Honda Generators for Air conditioning

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".

Most likely not. I once had a 13.5K BTU AC that I could barely get to run from my single 2K Honda. This was virtually at sea level. Once I got it to just 2400 ft above sea level, it would not work.

I added a Companion 2K Honda, and all is good in the world of AC cooling.

Most likely not. There is a little bit of variability from unit to unit and occasionally, someone will get it to work but as a general rule, it's too much for a 2000w unit (actually rated at 1600w continous).

We have a 2400w yamaha and that gets the job done but it actually can surge beyond 2400w for a second or two.

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.

paul judd wrote:
I have a 30 foot Kit Companion bumper pull trailer we just bought. 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?

A few report success. But it will be marginal with 2,000 watts. Increased elevation and ambient temperature will increase the required power. So even a demonstration that works could be a bit short on the road. Maybe rent one and see. The very newest and efficient AC units are most likely to work.

The smallest quiet generator that will run a 13,500 BTU is the Yamaha 2400i.
Yamaha 2400

Mostly likely not. I have two 2000 yamaha generators that I connect to each other for a total of 4000w to run my TT A/C and other systems.