Forum Discussion

eddd's avatar
eddd
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015

A/C and Generator Questions

I've now have a toy hauler but my years with the truck camper forum makes me sure ya'll are better informed on this than anyone.

Back in the day when I had my Lance I switched out my A/C unit to a Coleman Polar Cub 8000 so I could have A/C using my Honda 2000i.

My toy hauler has the same problem, an over-sized A/C unit. (The living section is only 16' with no slides.) Up until now this has not been an issue since I moved to Utah and I'm at a comfortable elevation when camping so there has been no need for A/C...until now.

I also use the toy hauler to transport my track motorcycles to tracks that are located in desert areas of Nevada and southern California where the A/C would be great between track sessions.

I understand the Polar Cub 8000 is no longer available and now the Coleman Mach 8 is the smallest unit available from Coleman. Will the Mach 8 run on a single Honda 2000i?

Assuming it will, I'll still be close to the price of a second Honda 2000i. So it might make more sense sense to go that route and parallel their outputs and stay with with I have since space with the toy hauler isn't the concern it was with the Lance.

Ideas? Suggestions? Alternatives? What am I missing in my analysis?

Thanks
Truck Campers
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Jun 21, 2015
    My Honda 3000 inverter powers the biggest roof AC I could find just fine.
    It is quieter than AC as well.
    Did I say it power AC for 12 hr on 2.5 gallons of gas.
    Kohler build into my older motorhome not only is too noisy, but takes about 4x more fuel.
  • gitpicker2009's avatar
    gitpicker2009
    Explorer
    Jun 21, 2015
    Sir, I used to own a 38 foot Keystone Raptor with the 5kw onan, and can tell you, it NEVER handled the air conditioning well. I mean, it worked, but I don't believe even the 5k genset could produce the current flow the AC unit required, and it really struggled to cool the coach. They are not very well insulated. When I plugged into the 50 amp shore power, I noticed an immediate difference. If you go with a smaller air conditioner, you're sizing the air to the genset rather than what the coach actually needs. I'd say you're better off going to more power as some of these guys suggested.
  • JiminDenver's avatar
    JiminDenver
    Explorer II
    Jun 16, 2015
    Honda cleared up the mess that a typo did on a brochure in a thread a bit ago. They test at the same distance as everyone else does.

    Two 2000w generators running a A/C will be as loud as my Champion 3500/4000 is and that's louder that a Champion 3100i.

    Altitude has a affect on generators, the higher you go the weaker they get. I camp at 10,000 ft and a 3500/4000 can only run the roof A/C if the converter is off.

    No generator is "quiet" but some are quieter than others. That doesn't mean a Honda EU3000is isn't annoying in a quiet campground, even puttering along in Eco mode.

    You could try what I've done. I am putting up a solar system capable of running a 5000 BTU A/c on its own. No noise except the A/C itself. We only need the A/C when the sun is bright and the system can run it from 10 am to 3 pm and still be charging the bank.
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Jun 16, 2015
    deltabravo wrote:
    I also did a home build of an extended run 5 gallon fuel tank.


    I couldn't see the point in spending more money on an "application specific" extended run fuel tank, which is a outboard motor fuel tank with quick disconnect hoses.

    I took a fuel jug I already had and adapted it to work. I can still use it for other things, unlike an outboard motor jug/tank.

    My hose is now set up with a T fitting and a second fitting so I can run them both from the fuel jug.

    This photo isn't a good representation of proper use. I usually sit the fuel jug higher than the generator so I get a better siphon / gravity feed going.



    The replacement fuel caps for the generators are available on Ebay.

    cap, drain extender and magnetic dip stick
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Jun 16, 2015
    Reddog1 wrote:
    Unless cost is no object, I would go with the twin generators. They are the most versatile of your choices. They will run what you have with the minimum money spent, light enough to move around, and will work great when you go back to a TC.


    Ditto.

    Twin Honda 2000s have a higher continuous rating than the Honda EU3000i
    Each 2000 has a 1600 watt continuous rating (total of 3200 watts)

    The EU3000i has a continuous rating of 2600.

    Versatility and ease of moving them around is why I went twins.
    Most of the time I only take one of mine.

    I also did a home build of an extended run 5 gallon fuel tank. It will get a work out next weekend at the NW Overland Rally.
  • _DJ_1's avatar
    _DJ_1
    Explorer II
    Jun 16, 2015
    No question at all on what I would do. Get a Honda 2000 Companion and paralleled with your 2000 gives you a 30 amp circuit. Keep the big AC, you're gonna need it. You are all ready nearly twice as long as a TC with very tall ceilings.

    A Companion 2000 would be comparable to cost for the Champion 3000 and you would have 4000 watts of top of the line quiet gennys.

    Are you never going to camp anywhere but racetracks?

    Another reason. Resale!! I used a Honda Companion for a year. Just took the regular 2000 with the TC and both for the TT. Then I went with a Honda 3000 mounted to the TT and sold the Companion. I advertised it for $850 and the phone was ringing off the hook. First guy here took it. Personally for $200 difference I would have bought a new one before spending 850 for a used one!!!

    Life styles change. Sometimes rapidly. What if you get tired of dragging that TH around and go back to a TC? You are stuck with too big of genny while needing another portable!! JMHO
  • jaycocreek's avatar
    jaycocreek
    Explorer II
    Jun 16, 2015
    When comparing the generators and sound levels the Honda EU3000IS clearly stands out as the quietest generator that can run an RV air conditioner!The Honda EU3000I "Handy" is a completely different and nosier generator.

    I own both the Honda 2K and 3K-IS and can say the 3k is noticeably quieter than the 2K especially under load but for pickup camper camping the 2K makes more sense unless your toting a trailer behind or have a hitch mount on the front that will hold the 3K gen set.I carried my Honda 2K just in the back door of my Lance camper then took it out when I got where I was going.

  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Jun 16, 2015
    I love my twin Honda EU2000i gens.
    I only take 1 if I know I won't need A/C
  • eddd's avatar
    eddd
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2015
    Dakota98 wrote:
    I too, would get a generator, BUT

    I'd almost be tempted to buy this one in the place of a new Honda for about the same money, sell your current Honda & spend what you saved on the bikes.

    Champion 3100 w/remote start


    I started to think about that route earlier today after I posted.

    Anything short of a construction style generator would be no problem at the track. In the paddock there are at least 50 generators running the entire time powering tire warmers, A/C units for those who have R/V, and other devices, but with 30 bikes screaming around the track at 8,000-12,000 rpm you can't hear any of the generators anyway.

    One with wheels would roll right up the ramp into the garage part of my toy hauler. I've seen a few of the Champion ones but did not pay much attention to them. The only issue might be that I might want the quiet of a single Honda somewhere down the line, though right now that seems pretty remote, and I have a decent size inverter that should take care of most 120v needs.

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