15K BTU A/C and Generators

[GeoffW90]

Okay... so I have been to my dealer, I have researched the internet from end-to-end, and I am still unsure of what my generator selection should be.

I bought a Firman 3300 from Costco, it was a piece of junk... Lesson learned, going to buy a Honda or two.

Anyone running generators with a 15K BTU a/c - does a Honda 3000 inverter generator have enough or should I go and get two 2000's and parallel them? I want real facts, so to RV.net I go.

Thanks in advance for your insight!

[ctilsie242]

I second the Micro-Air. It is the only thing on the market like it, and Lichtsinn uses it to retrofit Winnebago Revels so the 13.5K BTU A/C can run on a 2000 watt Honda, and it seems to work quite well.

I consider this as something that is a must-have, just because you can go from having a 3K generator fight to start the A/C to a 2K generator doing the job. As an added bonus, the A/C compressor isn't encountering brownouts on startup, so will last longer.

[PhilipB]

Our Yamaha 3000 runs our 15K fine, along with lights/tv. But nothing else high draw like hair dryer, electric hot water heater, etc. I think the Honda is just about identical as far as quality and capacity. Drawback to 3000 units is weight. But big plus is how long they run. We run A/C overnight on a single tank of gas.

[GeorgiaJim]

A hard start capacitor is a big help. a 3k gen will run a an 15K BTU Ac, but will have a hard time starting the compressor. A hard start capacitor will allow it to start it easy.

Even if you went with dual 2000 , I would go with a hard start as will allow you to keep the gen in eco mode.

Look at the Supco SPP6. it is under 15 bucks, and there are some videos on youtube reviewing it.

[totaldla]

Some "hard-start" use a PTC to isolate them from the circuit. A PTC has to cool down before the cap can help with a start. Since compressors cycle on and off, the hard-start cap will only help once or twice after which the generator will overload.
The Micro-air "Easy Start" is the only real solution for 2KW generators.

[BCtoAB]

Well i couldnt pass up the firman 3300 staring 3000 running it was 599 at costco online. If one doesnt start the 15k ac two of them have too. Right???? Lol. Two of them is still cheaper than one honda

[Gulfcoast]

Champion

Get one of the Champion's shown above... you will save $$$ and be real happy with it too. I love mine.

Their refurbished units are excellent too.

[RSD559]

The 3000 watt Honda is a toss up on 13.6k A/C units. So I wouldn't count on it starting an un-kitted 15k unit. Two 2000 generators seem to be the popular choice now days. But, I wouldn't lock into one brand until I did some research. Go to Amazon and look at the reviews. Look at other on-line reviews. Watch some of the YouTube reviews. Just because it costs more doesn't mean it's better. Ouch!!! Stop throwing stuff! Hey, that hurts! OK, OK, Red and blue are the only sensible way to go (fingers crossed)!

[ryanw821]

I went with a Champion 3100 watt (2800 watt on LP) gas/LP dual fuel, I also added a hard start capacitor to my 15k btu Dometic AC (it did not include a start capacitor from the factory). Starts and runs the AC with no hesitation in eco mode, even on LP.

[GeoffW90]

BCtoAB wrote:
I was just about to buy the 3300 firman from costco hoping it would run my 15k AC. I too have a keyston cougar. So im assuming by your post it could not run the AC?

It did not, nor did my twin Yamaha 2000isT units. I am going with and EasyStart Soft Starter... no way I am hauling around a 4000 watt generator... would need a forklift to move it...

-GW

[DRTDEVL]

I've been using a Black Max 3600w (4500w starting) generator for the better part of a decade now. I picked it up at Sam's for $199 on a Black Friday special (regular was $299). While they don't make this model anymore, I am super-pleased with it. Its not a very loud unit like most "construction" generators, but it does make some noise at about 70 db. It will run everything in my RV at the same time, no questions asked, and uses 1.5 liters of fuel per hour under load. With the 4-gallon tank, that's over 10 hours of run time per fill.

Unfortunately it seems to be difficult to find a retailer with any Black Max generators in stock these days. Sam's is forever out of stock on the 3.5k classes, only offering a 1700w and a 7,000w (currently out of stock as well). If you stumble across one, pick it up. You won't be disappointed.

[Hannibal]

I bought a DeWalt (Generac) 7500. After being and electrician and elevator mechanic for almost four decades, I like to have at least twice the rated capacity of the load I'm putting on a power source. It's heavy and noisy though.

[BCtoAB]

I was just about to buy the 3300 firman from costco hoping it would run my 15k AC. I too have a keyston cougar. So im assuming by your post it could not run the AC?

[Atlee]

Agree about getting 2 Honda EU2200i's instead of a Honda EU3000i.

I personally could not handle the big Honda. Once loaded in the truck, it would have to stay there, which defeats the purpose of having a generator that will power the A/C. I would want to keep the trailer cool while I'm out doing other stuff.

I have twin Honda EU2000i's. I can lift them out of my truck, and if I don't need A/C, I only have to move one of them.


I also agree at this point, I would opt for the Honda 2200 rather than the 2000 if I were starting from scratch. But also at this point, I will not spend the cash needed to upgrade from my current 2000's to get the new 2200's.

ktmrfs wrote:
If you go honda, I'd go with two honda 2200's. NOT A HONDA 2000 WHICH DEALERS ARE PROBABLY UNLOADING CHEAP NOW.

The honda 2200 started shipping to dealers on March 1. Same price as the 2000, with an extra 200W continous, fuel shutoff and a few more improvements.

a) if you only need one it's much easier to carry than the 3000
b) you get 3600 W continous vs 3000 for virtually the same price
c) if you install a micro air easy start as well, at lower alitude you very likely can easily start and run the AC on one honda 2200 in eco mode.

I can easily start my 13.5K unit at 4500 ft in eco mode on one honda 2000. but it runs out of poop after about 10 minutes and overloads. but the 2200 probably won't. I've got a 2200 on order, the 2000 is going to my son.

[Passin_Thru]

I gave up on 3Ks and bought a 7.5 Onan diesel. Very quiet and doesn't grunt when the AC comes on.

[1320Fastback]

My twin Yamaha 2K won't start my AC in our new trailer. Its not even a 15K unit! Pretty soon the bargain basement AC is going in dumpster and a Atwood is going on the roof. It even drags down my old Onan 4BFA although it will run it.

Love the twin Yamahas though, on idle down they will run all night long and still have fuel in the tank. Have used for so many things around the property too!