Generator with A/C

Originally Posted by b&pcamping

Boater454,
After informing you that my Honda 2000i would run the A/C on my 2619, I must also tell you that I've only run the A/C at home in southern CA and that only once to see if the generator would do it. As I've read additional replies from your original question I defer to the wisdom of the other folks posting. I wouldn’t want to point you in the wrong direction. We use our generator primarily to recharge the batteries and run the microwave while dry camping.
Bruce

I can start my a/c at home, elevation 200 feet or so. But if I stop the a/c, then I can not restart it. The breaker trips on the Honda 2000.

Someone has suggested turning off the converter to disable charging the batteries and all other 12 volt loads, but I have not tried that.

A hard start capacitor might help. I have not tried that either.

But if you are like me, you don't need a.c in the Sierras. If it is too hot, move up the mountain. Above 5,000 feet or so it stays cool. Above 9,000 feet is is darned cold and you may need the furnace near dawn, even in the summer.

After all, I got snowed on Memorial weekend at elevation 5,000 feet.

[grill-n-go]

The Honda 2000 has run my factory (Coleman 13,500 BTU) AC in my driveway, but when the compressor cycles, it'll trip the overload protection, so it's a short lived thrill.

I'll bring my Yamaha EF3000 (156 Lbs++) if I'm going to need air, and it's stays on my truck bed. Otherwise, my Honda EU2000 works great for everything else. If I had to do it all over again, I might try two EU2000's or maybe go with the Yamaha EF2400, not to mention the new Honda Handi 3000... Lot's of choices, pick your poison based on weight, fuel consumption, noise, and run time between fill ups. Not to mention doing a propane conversion on any of above.

This post isn't meant to get you any closer to what you should get, rather, it's a warning that no matter what you get, you will forever second guess your choice.

second guess your choice is right...the 2000i doesnt have enough power and the 3000is is too big and heavy.

Both super quiet but neither is perfert

I think since my A/C is so small compared to the roof mounted A/C that the 2000 should work fine. If I buy a 2000 and it doesn't work or I get a different camper A/C unit then I can add a companion later. It's starting to cool off at night here so I may wait until spring to decide. Thanks for the input.

[rickst29]

Originally Posted by boater454

I think since my A/C is so small compared to the roof mounted A/C that the 2000 should work fine.

Yes, people, the topic here is boater454's 6500 BTU window unit. Not the 13,500 BTU "standard" TM rooftop air conditioner. For his window unit, either of the industry-standard 2000 watt units (Honda EU2000i or Yamaha 2000is) will have plenty of reserve, even at high altitude in warm conditions.

For the 13,500 BTU units, I think that even the Yamaha 2400is, (which is already a considerable step up from the 2000 watt models), is problematic at higher altitudes. Whether it can re-start and run the TM air at 6000 ft altitude kind of hit-or-miss. (It can usually work at sea level, handling the AC compressor restart cycles without problems -- if it's in perfect condition AND you've done the start-up capacitor upgrade.) But it's very marginal above 3000 feet, and even when it can run the rooftop AC, it's not good for the generator to do so. Much above 6000 feet, the 2400is probably doesn't stand ANY chance of running the TM's rooftop AC.
- - - - -

Boater, I mention these two (EU2000i, and 2000is) by name, even though they're a lot more expensive than some others with similar capabilities. Aside from being more quiet, there's good availability of parts - and repair men are familiar with them. (If you brought a Subaru/Robin generator to an RV repair place on the road, it would probably be the first time the repair guy ever took one apart. And many other brands aren't built as well.) But here's the big reason to pay extra for one of these models: If you later upgrade to a much bigger A/C, or add another unit, Honda and Yamaha offer a "parallel" upgrade kit. (Honda offers both a kit and a version of the generator with the kit already built in; they call it the "companion" model.) Buy the kit and one more generator, and you'll have 4000 peak watts for really hot afternoons-- without having to lug a single, MUCH heavier unit around, or trade in the one you just bought and take a big financial hit on the deal.

2000 watts is the sweet spot, and these two models allow for upgrade without replacement. Carrying 50 lb generators twice is a lot easier than carrying a 140 lb generator once; you'd probably be looking at a semi-permanent truck mount for the latter case. (But the wonderful light weight also creates a risk: They're very easy for thieves to take away, and the light-weight handles are mere plastic.)

Good discussion, thanks for your candor.

I spent some time analyzing what I should do for a Generator for our 272t0 and decided to purchase a Honda eu2000i companion ($1100 at CW) and an eu2000i.

I chose this configuration for the following reasons:
- best fuel performance
- almost the lowest noise level (the eu3000is is QUIETER by 1 db)
- lowest weight (46lbs each vs 77 lbs for the eu3000i and 124 lbs for the eu3000is
- in colder weather, I only have to take one generator
- cost of purchase within $100 for the three options.
- The companion model saves the cost of buying the more expensive cross connect kit.

I attached a jpg & PDF of my analysis. Let us hope I did it correctly!

[mjlaupp]

Joe Daddy,
Do a Google search for "Honda extended run tank". Hits include manufactured units and "How I built my own extended run tank" You can get up to 16 hours run time with a 6 gallon tank and the on board tanks.
Mike

[ShrimpBurrito]

Originally Posted by mjlaupp

Joe Daddy,
Do a Google search for "Honda extended run tank". Hits include manufactured units and "How I built my own extended run tank" You can get up to 16 hours run time with a 6 gallon tank and the on board tanks.
Mike

I built one and described how I did it here:
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=7393

The only thing I might do differently is I'd try a different gas cap for the generator. There is a seller on eBay that sells a cast aluminum cap pre-threaded for the brass hose barb I JB Welded into the OEM cap.

Dave

Originally Posted by mjlaupp

Joe Daddy,
Do a Google search for "Honda extended run tank". Hits include manufactured units and "How I built my own extended run tank" You can get up to 16 hours run time with a 6 gallon tank and the on board tanks.
Mike

This does not make sense to me. 7 gallons @ 4 hours per gallon at full load = 28 hours. What am I missing?

[mjlaupp]

I was assuming 2 Honda 2000's at full load running the A/C. That works out to 4 gallons @ 4 hours per gallon per generator at full load = 16 hours. That is: 1 gallon in each generator and 3 gallons from the 6 gallon tank for each generator.

Edit: I bought an extended run tank configured for 2 generators. It came with 2 modified gas caps for the generators and a shut-off valve for each generator supply line. This allows for safely disconnecting/connecting the external run tank for refueling while the generators are running.