Running A/C on generator

[Rocko111]

I live near Las Vegas. Temps are in the about 105 today and I want to clean the fifth Wheel. My Fifth Wheel has dual A/C's and my generator only puts out 23.5 amps. House current will not run both A/C's and I can't find a way to turn off one of my A/C's. Is there a way to turn off 1 A/C?

[Eagle5]

Hi Rocko111,
I believe your 2019 30' Minnie Plus 5th Wheel should have separate 120 VAC circuit breakers going to each Air Conditioner. They should be labeled, and rated for 20 amps each. As I have never seen one of these in person, this is a guess.
Is your regular plug-in AC service a 30 amp or a dual 50 amp?
Good luck; Eagle5

[BarryLS]

In addition to the circuit breakers Eagle5 mentioned, isn't there a thermostat switch to turn the unit off and on?

[Morich]

The downside is that one Ac will likely not be enought to cool a full size fifth when in 105 temps! Sometimes we just have to live with where we live!

[Marine359]

You may be able to run both A/C off your generator by installing an easy start on both of them. My generator max output is 15 amps, and it easily runs my 13.5 Dometic Brisk II.
If you go to the Micro-air website they have charts for amperage reduction on compressor start-up and normal running. If you have 15k and 13.5k btu A/Cs, it’s likely that the easy starts can make it work on your current gennie.

[MicroMinnie]

Each Airco runs at about 13A, maybe a tad more when it’s hot. gen won’t run both even with an easy start

[corvetteSS]

I run BOTH my AC units on 30A. I installed 2 SoftStartRV units, so there is no surge current anymore. They both start simultaneously, 24 amps. no breakers flip. You would have to determine if your units are supported. Works just fine for me.

[Rocko111]

Thanks for all the help. But my problem is apparently something else too.
Hooked up my generator which is 3000 watts. When I start it I get green light
but no power to inside of Fifth Wheel. When I plug in to house socket with an extension cord I have A/C power. Don't understand it as my generator puts out 3000 watt and even a light bulb will not work in the trailer. The extension cord is getting power to the trailer but not into the trailer

[jarnarcos]

Transfer switch not clicking in when the generator runs?

[creativepart]

It sounds like he’s talking about a portable generator not a built-in genset.

If so, perhaps it’s not bonding the neutral between the RV and the generator???

[Rocko111]

So I believe my problem is that my portable generator (Honda 3500 is) is not bonding with my trailer. I have been researching this the last few days and have ordered a generator bonding plug from Amazon. Hopefully that will fix the problem. My smaller generator (Honda 650) will not supply power to the fifth wheel either. Thanks so much for the help I have received here and other sites.
Before I decided to ask questions online I had never heard of bonding. You guys are a lifesaver or should I say money saver as I'm sure an RV repair place would have charged me and arm and leg.

Thanks again

[Rocko111]

So the Bonding Plug arrived. Have to admit I was a little nervous plugging it in as I had no idea what else might work. But it did work!!! Shocking how a five dollar part made my day. So thanks for all your help. My trailer now accepts power from my generator. Was able to run both A/C's by themselves althrough the bigger A/C seemed to struggle. Don't think my 3500 Honda generator will run the bigger A/C. But thats fine as long as the smaller A/C cools the bedroom. Thanks so much for all the advice I have recieved from this site. You guys and gals have saved me a bit of money and a lot of stress

[MicroMinnie]

Your Honda should start just about any RV AC out there. 3500w that’s about 30A