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For many RV trips, yes. A 2,000 to 2,200 watt inverter generator runs the fridge, lights, water pump, phone and laptop chargers, the TV and battery charging, plus a microwave or coffee maker used on its own. The weak spot is the roof air conditioner. Most 13,500 BTU units need a soft starter to start reliably on a generator this size, and a 15,000 BTU unit is usually too much.
What 2,000 watts runs
| Load | Typical draw | On a 2,000 W inverter? |
|---|---|---|
| LED lights, water pump, fans | Under 200 W total | Yes |
| Absorption fridge on 120 V | About 300 to 400 W | Yes |
| Converter charging batteries | About 300 to 700 W, depending on charge state | Yes, but watch the total |
| Microwave (1,000 W cooking power) | About 1,400 to 1,600 W input | Yes, on its own |
| Coffee maker | About 800 to 1,200 W | Yes, on its own |
| 13,500 BTU roof AC | About 1,300 to 1,700 W running, much higher at start | Usually only with a soft starter |
| 15,000 BTU roof AC | About 1,700 to 2,000 W running | Generally no |
Typical figures. Check your appliances’ data plates. Microwaves list cooking power, and the input draw is higher.
A day on 2,000 watts
- Morning: coffee maker for 10 minutes (about 1,000 watts), then batteries charging through the converter.
- Midday: AC on a soft starter for a few hours, with the fridge and water heater on propane.
- Evening: microwave for dinner with the AC paused, then TV and lights.
- Night: generator off for quiet hours. The fridge runs on propane and lights on the batteries.
Planned this way, a 2,000 watt inverter can handle a comfortable day for many couples in a travel trailer.
Signs you need more than 2,000 watts
- Hot climates where the AC runs constantly with high draw.
- High altitude, where output drops.
- Rigs with a residential fridge and a 15,000 BTU AC.
- Families who want the AC and microwave at the same time.
In those cases, a 3,000 to 3,500 watt inverter, or two 2,000 watt units in parallel, is the usual step up. That keeps the portability of smaller generators. See connecting two inverters.
What to look for in a 2,000 watt class generator
- Rated output, not just maximum. Honda’s EU2200i, for example, is rated at 1,800 watts continuous with a 2,200 watt maximum. Size your steady loads against the lower figure.
- Inverter design. Clean, stable power suits the control boards in RV fridges, furnaces and air conditioners, and inverters are quieter at light load.
- A parallel option. If a second unit can be linked later, you can add power for the AC without replacing the first one.
- A published noise figure, with the distance it was measured at.
- Weight and handles, since you’ll be lifting it in and out of the rig.
Making a 2,000 watt generator work
- Fit a soft starter to the AC. Soft starter makers such as Micro-Air say their units let a 13,500 BTU AC run on generators in the 2,000 to 2,200 watt class.
- Switch the fridge and water heater to propane while the AC runs.
- Charge batteries first, then run the AC, so the converter isn’t pulling heavily at the same time.
- Turn eco mode off when starting the AC or microwave, if the generator struggles.
- Use a 30 amp to 20 amp adapter (TT-30 to household plug) rated for the job, and keep the cord heavy and short.
Even then, a few habits will trip it:
- Running the microwave while the AC is on.
- Forgetting that the converter pulls hard on depleted batteries.
- Running the generator under the slide-out or near open windows. Place it with the exhaust away from the RV.
Fuel and run time
Small inverters are thrifty. Honda lists its EU2200i at about 8.1 hours on its 0.95 gallon tank at quarter load, and about 3.2 hours at rated load. Running an AC most of the day means refueling several times. Plan with the fuel run-time calculator.
2,000 watt RV FAQ
Will a 2,000 watt generator charge my RV batteries?
Yes, through the RV’s converter or a separate charger.
Can I run the furnace?
Yes. RV furnaces burn propane and need only 12 volt power for the fan and controls.
Will a 2,000 watt generator run a hair dryer?
Most hair dryers draw 1,200 to 1,875 watts on high. Use low heat, and run nothing else at the same time.
Can I plug my RV’s 30 amp cord into a 2,000 watt generator?
Yes, with a TT-30 to 15/20 amp adapter. The generator’s breaker protects it if you draw too much.
What about a 2,000 watt generator with a residential RV fridge?
It runs the fridge fine. The challenge is adding the AC. Use a soft starter and avoid running the microwave at the same time.
More: can 2,300 watts run a 13,500 BTU AC, choosing the right size for your RV and the RV hub.
