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What Size Generator for an RV?
We loaded a typical 30 amp camper with one air conditioner. Switch to the 50 amp setup or edit the list to match your rig.
- 30 and 50 amp setups
- Counts the AC start-up surge
- Runs in your browser
| Appliance | Qty | Run W | Start W | Hrs/day | Remove |
|---|
More options: altitude
Matched to your list
Models that can run your list
The smallest models whose manufacturer specs cover your running watts and your biggest motor start. Smaller usually means cheaper, lighter and quieter.
Power station
Silent, safe indoors, no fuel. Best for fridges, CPAP and electronics.
Inverter generator
Quiet, clean power for electronics. Runs for days with fuel. Outdoors only.
Portable generator
The most watts per dollar, often dual fuel and 240 V. Loud. Outdoors only.
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30 amp vs 50 amp RV: the limits
| RV service | Max the plug can carry | Typical load (planner) | Common generator choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 amp (TT-30, 120 V) | 3,600 W | 4,200 W running / 5,000 W start | 3,500–4,500 W inverter |
| 50 amp (14-50, 120/240 V) | 12,000 W | 7,500 W running / 8,200 W start | 7,000–9,500 W, or two inverters in parallel |
Notice that a typical 30 amp list with the AC and the microwave on at once is already above what a 30 amp plug can carry. That's why many 30 amp owners run the microwave only while the AC is off.
The air conditioner decides the size
Everything else in an RV is small. The fridge, lights, water pump and TV together rarely pass 1,000 watts. The roof air conditioner is different: it runs on 1,300 to 1,700 watts and needs roughly twice that for a second to start the compressor. That start-up spike is why a generator that looks big enough on paper stalls when the AC kicks on.
- No AC needed? A 2,000 to 2,500-watt inverter generator, or a power station with solar, is plenty.
- One AC: look at 3,000 to 4,500-watt inverters, or a smaller one plus a soft start kit on the AC.
- Two ACs (50 amp): a large open-frame generator with a 50 amp outlet, or two inverter generators linked with a parallel kit.
- Point the exhaust away from your RV and your neighbors', and never run it under an awning or inside a toy hauler garage.
- Keep the RV's CO and propane detectors working, and respect campground quiet hours.
Frequently asked questions
What size generator do I need for a 30 amp RV?
A 30 amp RV service can deliver at most 3,600 watts (120 volts × 30 amps). With one 13,500 BTU air conditioner, the fridge, microwave and converter, our planner comes to about 4,200 running watts with a 5,000-watt start-up peak, so most 30 amp campers look at a 3,500 to 4,500-watt inverter generator.
What size generator do I need for a 50 amp RV?
A 50 amp RV service has two 120-volt legs of 50 amps each, up to 12,000 watts. In practice, running two 15,000 BTU air conditioners plus the kitchen needs about 7,500 running watts, so 50 amp rigs usually use a 7,000 to 9,500-watt generator with a 14-50R outlet, or two inverter generators linked in parallel.
Will a 2,000-watt generator run an RV air conditioner?
Usually not on its own. A 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner runs on about 1,300 watts but needs around 2,700 watts for a moment to start. A soft start kit installed on the AC reduces that start-up surge substantially, which is how many owners run one AC on a 2,200 to 2,500-watt inverter generator. Check the soft start maker's figures for your AC model.
Why do RVers prefer inverter generators?
They are much quieter (many campgrounds have noise limits and quiet hours), use less fuel at light loads, and produce clean power that is safe for the RV's electronics. Open-frame generators give more watts per dollar but are loud.
Can I run my RV on a portable power station instead?
For lights, the fridge, fans, a CPAP and charging, yes, especially with solar panels on the roof. An RV air conditioner, though, would drain even a 2,000 Wh power station in a couple of hours, so for AC most RVers still use a generator or shore power.
Estimates from typical appliance values; check your RV's data plate and appliance labels. Product specs from manufacturers, last checked October 21, 2026.