How to Run a Caravan Air Conditioner Using a Generator

Most caravanners know that things can get pretty hot down here in Australia. When travelling around this great country, having a caravan air conditioner can make a huge difference in terms of comfort and relaxation. But if you want to enjoy the perks of camping off-site, you’ll most likely need a generator to power your air conditioner.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to run your caravan air conditioner by choosing the right type of generator for your needs.

What type of generator should you use?

Most experts recommend using an inverter generator and for good reason. Inverter generators are usually quieter and more fuel-efficient than conventional generators, making them a perfect fit for caravanning applications.

Because a caravan air conditioner has electronic components, you’ll want to use a clean power source that’s free from voltage fluctuations. Inverter generators offer clean power by producing electricity in three phases, making them truly unique from other generators of their class.

An inverter generator throttles its engine up and down to meet your power requirements instead of running at full speed all the time. This results in incredible fuel savings, thus allowing you to enjoy using your appliances without having to worry about refilling gas.

You’ll notice that inverter generators usually come in a suitcase-like design. This helps with soundproofing the equipment itself and cutting down the noise that would otherwise disturb a peaceful campsite.

What size generator to pick up?

Inverter generators come in many different sizes and choosing the right one depends on a variety of factors. You’ll need to consider the particular make and model of the air conditioner and how it will fit your desired applications

Generators are rated by their maximum power output. Many caravanners love using a 2,000-watt generator because it gives them ample room for using multiple appliances. But if you want to run a caravan air conditioner, then you’ll most likely need a generator that has a max output fo 2,500-3,000 watts.

When you first turn the A/C on, it can consume up to 3,000 watts to get the compressor going. On average, a caravan air conditioner uses 1,000 to 2,000 watts when running at full speed. Compare that to a 200-watt laptop and a 100-watt fridge, a caravan A/C will likely be the most energy-consuming appliance in your arsenal.

Can you use a battery pack to power your A/C?

One of the most common questions people have with caravan A/Cs is whether they can use batteries to power up the unit. Some campers use their lithium battery packs along with inverter and charger setups to supply power to their caravan A/Cs.

While it is possible to run the conditioner this way, it can be quite expensive to set up. In most cases, it’s uneconomical because the batteries can drain very quickly. You’ll be better off investing in a good quality inverter generator if you truly wish to take advantage of an air conditioner.

Other factors to consider

There are a couple of things worth noting when running a caravan air conditioner off a generator. These are the temperature and extension leads. Here’s why:

Temperature

As the ambient temperature/humidity rises, the less efficient the compressor will be. This is because higher temperatures are associated with lower air density, causing ignition problems with the generator’s engine. This means at the time when you need more power to start the A/C, the generator is producing less power than it is rated at.

So if you’re camping at an area with very high temperatures, you may want to adjust your power usage accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to reduce power output by 1.5% decrease for every 5 °C above 25 °C. So on a 45 °C day, a generator will be de-rated by 4 x 1.5 = 6%.

Extension Leads

It should be noted that the extension lead from the generator going into the caravan should be no longer than 3-4 metres. This is especially true when the temperatures are high due to amperage drop over longer leads.

You will also need to factor in the load drawn by other appliances while using the A/C such as the TV, fridge, battery charger, and so on. Most people make a mistake of running an A/C unit on a generator that only meets the engine startup requirement. What ends up happening is they run into issues with their battery charger.

 If you plan on using multiple appliances whilst running the aircon, make sure to pick the right-sized generator to avoid running into power issues.

Overall, adding an A/C unit to your caravan is a worthy investment that will make your caravanning adventures more enjoyable. When choosing a generator for your air conditioner, make sure to follow these tips so that you can stay cool even in the hottest of the Australian weather.