Yet Another Generator Question

So the family has a three RV caravan going to California in three weeks.  There will be two Class C's and myself.  They want to overnight in Vegas on our way out there.  The biggest problem (for me anyway) is that we are going to need to use the A/C for that night and I don't have an onboard generator.

As of now, my options are limited.  Take along my 6500W contractor grade generator (with muffler mods, it's pretty quiet), find a park to spend the night at (about 6 hrs really) or take along my buddies Homelite 1800 W smaller, quieter and lighter generator.

My question is: Will the Homelite run my A/C for the night?  Here are the specs off of their website:

Amperage (amps) : 20 A
Assembled Depth (in.) : 20.500 in
Assembled Height (in.) : 21.500 in
Assembled Width (in.) : 16 in
Auto idle control : No
Automatic Voltage Regulation : No
Built-in inverter : No
CSA Listed : No
Depth (in) : 20.5 in
ETL Listed : No
Electrical Product Type : Portable Generator
Engine Displacement (cc) : 126
Engine manufacturer : Subaru
Fuel Gauge : No
Fuel tank capacity (gallons) : 1.5
Fuel type : Gasoline
Full load fuel consumption (gallons/hour) : .25
Height (in) : 21.5 in
Horsepower (hp) : 4.3 hp
Item Package Type : Cardboard Container
Item Weight : 90 lb
Low oil shutdown : Yes
Manufacturer Warranty : 2 Year Warranty
Muffler : Yes
Number of circuits/outlets : 3
Operational volume (dB) : 71
Osha Required GFCI Outlets : No
Output Receptacles : 2 - 120 volt 20 amp and 1 - 12 volt DC
Product Height (in.) : 21.5
Product Length (in.) : 20.5 in
Product Weight (lb.) : 90
Product Width (in.) : 16
Rated wattage continuous (watts) : 1800
Rated wattage peak (watts) : 2250
Returnable : 30-Day
Run time at 50% load (hours/tank) : 6
UL Listed : N-No UL Code Rating
Voltage Rating : 120 V.
Width (in) : 16 in

If the Homelite won't work, what would be the smallest generator that I could get away with?

Thanks

How many amps does the a/c draw? The information is on a data plate on the unit. Multiply that by 120 to get total watts then that by at least 1.33 to get  the start upload . The genny has to be able to produce at least that. You likely need at least 3000 watts, more if the a/c is over 10 years old.
Even though you think the contractor is reasonably quiet, be a good neighbor.

What do the other two RVs have for power? Where are they staying? If one of them has a large generator and it's only for one night, maybe you could just plug into them for the night.

If you only run ONE air conditioner and that is the only thing connected to the generator, I would think the generator you describe would handle it.

The compressor's starting load is where you may have trouble with the smaller generator.  There are a couple of things you can do to reduce the starting load.  Turn the air conditioner's fan on first, low speed.  Either turn the switch to Fan Only or turn the thermostat all the way to Warm.  Then wait a couple of seconds until the fan comes up to speed before turning the switch or thermostat to Cool and starting the compressor (avoids having to start the compressor and fan motors at the same time).

Cycle the compressor as little as possible.  Leave it on Max Cold so the compressor runs continuously instead of letting it cycle on and off at a higher setting.  You don't want to restart the compressor until the system pressure has bled all the way down.  This takes about 5 minutes after stopping the compressor.

Doubt 1800 watts will do the job.

Squeeze into one of the other RVs for the night?  Cheap motel?  It would seem like quite a pain to drag the generator along for three weeks for just one night.

The rated output (1800 watts) is just shy of what you can get from a residential 15A outlet. That will normally run an a/c but with no margin for any extra. 1800 watts is plenty adequate to run it once it starts and I think the 2250 peak will be enough to start the a/c ok, as long as nothing else is running on electric. It depends on how quick it reacts to momentary overload when the compressor starts. Some generators will immediately shut down once their peak load parameter is exceeded, even for one second, and the a/c will go to about 23-25amps for a moment when the compressor starts.  Then it falls back to about 12-13 amps.  My advice is to try out your buddy's genset before you leave the house and see how it goes. It won't take long to see if it can start the compressor  or not.

Make very sure nothing else is drawing power from the genny -  water heater and fridge on propane and probably no tv either.

By the way, I see the noise spec is 71 dB. That is a long way from quiet and your neighbors are not going to be happy if that runs all evening or all night. If you need a/c at night, I suggest a campground with electric hook-ups.

You could check into an RV park for the night. Some of the casinos have 'em (Sam's Town, Arizona Charlies' and last I checked Main Street, Which by the way is just north of Freemont Street Experience (A nice walk from a great experience) 

At main ask for the hotel when you call, they run the campround.  If it is still there.

There is also the Oasis, and of course the KOA (Circus Circus)

Most RV parks prohibit generator usage and say so in their list of rules.  Your neighbors would not enjoy your noise!  Can you not plug into a campground's electrical outlet?  I'm trying to understand why you need to use a generator if you're in a campground.  Did I miss something in your question?

ArdraF

I should have elaborated a little more.  When we make the trip, we usually just pull off at a rest area or parking lot for a few hours rest.  Our schedule has us into Vegas around midnight and we are back on the road by 6:00 am.  Given the short stay and goofy arrival/departure times, we haven't stayed at a campground on the way out before.

I'm going to grab the generator and give it a try before we head out.  The other travelers in the group all have on board generators.

Another option I have been thinking about is stopping in St. George, UT for the night and leaving a little earlier to meet everyone in Vegas.  Night time temps are in the low 70's usually.