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
Kitchen
- 1
Heating, Cooling & Fans
Water & Pumps
Laundry & Cleaning
Electronics & Office
- 1
Medical Devices
Power Tools & Outdoor
Lighting
- 3
2. Your sizing
3. Best cross-brand matches
No single portable power station covers this load — look at expandable systems (e.g., EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 + extra battery, Anker SOLIX F3800 expansion packs) or a fixed home battery instead.
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.
| Continuous load | 3,081 W |
|---|---|
| Startup peak | 8,481 W (driven by 1× RV Rooftop AC (13,500 BTU)) |
| Daily energy use | 15,520 Wh |
| Recommended capacity | 19,400 Wh (25% margin included) |
| Minimum inverter | 3,390 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)), you need at least 3,081W of continuous power. The single biggest moment is startup: when 1× rv rooftop ac (13,500 btu) kicks on, the momentary draw peaks at 8,481W. For overnight runtime we recommend at least 19,400Wh of battery capacity (your devices use about 15,520Wh per day, plus a 25% margin).
Which power stations can handle this?
Look for a station whose surge rating covers 8,481W and whose capacity is at least 19,400Wh.
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). A generator that only meets the running load will trip or stall when the biggest motor starts. Our data sources: U.S. DOE Energy Saver, ENERGY STAR certified product database, and manufacturer spec sheets (Franklin Electric, Goodman, Zoeller).