FWIW, I have a 9500kw (peaks 12,500kw) standby generator that powers a sub panel through a transfer switch. With a clamp-on amp meter I measured the amp draw of my 3.5 ton A/C unit...at startup the meter spikes to 81 amps and then settles down to a little over 10 amps running.

On generator power, the generator noticeably bogs at A/C startup but quickly recovers and handles the load. This test was done in mild weather, don't know how it'll work during a heat wave...amp draw might be higher in hot weather.