Forum Discussion

hedge's avatar
hedge
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014

Generator won't run my Coleman Mach 8 Polar Cub

I have the following A/C unit installed on my camper

Coleman Mach 8 Polar Cub (47201A876)
- 9200btu, 11.7 amp on high, 11.2 on low
- low profile


I couldn't find one of the lower draw units so I was hopeful that my little Champion 2000 Inverter generator would run it. No luck, it's not even close really, it goes into overload immediately.

I'm exploring my options now. I carry the generator on a hitch rack on the back that fits under the camper but I don't have much room to fit a larger generator unless I put the camper on a spacer which I don't want to do.

1. Does anyone know if a Hard start capacitor is factory installed in this A/C unit?

2. I think the Honda 2000 will handle a larger startup draw than the Champion, is anyone able to run this mode of A/C with the Honda.

3. I am considering moving up to the 3100 generator, it's about 2" taller but maybe I can take the wheels off ot make it lower.
Truck Campers
  • hedge's avatar
    hedge
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2014
    just to follow up... I solved the problem by purchasing a Honda eu2000. It starts the a/c even in eco mode.
  • hedge's avatar
    hedge
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    well thanks for all the replies, probably just live without it for now. We are at higher elevation here (3600'). I may upgrade to a Honda but I'm hoping I can convince the dealer to let me try it on the a/c first.

    Thanks for the correction on calling it a soft start capacitor and the link provided. I may still try that.

    There's only a few times that we need the A/C but we quite often do not have services so it's definately a concern, I guess we'll see how good of a job the fantastic fan does.
  • egarant's avatar
    egarant
    Explorer III
    Jun 03, 2014
    I just had the new Coleman Mach 8 9,200 btu put on my Eagle Cap last week. Fired it up with the Honda 2000 in non-eco mode (very important) ran just fine with an outdoor temp of 80 degrees.

    I then turned the eco mode to on on the Honda when the AC was running.

    I will have to say that the sound of the unit outside is a bit louder then what I had as the fan is on the top of the unit, not a squirrel cage fan inside the shroud like the other units.
  • Bubtoofat's avatar
    Bubtoofat
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    We have the Honda 2000 and last summer we camped in southern Utah around 4000 foot elevation and 112 degree temps. No issues what so ever. We have the polar cub too.
    Mike
  • FrankShore's avatar
    FrankShore
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    dadwolf2 wrote:
    Can you tell us more about this? And how would a future buyer of a Polar Cub know when this is remedied?

    You need to contact AirXCel directly and ask them about their remedy:

    Polar Cub 8 Specs
  • dadwolf2's avatar
    dadwolf2
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    FrankShore wrote:
    Coleman Mach knows about the Polar Cub Genset issue and they are taking steps to reduce the units back to what they used to be.


    Can you tell us more about this? And how would a future buyer of a Polar Cub know when this is remedied?
  • Cannon_George's avatar
    Cannon_George
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    Semantics are confusing - but in case you run into it a lot of electricians/service folks refer to this as a "soft-start" retrofit, not "hard-start."
  • FrankShore's avatar
    FrankShore
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    Coleman Mach knows about the Polar Cub Genset issue and they are taking steps to reduce the units back to what they used to be.

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