Honda Generators for Air conditioning

SoundGuy wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
The trick to running the air/con is it takes 2-3times the power to get the compressor turning. Once it's turning, it takes far less to keep it turning. That's why it looks like the 9-11amps the air/con is rated to draw should work but it really needs more like 20-30amps to get it going.

Repeated often but a misconception for sure ... initial compressor lockup current draw, referred to as Locked Rotor Amps (LRA), typically runs ~ 60 amps for a 13,500 BTU A/C. Sure, the time involved is brief, too quick for any DVM to see it, but it is real and it is what will task any 2K genset. As for starting and powering such an A/C I have successfully and repeatedly done it with two different A/Cs, two different Honda EU2000i gensets BUT there are tricks to it. Anyone who wants to just plug in and have it work every time under all conditions should look for a larger capacity genset ... either that or replace the A/C with a lower draw unit of the same capacity - most manufacturers now offer them, including the new Atwood Air Command series which includes the 16K version the manufacturer calls "2000 watt generator friendly".

You are arguing technicalities when you basically said the same thing. Basicaly with 20-30amps, it will get going just not as quickly. If it's too slow to start turning, the current stays high and the generator over current switch will cut the power to protect the generator.

Yes there are tricks to help such as getting the fan going first and you can put a capacitor in to help with the surge but any way you slice it that little 2000w unit is being pushed to the limits.