what size generator?
 

Most 6KW gens won't surge to 10KW and even if they did there's something everyone is forgetting he After the A/C is started a 3.5 ton unit will require about 4-5KW to run. Then you'll add a few other loads, say another 2-3 KW so now your gen is loaded up to about 7KW. Now you A/C cycles off but you still have 2-3KW load on it. Now a bit later the A/C decides it wants to cycle back on.....guess what...if it took a 10KW surge to start it the first time it's going to take ballpark 10KW again to start it but since you have a 10KW surge capability that's already loaded to 2-3KW you only have a surge capability of about 7.5KW....and the A/C might not start. You can do it but you'll have to manage loads and shed some load before the A/C comes on meaning when the A/C goes off you raise the temp on the thermostat so it can't come back on again until you first shed loads and then turn the temp down.....

Bottom line: an 8KW gen regardless of surge capability is WAY TOO SMALL to power a 3.5 ton unit and to expect any other meaningful loads to also be used without also using very good load management.....

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