Forum Discussion

Area13's avatar
Area13
Explorer
Aug 03, 2018

9K Coleman AC and Yami 2k

We have been on about 6 trips in our new TC so far and for the first time this week got into a little heat that was uncomfortable for the Wife. We were just looking for an hour or so to cool down a bit during the heat of the day. I specifically got the 9k AC unit to run on our Yamaha 2k and knew it might be tough.
It ran the unit fine in my driveway (of course) for about 30 minutes, sea level, 80 degrees ice cold, no problem, batteries charging and a couple of lights on.

We tried to use it twice this week, 2 different spots, both about the same altitude WA Cascades about 2500’. Edit-ECO WAS OFF.

1st attempt-92 degrees, part shade, fail. Even dx’d the battery switch feeding everything, poor little genny.

2nd attempt- 88 degrees full sun, worked. Ran it for about an hour, much happier Wife, batteries charging, couple of lights, no trips.

Thinking maybe a Honda 2.2k might get it done better? It is the same size and will fit in my custom compartment just fine also. The Yami also struggles to run my fridge and chest freezer at home during power outages. I have a buddy that said He’d give me $650 for it, bought it new for $875 several years ago. Might be time to bite the bullet. Anyone have any experience with the new Honda 2.2k and a 9k AC in similar situations?
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  • 3_tons's avatar
    3_tons
    Explorer III
    Aug 03, 2018
    I’m not familiar with the Yami but as others has stated, refer and hot water heater need to be on LPG, fan set on LOW speed, and on board converter-charger set to off...Generator will loose a bit of efficiency (continuous output) once fully warmed-up (say beyond 30 min) and when at higher elevations, and air cond will draw a bit more current at the highest ambient temps...

    FWIW, I just replaced my Honda 2000i with the new Honda 2200i and on our first outing out found that in out in the high desert at about 6,000’ with ambient at about 95df, it still won’t run my 11k btu Coleman Mach 1 P.S. while on Eco, but I found that where the former 2000i struggled and would often overload at this same location, the 2000i delivered continuously without a hitch....Camper interior temps dropped from 97df to 77df without any hiccups ...

    Published running amps for the Coleman are 9.0a (compressor and fan), but actual measured running amps are closer to 9.5a for the compressor only and 2.1a for fan (coils are clean)...This is only our first test run, but in my view the extra 200w is what made the difference...It’s not quite clear to me that running the air cond on Eco is a viable option, at least at these higher elevations...JMO

    3 tons
  • 71stpsde's avatar
    71stpsde
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2018
    Westinghouse 2200 watt has very good reviews and is around $500.
  • Area13's avatar
    Area13
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2018
    n0m4d wrote:
    I know this topic is contentious but after a bunch of research I'll picked up a Ryobi 2300 (RYI2300BTA) generator this summer. Aside from the Honda with it's Hondaness and the Yamaha with it's Yamahaness, the Ryobi seems like the best inverter gen out there. It runs my 13.5 btu Dometic with eco off (and with the charger/converter on). I've been very happy with it and it has some nice features that others do not have.


    Ok, i’ll check that one out and it’s ryobiness. Looks to be just a little louder, a little bigger, a little heavier and a bit stronger. I think it will fit in my custom sompartment too. Thanks for the lead, will add to my list of solutions.
  • Area13's avatar
    Area13
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2018
    Was bit disapointed in the Yami, Wife was pissed! We live in W. Wa and 90 starts hitting Us ((Her)) pretty good, especially after activities.

    I’m pretty sure I had everything dx’d by hitting the battery dx switch. My fridge shut off and all the lights when I turned it to off. I definately had eco mode off. I reset the genny several times slowly going in to AC low, couldn’t do it.
  • n0m4d's avatar
    n0m4d
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2018
    I know this topic is contentious but after a bunch of research I'll picked up a Ryobi 2300 (RYI2300BTA) generator this summer. Aside from the Honda with it's Hondaness and the Yamaha with it's Yamahaness, the Ryobi seems like the best inverter gen out there. It runs my 13.5 btu Dometic with eco off (and with the charger/converter on). I've been very happy with it and it has some nice features that others do not have.
  • sbryan's avatar
    sbryan
    Explorer II
    Aug 03, 2018
    No experience with the new 2.2 Honda but I have the same AC on my Northstar Igloo and the Honda 2.0 just handles it as long as it isn't in Eco mode. I'd love to have the 2.2 to have just a bit of extra oomph but the 2.0 will get the job done, even in 100 plus degree heat (think the Badlands at 103 indicated). Just a data point on the old Honda so the new one should have no issues. Surprised the Yamaha can't handle the same load with the same rating.
  • towpro's avatar
    towpro
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2018
    make sure you have the refrigerator running on propane, make sure the hot water heater is running on propane, not electric and as a last ditch effort you can throw the breaker for the battery charger. I would expect that gen to run the AC. I have a different 2K generator and never had a problem, but all my camping is at Sea Level at the beach :)

    EDIT: after reading more posts, I feel I do need to point out that my red 2000 runs my 8800 btu AC on my arctic Fox great, even on eco mode. and I have mine wired so thermostat turns on both AC AND fan the same time.
    I can also leave the battery charger running at the same time but by the time of day I would be running my AC I have already gone through a full solar day of charging batteries so not much load on charger.

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