What Size Generator For 30 Amp RV?
If you are a newbie to the RV world, there are many things you may be confused about. Among them might be the electrical service of your RV.
You probably know that RVs mostly have either 50- or 30-amp service, but what do these numbers even mean? Well, if this is the question that bothers you, we think we have the answer.
So, what size generator do you need for a 30 AMP RV? The maximum wattage a 30 AMP RV can use is 3,600 watts, anything more than this is going to waste. However, depending on how many appliances you’re using, a 3,000-watt generator is likely sufficient.
What is a 30-amp service?
First of all, let’s try to understand what 30-amp service in RVs even is.
Electrical systems in RVs are designed to let through only so much power, depending on their amperage and voltage. In this sense, there is a huge difference between 30- and 50-amp services.
The importance here lies in the plug of the electrical systems. Plugs in 30-amp RVs have 3 wires – one 120V wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire. 50-amp plugs have 4 wires – two 120V, neutral, and ground wires.
An ampere can be expressed through the relationship amperage = wattage/voltage. Since we have the amperage and voltage for both 30- and 50-amp services, we can easily calculate their maximum wattage after a simple rearrangement of the formula.
So, the maximum wattage for 30-amp service would be equal to 120V x 30A, which is 3,600 watts. For 50-amp service, the maximum wattage would be 2 x 120V x 50A, which is 12,000 watts. For 50-amp service, we multiply 120V by 2 since its plug has two 120V wires.
While the difference between the amperages of 30- and 50-amp services may seem not that much, what they are actually capable of differs quite a bit. 50-amp service can work with over three times more power than 30-amp service!
Due to this, 30-amp service is installed in RVs that don’t have that many appliances and equipment to begin with. RV manufacturers usually offer optional 50-amp service though for those who do need the additional watts. But if you know that your power requirements are going to fit within those 3,600 watts, then there is no need for you to go for 50-amp service since it would be overkill.
Our recommended Generators for a 30 amp service are as follows:
Westinghouse 4650 Peak Watt Portable Generator
The Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment 4650 Peak Watt Portable Generator is a power generation system designed for outdoor use. It is a gasoline-powered generator with a peak output of 4650 watts and a running output of 3600 watts. This generator is ideal for powering essential appliances during power outages, outdoor activities, and camping trips.
The generator is equipped with a 4-gallon fuel tank that can provide up to 18 hours of continuous operation at a 25% load. It features a 4-stroke 223cc OHV engine, which is efficient, durable, and produces less noise and emissions than traditional engines.
The Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment 4650 Peak Watt Portable Generator is also designed for ease of use and convenience. It features an intuitive control panel that includes two 120V household outlets, one 120V/240V twist-lock outlet, and one RV-ready 120V outlet. The panel also includes circuit breaker protection and an hour meter that tracks usage and helps with maintenance.
- 4650 peak watts and 3600 running watts output
- 4-gallon fuel tank for up to 18 hours of continuous operation at 25% load
- 4-stroke 223cc OHV engine for efficiency, durability, and reduced noise and emissions
- Control panel with two 120V household outlets, one 120V/240V twist-lock outlet, and one RV-ready 120V outlet, circuit breaker protection, and an hour meter
- Portability with never-flat wheels and a foldable handle for easy movement and storage
- Maintenance kit with oil funnel, oil, and tool kit included
- RV ready with TT-30R receptacle to power RVs directly
- EPA and CARB compliant for safe use and reduced emissions
- 3-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support for added peace of mind.
Additionally, this generator is designed with portability in mind. It features never-flat wheels and a foldable handle, which make it easy to move around and store. It also comes with an oil funnel, oil, and a tool kit to help with maintenance.
Overall, the Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment 4650 Peak Watt Portable Generator is a reliable, efficient, and convenient power generation system that can be used for a variety of outdoor activities and emergency situations.
Westinghouse 4500 Peak Watt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator with Remote Electric Start
The Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment 4500 Peak Watt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator with Remote Electric Start (very handy in the middle of the night) is a powerful and efficient generator that is designed for outdoor use. This generator uses advanced inverter technology to provide clean and stable power, making it safe for sensitive electronics like laptops and smartphones.
With a peak output of 4500 watts and a running output of 3700 watts, this generator is capable of powering multiple appliances at once. It has a 3.4-gallon fuel tank that can provide up to 18 hours of continuous operation at a 25% load, making it ideal for camping trips, outdoor events, and emergency backup power.
The generator is equipped with a 224cc 4-stroke OHV engine that is super quiet, producing only 52 decibels of noise at a 25% load. This makes it perfect for use in residential areas or at outdoor events where noise levels need to be kept low.
One of the standout features of this generator is its remote electric start capability, which allows you to start the generator from up to 109 yards away with the included key fob. This makes it convenient to start and stop the generator without having to be near it.
- 4500 peak watts and 3700 running watts output
- Inverter technology for clean and stable power, safe for sensitive electronics
- 3.4-gallon fuel tank for up to 18 hours of continuous operation at a 25% load
- 224cc 4-stroke OHV engine that is super quiet, producing only 52 decibels of noise at a 25% load
- Remote electric start capability with key fob that allows starting the generator from up to 109 yards away
- Digital display that shows important information like remaining run time, fuel level, and power output
- Eco-mode that adjusts engine speed to match power demand, reducing fuel consumption and extending run time
- RV ready with TT-30R receptacle to power RVs directly
- Parallel capable with a compatible Westinghouse generator to double the power output
- Low oil shutdown and overload protection for added safety
- EPA and CARB compliant for safe use and reduced emissions
- 3-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support for added peace of mind.
Overall, the Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment 4500 Peak Watt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator with Remote Electric Start is a reliable and efficient power generation system that is perfect for a variety of outdoor activities and emergency situations.
Champion Power Equipment 4250-Watt, RV Ready, Inverter Generator
The Champion Power Equipment 200954 4250-Watt RV Ready Open Frame Inverter Generator is a portable and reliable power solution that is designed for outdoor activities, camping, RVing, and emergency backup power. Here are some key features of this generator:
The generator is powered by a 224cc Champion engine and is capable of delivering 4250 starting watts and 3500 running watts. This is enough power to run most RV air conditioners, appliances, and electronics.
It features inverter technology that produces clean and stable power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion. This makes it safe for sensitive electronics like laptops, smartphones, and TVs.
The 4250 comes with a 120V 30A RV (TT-30R) outlet that allows you to easily connect your RV and power it up.
The generator has an open frame design that makes it lightweight and easy to carry. It weighs 98.3 pounds and comes with a convenient handle and wheels for easy transportation.
It has a 2.3-gallon fuel tank that can run for up to 22 hours at 25% load. This makes it a fuel-efficient option for extended outdoor trips.
The 4250 has several safety features, including a low oil shut-off sensor, a durable steel frame, and a built-in surge protector.
- Power output: 4250 starting watts and 3500 running watts
- Inverter technology: produces clean and stable power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion
- RV ready: comes with a 120V 30A RV (TT-30R) outlet
- Open frame design: lightweight and easy to carry, weighs 98.3 pounds and comes with a handle and wheels
- Fuel efficiency: 2.3-gallon fuel tank can run for up to 22 hours at 25% load
- Safety features: low oil shut-off sensor, durable steel frame, built-in surge protector
Overall, the Champion Power Equipment 4250-Watt RV Ready Open Frame Inverter Generator is a reliable and efficient power solution for outdoor activities and emergency backup power. Its inverter technology, RV ready feature, and fuel efficiency make it a popular choice among RVers and campers.
Champion Power Equipment 4500-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator
The Champion Power Equipment 200988 4500-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator is a versatile and reliable power solution that is designed for outdoor activities, camping, RVing, and emergency backup power. Here are some key features of this generator:
It can run on either gasoline or propane, giving you more flexibility and convenience in fuel options.
The 4500 is powered by a 224cc Champion engine and is capable of delivering 4500 starting watts and 3500 running watts on gasoline, and 4050 starting watts and 3150 running watts on propane. This is enough power to run most RV air conditioners, appliances, and electronics.
Champion features inverter technology that produces clean and stable power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion. This makes it safe for sensitive electronics like laptops, smartphones, and TVs.
It comes with a 120V 30A RV (TT-30R) outlet that allows you to easily connect your RV and power it up.
The generator is designed to be portable and comes with a convenient handle and wheels for easy transportation. It weighs 95.7 pounds.
The 4250 has a 2.3-gallon fuel tank that can run for up to 14.5 hours on gasoline and 10.5 hours on propane at 25% load. This makes it a fuel-efficient option for extended outdoor trips.
Champion generators have several safety features, including a low oil shut-off sensor, a durable steel frame, and a built-in surge protector.
- Dual fuel: can run on either gasoline or propane
- Power output: 4500 starting watts and 3500 running watts on gasoline, and 4050 starting watts and 3150 running watts on propane
- Inverter technology: produces clean and stable power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion
- RV ready: comes with a 120V 30A RV (TT-30R) outlet
- Portable design: comes with a handle and wheels for easy transportation, weighs 95.7 pounds
- Fuel efficiency: 2.3-gallon fuel tank can run for up to 14.5 hours on gasoline and 10.5 hours on propane at 25% load
- Safety features: low oil shut-off sensor, durable steel frame, built-in surge protector
Overall, the Champion Power Equipment 200988 4500-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator is a versatile and efficient power solution for outdoor activities, camping, RVing, and emergency backup power. Its dual fuel option, inverter technology, RV ready feature, and fuel efficiency make it a popular choice among RVers and campers.
Generac 7127 IQ3500 3,500-Watt Gas-Powered Portable Generator
The Generac IQ3500-Watt Gas-Powered Portable Generator is a compact and versatile power solution that is designed for outdoor activities, camping, and emergency backup power. Here are some key features of this generator:
The generator is powered by a 212cc OHV engine and is capable of delivering 3500 starting watts and 3000 running watts. This is enough power to run most RV air conditioners, appliances, and electronics.
It features inverter technology that produces clean and stable power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion. This makes it safe for sensitive electronics like laptops, smartphones, and TVs.
The IQ3500 is designed to be compact and portable, with built-in handles and wheels for easy transportation. It weighs 109.1 pounds.
Generac IQ3500 has a 2.6-gallon fuel tank that can run for up to 8.9 hours at 25% load. This makes it a fuel-efficient option for extended outdoor trips.
It operates at a low noise level of 57 decibels, making it suitable for use in residential areas and campgrounds.
The IQ3500 generator features an LCD display that shows important information such as fuel level, remaining runtime, and power output.
- Parallel ready: The generator can be connected in parallel with another IQ3500 generator to increase the power output.
- Power output: The generator produces 3500 starting watts and 3000 running watts of power. This is enough to power essential appliances during a power outage or to run RV air conditioners, refrigerators, and electronics while camping.
- Inverter technology: The generator features inverter technology that provides stable and clean power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion. This technology makes it safe for sensitive electronics like laptops, smartphones, and TVs.
- Portable design: The generator is designed to be compact and portable, with built-in handles and wheels for easy transportation. It weighs 109.1 pounds, making it relatively lightweight for its power output.
- Fuel efficiency: The generator has a 2.6-gallon fuel tank that can run for up to 8.9 hours at 25% load. This is a relatively fuel-efficient runtime, which makes it ideal for extended outdoor trips or for use as an emergency backup power source.
- Quiet operation: The generator operates at a low noise level of 57 decibels, making it suitable for use in residential areas and campgrounds without disturbing others.
- LCD display: The generator features an LCD display that shows important information such as fuel level, remaining runtime, and power output. This display provides essential information about the generator’s performance and allows you to monitor it easily.
Overall, the Generac 7127 IQ3500 3,500-Watt Gas-Powered Portable Generator is a reliable and efficient power solution for outdoor activities, camping, and emergency backup power. Its inverter technology, portable design, fuel efficiency, and quiet operation make it a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts.
GENMAX Portable Inverter Generator, 5500W ultra-quiet gas engine
Outdoor activities, camping, and emergency backup power. Here are some key features of this generator:
The GENMAX 5500W is powered by a 389cc OHV engine and is capable of delivering 5500 starting watts and 5000 running watts. This is enough power to run most RV air conditioners, appliances, and electronics.
It features inverter technology that produces clean and stable power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion. This makes it safe for sensitive electronics like laptops, smartphones, and TVs.
The generator operates at a low noise level of 52 decibels, making it one of the quietest generators on the market. This makes it suitable for use in residential areas, campgrounds, and other noise-sensitive environments.
The GENMAX 5500W has an eco-mode feature that automatically adjusts the engine speed to the load demand. This helps to reduce fuel consumption and noise levels while extending the generator’s runtime.
The generator is designed to be portable, with built-in handles and wheels for easy transportation. It weighs 119 pounds.
It is EPA compliant, which means that it meets strict emission standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
GENMAX 5500W has multiple outlets, including two 120V AC outlets, one 120V twist-lock outlet, and one 120/240V twist-lock outlet. This allows you to power a variety of devices and appliances.
- Power output: 5500 starting watts and 5000 running watts
- Inverter technology: produces clean and stable power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion
- Ultra-quiet operation: operates at a low noise level of 52 decibels
- Eco-mode feature: automatically adjusts engine speed to load demand, reducing fuel consumption and noise levels
- Portable design: built-in handles and wheels for easy transportation, weighs 119 pounds
- EPA compliant: meets strict emission standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency
- Multiple outlets: two 120V AC outlets, one 120V twist-lock outlet, and one 120/240V twist-lock outlet
Overall, the GENMAX Portable Inverter Generator is a reliable and efficient power solution for outdoor activities, camping, and emergency backup power. Its inverter technology, ultra-quiet operation, eco-mode feature, portable design, EPA compliance, and multiple outlets make it a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and homeowners alike.
WEN Super Quiet 3800-Watt, RV-Ready, Portable Inverter Generator, Fuel Shut-Off and Electric Start
The WEN Super Quiet 3800 Generator is a versatile and reliable power solution that is designed for outdoor activities, camping, and emergency backup power. Here are some key features of this generator:
Our generator is powered by a 212cc OHV engine and is capable of delivering 3800 starting watts and 3400 running watts. This is enough power to run most RV air conditioners, appliances, and electronics.
WEN Super Quiet 3800 features inverter technology that produces clean and stable power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion. This makes it safe for sensitive electronics like laptops, smartphones, and TVs.
The generator operates at a low noise level of 57 decibels, making it one of the quietest generators on the market. This makes it suitable for use in residential areas, campgrounds, and other noise-sensitive environments. The generator comes with a 120V 30A RV (TT-30R) outlet that allows you to easily connect your RV and power it up.
It features a fuel shut-off valve that allows you to shut off the fuel flow and run the carburetor dry for long-term storage. The generator can be started with an electric starter, which eliminates the need for manual pull-starting. The generator is designed to be portable, with built-in handles and wheels for easy transportation.
It weighs 110.8 pounds. The generator has a 2.2-gallon fuel tank that can run for up to 8.5 hours at 50% load. This is a relatively fuel-efficient runtime, which makes it ideal for extended outdoor trips or for use as an emergency backup power source.
- Power output: 3800 starting watts and 3400 running watts
- Inverter technology: produces clean and stable power with less than 3% total harmonic distortion
- Super quiet operation: operates at a low noise level of 57 decibels
- RV ready: comes with a 120V 30A RV (TT-30R) outlet
- Fuel shut-off: features a fuel shut-off valve for long-term storage
- Electric start: can be started with an electric starter
- Portable design: built-in handles and wheels for easy transportation, weighs 110.8 pounds
- Fuel efficiency: 2.2-gallon fuel tank can run for up to 8.5 hours at 50% load
The WEN 56380i Super Quiet 3800-Watt RV-Ready Portable Inverter Generator is a reliable and efficient power solution for outdoor activities, camping, and emergency backup power. Its inverter technology, super quiet operation, RV ready feature, fuel shut-off valve, electric start, portable design, and fuel efficiency make it a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and homeowners alike.
Can you plug a 30-amp RV into a 50-amp power source?
RVers commonly wonder whether they can power a 50-amp RV from a 30-amp power source. Likewise, not everyone is sure whether 30-amp RVs work with 50-amp power sources.
While this question is a little bit off topic, we think that knowing the answer will help you understand the differences between 30- and 50-amp services better.
Well, things are pretty simple here – if you have an adapter, then you will have no problems with hooking your 30-amp RV to the campground’s 50-amp electrical system. In fact, it’s much easier to use a 30-amp RV with a 50-amp power source than the other way around.
The thing is that if you connect a 50-amp RV to a 30-amp power source, you won’t be able to use the whole potential of your RV’s 50-amp electrical system. As we’ve established above, 30-amp systems deliver much less power – 3,600 watts. And if your 50-amp RV tries to draw more than what the campground’s system can supply, the campground’s circuit breaker will just trip.
On the other hand, a 30-amp RV is never going to overload a campground with 50-amp electrical service. Your RV will not take more than 3,600 watts. And if you attempt to take more, you’ll just trip your RV’s circuit breaker.
Champion Power Equipment 100740 30-Amp ParaLINK Parallel Kit for Linking Two 2000 to 3000 Watt Inverter Generators
So, as long as you have a 30-50-amp adapter, you should be able to power your 30-amp RV from a 50-amp electrical system with no issues.
What Size Generator For 30 Amp RV Explained?
We’ve just established that a 30-amp RV will take no more than 3,600 watts. And an obvious conclusion from this would be that there is no point in getting a portable generator that is powered more than 3,600 watts.
If you get a 6,000W generator, then those additional 2,400 watts will be just wasted. Not only that, but a 6,000W generator would also be a waste of money, as well as space. If you will be using a power generator only with your 30-amp RV, then there is no point in choosing a too powerful unit.
But if you will be using your generator for more power-demanding applications outside of RVing, then go for whatever wattage satisfies you. Just make sure that the generator can be throttled up and down to meet the lower power needs in the RV.
On the other hand, if you do actually need more than 3,600 watts and have 30-amp service in your RV, then you should just upgrade your RV’s electrical system to 50 amperes. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use more than 3,600 watts. And if your appliances draw more than the 30-amp service can deliver, your RV’s breaker is going to trip.
With 50-amp service, the limits aren’t as strict as in 30-amp service. A 50-amp RV still won’t take more than 12,000 watts, but the thing is that reaching those 12,000 watts isn’t a too easy thing. You need to have a plethora of powerful appliances in order to come close to this number.
Due to this, when dealing with 50-amp service, most people probably won’t even have to think about any limits. They will just have to pick whatever generator can satisfy their power needs.
This is still true with 30-amp service. You still need to consider your power needs. However, since it’s much easier to reach 3,600 watts than 12,000, you will have to be a little careful not to overshoot and get an excessively powerful generator.
Choosing generator wattage
Now that we know the upper limit of wattage for a 30-amp RV, let’s focus on finding out the wattage that you actually need. The limit of 30-amp service is 3,600 watts, but this doesn’t mean that you have to buy a 3,600W generator. Your power requirements may actually be lower, and why pay money for the additional watts that you don’t even need?
So, it becomes essential that you understand how many watts you actually need.
Before proceeding, let’s understand what the difference between startup and running wattages is. These are key terms that you should understand well in order to make the right choice.
At the moment of startup, any electrical device is going to draw much more power than when running. And even though the startup power requirement is momentary, your generator needs to deliver the required power for your appliance to even turn on.
Due to this, startup wattage is more important than running wattage, and you should generally base your decision on it. However, there are some intricacies in regard to this, which we will talk about below.
Now, let’s have a look at one example. Suppose that these are the appliances that you will be using in your RV:
| Appliance | Startup wattage | Running wattage |
| 650W microwave oven | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| RV refrigerator | 600 | 180 |
| 11,000BTU AC | 1,600 | 1,010 |
| Laptop | 200-250 | 200-250 |
We’ve taken the numbers from Honda, if you are wondering. Here is an extensive list of appliance wattages for your convenience.
What do you think, how many watts would you need in order to power all your stuff?
One way of calculating the required wattage is just adding up all the numbers. This way, you’ll get around 3,400 watts at startup and about 2,390 watts when running. These are reasonable numbers and are well within the 3,600W limit.
However, calculating the required wattage in this manner is going to be inefficient in most cases. That’s because people very rarely start and then use their appliances all at the same time. For our case, you would need a 3,400W generator only if you started all your appliances simultaneously.
However, in reality, you probably wouldn’t turn on all your things at once. You would need to be more intelligent when using your equipment. That is, you would want to start your appliances at different times, as well as turn off those appliances that you don’t need at the moment.
Starting appliances at different times is an excellent way of conserving energy. As we’ve found out above, you would need 3,400 watts in order to start up all your appliances. However, if starting one by one, you would only need as many watts as the most demanding appliance requires – in our case, this is the AC unit with its 1,600 watts.
This isn’t everything that you may need though. If you want to run multiple appliances simultaneously, 1,600 watts might not be enough.
Suppose you want to use your microwave oven and AC continuously without ever turning them off. When running simultaneously, they would consume 2,010 watts (1,000 + 1,010), more than what our 1,600W generator can deliver. While you will be able to start the microwave and oven separately, you won’t be able to use them together.
Furthermore, 2,010 watts would be enough to separately start up and simultaneously run your AC and microwave, but it wouldn’t be enough to use anything else!
Well, to find out how much power you need for other devices, you just need to find the appliance with the highest startup wattage among those that are left and add it to 2,010. In our case, it is the refrigerator with its 600 watts, so we get 2,610 watts.
In the end, the 2,610 watts that we get are enough to run our configuration of microwave & AC (which are always running) plus start any other appliance. In fact, if you start all the four devices one by one, 2,610 watts will be enough to run them all together since their wattage when running is 2,390!
Of course, in reality, you would need to calculate the numbers while considering your own needs, in what sequence you will be turning your devices on, and how many of them you need to run together.
Hopefully, our little example has given you an idea of how you should approach wattages in portable generators. There are plenty of intricacies that need to be considered with wattages, and we’ve composed our example in a way to cover as many of these intricacies as possible.
Leaving some spare watts
In our example, 2,610 watts is technically enough to run our small system, but in reality, it is often advised to have some spare watts in portable generators. The reason for this is power spikes, and in order for your RV’s circuit breaker not to trip, having a few hundred more watts can really come in handy.
If your generator has about 500 spare watts, you should be safeguarded from power spikes pretty good. However, going over 3,600 watts will probably be pointless since your RV won’t be able to make use of the spare watts, so keep that in mind.
Parallel generator operation
Sometimes, it is necessary to connect two generators together to receive more power. This is a thing that can be used with 30-amp RVs, but it’s actually more useful with 50-amp RVs. 3,600 watts can be easily achieved by one generator.
Nonetheless, if you for some reason do need to hook up a couple of portable generators with each other, make sure that they support parallel connection. A generator without parallel connection won’t work with another generator.
Plus, keep in mind the number of generators that you want to connect. Mostly, manufacturers only allow two generators of the same model to work together, so you won’t be able to use more than two. But if you find a model that can work with two other generators, go for it if necessary.
30-amp receptacle
As we’ve said at the very beginning, 30- and 50-amp plugs are different, so your portable generator will need to have a 30-amp receptacle in order to work with your RV. You can get a power adapter to plug your 30-amp plug into a 50-amp receptacle, but we’d recommend you to go for a unit that does have a 30-amp receptacle since it is more likely that it will have features necessary for your power needs.
Final words
Choosing a proper generator for a 30-amp RV isn’t too easy, but we find it exciting how much optimization you could actually put into the process.
In the end, the answer to the question “what size generator for 30-amp RV to go for?” will depend on your needs. And since there are plenty of minor details that you should consider, it isn’t a process that we can provide some very specific guidelines for.
The example we’ve described is very general, so don’t follow it blindly. Its purpose was to explain how you should approach choosing a proper generator for your 30-amp RV, and hopefully, it was clear enough for you.
