AC Hard start additions
Any new developments (in the last couple years) to the problem of starting/running a Dometic 13500 AC unit with a generator? Thanks,Mike
Forum Discussion
mr_andyj wrote:
forums are full of
"just take it to the dealer"
"have a mechanic fix it"
"if you have to ask then you are not qualified to work on it"
"spend some of your money you cheapskate"
answers
None are helpful to the OP
Forums are also full of folks attempting the impossible.
As one poster mentioned, typical RV AC can have as much as 50 Locked Rotor Amp draw for a second or two. There is only so much that a piddly 2Kw gen can do. That 50A locked rotor amperage is more than TWICE the surge rating on a Honda 2200i ( specs HERE )
" AC Output 120V 2200W max. (18.3A), 1800W rated (15A) "
Heck even just the continuous running current of a 13.5K RV A/C is roughly 13A and in extreme hot weather can rise to nearly 15A.
Soft starts are not magical creatures that make amperage come out of thin air and folks are being encouraged to not only run on a horribly undersized gen for the job but to sink more money into devices which help you abuse your A/C and your gen..
A $300 add on to a $800 A/C in order to fully abuse your $1200 gen? :E
So, you now have $2300 worth of potential collateral damage all so you don't have to carry an additional 50 lbs worth of gen.. :h
There are easy ways to get around the moving/lifting additional weight of a larger gen and you don't have to sacrifice your A/C or your gen in the process.
