Amps to BTUs
- Thread starter tig1
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Hi tig1. I went to Home Depot and looked at a 24,000 BTU unit and they said 11 Amps at 220 volts. So your 15 A is maybe on the hi side but, reasonable. Ed
Depends on voltage.
It depends on many variables including the voltage and EER rating.
Here's an example of a 230 volt unit using 8.8 amps:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203274045?p...#specifications
You will find a fairly wide variation from unit to unit.
Here's an example of a 230 volt unit using 8.8 amps:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203274045?p...#specifications
You will find a fairly wide variation from unit to unit.
11 amps at 220 volts is 2420 watts.
Power draw will be almost constant at different voltages since power consumption will be the same. So if you're running 110 volts, current will be 22 amps, or maybe a bit more due to additional resistive losses due to the higher current.
Power draw will be almost constant at different voltages since power consumption will be the same. So if you're running 110 volts, current will be 22 amps, or maybe a bit more due to additional resistive losses due to the higher current.
JHZR2
Staff member
What's the efficiency of the cycle and the voltage of the machine?
Your 5K gen may not be enough to start the AC unit. My central ac (24,000) takes 3800 to run and additional 5000 to start for a total of 8800 watts. Not all ac units draw the same. Check the tag on your unit. You may want to google "AC kicker capacitor" to help start the unit. I don't run mine with a gen. Think about the basics. Gas can very hard to find with a large gen takes atleast 5-10 gallons a day.
Dave
Dave
So you're around 2kW. It'll draw more power than that to start though. I'm also ignoring power factor here, though it's a safe bet it's inductive. So current will lag the voltage.
Hopefully your generator produces a nice, smooth sine wave as motors like to be fed that way.
Hopefully your generator produces a nice, smooth sine wave as motors like to be fed that way.
Voltage or amps does not equal BTU. It only equates to watts.
The efficiency of the unit is what matters , including the freon their using , the type of bearing used in fan , and all the engineering does behinde the seen.
Something as simple as lubricant used for the fans can make diffrence between extra 50watt of juice used at full load.
The efficiency of the unit is what matters , including the freon their using , the type of bearing used in fan , and all the engineering does behinde the seen.
Something as simple as lubricant used for the fans can make diffrence between extra 50watt of juice used at full load.
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What's the efficiency of the cycle and the voltage of the machine?
240 Volts at 9.4. The reason I am asking is I need to know if I can run this unit on my 5KW generator.
Is your 5KW generator an inverter type or a 3600 RPM type?
And what is the peak surge wattage? Because that is what is going to determine how much start surge current the generator can supply.
Usually the 3600 RPM type can handle the start up current better.
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As an example, my Coleman Powermate 5000 Watt, 6250 Watt peak, can put out 26 Amps for a brief time. 6250 Watts / 240 Volts = 26 Amps. And our whole house AC is on a 30 amp 240 Volt braker. With nothing else in the entire house running, my Coleman generator can start and run the whole house AC. The 10 HP Tecumseh HM-100 motor really throttles up when that load is applied. The RPMs stay the same, but you can hear the exhaust get louder.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What's the efficiency of the cycle and the voltage of the machine?
240 Volts at 9.4. The reason I am asking is I need to know if I can run this unit on my 5KW generator.
Is your 5KW generator an inverter type or a 3600 RPM type?
And what is the peak surge wattage? Because that is what is going to determine how much start surge current the generator can supply.
Usually the 3600 RPM type can handle the start up current better.
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As an example, my Coleman Powermate 5000 Watt, 6250 Watt peak, can put out 26 Amps for a brief time. 6250 Watts / 240 Volts = 26 Amps. And our whole house AC is on a 30 amp 240 Volt braker. With nothing else in the entire house running, my Coleman generator can start and run the whole house AC. The 10 HP Tecumseh HM-100 motor really throttles up when that load is applied. The RPMs stay the same, but you can hear the exhaust get louder.
Some whole house AC units now days even have a soft start, where the outside fan motor is delayed a few seconds to reduce the surge draw when the compressor is started. Delaying the inside house air circulation motor is fairly common and that also helps reduce the surge when the compressor motor starts.
Approximate but check this out:
http://www.rheem.com/documents/seregen400-wattage-worksheet
It seems like no given there approximations of 9700 watts for a 12k btu unit. It seems to show house units have a soft start where window units do not. It is apparent a window unit does not when you can notice on line voltage it drops out.
http://www.rheem.com/documents/seregen400-wattage-worksheet
It seems like no given there approximations of 9700 watts for a 12k btu unit. It seems to show house units have a soft start where window units do not. It is apparent a window unit does not when you can notice on line voltage it drops out.
Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What's the efficiency of the cycle and the voltage of the machine?
240 Volts at 9.4. The reason I am asking is I need to know if I can run this unit on my 5KW generator.
Is your 5KW generator an inverter type or a 3600 RPM type?
And what is the peak surge wattage? Because that is what is going to determine how much start surge current the generator can supply.
Usually the 3600 RPM type can handle the start up current better.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As an example, my Coleman Powermate 5000 Watt, 6250 Watt peak, can put out 26 Amps for a brief time. 6250 Watts / 240 Volts = 26 Amps. And our whole house AC is on a 30 amp 240 Volt braker. With nothing else in the entire house running, my Coleman generator can start and run the whole house AC. The 10 HP Tecumseh HM-100 motor really throttles up when that load is applied. The RPMs stay the same, but you can hear the exhaust get louder.
My gen is also a 5KW-6250 start Coleman Powermate, but has the Sabaru engine. What is the BTUs of your AC?
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What's the efficiency of the cycle and the voltage of the machine?
240 Volts at 9.4. The reason I am asking is I need to know if I can run this unit on my 5KW generator.
Is your 5KW generator an inverter type or a 3600 RPM type?
And what is the peak surge wattage? Because that is what is going to determine how much start surge current the generator can supply.
Usually the 3600 RPM type can handle the start up current better.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As an example, my Coleman Powermate 5000 Watt, 6250 Watt peak, can put out 26 Amps for a brief time. 6250 Watts / 240 Volts = 26 Amps. And our whole house AC is on a 30 amp 240 Volt braker. With nothing else in the entire house running, my Coleman generator can start and run the whole house AC. The 10 HP Tecumseh HM-100 motor really throttles up when that load is applied. The RPMs stay the same, but you can hear the exhaust get louder.
My gen is also a 5KW-6250 start Coleman Powermate, but has the Sabaru engine. What is the BTUs of your AC?
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