Generator with A/C

Has anyone powered a small A/C with a Honda 1000i? My 2518 has a 6500 BTU side mount A/C that is new and the sticker on it says it draws 637 watts at 5.5 Amps. So I guess a 1000 watt generator would run it - do you think it would start it? Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks

Give it a try, but I am betting not. I used my 1000i to run a neighbors house fridge during a recent power outage. It barely started it the first time, but would trip the breaker unless the compressor had been off for some time to allow the head to deplete. If you don't already have the generator, for a few hundred more you can get a 2000i which will run it.

I don't have a generator to try it with. I'm trying to decide if I should buy one. The 1000 is cheaper, lighter and more quiet than the 2000 so I'd like to get it if possible.

From what I can find it looks like an A/C consumes 50-60% more power during startup so I'd need 956-1019 watts.

probably a 2000i at half load would be quieter than a 1000 at full load.

The 2,000 is a great unit. It is relatively small and easy to move around, and really not too noisy at all. My thought is that it is not that much larger and more expensive than the 1,000 wt unit, and it will give you much more power to do things like charge your battery.

[cochise]

We have a Yamaha ED 2400IS. It has a 16.7A rated output, more than enough to start and run the 13500 BTU Carrier AC and the lighting too. It is very quit, but does weigh in at 75#. The reason I picked that one is that ALL controls and outlets are on one side and not split as on the Honda. I added an Hour meter, (very easy) so I can see how many hours it has been run. Great machine that I now keep in the truck bed. I can run it there if I am dry camping. Cost: about $ 1100.00 delivered to my front door.

[wbmiller3]

The 1000 watt would be marginal at best. We have a Yamaha EF3000iSEB which is overkill for the trailer but is also the backup house fridge power for hurricane season. I believe you will be much better served by the 2000 watt.

[rickst29]

I agree with the other comments- you're going to happier running a "2Kw" generator. Look at the documentation more carefully- those ratings are maximum output, the major brands of "2Kw generators (Honda, Yamaha, etc.) have continuous ratings around 1600 watts. And that's full power load-

So really, one of those "2Kw"' generators is right at the sweet spot for your AC unit. You'll be running slightly under 1/2 load, which makes it MUCH less noisy, and helps it last MUCH longer. BTW, the requirement for much more power on start-up and restart can be reduced by adding a big start-up capacitor to the circuit, and you should definitely do that if your unit was built for a grid-connected house (rather than an RV).

OK I'll get a 2000 if I get one. Thanks for your input. I'll do a search on adding a capacitor since it's just a house window unit.