Champion generator 12000w vs 4 tons AC

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Champion generator 12000w vs 4 tons AC

Рет қаралды 14,256

Күн бұрын

Electrical installation of an interlock, cabling and breaker to feed my house including AC with a 12kw (15kw peak) Champion generator. Can the generator handle the inrush amperage peak?.
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Пікірлер: 61

@peterdutile8012 2 жыл бұрын

I have this Champion! And it sure is a champion! I can run my 5 ton heat pump as well as the rest of the house with no issues.

@03otlol 2 жыл бұрын

i'm glad it worked you. and you also proved other people wrong that the gen breaker would trip if inrush amps is greater than 50 amps. also love your comment "chinese v-twin baby"

@jerryhall4678 2 жыл бұрын

Nice job here's two tips for you. You may want to install the Rectorseal KS-1 Kickstart kit to your AC. My 5 ton went from pulling 36 amps peak to 16 and my 3.5 ton went from 26 to 14 at peak start up. Install was simple two wires. Also my electrician set up a 30 amp back feed to the emergency disconnect on my 3.5 ton. This strategy allows me to power one AC via the interlock kit and the second AC via a secondary generator.

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jerry Hall, I have been looking at kickstart kits as well. I will definitely get one since my AC is old and will make it easier on the generator.

@xjetpilot 2 жыл бұрын

Great information under this video. I'm going to order the Rectorseal KS-1 Kickstart kit to reduce my startup time & amperage draw for the generator. Ty Jerry

@paulandmegian9139 2 жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS I think we have the same AC! I just installed the hard start mentioned and my in rush amps went from 99 down to 58. i'm going to try and run it with the 11,250/9200w efi champion generator. wish me luck!

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jerry, I was looking into installing a hard start too. However while they reduce inrush current they increase starting torque by increasing the phase shift between the start and run coils currents putting more stress on the bearings and rotor overall. I actually have a hard start kit for when my compressor start getting too old and lazy to start, then I will use it and run it till it dies. Now if there would be a way to switch on and off the hard start it would be perfect, taking advantage of the inrush reduction when in a power outage and not pushing the rotor that hard the rest of the time. Thank you for the feedback, hard start kits definitely help when the generator is at the limit of inrush current.

@paulandmegian9139 2 жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS you could literally just leave it installed and remove the two wires from the capacitor. The ks-1 is only two wires to hook up. Tested mine yesterday and the 9200w started the 4 ton no problem with the hard start installed. It jumped up to 75% load for a second, but then settled at 50% load running the a/c, air handler, fish tanks, computers, ceiling fans, fridge/freezer and deep freeze. it even had no problem when the well pump started, still at half load. I'm sold.

@aliceinchainz3003 2 жыл бұрын

this guy is an electrician for sure.. if i tried to do what he just did oh i'd blow the house up for sure

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

hahaha, no I'm not, I'm an Electrical Engineer. I have no idea about residential electrical codes, regulations etc. But I know my way around cables.

@Ojb_1959 Жыл бұрын

Good video 👍🏼👍🏼 I would strongly suggest installing a Microair Easy Start on your AC to reduce starting amps 50-75%. Also I made my interlock from 1/8” plate aluminum and saved $50.

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Interlocks are very expensive for what they are so it is great you DIY yours. I'm glad you liked the video. Thank you

@Boricua-tn7ve Жыл бұрын

My brother in law is a master electrician and I ask him- wouldn’t it be cheaper to just make this $80 piece of metal? His reply was “ the stickers is what’s worth the money” IMO - it’s function but I guess he knows something we don’t know. After doing my house- since he was considering a Generac - he opted going my route.

@philp3512 Жыл бұрын

I agree. You should get a soft start device like the micro air easystart to reduce the inrush of amperage. You might have even been able to run that air conditioner on your smaller generator with such a device.

@yourunclefab 2 жыл бұрын

Might want to add an easystart soft start... will help tremendously. I have a video, 7k champion runs my 3.5 ton ac. Bout to drop a new vid cuz I converted to natural gas and it still runs.

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

Hi uncleKZfaq, yes, definitely a soft start is in my TODO list for this spring. Thank you for the recommendation.

@caseystegman8030 2 жыл бұрын

408.36(D) Standard breaker can be backfed as long as secure it in place with a tie down hence the zip ties. Also a UL 489 listing requires other than pull to release the back feed breaker.

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Casey, that explains it. Thank you for providing the reference 408.36(D)

@jonathanDIYs 2 жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS Yeah, i can't believe how some kits meet the code requirements! My eaton kit had a screw down which I found better - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ntKhZ6d-sraRpoU.html.

@JG-gw3up 11 ай бұрын

You need to understand that the typical non-inverter generator puts out a total harmonic distortion (THD) in the 10-25% range. Conversely, inverter generators typically put out less than 3% THD. So, if want to run a high efficency (read computer driven) furnace, tankless hot water heater, smart TV, computer, or UPS, 10-25% THD from a non-inverter generator can reak havoc and sometimes even damage the computer controls of your high efficency furnace or computer driven devices. So, if you want to run sensitive electronics, be sure to get an inverter-generator.

@BUTTEWORKS 11 ай бұрын

I have all my sensitive electronics, computer, TV, chargers, audio etc connected to UPS as a "firewall" to "dirty" power. In any case, none inverter Honda generators have a THD of 6% or less, none inverter Westinghouse 5%. But agree with you, inverter will be safer with electronics.

@bubbatime 2 жыл бұрын

That huge v twin will suck some gas during a summer power outage. Like $50-80 a day worth. Might be better to get a small window AC unit, and use a smaller generator, and hunker down in the master bedroom, until the power comes back on.

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

It would uses 10gal a day so down here in Texas will be less than $30. I'm counting with three or four days with no power so total $100 of cool down house down here during hell season it is totally worth it to me. Thank you for your comment Scott.

@orlandoherreraoutdoorstexa7353 2 жыл бұрын

Buen echo jovan!

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

Gracias

@demoll78 2 жыл бұрын

They all have a 30 to 38 amp breaker on gen it will trip

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

The Champion 15000 has a double 50amp breaker for the 50amp outlet.

@aaronromero7723 2 жыл бұрын

Nice i. Looking to to this. Quick question. Around how much u spend on this . Thank you

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

The generator $2200, cable, breaker, socket around $150 and the interlock $60

@mooosestang 2 жыл бұрын

Did you pull a permit?😁 I don't have a finished wall so i'm running a short length of conduit through my cement wall to the box outside, but other than that basically the same installation. I'm using 6# thnn wire instead of romex 6/3 just because i don't want any issues with the code inspector. These champion generators are confusing. I ordered the 11.5kw peak with fuel injection and it shows two 38a breakers. i'll have to upgrade my multi meter so i can check the amps.

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

No permit, I don't think you need one. That generator you bought should give you 95amps at 120V so it could start a 4t AC.

@mooosestang 2 жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS Not sure about texas, but here in Florida you need a permit anytime you are adding a new circuit. That doesn't mean everyone gets one.😁 I'm not sure how the amps work for these generators. Champion themselves said mine will output 38.3A at 240v

@xjetpilot 2 жыл бұрын

I've been looking hard at purchasing this 12K watt Champion generator. I need to run a 5-ton (60,000 BTU) AC, a 13 cu ft. upright freezer (non energy star), and a 26cu ft. Samsung refrigerator / freezer. Just those 3 items in this AZ summer heat, if the power goes out. I've run a ton of calculations, but am just running an educated guess on the startup/ running watts required for the 5 ton AC. Anyone have any input? I don't want to chance purchasing this if it can't handle the load. Contacted Champion but they didn't give me any information. The rep just tried to upsell me on a fixed outdoor generator unit. My calculations appear high . Appreciate any input, thanks.

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

5 tons AC start up should be around 120amps and running around 30amps. It will say in you AC manual, compressor unit sticker or you can download the PDF specs from your unit.

@xjetpilot 2 жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS emailed you my AC specs for reference, along with some calculations. I think my numbers are too high / over-estimated. 120A x 240V = 28,800 watts startup and 30A x 240V = 7200 watts running.

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

@@xjetpilot The generator is not putting all the amperage in the start but the capacitor in the AC unit. For the running your numbers are correct. If you have an amp meter you can measure the amperage while connected to the grid to know these values as I did. You can also install a hard start ac kit to reduce the time for the motor to start.

@xjetpilot 2 жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS I just purchased a quality T-RMS clamp multimeter to take some measurements here at home on the 5-Ton (16 SEER) power draw. I was surprised by your current samples of 98A (Peak) and 13.8A (running). If you convert those to watts, they come out to 98 x 240 = 23,520W (peak) and 13.8 x 240 = 3,312W (running). The peak is what surprised me. That Champion gen can handle a peak of 15,000W. Surprised the Gen breaker didn't trip. That Champion is a monster. Just wondering ... what does your meter on the Gen show? Are you usually running in the green LED range with an electrical load, or does it ever wander into the Amber range? Great video BW, thanks.

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

@@xjetpilot The peak with last miliseconds is strongly supported by the capacitor in the AC unit, not the generator. The capacitor is like the jump start. In the video you can see the green LEDs when the AC kicks in, it only lit one and not for long, see 4:28 so the generator didn't even put out much power. Your generator will mostly have to provide the 3.3Kw running not the 23Kw peak. I will do another video measuring the power delivered by the generator at the breaker panel not at the compressor since the peak you see in my video is influenced by the capacitor.

@demoll78 2 жыл бұрын

It say 50 amps but the generator breaker on a 30 amp 240x30=7200

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

Indomitable, this generator has a double 50A breaker, one per pole.

@leblanc7275 2 жыл бұрын

I ordered a 12000 watt gen and will convert to natural Gas so I know I'll lose a bit of power but I'm hoping it will run my 4 ton, what do you think? It should be a solid 10kw

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

I think will do it no problem, it is just a fraction of time what needs to provide the high amperage. Once you try I would appreciate if you post your findings so we all learn. Thank you Jeramie

@rabalos21 Жыл бұрын

Have you tried this out yet? I’m getting your exact setup at my home

@philp3512 Жыл бұрын

10k will definitely power such an air conditioning unit, but most likely only if you have a soft starting device.

@casmor08 2 жыл бұрын

Hello, can you please list all the link of the accessories needed to install or to connect the generator.. ? Thanks

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

Hbeltran, the interlock is specific of each breaker panel so you need to check in the door of your breaker panel which model you have and buy the one that fit yours. The outdoor socket I used is www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQT47S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

@casmor08 2 жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS that outdoor inlet socket is 30 amp.. do i need the 30 amp or 50 amp? I have the 4 ton ac

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

@@casmor08 You will need the 50 amps one and a generator with 50 amps outlet as well. I think most 9000w and up have 50 amps outlets already.

@casmor08 2 жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS and would 9,000-10,000 watts generator work on 4 ton ac?

@demoll78 2 жыл бұрын

240x98amps??? 23,520

@BUTTEWORKS 2 жыл бұрын

The capacitor in AC does not deliver any current, it only creates a phase shift between the start winding current and run winding current to increase the starting torque and overcome the initial resistance of the rotor to turn due to its mass. I measured the amperage at the generator output and was exactly 96 amps. How can a 15kw peak generator deliver 96 amps?. I don't know but the breaker does not trip.