Honda Generators for Air conditioning

colliehauler wrote:
Like I said Sound guy to each his own. In other words they can do as they wish. To me it does not make sense to go to all that trouble.:R

+1
I use a Yamaha 3000 SEBi I plug it in and run anything I want, within reason. Most of the time I have several other campers pluged in for battery charging. The best purchase is the one that does the job for you.
mm49

Like I said Sound guy to each his own. In other words they can do as they wish. To me it does not make sense to go to all that trouble.:R

SoundGuy wrote:
....snip......
If one isn't willing to do that then the alternate solution is a larger genset that can handle, without stumbling, the significantly increased load when the A/C compressor starts ... seems obvious to me. :S

TomG2 wrote:
Good points. Most people, me included, have always followed the path of "If 200 hp is good, 300 hp is better". I don't think the Honda 2000i is up to handling air conditioning needs under all possible conditions, but with a little work and experimentation it might do for some. I like your fan switch idea and when operating my unit, I do not let it cycle by setting the thermostat at its lowest position.

colliehauler wrote:
I just can't understand why someone would want to deal with something so marginal at best. Hard start capacitor, turning fan on before compressor, turning A/C down so it doesn't cycle, putting in different thermostat all to be able to use a underpowered generator. What if a person wants to use a microwave, toaster or hair dryer, you have to go through the rigmarole to start the A/C back up.

I like the two people who built trays to take a large generator that can run everything. One was 6500k another was 7000k generator both quiet models.

I understand taking a small generator along if you just want to charge batteries.

To each his own.

Hey, I personally don't bother trying to power A/C with my own EU2000i and instead only use it for recharging the battery and occasionally providing power to the trailer so we can use the toaster, coffee maker, wife's hair dryer, etc. However, the OP did ask and since I've been through the process of understanding just what is involved I merely detailed what I've found are "technicalities" that will significantly improve the chances of this working ... whether the OP is interested in doing so is entirely up to him.

BTW, adding a hard start capacitor isn't just a genset related issue, rather any A/C will start more readily even on shore power if so equipped ... I recently added one to my current Dometic Brisk II, just as I did a few years ago to the Coleman Mach 3+ we owned at the time, and for the minor investment involved I see no reason not to add one. As for the fan, you've got it backwards - you want to set it up so the compressor starts first without the fan, then switch the fan on after the compressor stabilizes. Installing a different thermostat has nothing to do with running the A/C on a genset ... I do it because the digital models I've installed control temperature swings much more accurately than any stock bi-metal thermo and in the case of the Honeywell I'm currently using is much easier to see with it's backlit screen. As for those so-called "quiet" gensets you referred to - there is no such thing as a "quiet" generator, they all make noise foreign to a campground. :E

colliehauler wrote:
I just can't understand why someone would want to deal with something so marginal at best. Hard start capacitor, turning fan on before compressor, turning A/C down so it doesn't cycle, putting in different thermostat all to be able to use a underpowered generator. What if a person wants to use a microwave, toaster or hair dryer, you have to go through the rigmarole to start the A/C back up.

I like the two people who built trays to take a large generator that can run everything. One was 6500k another was 7000k generator both quiet models.

I understand taking a small generator along if you just want to charge batteries.

To each his own.

Why? Because it is fun to experiment and make things work that others think won't. I only use mine to cool down for short periods when traveling. I seldom travel to locations where AC is mandatory anyway. We all have to manage usage somewhat. The average 30 amp service will not run "everything" at once.

TomG2 wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
....snip......
If one isn't willing to do that then the alternate solution is a larger genset that can handle, without stumbling, the significantly increased load when the A/C compressor starts ... seems obvious to me. :S

Good points. Most people, me included, have always followed the path of "If 200 hp is good, 300 hp is better". I don't think the Honda 2000i is up to handling air conditioning needs under all possible conditions, but with a little work and experimentation it might do for some. I like your fan switch idea and when operating my unit, I do not let it cycle by setting the thermostat at its lowest position.

I just can't understand why someone would want to deal with something so marginal at best. Hard start capacitor, turning fan on before compressor, turning A/C down so it doesn't cycle, putting in different thermostat all to be able to use a underpowered generator. What if a person wants to use a microwave, toaster or hair dryer, you have to go through the rigmarole to start the A/C back up.

I like the two people who built trays to take a large generator that can run everything. One was 6500k another was 7000k generator both quiet models.

I understand taking a small generator along if you just want to charge batteries.

To each his own.

SoundGuy wrote:
....snip......
If one isn't willing to do that then the alternate solution is a larger genset that can handle, without stumbling, the significantly increased load when the A/C compressor starts ... seems obvious to me. :S

Good points. Most people, me included, have always followed the path of "If 200 hp is good, 300 hp is better". I don't think the Honda 2000i is up to handling air conditioning needs under all possible conditions, but with a little work and experimentation it might do for some. I like your fan switch idea and when operating my unit, I do not let it cycle by setting the thermostat at its lowest position.

chr$ wrote:
The only problem with the "tricks" like putting in a switch to turn the fan off before the compressor start, won't work unless you can set the Tstat to keep the AC unit on all the time.

Of course, but this highlights the same common mistake made by nearly everyone, including the OP who in his first post said -

" I want to buy a Honda Generator to run air conditioner. I think it is 13,500 BTUs. Wondering if the smaller Honda 2,000 will handle the air conditioner? Any thoughts? Suggestions?"

It's not running the A/C that's the issue but being able to successfully start the A/C compressor ... and with a few simple steps including wiring out the A/C fan with a centre off switch it is quite possible to successfully start and run a 13.5K BTU A/C with a 2K genset. I never claimed this was the magic panacea that would guarantee repeated success but it is one of several steps one can take that will help get that compressor going. Compressor cycling is a separate issue and in a case where one is using a marginal 2K genset as the power source the obvious solution is to prevent the compressor from cycling in the first place. If one isn't willing to do that then the alternate solution is a larger genset that can handle, without stumbling, the significantly increased load when the A/C compressor starts ... seems obvious to me. :S

That would cost them an extra dime.

Robin25113 wrote:
I wonder why the RV manufacturers don't consider split A/C systems? I really like the EER ratings.

chr$ wrote:
The only problem with the "tricks" like putting in a switch to turn the fan off before the compressor start, won't work unless you can set the Tstat to keep the AC unit on all the time. If you set the Tstat to a "normal" temp, it will cycle, and you may not be there to toggle the fan(s) off (My Carrier has dual fans). It will also have higher LRA when there is still pressure in the system on a secondary start where a cold start (first of the day) will have lower pressure and less static load.

I suppose one could build a time delay circuit that cuts out the fan for a few moments when it gets a compressor start voltage... I could easily design and build one for sale, but most people couldn't figure out how to install it, and there are so many unit types, the instruction manual would look like a major metro area phone book.

They really need to start making Inverter AC units for RV's, but nobody in this walmart society will pay what they are worth / will cost. When my Carrier dies, I will be replacing it with another fantastic vent and putting in a mitsubishi mr. slim mini split.

Really, the best thing is to use an RV generator or a Honda 3000EUI. People have also successfully paralleled non matching Honda's, like a 1K and a 2K. I can see some benefits to that. I have a Honda EV4010 RV Generator with Electric start. It Will Run everything.

The Mitsubishi sounds like a good plan. Where would you locate the compressor?

I wonder why the RV manufacturers don't consider split A/C systems? I really like the EER ratings.