I'm a little surprised that campers aren't equipped with some sort of two-stage air conditioning that would operate on ~1,500 watts for the sake of a 'common' ~2000 watt generator.OTOH, I'm sure the tremendous variability that exists with generators and throw in human nature with folks who don't have any idea of wattage, folks who become irate that the low wattage version might not cut it on wamer days and bigger campers, sales guys saying anything to sell the camper, and folks forgetting to switch a switch to turn off "the big wattage" air conditioner...it's probably a no-win scenario.Conversely, I don't think it would be too many zillion dollars to set up a camper with two small air conditioners- one which works off of a ~2000 watt generator and the other that's available when you have a full hook up.(Yes, I know that big campers ALREADY have two "small" air conditioners and the deal of bigger generators and the Honda paralell 30A deal)......But I still see a niche for a smaller camper and just provide decent AC in the evening and a single 2000 watt genny...No big deal here- just something kind of interesting to talk about.

I do see your point but I think it's a non-issue. People just have to pay attention to what they're getting.There are smaller AC units than the standard 13.5K BTU that do run just fine on a 2 kW gen.I don't know that a 2 kW generator is any more standard than a 3 kW. 3 kW units are plentiful. Honda makes a very nice one.If you make a smaller AC unit "standard" then people will want one that runs on a 1 kW gen.

Your right K3WE. They have multi-stage cooling systems for residential use that work great. They run at lower speeds and continuously for better comfort and are more quiet, more efficient and only ramp up when more power is needed.I suspect cost is the reason we don't see that technology on RV's.

Here's a post about operating a 5000 BTU window A/C with a 800 watt Harbor Freight generator.

How about reverting back to the days before air-conditioners were permanently installed on the roof, actually before RV air-conditioners were part of the "standard" set-up ... get a window air conditioner that meets the requirement and cut a hole in the side of the camper to install it.

They actually have smaller roof mounted A/C units other than the 13,500 and the 15,000 BTU models.I always thought if I was to add a second air conditioner to the 5th wheel i would go for the smaller one for the bedroom area that would run from the 2KW Honda setup. That would be my PLAN B for A/C...I think those portable a/c units that have hoses that connect to windows are also available in small enough sizes to run from a 2KW generator as well.Also out west where the humidity is low they tell me the roof mounted evaporator coolers work pretty well too.

Why don't they just... | Good Sam Community

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time2roll
Nomad
Nov 10, 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVZ3Dgb_QAI

Can this be adapted to an RV?
tempforce
Explorer
Nov 10, 2013
i used my honda eu2000 with my 15,000 btu unit. it limited my options on what else i could use.... like a radio, my laptop and one 12v light.
popeyemth
Explorer
Nov 10, 2013
crcr wrote:
I think the answer lies in the fact that RV's are built for RV Parks with hookups. The RV manufacturers and the RV Parks are in cahoots, so to speak. Yes, the manufacturers know some folks boondock, but they do not design RV's with that usage in mind.

Those RV's are now known as "tents" :)
skipnchar
Explorer
Nov 10, 2013
For what it's worth my 2000 watt generator will run my air conditioner though it's not two stage.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Nov 10, 2013
DutchmenSport wrote:
How about reverting back to the days before air-conditioners were permanently installed on the roof, actually before RV air-conditioners were part of the "standard" set-up ... get a window air conditioner that meets the requirement and cut a hole in the side of the camper to install it.

There are a few new small trailers that use a window A/C in 14' units, KZ and Cherokee. That could be run with a 2k generator.
ScottG
Nomad
Nov 10, 2013
K3WE wrote:
ScottG wrote:
Your right K3WE. They have multi-stage cooling systems for residential use that work great. They run at lower speeds and continuously for better comfort and are more quiet, more efficient and only ramp up when more power is needed.
I suspect cost is the reason we don't see that technology on RV's.

But we shouldn't over simpify this:

The system you describe "automatically determines" high or low depending on your need for cooling- but always has full ELECTRICAL power available.

There's no good way for an air conditioner to "automatically determine" that it's hooked to an under-sized generator (or determine exactly what size the generator is.

The user needs to flip an over ride switch to force the RV air conditioner to stay in the "low mode" even if it's 98 degrees inside. The user also needs to know if his "little" generator is big enough.

Like one poster above said- if we had AC broadly designed to work off 1500 watts when you are dry camping, someone's going to want a system to use an 800 watt generator...

Interesting comments so far, though.

Your completely correct of course.
The manufacturer would have to devise some way of keeping the system from going into the higher cooling modes. Maybe a switch for the owner. But I suppose that could cause more problems overall!
crcr
Explorer
Nov 10, 2013
I think the answer lies in the fact that RV's are built for RV Parks with hookups. The RV manufacturers and the RV Parks are in cahoots, so to speak. Yes, the manufacturers know some folks boondock, but they do not design RV's with that usage in mind.
tatest
Explorer II
Nov 10, 2013
Winnebago used to install two-stage A/C that included information about power available into how it operated. It was not a box on the roof, and it was cosiderably more expensive than two or three boxes on the roof. My still be doing it at the high end, though most other high end coaches simply install more rooftop A/Cs, I've seen coaches carrying as many as five.

The reason "why don't they..." is the usual, costs put prices higher than customers will pay, or rather if there is something cheaper, they buy that instead.

My multistage heat pump and A/C at home was more than twice the price of the cheapest unit available at the same capacity. It employs three variable speed motors in place of one or two simpler motors. A single variable speed fan motor might cost more than a complete single-box A/C.

A slightly bigger generator is the less expensive solution for the consumer.
mlts22
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2013
I think it is due to expense. A quality A/C system would allow one to add refrigerant as opposed to having to replace the unit or try sweating on a vampiric tap (which eventually will leak.) A quality A/C system would be engineered so the noise compressor and other parts would be as isolated from the inside as possible, and it would be able to sense a low voltage and not fire up the compressor as opposed to allowing it to burn out.

There are Youtube videos of people running small 5000 BTU/hour A/Cs from a solar array and four deep cycle batteries. A standard 13.5k BTU/hour unit or a 15k BTU/hour unit, this would be very tough, but a small A/C unit with a low duty cycle, this is likely doable for a couple hours.
qtla9111
Nomad
Nov 09, 2013
Dometic makes much smaller units for the European market. Coleman used to make a 7700 btu unit that is no longer available. Now the standard on all units no matter size is a 13.5. Some micro TTs have window units now. Trailmanor had window units in a cabinet and they worked very well.

Not sure why we don't have access to smaller units. The noise and vibration on a small TT will drive you nuts. In my 18ft Funfinder I quit using the roof a/c and had a 5000 btu window, it ran off of my Honda 2000 overnight, 14 hours on one tank of fuel. Quiet, effecient and only $79.

We now have a 24ft with a 13.5, again, overkill. It's always too cold even in northern Mexico and South Texas heat. I quit using it except in extreme cases. Looking to install a window unit where my microwave is now.

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