Generator won't run my Coleman Mach 8 Polar Cub

[hedge]

I have the following A/C unit installed on my camper

Coleman Mach 8 Polar Cub (47201A876)
- 9200btu, 11.7 amp on high, 11.2 on low
- low profile


I couldn't find one of the lower draw units so I was hopeful that my little Champion 2000 Inverter generator would run it. No luck, it's not even close really, it goes into overload immediately.

I'm exploring my options now. I carry the generator on a hitch rack on the back that fits under the camper but I don't have much room to fit a larger generator unless I put the camper on a spacer which I don't want to do.

1. Does anyone know if a Hard start capacitor is factory installed in this A/C unit?

2. I think the Honda 2000 will handle a larger startup draw than the Champion, is anyone able to run this mode of A/C with the Honda.

3. I am considering moving up to the 3100 generator, it's about 2" taller but maybe I can take the wheels off ot make it lower.

[LanceDuyen]

Wise decision. You will not be disappointed with the Honda.

[hedge]

just to follow up... I solved the problem by purchasing a Honda eu2000. It starts the a/c even in eco mode.

[okan-star]

The mach 8 cub does have a start cap on it already,see part#21

[hedge]

well thanks for all the replies, probably just live without it for now. We are at higher elevation here (3600'). I may upgrade to a Honda but I'm hoping I can convince the dealer to let me try it on the a/c first.

Thanks for the correction on calling it a soft start capacitor and the link provided. I may still try that.

There's only a few times that we need the A/C but we quite often do not have services so it's definately a concern, I guess we'll see how good of a job the fantastic fan does.

[egarant]

I just had the new Coleman Mach 8 9,200 btu put on my Eagle Cap last week. Fired it up with the Honda 2000 in non-eco mode (very important) ran just fine with an outdoor temp of 80 degrees.

I then turned the eco mode to on on the Honda when the AC was running.

I will have to say that the sound of the unit outside is a bit louder then what I had as the fan is on the top of the unit, not a squirrel cage fan inside the shroud like the other units.

[Bubtoofat]

We have the Honda 2000 and last summer we camped in southern Utah around 4000 foot elevation and 112 degree temps. No issues what so ever. We have the polar cub too.
Mike

[FrankShore]

dadwolf2 wrote:
Can you tell us more about this? And how would a future buyer of a Polar Cub know when this is remedied?

You need to contact AirXCel directly and ask them about their remedy:

Polar Cub 8 Specs

[dadwolf2]

FrankShore wrote:
Coleman Mach knows about the Polar Cub Genset issue and they are taking steps to reduce the units back to what they used to be.

Can you tell us more about this? And how would a future buyer of a Polar Cub know when this is remedied?

[Cannon_George]

Semantics are confusing - but in case you run into it a lot of electricians/service folks refer to this as a "soft-start" retrofit, not "hard-start."

[FrankShore]

Coleman Mach knows about the Polar Cub Genset issue and they are taking steps to reduce the units back to what they used to be.

[Artum_Snowbird]

Check out this site...

Hard Start Installation

[Bedlam]

Try putting in a compressor switch. This will allow the blower to come on and then you can manually enable the compressor afterwards. It may also work if you turn the A/C thermostat on warm first so the compressor does not kick on at the same time as the blower. Once the A/C is on, the blower runs constantly and the compressor only cycles based on the thermostat.

If you have appliances that automatically kick on to AC when there is power (like the water heater or refrigerator) set them to the manual LPG setting to reduce generator load.

[Super_Dave]

My H2000 runs that Ac unit on my camper even at high elevation.

[2oldman]

If your Champ is parallel-capable, get another.