3000w Inverter generator/AC at altitude

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

My Yamaha 3000 sIEB had no issues running the air conditioner (1200 watts), fridge (325 watts) and a pd 40 amp converter in the Mountains.

x2

Hi,

My Yamaha 3000 sIEB had no issues running the air conditioner (1200 watts), fridge (325 watts) and a pd 40 amp converter in the Mountains.

My Honda 2k manual says "power will decrease 3.5% for each 1000', even if carburetor modifications are made." I rarely camp at altitude so I can't comment from personal experience.

I'm assuming the standard carburetor is calibrated for sea level.

KendallP wrote:
my old man scored a couple of brand new 2000W Hondas plus parallel kit for 500 bucks!

Deal of a lifetime.

I found my Yam 2000 lost about 3 amps of capacity (18%) operating at 6500 ft. I had my Magnum inverter set at 16 amps, and the gen would start to stall every time the charger kicked in, dialed it back to 15, 14, finally at 13 it started charging just fine. Maybe the bigger units have more "reserve" horsepower?

At sea level it'll push 16 amps all day long.

KendallP wrote:
Boy, if it really loses 30%... then you do have cause for concern, I would think.

Not to salt the wound, but my old man scored a couple of brand new 2000W Hondas plus parallel kit for 500 bucks! They were some old gal's backup rigs for the house and she never used them before she sold the place. We added the first drops of gas they had ever seen and they fired right up and ran like tops. She knew what they were worth. Her offer was in appreciation for spending a few hours to help her move. Instant Karma.

I'm interested to see how your responses go, but just to be sure... is it safe to ASSume that a couple of 2000W Hondas are beyond the budget? Those babies sure are quiet.

EDIT: I see that a pair of Hondas are rated at 3200W continuous and the Champ is supposed to be 2800. Not a huge difference there... except for the surge of starting the A/C. There the 4000 vs. 3100 might come into play.

The deal your dad got, I would have jumped on. Two new ones, maybe not. I have considered a pair of Champion 2000w for the additional power.

Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:
I've heard about 3% loss for every 1000' of elevation gain. I once used my 3000 Yamaha(boost model) at a campground at 8000'. It worked ok but I could tell it had lost power. I could use the microwave and coffee maker but not at the same time. I didn't need the AC but I did test it and the genie had lost too much power to start it. Hope this helps.

Ouch

I've heard about 3% loss for every 1000' of elevation gain. I once used my 3000 Yamaha(boost model) at a campground at 8000'. It worked ok but I could tell it had lost power. I could use the microwave and coffee maker but not at the same time. I didn't need the AC but I did test it and the genie had lost too much power to start it. Hope this helps.

Boy, if it really loses 30%... then you do have cause for concern, I would think.

Not to salt the wound, but my old man scored a couple of brand new 2000W Hondas plus parallel kit for 500 bucks! They were some old gal's backup rigs for the house and she never used them before she sold the place. We added the first drops of gas they had ever seen and they fired right up and ran like tops. She knew what they were worth. Her offer was in appreciation for spending a few hours to help her move. Instant Karma.

I'm interested to see how your responses go, but just to be sure... is it safe to ASSume that a couple of 2000W Hondas are beyond the budget? Those babies sure are quiet.

EDIT: I see that a pair of Hondas are rated at 3200W continuous and the Champ is supposed to be 2800. Not a huge difference there... except for the surge of starting the A/C. There the 4000 vs. 3100 might come into play.