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Will a 7k running watt generator run central AC with soft start kit?
Posted on 4/18/22 at 2:07 pm
Posted on 4/18/22 at 2:07 pm
AC is 3.5 ton.
7
Posted on 4/18/22 at 2:32 pm to PeteRose
You need to see what it's pulling at startup. Only way to say for sure if it will safely run it.
Posted on 4/18/22 at 2:52 pm to PeteRose
It'd be close. I can't be 100% sure, because my cheap multimeter isn't giving me the most accurate readings. But I read mid 20's amps starting amps on my 3 ton unit after installing a true soft start kit. That's almost 6k watts right there. It's likely a bit higher than that at true peak, but my meter isn't fast enough to capture it. So you couldn't have anything else of substance running when the unit starts up. And you have a 1/2 more ton unit. My 11kw has no issues with the rest of the house on.
Posted on 4/18/22 at 3:41 pm to PeteRose
I have a 6800 watt generator that will run my 3.5 ton unit, although it bogs down pretty bad when the A/C kicks on. I've since switched to a 12,000 watt generator and it has no problem.
Posted on 4/18/22 at 5:16 pm to PeteRose
(no message)
This post was edited on 10/26/22 at 11:35 am
Posted on 4/18/22 at 8:26 pm to footballdude
Do you plan to run anything else off it?
Posted on 4/18/22 at 10:37 pm to PeteRose
ITT might, but you risk low voltage on startup, which can quickly ruin sensitive electronics
Posted on 4/19/22 at 5:52 am to PeteRose
I have a soft start kit with a 3.5 ton unit and I pull anywhere from 30-33 LRA amps on start and 11 amps running. So, if yours is anywhere close to mine, thats 7-8k watt on start up which is pushing that generator to its max. I’d go bigger. I’m looking at a 10k running, 12k start generator FWIW.
Posted on 4/19/22 at 9:17 am to PeteRose
See my thread here:
LINK
With the Micro Air, I got about a 70% reduction on startup for both units. Check the nameplate and see what the LRA is and reduce by 70%. That will give you a ballpark on the surge required by the generator to get it started.
An example from my readings, 27A*240V = 6480 watts on startup (for a 3 ton). Your unit would be pushed pretty hard, especially if the unit kicks on and off a lot during an outage (which is likely in Louisiana). You’re a bit on the knife edge and upsizing your generator would probably get you there.
EDIT: forgot to include that my units are 3 ton. A 3.5 would probably push you past what your generator can handle (I agree with the previous post above me).
LINK
With the Micro Air, I got about a 70% reduction on startup for both units. Check the nameplate and see what the LRA is and reduce by 70%. That will give you a ballpark on the surge required by the generator to get it started.
An example from my readings, 27A*240V = 6480 watts on startup (for a 3 ton). Your unit would be pushed pretty hard, especially if the unit kicks on and off a lot during an outage (which is likely in Louisiana). You’re a bit on the knife edge and upsizing your generator would probably get you there.
EDIT: forgot to include that my units are 3 ton. A 3.5 would probably push you past what your generator can handle (I agree with the previous post above me).
This post was edited on 4/19/22 at 9:20 am
Posted on 4/19/22 at 12:40 pm to bapple
yeah, it's best not to risk it. I'll run the window unit during the outage. thanks for all the help.
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