A/C surge vs running amps

puttster

I am thinking of installing a 15000 btu window unit in a garage but wonder if there is enough cushion to run some power tools. The unit states a 10.8 SEER and amp of 12.0. It will be on a 15 amp (115vb) circuit.

Does the label amp of 12.0 mean surge amps? Or is the stated number the surge number and while running it is more like ~half that?
puttster

k_buz

That is the load it runs at.

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ddawg16

Like K-buz says....that is your running amps...startup will be much more than that....

Might be time to upgrade the electrical to the garage......

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mpoulton

12A seems high for a 15k BTU unit. I just put a 16k BTU unit in my friend's garage and it runs about 8A I think. Does your unit also have heat built in? If so, that current rating is probably while heating, not cooling.

kbsparky

Starting amps can be as much as 6 times your running amps.

You're at the limit with a 12 amp load on a 15 circuit ....

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puttster

I would love that. How do you measure the amps? I have a multimeter but don't know where to touch with it. Maybe yours was a 220v, this is a 110.

The 15k is a Frigidaire, A/C only. Next one down would be a 12k LG, said to pull 10.2 amps. But I just don't think it will cool the garage.

ddawg16

You will need a clamp on amp probe....

There are two flavors....one is an attachment to your typical multimeter...the other is a all in one device....

Here is a Youtube video of what it looks like and how to use it..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-KfZvbjyBY

Handy thing to have around....and does not care what the voltage is....you don't need a high dollar unit....

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mpoulton

That's the difference. This was a 240V unit. 12A is probably right, then. I did not measure the current, just read the specs in the manual. You would need a clamp-on ammeter to measure it.