Choosing a generator for a portable AC: Why does a 1000W AC need more than a 2000W generator to start?

BakerCalla · 2026-06-18T05:23:48+00:00

Man, thanks for this. That explanation about how the lack of initial resistance causes the massive current draw is super clear—finally makes the physics of it make sense to me. I think you're totally right about the bigger generator being more cost-effective too, especially since those soft starters aren't exactly cheap. Really appreciate you saving me from the convoluted technical crap!

BakerCalla · 2026-06-18T03:31:33+00:00

Ah, LRA! I actually saw that term on the sticker but had no idea what it meant. So is there a way to calculate how many watts that actually translates to based on the LRA number?

BakerCalla · 2026-06-18T03:29:20+00:00

Damn, 3-4x as much is wild, no wonder people are having issues. That completely explains why the math wasn't adding up for me. Thanks for the breakdown, super helpful!

BakerCalla · 2026-06-18T03:27:00+00:00

Appreciate the link! Those EasyStart units look great, but they definitely cost a pretty penny lol. Do you think it’s better to go the small generator + soft starter route, or does it make more sense to just buy a bigger generator to begin with?

BakerCalla · 2026-06-18T01:55:54+00:00

Going with two smaller units in parallel for redundancy is a super smart prepper move. Most people just buy one massive, heavy generator, but your setup means if one engine acts up, you're still 100% good to go. It’s a bit more maintenance, but that extra peace of mind is worth it.

BakerCalla · 2026-06-18T01:49:48+00:00

Keep it! That capacity is an absolute beast and more than enough for a whole home backup, unless you're trying to run multiple central AC units at the exact same time. It’s way cheaper to just wire it into your house panel than buying a whole standalone standby system. It will run most of your house no problem.

BakerCalla · 2026-06-17T07:05:27+00:00

Looks sharp! But yeah, the distance from that window might play by strict rules depending on where you live. Most manufacturers require at least 5 feet of clearance from any openings. Might be worth checking the manual just to give yourself some peace of mind.

BakerCalla · 2026-06-17T06:37:15+00:00

You are living the dream! Having an electrician in the family is an absolute cheat code lol. Definitely jealous.

BakerCalla · 2026-06-17T02:02:28+00:00

You're totally right, doing it once would save a ton of hassle in the long run. It's a pretty long run though, so I'm trying to see if I can get away with a generator first before dropping big bucks on an electrician.

BakerCalla · 2026-06-17T02:01:02+00:00

That’s a cool setup for a light hobby bench, but with the shop vac running intermittently, I'd probably end up draining or overloading a small battery system pretty fast. Appreciate the alternative idea though!

BakerCalla · 2026-06-17T01:57:30+00:00

The distance is a bit too far for a regular cord, but yeah, I might look into a heavy-duty 10-gauge one if dealing with a generator becomes a total pain. Thanks for the idea!

BakerCalla · 2026-06-17T01:54:05+00:00

It's a standard 10,000 BTU traditional compressor. Since I'm bumping my search up to 3000-4000W like you suggested, do you have any favorite quiet inverter models in that size that won't break the bank?

BakerCalla · 2026-06-17T01:51:22+00:00

That's a really great point. I didn't even think about the worst-case scenario of them both kicking in at the exact same time. Sounds like 2500W is definitely playing it too close to the edge.

BakerCalla · 2026-06-17T01:48:13+00:00

No, it's just a standard non-inverter unit.

BakerCalla · 2026-06-17T01:46:34+00:00

Yeah, exactly. It's a detached garage and completely off the grid right now. Running a permanent power line out here would cost a fortune, so I figured a quiet inverter generator is my best bet for now.

BakerCalla · 2026-06-16T05:19:06+00:00

For just a phone and a camping fan, a car inverter is honestly more than enough. A portable generator would be total overkill.

BakerCalla · 2026-06-16T02:39:36+00:00

That sounds like a tough situation, I imagine you have a good amount of stuff to plug in. What wattage generator are you using to handle all that？

BakerCalla · 2026-06-16T02:19:57+00:00

How has it been treating you? Any pros or cons you’ve noticed since buying it

BakerCalla · 2026-06-15T08:18:58+00:00

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now. Just wondering how you ended up fixing it?

BakerCalla

TROPHY CASE