Generator/Progressive Industries EMS-LCHW30

[cekkk]

With that installed in the camper will I have problems plugging into a Honda or Yamaha generator's 30 amp plug?

Also, should I expect to lose 18% to 27% of a generator's capacity at 6000' to 9000' altitude? Or, put another way, would a thousand watt gen become 750 watts at 9000'?

I'd like to buy a generator, but it's beginning to look as though it's going to take at least 5k to be of much use at our altitudes, and those are pretty darned heavy. Obviously, I'd want to run more than a couple of lights but not necessarily the 15k ac.

[kpratte]

Another thing to consider is that many of the AC units have only basic starter capacitors.. I have a 13.5K Coleman AC unit and my generator (Yamaha 2400) would stall whenever I tried to run the AC. Bought a $25 starter capacitor and installed it (30 minute to install which was lots of reading on wiring diagrams, 1 min of connecting wires) and my Yamaha had no issues starting the AC.

- Ken

[cekkk]

Lots to read and consider what if anything to buy.

[Bobbo]

Bonding Plug:

[ktmrfs]

otrfun wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:
. . . Make yourself a "bonding" plug . . . Note, this does NOT work on the 2000 Companion, since it only has ONE plug . . .

A bonding plug works fine with the EU2000i Companion, both, solo and/or paralleled (with or without EMS protection turned on). See the attached schematic. Note the NEMA L5-30 (30 amp) outlet on the Companion is simply paralleled with the NEMA 5-20 (15-20 amp) outlet. A bonding plug on either outlet of the Companion will work. FWIW, the 20 amp circuit breaker is the only thing that prevents 30 amps from entering the NEMA 5-20 outlet when the Companion is paralleled.

you are correct, and thanks for clarifying. sorry my post was in error. I was going by memory (on vacation) and forgot that the companion has a std 20A plug AND the 30A. so yup, a bonding plug in the 20A solves the problem.

[otrfun]

ktmrfs wrote:
. . . Make yourself a "bonding" plug . . . Note, this does NOT work on the 2000 Companion, since it only has ONE plug . . .

A bonding plug works fine with the EU2000i Companion, both, solo and/or paralleled (with or without EMS protection turned on). See the attached schematic. Note the NEMA L5-30 (30 amp) outlet on the Companion is simply paralleled with the NEMA 5-20 (15-20 amp) outlet. A bonding plug on either outlet of the Companion will work. FWIW, the 20 amp circuit breaker is the only thing that prevents 30 amps from entering the NEMA 5-20 outlet when the Companion is paralleled.

[ktmrfs]

JiminDenver wrote:
Unfortunately the derating of generators at altitude is a subject I am all to familiar with. On a hot day you can lose 4% per 1000 ft. My 55a converter ppulls 975w I believe so a 2000w inverter generator running at 1600w minus roughly 30-40% will have a hard time running it. I shut off our converter when we got solar.

With the air conditioning I found 2800w inverter generators stop having the ability to run it around 8-8500 ft. My 3500/4000 will do it at 10,000 ft but only with the converter off. A Yamaha 4500w inverter generator would do it but they are big, heavy and really expensive. A pair of Champion 3100i paralleled would be the less expensive choice but what a PITA to deal with two big generators.

altitude plus the poor power factor of most converters = possible problems. the 55A PD may draw 975W, but closer to 1100-1200 VA. The 65A PD draws about 1400VA, not much margin with a honda 2000VA max, 1600VA continous rating.

Even at 6000-7000 ft two honda 2000's are only "adequate" for starting our AC on a hot day, no eco mode starting like at near sea level. Before I got solar, pulling into a campground on a hot afternoon after driving all day, it's lets get the trailer cooled down, then we can think about charging batteries. At least now I can start charging the batteries on solar while the AC is cooling down the trailer.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

We are speaking of a 30 amp twist lock receptacle for 240

or are we speaking of a 30 amp twist lock receptacle for 120 vac ?

You will get limited watts 120 volts out of a 240 reconfigured connection...

[ktmrfs]

instead of bypassing the EMS due to a unbonded ground/neutral, there sn alternative. Make yourself a "bonding" plug. go to a hardware store and buy a 3 prong replacement plug for a power cord. Take a piece of #14 stranded wire and connect the ground pin to the neutral pin on the plug. Do NOT connect anything to the hot leg. put the cover back on the plug. plug this into one of the outlets on the honda. Now the EMS will work. Note, this does NOT work on the 2000 Companion, since it only has ONE plug. This is one of three solutions that you will get if you call about the EMS and this problem with most portable generators.

If you have the EMS unit without the remote display and bypass switch you WILL need to do this or something similar to be able to power the trailer.

[cekkk]

I really appreciate that specific information. The best thing for me to do might be to forget using one for anything more than battery charging, beause I sure don't want to deal with multiple or very heavy single units.

[JiminDenver]

Unfortunately the derating of generators at altitude is a subject I am all to familiar with. On a hot day you can lose 4% per 1000 ft. My 55a converter ppulls 975w I believe so a 2000w inverter generator running at 1600w minus roughly 30-40% will have a hard time running it. I shut off our converter when we got solar.

With the air conditioning I found 2800w inverter generators stop having the ability to run it around 8-8500 ft. My 3500/4000 will do it at 10,000 ft but only with the converter off. A Yamaha 4500w inverter generator would do it but they are big, heavy and really expensive. A pair of Champion 3100i paralleled would be the less expensive choice but what a PITA to deal with two big generators.

[RVhiker]

cekkk wrote:
With that installed in the camper will I have problems plugging into a Honda or Yamaha generator's 30 amp plug?

Because of grounding issues, when you plug into the generator you have to switch the EMS into bypass - there's a switch on the remote.

cekkk wrote:
Also, should I expect to lose 18% to 27% of a generator's capacity at 6000' to 9000' altitude? Or, put another way, would a thousand watt gen become 750 watts at 9000'?

For a Honda, there are high altitude main jets if this is a problem; of course, changing the jets is a problem, too. I have run my Hoonda 2000i with low altitude main jet at 8000 feet to recharge my trailer batteries with the on board converter and have not had problems.

cekkk wrote:
I'd like to buy a generator, but it's beginning to look as though it's going to take at least 5k to be of much use at our altitudes, and those are pretty darned heavy. Obviously, I'd want to run more than a couple of lights but not necessarily the 15k ; ac.

We use our generator only to recharge our trailer batteries. If your planned use of a generator is mainly to recharge batteries, I think a 2000 watt generator is plenty; a 1000 watt generator may be a little small for some power converters at high altitude. If you want to run an air conditioner, obviously a much larger generator is required.

[2oldman]

cekkk wrote:
With that installed in the camper will I have problems plugging into a Honda or Yamaha generator's 30 amp plug?

Looks fine to me.