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jimh406's avatar
jimh406
Explorer III
Jun 07, 2016

Coleman Mach 8 Cub ... impressions and power usage

It's hot out here in the Northwest. Well, hot for us. Last night on my trip back from Yellowstone/Tetons/Montana/Idaho/Wyoming/Oregon, we had hookups and tried out our Coleman Mach 8 Cub 9200. We previously had a Dometic 13500 in our 9 1/2 Double Slide Host Ranier. I replaced the Dometic because the tubing broke at the condenser. But, we had it for a few years. It certainly got cool enough, but we thought it was too much off/on. We were either cold or hot.

We heard good things about using a 9200, so that's what we got since the Dometic wasn't fixable realistically.

1. First, it looks great on compared to the relatively tall other models.
2. We like the controls in the ceiling. In some ways, that's a reduction in usage, but since the thermostat was quite a distance from our cabover, having the knob is actually an improvement.
3. We like that the temperature is more consistent. I'm sure it doesn't have the raw power, but after the startup, that isn't as big as an issue.
4. We haven't been using hookups this year yet, so it's been relatively quiet except for our furnace fan when needed. There wasn't a noise problem with our TC.

It seems to come up from time to time how much power draw there is, so I thought a video would tell people more than just trying to describe the startup. NOTE: the heating element probably didn't come on since it was over 90 in the TC. Take a look. It's about 6 minutes. Again, the primary goal is to show the fluctuation when the AC comes on. I'm using a Kill A Watt Meter. I may end up buying a 2000 watt generator that is quiet and runs on gasoline if it turns out we need a AC more when we don't have hookups. So far, it would mostly be a waste.

The video is here on youtube.

You can see how it looks in the picture below from our travels in Rockies in the last week. This is at Fairmont RV in Montana, and yes, they offer dry camp sites. ;)

  • I will check after work, but first,

    is hot water switch to gas or electric? electric will overload the honda.

    Is the refreg running on Gas or electric? there is another major load we can remove from the Honda by switching to gas.

    has the camper been plugged in for a couple days or are the coach batteries low? if your power converter is running full steam trying to charge coach batteries, combine that load with the AC and you might exceed starting current of the Honda. throw the breaker that powers the convertor, see if that does the trick.
  • I just purchased model number 47201A876 and I can not get it to start on my 2000. I called airxcell and they are telling me that it would require at least a 3000 to start.. So what model number of the coleman mach 8 cub 9200 are you guys running on a 2000 watt generator???
  • I find mine pretty loud as well, I purchased the fan kit that's supposed to quiet it down but haven't gotten around to changing it yet.

    I have had an issue starting it with the Honda 2000 once, I think my batteries were low so the charger was using a lot of amps. I was able to run it once I flipped the breaker for the charger.
  • I also replaced an old AC unit with a Mach 8 and although a little loud, it isn't too loud that turning up the TV can't drown out. AND it works like a champ with myHonda 2000.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    anutami wrote:
    towpro wrote:
    we have the same one. yes it runs off the 2000 Honda generator, even on Eco mode.

    I feel its a louder outside than the 1200 or 1300 btu versions



    I have a Honda eu2000 as well and mine will only run my mach 8 on low setting. As soon as I put it on the high setting the genny overloads and shuts down, it is also very loud :( I have been very disappointed in the Mach 8 9200 BTU.


    Did you turn off the other large loads like the converter and make sure the fridge is on gas, not auto?
  • towpro wrote:
    we have the same one. yes it runs off the 2000 Honda generator, even on Eco mode.

    I feel its a louder outside than the 1200 or 1300 btu versions



    I have a Honda eu2000 as well and mine will only run my mach 8 on low setting. As soon as I put it on the high setting the genny overloads and shuts down, it is also very loud :( I have been very disappointed in the Mach 8 9200 BTU.
  • Good to hear. This is a model I'm actually considering especially since we will be in CA next week and it will be hot! Where did you buy from?
  • I keep getting "page reset" when I try to edit anything today, or if I type too much, so here, see this link about this AC.
    click here
  • we have the same one. yes it runs off the 2000 Honda generator, even on Eco mode.

    I feel its a louder outside than the 1200 or 1300 btu versions