What size generator do I need for a 30 amp rv?
Check, uncheck or adjust the typical device list below — watts, startup surge and battery size update instantly. Numbers come from U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer spec sheets, not marketing copy.
1. Check what you need to power
Refrigeration & Freezers
- 1
Kitchen
- 1
Heating, Cooling & Fans
- 1
Water & Pumps
- 1
Laundry & Cleaning
Electronics & Office
- 1
- 2
Medical Devices
Power Tools & Outdoor
Lighting
- 3
2. Your sizing
Assumptions: daily hours per device follow DOE / ENERGY STAR duty cycles; capacity adds a 25% margin. Check your appliance nameplates — actual draw varies by model.
3. Best matches from our 6-brand database
No portable station in our database covers this load. This is expandable-system or fixed home-battery territory — check current models from EcoFlow, Anker SOLIX and Bluetti for expansion ceilings, or consider a standby generator.
Static answer (crawlable summary)
Typical device list: RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)×1, RV 12V Water Pump (Shurflo 4008 class)×1, Portable 12V Fridge/Freezer (Dometic CFX3 45 class)×1, LED Bulb (60W equivalent)×3, TV (32-inch LED)×1, Coffee Maker×1, Phone / Smartphone Charger×2.
Estimated from: Mfr spec: Dometic Brisk II 13.5K (install manual) · Mfr spec: Shurflo 4008 (Pentair) · Mfr spec: Dometic · Energy Star Certified Products (bulbs) · Energy Star Certified Products · VT Extension table (DOE-derived) · Unbound Solar Power Table (secondary) — some household values are cross-checked class estimates (not single-model nameplates); check your own appliance nameplate before buying.
| Continuous load | 3,069 W |
|---|---|
| Startup peak | 9,069 W (driven by 1× RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)) |
| Daily energy use | 15,460 Wh |
| Recommended capacity | 19,330 Wh (25% margin included) |
| Minimum inverter | 3,380 W continuous |
Frequently asked questions
What size generator do I need for a 30 amp rv?
For a typical setup (RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU), RV 12V Water Pump (Shurflo 4008 class), Portable 12V Fridge/Freezer (Dometic CFX3 45 class), LED Bulb (60W equivalent) and TV (32-inch LED), plus 2 more devices), you need at least 3,069W of continuous power. The single biggest moment is startup: when 1× rv rooftop ac (13,500 btu) kicks on, the momentary draw peaks at 9,069W. For a full day of runtime we recommend at least 19,330Wh of battery capacity (your devices use about 15,460Wh per day, plus a 25% margin for a full day of use).
Which power stations can handle this?
No single portable station covers this load — this is expandable-system or fixed home-battery territory. Look for a surge rating above 9,069W and at least 19,330Wh.
Why is the startup surge higher than the running watts?
Motor-driven devices (fridge compressors, well pumps, air conditioners) draw 2-5× their running power for a split second at startup — measured as locked-rotor amps (LRA). On this page the biggest spike comes from the RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU): a station that only meets the running load will trip or stall when it starts. Data sources: U.S. DOE Energy Saver, ENERGY STAR certified products, manufacturer spec sheets.