smaller roof AC

[ajriding]

My old camper had a window unit (from factory), it was small so my Ryobi 2200 inv generator would start and run it just fine.
My current ac is a 13500 roof unit, that will not start with the gen, even with a SPP6 Hard Start capacitor installed.
My AC is over-kill as it is. I would like a smaller roof ac that can be run on the generator.
I have a nice receiver plate custom made for this generator and it is at the front of the truck, and works perfect being small and lockable. A bigger gen would not be so slim and uses more fuel etc.
Preference is to change ac, not generator, and I think ac is cheaper than a quiet gen…

I have heard of 8,000btu root ac but not seen one. Any experts have done this mod?

not looking for knee-jerk reactions or comments, just really knowledge or has-done-it people. thanks.

[map40]

Stop the madness!!!!!
In my fleet I have all Atwood Aircommand command. I have 2 Ryobi 2200 generators and they individually run those airs with no problem. The ACs perform better than any other brand...

[ajriding]

As for the Coleman Mach 8 9200 btu roof AC, yes it does get a small camper cold.
I just installed one on a TC.
92-94 degrees, full sun, 900 feet elevation, condenser side facing the sun, and plenty cool inside.

Again today while working in camper I ran AC. Though it was in the 80's this time, I only had to set the thermostat halfway (it runs on a dial, not a specific number) to keep it cool and on Low fan speed.

It is quiet (for an AC) inside on low, High fan speed is more noisey, not what you want to sleep to.
It does get loud outside only because there is a smaller fan running over the condenser coils and there is wind noise from the air moving past the grill on the shroud too. This noise is outside, who cares, and not inside.

So far I am happy.
I have yet to pull out the 2200 watt generator, but I imagine it is more than enough to run this

[3_tons]

philh wrote:

ajriding wrote:
trying to get one to run off the gen is.

Soft start RTFW

Uh oh, here comes another acronym...

[htwheelz67]

look at the dometic B59530 hi efficiency AC I bought two for my toyhauler it only pulls 11 amps and can run off a 15A breaker, I think you can run two off a 4k gen.

[philh]

ajriding wrote:
trying to get one to run off the gen is.

Soft start RTFW

[ajriding]

jjrbus wrote:

I am getting ready to convert a 8000 btu window AC to a roof air. https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21943313/print/true.cfm

Jjrbus, I just read your conversion article. Nice work. I have always wanted to be able to use a window unit like that.
I was thinking, could I not just swap out the compressor (the black thing) for something smaller and keep my current roof unit? Even one off a smaller window unit? The radiators and fans will not care I would think.
Would a small refrigerator compressor do the same thing, are they the same? I have one of those, but if not no problem to get a $90 AC window unit.

Deltabravo, thanks for sharing. Physically replacing the unit is not my concern, trying to get one to run off the gen is.

[deltabravo]

ajriding wrote:
My current ac is a 13500 roof unit, that will not start with the gen, even with a SPP6 Hard Start capacitor installed.
My AC is over-kill as it is. I would like a smaller roof ac that can be run on the generator.


I have heard of 8,000btu root ac but not seen one. Any experts have done this mod?

I wouldn't call it "a mod" per-say, the project is going to be removing and replacing the A/C unit.

I've done it, hardest part was getting the unit up on the roof.

Coleman AirXcel makes numerous BTU ratings.

https://www.airxcel.com/coleman-mach/products/air-conditioners

Here's a video when I did the project last year A/C upgrade on my truck camper

[jjrbus]

ajriding wrote:
Seems like someone is wrong.
I read, on other places too, that this AC will work, that one won't, or this gen will from one user and same one won't from another user.
I would much rather keep the 2200 watt generator as it is smaller, easier to transport and pick up, and I already made a receiver mount for it.
Some say it will run the Coleman Polar Cub 9200, some say not.
Who has physically hooked a 2000 watt generator to this AC? opinions mean nothing.

You are going to have fun with this one, there is so much misinformation on the net as to be ridiculous!

The smiling guy in a video starting his 13.5k with a Honda 2000. With a jacket on, of course it will start on a cold day, not when it is hot. Another one posting his roof air starts every time with the Honda 2000, come to find out he has an old 8.2 btu roof air, no longer available.

After much reading and experimenting I put an 8k window unit in my RV. A Honda 2000 will start it under all conditions without fail!

A Honda 2000 is not a 2000 watt generator, it is a 1600 watt continuous with a 2000 watt surge.

All over the world they sell smaller lower draw roof airs, not in the US.

Without any links all the 9k mini splits I looked at will work on a Honda 2000, they start at a low power draw and ramp up. If I had the room that is the route I would go.

I am getting ready to convert a 8000 btu window AC to a roof air. https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21943313/print/true.cfm

[3_tons]

3 tons wrote:
FWIW, my Honda 2000i would start the 11k btu while on Eco, but not once the air cond has gotten warm and run for say 30 or more min...Same thing with my new Honda2200i. I’m at 4,800’ elevation.
At some point I’ll consider swapping for a 9200k btu.

On edit, I went to the Airxcel.com site and interestingly enough the Mach 8 Cub 9200 btu uses more power than my 10 yr old Mach 1 PS 11k btu (but the Mach 8 has two fans) as follows:

Mach 8 Cub 9.2k
Hi cool amps = 11.7a
Locked rotor = 58.4a

Mach 1 Power Saver 11k
Hi cool amps = 10a
Locked rotor = 41.5

Maybe a different type refrigerant??

[3_tons]

FWIW, my Honda 2000i would start the 11k btu while on Eco, but not once the air cond has gotten warm and run for say 30 or more min...Same thing with my new Honda2200i. I’m at 4,800’ elevation.
At some point I’ll consider swapping for a 9200k btu.

[ajriding]

yes, with eco off. same lug.
AC is off the roof currently, no need for to slow down the drive if I can't use it.

[MFL]

eflyersteve wrote:
Have you tried running the generator with eco mode off when trying to start your a/c? My 2000watt inverter generator will only start my 13,500 when not in eco mode.

Good luck!

Good point...my 2k operator manual says to shut off eco, before adding a high draw, even though by design, they will power up on their own.

Jerry

[eflyersteve]

Have you tried running the generator with eco mode off when trying to start your a/c? My 2000watt inverter generator will only start my 13,500 when not in eco mode.

Good luck!

[deltabravo]

The 9200 mentioned aboce is pretty popular in the truck camper world, as is the 11k BTU model.

My AF811 had the 11k BTU, it would usually start and run fine on the EU2k.

I goofed when I decided to upgrade and thought I had a 13.5, and that's what I replaced it with.

I replaced it with a heat pump