We just got a new yamaha 2400iSHC genny, after being told it would power the 13,500btu Dometic a/c on our brand new Winnebago Micro Minnie 1706fb trailer. It did not! When the a/c kicked on the overload light lit on the genset and that was the end of that. The a/c then did not go on. And the generator has to be turned off once the overload light goes on, then re-started. The same process repeated, got the same results.However, it was a very hot day here today...around 93, and the 1706 sat in the sun all day. When I ran the test, it was very hot inside the trailer. so, decided to run a test: connected to city power, ran the a/c just fine, cooled down the innards of the trailer, then shut down the a/c, connected the trailer to the running genset, and yes, it ran the compressor just fine when I then turned the a/c on. And has been cooling it for the last hour.Now...would it not be advisable to get a Hard Start Kit (something like this: Supco SPP6E E Series Electronic Potential Relay Style Hard Start Kit, 1/2 - 3 Horsepower Range, 88-106F Capacitor Size), as someone once suggested when we were considering the generator? If so, how does one go about this? Would it be advisable to take it down to the local r/v mech. shop and ask them to do the install? I have been told it helps protect the compressor or extends its life. Is there much truth to this?Any suggestions, advice, or insight will be very gratefully appreciated.Many thanksBob

I had my local dealer order-up a 2400 with the agreement that if it started and ran my AC I would purchase it. I had the hard-start kit and fan delay relay installed. Almost sea-level and 100 degrees. The 2400 would NOT start and run my 13,500 AC Unit. I bought two Honda 2000's and all is good. Chino

Some years ago Dave did exactly what you are planning to. With the same Yamaha. I think he is right that there are some 13.500 AC units that are beyond any help.Dometic makes such a kit too, called "smartstart soft starter", though the cost is ridiculous.Slightly different way to skin this cat, using hybrid inverter: Video

if you have brisk air II your hard start kit needs to be rated 43 - 53 uf. the kit you stated is the uf for coleman/rvp/airxcel. Dometic number D3310727.015 hard start kit. unsure of supco number compatible for dometic. I haven't researched that!. Will your gen run that I don't know. I don't have your generator. I do know my used Honda 2000 outperformed a new Yamaha 2000 as Yamaha wouldn't run a shoreline attached rv with 120 vac water heater on , as it would surge and labor down rpm within 15 seconds and trip overload, and my Honda pulled hard and hung in their. Maybe a couple hours on Yamaha would helped after breakin time on engine.

Does the Yamaha have switch to shut off idle control? In identical conditions, I tried new Yamaha 2400 from power sports dealer and said i'd buy it if it ran my pancake air compressor. It wouldn't. My used Honda 2000 would. I would empty all air psi from tank, have to switch from idle (eco) mode to full rpm on Honda, and instantly ( while throttle opened up and rpm ramping up) turn on the compressor switch and less than 75' F Honda would run compressor. The Yamaha 2400 wouldn't. I feel 2 reasons, Yamaha was brand new and no breakin time (maybe stronger after loosened up) and no eco (idle) off switch I could use to ramp up rpm immediately before I turned on air compressor switch. Conclusion new Yamaha 2400 wouldn't run it and my used Honda 2000 would. Identical conditions. Salesman walked away impressed with Honda. They sell both brands. He had nothing to lose.

Wish I could find the article I saw a few years ago about running MARINE A/C on a Honda 2000 with various start kits. Marine is 120-VAC like RV but heat exchange is to water instead of air. I think the water pump is powered separately from the A/C so it doesn't figure into current draw, but the indoor blower probably does.They described the Honda 2000 as a "potent little unit" for its ability to run A/C. I don't remember which start kits they used other than that that pricey Dometic one did best.Aside from the article, there's debate over which SUPCO device to use. Chris Bryant has the most experience with those here, from his professional RV repair business, and recommends the "e" series such as SPP6e. Says it's nearly as effective as the "Starting Relay" kits that control the starting capacitor. SUPCO, on the other hand, says to use their standard PTCR - controlled one such as SPP6 if you're using a Generator. Their explanation is that the PTCR type gives the generator more time to respond to the sudden load increase of a compressor start. And that the "e" series takes the start capacitor out of play too soon. Chris, OTOH, remains adamant for the SPP6e.The idea of Fan Delay is to make more generator resource available to Compressor Start. You can run Fan without Compressor, but not Compressor without Fan, so you need to be sure the fan delay is brief. Fan running before Compressor Start would be better than starting both at once. It seems the Honda has more "grunt" than other small generators with similar ratings. Yamaha 2400 should do better than Honda 2000 but maybe not for starting a compressor. I hate to see you in this situation. If it was mine, 1. Get a PTCR start kit with the right rating for Dometic2. Add a Fan Delay3. Run the Yammie with any "ECO" mode OFF

13,500btu a/c on a Yamaha 2400iSHC genny? Hard Start Kit?

20 Replies

Almot
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2016
elkhorn98 wrote:
I'm surprised it doesn't start it. My 2400 can run my 13.5 ac and the microwave at the same time.

IMO, it will run if microwave is on the lowest setting AND after you've started the AC first without the MW. Nominal 700W MW draws 1,000-1,200W on the highest setting.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jul 31, 2016
Hi Micro1706,

Yes, 20 hours.

Micro1706 wrote:
Wondering if there is such a thing as a break-in time for the yamaha genny (2400iSHC)?
tragusa3
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
Mine ran the AC on my old trailer fine. It went into overload on my current trailer. I'm willing to try a hard start kit, but haven't taken the time yet.
Micro1706
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
pianotuna wrote:
Here is a solution that Chris Bryant suggests:

http://www.gmcmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Quick-Start-Kit.pdf

This is the one I ordered, $48, hopefully will eliminate these startup blues. It will run the a/c just fine if I cool the place down first by running it off of shorepower first. It will run it forever at that point.
will update once it is installed
thanks again
cheers
Micro1706
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
Wondering if there is such a thing as a break-in time for the yamaha genny (2400iSHC)? Ran more tests yesterday before ordering the Duo Therm hard start kit discussed by Chris Bryant here: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27618450.cfm

Elkhorn: what model 2400 do you have? yammie or honda? is there an eco-mode turn off? what is the 13.5K a/c model you have running on it?
Many thanks to all
elkhorn98
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016
I'm surprised it doesn't start it. My 2400 can run my 13.5 ac and the microwave at the same time.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jul 30, 2016
Here is a solution that Chris Bryant suggests:

http://www.gmcmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Quick-Start-Kit.pdf
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 30, 2016
tpi IMHO posted good info.

Chris Bryant as usual has top notch information.

MONITOR YOUR AC VOLTAGE. Even with a hard start kit, inrush amperage can flush which will indeed eat your compressor motor wiring.

An AC compressor motor can tolerate 105 volts and your generator will automatically die if 105 volts means overload.

When the AC is up and running try to keep it from cycling. Crack a window.

If voltage droops to less than 105 volts and the compressor is running, you have problems and need to shed other loads to keep the voltage within acceptable limits. A hard-start capacitor becomes useless when the A/C is running. Guesswork here means a highly probably flattened wallet will be in your future
tpi
Explorer
Jul 30, 2016
I skimmed the answers didn't see this:

Be sure the fridge is on gas. Try the AC with the power converter turned off. This unit can draw a lot of wattage depending on battery charge. If by chance there is electric hot water heater, turn that off. Note the startup sequence of the AC unit. Does the fan and compressor start at the same time? If so try to find a way to get them to start separately. Such as turn on fan, get it spinning, and then hit the cool setting. If there's any "eco" settings on the generator turn that off.
Micro1706
Explorer
Jul 30, 2016
jd - many thanks! awesome link to chris bryant's article! Question: How does one go about finding a "Fan Delay" appropriately matched to the a/c unit in question? Would it be best to have the installation tech who installs the Dometic/duo therm hard start kit be the one to determine this? If the H.S.kit does the trick, would there be any improvement from adding the Fan delay?
I appreciate your suggestions and advice.
many thanks
Bob