Hi,I just bought a new rig with a 13,500 air conditioner. I currently have a Yamaha 2400iHC. The generator worked with my older set up (also a 13.5 air conditioner) but not with this one. It just can't seem to start it. I have done some research online. I am going to try shutting off the circuit to the RV's inverter/battery charger and see if that helps. I also read something about installing a Supco capacitor. I may try that too; although, I am not sure if there are any potential drawbacks in terms of it potentially damaging your A/C unit. Not sure if anyone can comment.Here is my next option---I found a great deal on a Honda EU2000i. If I can't run the a/c with the Yamaha the Honda is certainly more portable. I also could eventually buy a second and run them in parallel. Would this setup be more likely to run my A/C if the 2400 does not work? I assume the answer is yes, as I assume that running the two Hondas results in doubling the watts and amps, but I am not sure if that is true.Also, would the two Honda setup running in parallel likely be quieter when running the A/C than the Yamaha, assuming that I can get the Yamaha to do it? I assume that the two Honda setup would run at a lower RPM and be quieter.Any thoughts?thanksmatt

the hard start capacitor might solve your problems. but why not get a second Yamaha instead of buying two Hondas? assuming you can parallel the yamaha. or buy a yamaha 2800 or so that you can take when you need the aC and the 2400 for other times?bumpy

It's unfortunate that your model of Yamaha can't be paralleled; that would provide any easy solution.However, I think that with a little work you should be able to start your AC unit. Is the "new rig" really new or a used one? It's possible that the AC unit is wearing out: bad bearings, weak capacitor, low on oil, etc. That makes it hard to start.Have you tried it with the Yamaha running full speed and not throttled back? That may make enough of a difference. The hard start capacitor should also make an improvement. Do you have a long extension cord between the RV and gen.? That would make it more difficult also.

Make sure you have reduced all other loads before attempting to start AC. Things like refrigerator and converters reduce the amount of energy available to start the AC unit. Shut them off and switch the refr to gas.

I could get my 13,500 A/C working by turning off everything I could tihink that might be on and then turning on the fan first for a few seconds before switching to A/C sometimes. It was always hit and miss. Then after it did start then time it cycled I had all the problems all over again.. Too much air conditioner and too little generator haha...I have brought along a 8000BTU Home Window unit air conditioner on some extended trips that worked out great. The EU2000i runs this air conditioner just fine here.Of course the generator was always a pipe dream for us as most place we go to here on the East side of the US don't allow generator use when YOU want to run them so it is kinda mute to even think about setting up for one. If you go to private camping spots all the time it would be nice to have.After getting over the "I WANT AIR CONDITIONERS" I spent my monies on beefing up my trailer to run for long periods of time off the batteries and hopefully some added SOLAR PANELS now and only use my EU2000i Honda for three hours re-charging batteries at 8Am each morning when allowed by most camp grounds here on the East side of the US to run them.Just my experience with generatorsRoy Ken

I ran my 13.5 AC on my old trailer with my EU2000 just to see if it would do it. Yes, it ran it but I did not like the result. The EU2000 was screaming at full throttle. I do not recommend running your AC for any length of time with either the EU2000 or the Yamaha 2400.

Generator to Start My A/C--Yamaha 2400, Honda 2000?????

21 Replies

otrfun
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2014
ol Bombero-JC wrote:
Wayne Dohnal wrote:
I'm really surprised the 2400 doesn't run the air conditioner because my eu2000i ran one reliably. Make sure the fridge is on 'gas only', that's easy to miss, and of course the electric water heater element isn't on. You'd maybe have to kill the converter, too, but I'd think the 2400 would handle it and the air conditioner most of the time. Some of the air conditioners ship without a hard start capacitor. Saves a couple of dollars. That could be the issue. I'm assuming a reasonably low altitude. All bets are off is you're higher than a couple thousand feet.
With no other loads, (and, of course individually) -

My Yam 2400is starts & runs the factory supplied 15K btu A/C on my 5th just fine.

The trailer has a second factory *optional* 13.5 btu A/C for the bedroom. The Yam will struggle to get it going - then OK.
Suspect the optional (13.5) A/C doesn't have a hard start capacitor.
(Never bothered to check)

Caveat: Haven't tried any high altitude operation.

~
For some, I think installing a hard-start cap is a reasonable thing to try in order to get a Yamaha EF2400iSHC to work with their 13,500 BTU a/c. However, I think it's important to keep in mind this generator is operating on the outer fringe of its capability with any 13.5 a/c. If you have any plans to power a different a/c unit, whether it be your friends, a new TT, in 110 degree heat, or at 4,000 ft., you're always gonna run the risk it may not work. Just something to consider before committing to the EF2400iSHC for the long haul.
ewarnerusa
Nomad
Mar 23, 2014
ah64id wrote:
bowler1 wrote:
So how do I turn off my converter? That's a good point. Should it be tied to a breaker in my fuse box?

It will be tied to one of the breakers, probably a general one.

You can add it's own breaker, or put it on a 15A rated switch if you want make it easier.

My converter was tired into the breaker labeled "general". I moved it to its own breaker so it is completely isolated and I use the breaker as an on/off switch.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 23, 2014
Hi,

The converter is on it's own circuit and plugs in as well on my RV.
AH64ID
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
bowler1 wrote:
So how do I turn off my converter? That's a good point. Should it be tied to a breaker in my fuse box?

It will be tied to one of the breakers, probably a general one.

You can add it's own breaker, or put it on a 15A rated switch if you want make it easier.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
Wayne Dohnal wrote:
I'm really surprised the 2400 doesn't run the air conditioner because my eu2000i ran one reliably. Make sure the fridge is on 'gas only', that's easy to miss, and of course the electric water heater element isn't on. You'd maybe have to kill the converter, too, but I'd think the 2400 would handle it and the air conditioner most of the time. Some of the air conditioners ship without a hard start capacitor. Saves a couple of dollars. That could be the issue. I'm assuming a reasonably low altitude. All bets are off is you're higher than a couple thousand feet.

With no other loads, (and, of course individually) -

My Yam 2400is starts & runs the factory supplied 15K btu A/C on my 5th just fine.

The trailer has a second factory *optional* 13.5 btu A/C for the bedroom. The Yam will struggle to get it going - then OK.
Suspect the optional (13.5) A/C doesn't have a hard start capacitor.
(Never bothered to check)

Caveat: Haven't tried any high altitude operation.

~
bowler1
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
So how do I turn off my converter? That's a good point. Should it be tied to a breaker in my fuse box?

That may be enough to get my AC started I think. It seems like I am pretty close to getting it started.

Something strange to me though...when I do try to start up the AC it struggles for a bit and then the AC shuts off. But when I turn the AC unit back to just fan mode it runs.

It seems to me in the past (and I may be wrong) that once your generator has overloaded that you have to shut it off and re-start it to get it to run current again. Am I correct?

thanks
matt
otrfun
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2014
Wayne Dohnal wrote:
The Yamaha would start the compressor ok, but the Yamaha would overload very soon thereafter (every breaker turned off except a/c). FWIW, my 2012 Dometic 13,500 BTU a/c draws 12.2 amps with the fan on high.
I find this to be a real 'head scratcher'. Once the motors are started, the 2400 should handle this load easily.
I agree. After getting past the initial inrush current you would think it woulda been fine. I tried it 2 times with the same results. I very much wanted the Yamaha EF2400iSHC to work. It woulda saved me almost $700-$800 vs. the cost of two Honda EU2000i's.
Wayne_Dohnal
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
The Yamaha would start the compressor ok, but the Yamaha would overload very soon thereafter (every breaker turned off except a/c). FWIW, my 2012 Dometic 13,500 BTU a/c draws 12.2 amps with the fan on high.
I find this to be a real 'head scratcher'. Once the motors are started, the 2400 should handle this load easily.
otrfun
Explorer II
Mar 22, 2014
I just sold a Champion 75531i 3100/2800 watt inverter generator a week or so ago. Great little generator with tons of headroom, but just a tad too loud when the a/c compressor kicks on. Some of the RV parks I frequent have a huge Honda generator fan-base. They see "yellow" and automatically think it's too loud.

So, my plan B after selling the Champion was to try a new Yamaha EF2400iSHC--a good bit quieter than the Champion under full load. I knew beforehand I was taking a risk, so I got an OK from the dealer for a return if it did not power my 2012, Dometic 13,500 BTU rooftop a/c unit. So, gave this thing my best shot. The Yamaha would start the compressor ok, but the Yamaha would overload very soon thereafter (every breaker turned off except a/c). FWIW, my 2012 Dometic 13,500 BTU a/c draws 12.2 amps with the fan on high. Draws about 60 amps of inrush current when the compressor kicks on.

So, my plan C? Just got tired of trying to go on the cheap--decided to go for a sure thing and get a pair of Hondas. Just found a brand new, never even been run, EU2000i on Craigslist two days ago for an absolute song! To compliment it, just ordered an EU2000i Companion unit from Wisesales for $999. Cannot believe I've spent this much money on some generators, but hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
Wayne_Dohnal
Explorer
Mar 22, 2014
I'm really surprised the 2400 doesn't run the air conditioner because my eu2000i ran one reliably. Make sure the fridge is on 'gas only', that's easy to miss, and of course the electric water heater element isn't on. You'd maybe have to kill the converter, too, but I'd think the 2400 would handle it and the air conditioner most of the time. Some of the air conditioners ship without a hard start capacitor. Saves a couple of dollars. That could be the issue. I'm assuming a reasonably low altitude. All bets are off is you're higher than a couple thousand feet.