In researching which generator to buy, I would have been helped by a video like this one, so I hope it helps someone else looking to buy.Yamaha running 15.5 btuSo far, the Yamaha has done everything I hoped it would. It will run the entire trailer including microwave. But the main reason for going with a little extra capacity was running my 15.5 BTU A/C. I would be happy with my decision even if it hadn't, but it's a nice plus that it does!For this video, I shut off all other circuits. I got the fan spinning on high first and then switched the compressor on. The gen bogged down for half a second, went up to a much higher rpm and then the compressor kicked over. Once running, the gen went back to about a half load and I ran it like that for 10 minutes.My unit is a 2013, so I'm not sure if that means it already has a hard start capacitor? I'm hoping it doesn't, and I plan to add one. With that, I should have no concern about it working.I'm at 1100 ft. elevation and the outside temp was about 63d.

Love my 2400 too. I can run the a/c and microwave at the same time.

I can almost guarantee you that while that generator will run (and I assume you mean runs and will also handle the cycling on and off) your 15.5 BTU A/C nut it is running it underpowered which in the long run is harmful to your A/C...

At 63 degrees your AC will start Very Easy. But at 90 or 95 degrees the freon Pressures will be much higher and it will start Much harder and use more current when running. My 2400 ISHC has a hard time starting my 13,500 AC when it is in the 90s but is fine after it starts the first time.So after a few years I fry my AC :( I've been looking at replacing it with a 9200 anyway :C

My 2KW Honda generator will not run my 13,500 BBTU air conditioner. I got it started once in doing the fan first and switching to compressor. Did ok then but when it cycled the next time it tripped out.I see the YAMAHA 2400i specs says it puts out 120VAC at 16.7AMPS so I guess that is the big difference. My 2KW Honda EU2000i says it puts out 120VAC at 13.3AMPS.I too think I will replace my off-road 13,500 Air Conditioner with a 9200BTU model if it fails. I never knew an exact RV trailer replacement 9200BTU model existed until a couple of weeks ago. As little as I use my 13,500 model the 9200 model would be great for me and i would able to run it with my 2KW honda just fine. I have already ran a 8000BTU house window unit in my trailer... My 13,500 model really sticks up high on my trailer roof.Roy Ken

I worded my first post wrong. The main reason for choosing the 2400 was not the AC. That will be a plus, but I don't suspect it will be necessary more than one trip a year (if that). So it won't happen often. No, I didn't run long enough for it to cycle, so that may prove to be a challenge.I really went with the 2400 because I saw value for the extra $200 over the 2000 models, and the extra weight isn't a problem for me. I'm using this as emergency use at home too, and the extra power will be useful in those cases.

Video: Yamaha 2400 running a 15.5 BTU | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

tragusa3
Explorer
May 20, 2013
I have to apologize. All this time I thought I had a 15.5 (that's what the sales people told me). It was peculiar though on such a small trailer. Anyway, I was up on the ladder today and saw the tag that says it is a 13.5.

I'd been claiming all over the forum that the 2400ishc can run my 15.5 and that is not the case. Hope my claim didn't cause any problems for anyone.

In the end, it's good news really. I didn't need that large of an AC and now I feel better about the Yamaha running it. I ran it today in my driveway for about 20 minutes. It's a bit slow on the startup, but did run it. I'll have to get the hard start capacitor now.
EldIr
Explorer
Mar 16, 2013
I know this thread is a few months old, but thought I'd add my experience with the original 2400is. It will not start the 13.5k on the tt. I only tried it a couple times and it was very hot/humid out. We keep the Yamaha at our cabin the majority of the time. We have a 10k window unit with a running amp draw of 9.2amps. We start it with all other loads off, and voltage drops into the 60's for about a second. As another member stated, it would be nice if you could switch off the "eco" mode, but it is fully automatic.
grandpaswagon
Explorer
Nov 22, 2012
My Chamipon 2000 will start a 13.5 AC unit when it is not in the econ mode. Some newer AC units are higher efficiency and I also had my Champion updated with new software on the ECU.
exploringcaroli
Explorer
Nov 22, 2012
Just received a new Yamaha 2400isHC today to run the 13500BTU Coleman Polar Mach in our camper. Will test it later this week.
mark1228
Explorer
Nov 21, 2012
Yamaha has made two different 2400 models. The first one was discontinued and replaced with the 2400isHC. This was done to help with the hard start of the AC unit. The HC stands for High Capacity. I have had both and my HC model works much better for running may AC. I only point this out for the benefit of anyone shopping for a new Yamaha. If you hear of someone that had a 2400 and had a problem it may not have been the HC model. I recommend that if you are looking at a 2400 Yamaha and you want it to run your AC you should take your RV to a dealer on a hot day and run it for a while to make sure.
tragusa3
Explorer
Nov 21, 2012
I'm not sure I know how to disconnect my converter? I just flipped all the breakers to the off position except for the 20amp AC. I don't see any switch for the converter.
Mont_G_J
Explorer
Nov 21, 2012
My Yamaha 2400 runs our Coleman 15K BTU AC at 6000' and 90 degrees plus. Before turning the AC on I put the refrigerator and water heater to propane, if the batteries are in a discharged state I'll pull the plug on the converter.
I have well over two hundred hours of AC time on the Yamaha without creating a problem that I know of.
tragusa3
Explorer
Nov 21, 2012
Thanks Roy. I'll pick up one of those.

The way it bogged down at startup, I'm fairly sure that it would drop out of the safe voltage range. But the generator went back down to about half engine speed after startup. I bet it is running at a safe voltage then. But I'll find out for sure.

Can't I use my multimeter to measure this?
jodeb720
Explorer
Nov 21, 2012
I had the 2400 and it started my 13.5 with a hard start kit and all the other circuits turned off at temperatures in the 90's and at elevation (just above 4000'). My only complaint about the 2400 I had was it was always on eco mode and I couldn't force it out of Eco mode. It made it really struggle to start the AC when it had cycled off.

I sold my 2400 when I sold my old TT for the 5ver and went to a Honda 2000 - which can start my 13.5 at sea level when it's cool but when it's hot outside or at elevation, forget it - even with a hard start kit and eco mode off.

If you can and do get your 15k to start, be sure to set the temperature to 60 degrees and let it over cool - I don't know if it will cycle in high temps once it's been run for a while.
ng2951
Explorer
Nov 21, 2012
I never could get my 2400 to do that. I am impressed. It would start 13.5. If I could have gotten my 2400 to do that I never would have gotten rid of it.