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......

[Larryect]

Well, reporting back:

Good news is when I hooked the Yamaha and Honda together they didn't blow up, or let smoke out.

Less good news is they don't seem to share well enough to start the 15k AC. By the time the Yamaha starts to spool up, the Honda Overloads and shuts down.

As road-runner suggested above, The Honda no-load voltage is 128 and the Yamaha is 122 and this apparently affects the sharing.

The Honda is a great unit. In my opinion the only thing it is lacking is a fuel shut off separate from the stop switch so the carburetor could be run dry a bit easier.

[Larryect]

I found a deal on Honda's (as well as others) at Northern Tool. If you order $1000 of stuff you get a $200 gift card back (short time deal). They have the eu2000 listed for $999, effectively making it $800. Free shipping and no tax (for me anyway).

So, I ordered one. I added a $3.00 item to make sure I had $1000 in the order. Then when I get it, I can use the $200 gift card to purchase the extended run tank........

[Larryect]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

Larryect wrote:
IAMICHABOD - You seem to be sold on the IQ2000.

Tell me, do you have a pair and have you had good luck with them running a 15k AC unit?

No I don't have 2. The reason I am sold on this unit is its cost and what it will do. I first saw the IQ last year while dry camping,I talked to the owner and he was pleased with them,The cost and that they were assembled in the USA,he had a fairly new TT and said that he used them for the A/C and to run the TV or Microwave if needed.
I did a LOT of research including the Clickys in my first post that show what they will run.

I wanted one that would handle all the small needs without all the noise of my on-board ONAN. When I dry camp in our state parks I don't like to run it if possible,close quarters and all and I like to be a good neighbor.


I did a little test on my Generac IQ2000 with a sound meter, First running the ONAN,outside at about 2FT then inside, both tests with the microwave running.

I found that inside the RV it was only 5 db less than outside,my ONAN sits under the dinette and there is some vibration too.
Then with the Generac at 2 ft the Generac was 10db quieter outside and inside it was only 2-3 db higher that the ambient noise and no vibration.

I then went to the empty neighboring campsite and did the same test.

With the ONAN on it measured 10 db higher than the ambient noise level and with the Generac only 2-3 db above ambient.

I think my neighbors would prefer the Generac when I have to charge my batteries or run the microwave for a short time,I know I like it much better and if the need ever rises and I need more power in a second unit I am confident that these will fill my needs.

As always in the spirit of this Forum I try to give info to others,as I have in my other posts, what they do with it is their call.:B

Thanks for the report.

[Larryect]

mikestock wrote:
I ran 15k air conditioners on three different fifth wheel trailers with a single EU3000is. I actually ran the 15k unit plus one 13.5k unit by paralleling the EU3000is with an EU2000i. I know, people say you can't do this but they are wrong. I have many hours of use, without any ill effects, to prove it.

I later sold the 3000 and now have two EU2000i's. They easily run a single 15k unit with power to spare.

Thx mikestock. Nice report. This is what I hear about Honda's. Haven't heard as much about other brands.

[IAMICHABOD]

Larryect wrote:
IAMICHABOD - You seem to be sold on the IQ2000.

Tell me, do you have a pair and have you had good luck with them running a 15k AC unit?

No I don't have 2. The reason I am sold on this unit is its cost and what it will do. I first saw the IQ last year while dry camping,I talked to the owner and he was pleased with them,The cost and that they were assembled in the USA,he had a fairly new TT and said that he used them for the A/C and to run the TV or Microwave if needed.
I did a LOT of research including the Clickys in my first post that show what they will run.

I wanted one that would handle all the small needs without all the noise of my on-board ONAN. When I dry camp in our state parks I don't like to run it if possible,close quarters and all and I like to be a good neighbor.


I did a little test on my Generac IQ2000 with a sound meter, First running the ONAN,outside at about 2FT then inside, both tests with the microwave running.

I found that inside the RV it was only 5 db less than outside,my ONAN sits under the dinette and there is some vibration too.
Then with the Generac at 2 ft the Generac was 10db quieter outside and inside it was only 2-3 db higher that the ambient noise and no vibration.

I then went to the empty neighboring campsite and did the same test.

With the ONAN on it measured 10 db higher than the ambient noise level and with the Generac only 2-3 db above ambient.

I think my neighbors would prefer the Generac when I have to charge my batteries or run the microwave for a short time,I know I like it much better and if the need ever rises and I need more power in a second unit I am confident that these will fill my needs.

As always in the spirit of this Forum I try to give info to others,as I have in my other posts, what they do with it is their call.:B

[mikestock]

I ran 15k air conditioners on three different fifth wheel trailers with a single EU3000is. I actually ran the 15k unit plus one 13.5k unit by paralleling the EU3000is with an EU2000i. I know, people say you can't do this but they are wrong. I have many hours of use, without any ill effects, to prove it.

I later sold the 3000 and now have two EU2000i's. They easily run a single 15k unit with power to spare.

[Larryect]

IAMICHABOD - You seem to be sold on the IQ2000.

Tell me, do you have a pair and have you had good luck with them running a 15k AC unit?

[SaltiDawg]

24/7 A/C usage at full load?

[kzspree320]

Honda's website says even at 1/4 load that 1.6 gallons last 7.7 hours. So even at quarter load that's about 5 gallons per 24 hours for one generator.

[rstanek]

Don't matter to me what you think, my wife and I were there, we know how much fuel we went through, you weren't there, think what you want....

[kzspree320]

The numbers don't add up. Using them to power your AC continuously you only used 15 to 20 gallons in 10 days. You realize that means you only used 1 1/2 to 2 gallons PER DAY. I can't buy that. I've had some great generators but nothing near that efficient.

[rstanek]

I purchased two Honda Handi 3000i last year, spendy but I'm only doing this once, pairing them with a companion tank works well, in ten days with using our 15k ac, we used 15 to 20 gallons of fuel running 24/7, only stopped for oil changes.

[2oldman]

Make your own parallel kit for $25.

[IAMICHABOD]

Larryect wrote:

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

Hummm lets see :h

Lets see 2 Hondas w/paralle kit@ $2219

2 Generac IQ2000 $1574 plus Parallel Kit $149 = $496 less..... Just Sayin...:@