15k BTU AC on Parallel Hondas?

[Larryect]

I am wondering if anyone has actual, personal experience running their 15k BTU AC unit on parallel Honda 2000's.

My Yamaha 2400 would take care of the 13.5 unit. But the 15k is too much for it. I really wish Yamaha made it parallel capable. I am leaning towards the dual Honda's, but am hoping to not make a mistake.

I like the idea of parallel units because if I don't need AC I can run one smaller unit and they are easier to move around.

I have a friend that has dual Champions and they really don't like the 15k AC unit. I have heard the Hondas have a better motor starting ability.

I live at 4500 feet and may be camping higher or lower......

[2oldman]

troubledwaters wrote:
Now if they could just get rid of that irritatingly excessive drain on your wallet.

Well, yeah, that sorta goes with the territory. I'm sure they've chosen the price carefully.

[troubledwaters]

2oldman wrote:

Larryect wrote:
But I think the Generacs have a bit more irritating sound

Honda has done a good job of getting rid of the irritating sound, not just passing the db test. That's what you're paying for.

Now if they could just get rid of that irritatingly excessive drain on your wallet.

[wnjj]

Larryect wrote:

wnjj wrote:

Larryect wrote:
That looks like an interesting idea. However it's not just the start up. I did get it started once or twice. But, there was no additional running amps left over for anything. If I even turned on my LED lights the generator would bog down.

That device looks like it would be good if two 2000's were having trouble starting it.

I assume you mean 12V LED's? If they cause your generator to bog, try turning off the converter. That alone takes a bunch of power and may be most of the issue.

True. But the point is if I want to run the AC I couldn't do anything else at all while enjoying the cool air. No TV, battery charging, limited lighting.

The charger takes a ton of power. So why not just buy another battery or 2 and run on batteries for your 12V needs when you need AC? The TV, fridge, lighting and other things will be fine without the charger for quite some time. Of course if you need AC well into the night or for days on end that may not work so wel..

[Larryect]

filrupmark wrote:
We run our 15K Dometic with our 2000 Honda's.

Thanks

[Larryect]

2oldman wrote:
It's real hard to go wrong with Honda. But if folks would rather keep the $212, then by all means get the other one.

I think It's less than that. The parallel cable is about 100 more for the Generac

[filrupmark]

We run our 15K Dometic with our 2000 Honda's.

[2oldman]

It's real hard to go wrong with Honda. But if folks would rather keep the $212, then by all means get the other one.

[Larryect]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

Larryect wrote:

2oldman wrote:

Larryect wrote:
The Generac has some interesting features. They are not that much cheaper though.

I looked all over the place and couldn't find any db spec - even on their 'specifications' page. Weird. Straight db's don't always tell the complete truth. Sometimes generators emit a grinding or rattling noise that, while isn't all that "loud", carries for hundreds of feet.

The reviews are mixed.. some not so good. Buyer beware.

I agree about the sound. The link above shows a video comparison. But I think the Generacs have a bit more irritating sound

Sound Comparison by Intertek

And then there is this report..



http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28835016.cfm

Clicky

[IAMICHABOD]

Larryect wrote:

2oldman wrote:

Larryect wrote:
The Generac has some interesting features. They are not that much cheaper though.

I looked all over the place and couldn't find any db spec - even on their 'specifications' page. Weird. Straight db's don't always tell the complete truth. Sometimes generators emit a grinding or rattling noise that, while isn't all that "loud", carries for hundreds of feet.

The reviews are mixed.. some not so good. Buyer beware.

I agree about the sound. The link above shows a video comparison. But I think the Generacs have a bit more irritating sound

Sound Comparison by Intertek

Honda Price

Generic Price

[Larryect]

road-runner wrote:

Has anyone ever been brave / crazy enough to try to get one to sync to something like another brand inverter genertor or source?

One person has reported successful paralleling of Honda and Kipor in the following two threads:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18202576/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/19588428/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm

There is a lot of misunderstanding out there about the Honda inverter generators. For instance, Honda says to use only Honda parallel cables, only 2 generators can be connected in parallel, and they must be identical models. There are multiple reports of all these requirements being violated with no ill effects, yet many who aren't aware of it will confidently state than bad things will happen if attempted. As recently as a couple of years ago, multiple posts said bad things would happen if an eu2000i output were bonded to the chassis ground. For instance, one post said "Okay, just got off phone with Honda tech support, located in Georgia. They confirm, you can not bond ground and neutral on this generator model.", and now it's widely accepted that there's no problem doing it. My point is that when asking about doing something nonstandard, be skeptical of predicted results from somebody who hasn't tried it.

My "best guess" is that a Honda inverter generator will sync with any source the conforms to its voltage and frequency specs. I doubt that the result would be acceptable because of the voltage differences. The Hondas stand alone with a no-load output voltage around 128, and when they're pulled down to 120 they're close to being overloaded. Most of the other inverter generators are in the 120 to 122 volt ballpark with no load. Because of this, the Honda would always be the primary power source, and no power would be drawn from the other source until the Honda was close to being overloaded.

Thanks. Interesting note on the Honda No-load Voltage. Since I am planning on changing my set-up, maybe I will get the Honda and do a little experimenting.

[Larryect]

2oldman wrote:

Larryect wrote:
.. try to get one to sync to something like another brand inverter genertor or source?

Try this post

or this one might be better

Interesting. Thanks.

Looks like most people consider it tempting fate, but others have reported some success in pairing with a Kipor, and Honda's of several sizes. I am thinking it might be interesting to try to pair one with my Yamaha. Seems like they both have electronic overload protection and breakers built in.........

[road-runner]

Has anyone ever been brave / crazy enough to try to get one to sync to something like another brand inverter genertor or source?

One person has reported successful paralleling of Honda and Kipor in the following two threads:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18202576/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/19588428/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm

There is a lot of misunderstanding out there about the Honda inverter generators. For instance, Honda says to use only Honda parallel cables, only 2 generators can be connected in parallel, and they must be identical models. There are multiple reports of all these requirements being violated with no ill effects, yet many who aren't aware of it will confidently state than bad things will happen if attempted. As recently as a couple of years ago, multiple posts said bad things would happen if an eu2000i output were bonded to the chassis ground. For instance, one post said "Okay, just got off phone with Honda tech support, located in Georgia. They confirm, you can not bond ground and neutral on this generator model.", and now it's widely accepted that there's no problem doing it. My point is that when asking about doing something nonstandard, be skeptical of predicted results from somebody who hasn't tried it.

My "best guess" is that a Honda inverter generator will sync with any source the conforms to its voltage and frequency specs. I doubt that the result would be acceptable because of the voltage differences. The Hondas stand alone with a no-load output voltage around 128, and when they're pulled down to 120 they're close to being overloaded. Most of the other inverter generators are in the 120 to 122 volt ballpark with no load. Because of this, the Honda would always be the primary power source, and no power would be drawn from the other source until the Honda was close to being overloaded.

[2oldman]

Larryect wrote:
.. try to get one to sync to something like another brand inverter genertor or source?

Try this post

or this one might be better

[Larryect]

It appears to me that the Honda generators synchronize with the other 60 HZ sine wave created by the first unit started.

Has anyone ever been brave / crazy enough to try to get one to sync to something like another brand inverter genertor or source?

[2oldman]

Larryect wrote:
But I think the Generacs have a bit more irritating sound

Honda has done a good job of getting rid of the irritating sound, not just passing the db test. That's what you're paying for.