical price $600-1,400 · e.g. Champion 4250 open-frame inverter, Westinghouse iGen4500, Generac GP3500iO

RV 13,500 BTU AC (especially with soft-start), fridge + window AC, storm essentials for smaller homes. The sweet spot of quiet, portability, and real capacity for most first-time buyers.

See current prices on Amazon

One size up: Mid-size portable (6,500W / 8,100W surge)

Typical price $700-1,200 · e.g. Westinghouse WGen6500, Champion 6250, Generac GP6500

Storm essentials with margin: fridge, freezer, sump pump, furnace fan, well pump (240V models), lights and electronics together. Louder open-frame design; electronics prefer models with THD under 5% or an inverter.

See current prices on Amazon

Adjust for your setup

Different fridge? Bigger AC? Uncheck and re-check below — the plate recomputes live.

SIZING PLATE4 LOADS · +25% HEADROOM

Total running watts

1,845 W

Peak (largest start)

3,445 W

Buy at least

2,350 W rated

Look for ~2,350W running / 3,450W surge or better.

Peak assumes your largest motor starts while everything else runs — the honest worst case. Start big motors one at a time and a smaller unit may cope, but this number won't let you down.

Kitchen Refrigerator (full-size) 300W run / 1500W start Mini fridge 90W run / 700W start Chest freezer 250W run / 1200W start Microwave (1000W) 1400W run Electric range (one burner) 1500W run Coffee maker (drip) 900W run Toaster 1100W run Electric kettle 1400W run Dishwasher 1300W run / 1500W start Instant Pot / multicooker 1000W run

Heating & cooling Window AC (5,000 BTU) 500W run / 1500W start Window AC (8,000 BTU) 800W run / 2200W start Window AC (12,000 BTU) 1100W run / 3000W start Central AC (3-ton) 3500W run / 8500W start Space heater (1500W) 1500W run Furnace blower fan (gas furnace) 600W run / 1600W start Heat pump (2-ton) 2500W run / 6000W start Box fan 100W run / 150W start Ceiling fan 75W run / 100W start

Pumps & well Sump pump (1/3 HP) 800W run / 1500W start Sump pump (1/2 HP) 1050W run / 2200W start Well pump (1/2 HP) 1000W run / 2100W start Well pump (1 HP) 2000W run / 4000W start Sewage ejector pump (1/2 HP) 1000W run / 2200W start

Electronics TV (55" LED) 80W run Wi-Fi router + modem 15W run Laptop 65W run Desktop PC + monitor 350W run / 400W start Phone charger 10W run Starlink dish + router 75W run / 100W start

Medical & safety CPAP machine 60W run Oxygen concentrator 350W run / 600W start

Lighting LED lights (per room) 30W run

Laundry Washing machine 700W run / 1600W start Clothes dryer (electric) 5000W run / 6000W start Clothes dryer (gas) 700W run / 1800W start

Household Garage door opener (1/2 HP) 550W run / 1200W start Water heater (electric tank) 4500W run EV charging (Level 1, 120V) 1400W run

Tools & outdoor Circular saw 1400W run / 2300W start Air compressor (1 HP) 1500W run / 3000W start Welder (140A MIG) 3500W run / 4000W start

RV & camping RV air conditioner (13,500 BTU) 1300W run / 2900W start RV converter/charger 500W run Electric griddle 1200W run Slow cooker 250W run

Generators that fit

Right size: Mid-size inverter (3,500W / 4,000W surge)

Typical price $600-1,400 · e.g. Champion 4250 open-frame inverter, Westinghouse iGen4500, Generac GP3500iO

RV 13,500 BTU AC (especially with soft-start), fridge + window AC, storm essentials for smaller homes. The sweet spot of quiet, portability, and real capacity for most first-time buyers.

See current prices on Amazon

One size up: Mid-size portable (6,500W / 8,100W surge)

Typical price $700-1,200 · e.g. Westinghouse WGen6500, Champion 6250, Generac GP6500

See current prices on Amazon

This site earns commissions from qualifying purchases made through links to Amazon and other retailers, at no extra cost to you. Wattage figures are typical estimates — actual draw varies by model. Always verify against your appliance's nameplate, and consult a licensed electrician for any panel or hardwired connections.