Honda Generators for Air conditioning

[paul_judd]

I have a 30 foot Kit Companion bumper pull trailer we just bought. I want to buy a Honda Generator to run air conditioner. I think it is 13,500 BTUs. Wondering if the smaller Honda 2,000 will handle the air conditioner? Any thoughts? Suggestions?

[colliehauler]

TomG2 wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
....snip......
If one isn't willing to do that then the alternate solution is a larger genset that can handle, without stumbling, the significantly increased load when the A/C compressor starts ... seems obvious to me. :S

Good points. Most people, me included, have always followed the path of "If 200 hp is good, 300 hp is better". I don't think the Honda 2000i is up to handling air conditioning needs under all possible conditions, but with a little work and experimentation it might do for some. I like your fan switch idea and when operating my unit, I do not let it cycle by setting the thermostat at its lowest position.

I just can't understand why someone would want to deal with something so marginal at best. Hard start capacitor, turning fan on before compressor, turning A/C down so it doesn't cycle, putting in different thermostat all to be able to use a underpowered generator. What if a person wants to use a microwave, toaster or hair dryer, you have to go through the rigmarole to start the A/C back up.

I like the two people who built trays to take a large generator that can run everything. One was 6500k another was 7000k generator both quiet models.

I understand taking a small generator along if you just want to charge batteries.

To each his own.

[TomG2]

SoundGuy wrote:
....snip......
If one isn't willing to do that then the alternate solution is a larger genset that can handle, without stumbling, the significantly increased load when the A/C compressor starts ... seems obvious to me. :S

Good points. Most people, me included, have always followed the path of "If 200 hp is good, 300 hp is better". I don't think the Honda 2000i is up to handling air conditioning needs under all possible conditions, but with a little work and experimentation it might do for some. I like your fan switch idea and when operating my unit, I do not let it cycle by setting the thermostat at its lowest position.

[SoundGuy]

chr$ wrote:
The only problem with the "tricks" like putting in a switch to turn the fan off before the compressor start, won't work unless you can set the Tstat to keep the AC unit on all the time.

Of course, but this highlights the same common mistake made by nearly everyone, including the OP who in his first post said -

" I want to buy a Honda Generator to run air conditioner. I think it is 13,500 BTUs. Wondering if the smaller Honda 2,000 will handle the air conditioner? Any thoughts? Suggestions?"

It's not running the A/C that's the issue but being able to successfully start the A/C compressor ... and with a few simple steps including wiring out the A/C fan with a centre off switch it is quite possible to successfully start and run a 13.5K BTU A/C with a 2K genset. I never claimed this was the magic panacea that would guarantee repeated success but it is one of several steps one can take that will help get that compressor going. Compressor cycling is a separate issue and in a case where one is using a marginal 2K genset as the power source the obvious solution is to prevent the compressor from cycling in the first place. If one isn't willing to do that then the alternate solution is a larger genset that can handle, without stumbling, the significantly increased load when the A/C compressor starts ... seems obvious to me. :S

[pianotuna]

That would cost them an extra dime.

Robin25113 wrote:
I wonder why the RV manufacturers don't consider split A/C systems? I really like the EER ratings.

[westend]

chr$ wrote:
The only problem with the "tricks" like putting in a switch to turn the fan off before the compressor start, won't work unless you can set the Tstat to keep the AC unit on all the time. If you set the Tstat to a "normal" temp, it will cycle, and you may not be there to toggle the fan(s) off (My Carrier has dual fans). It will also have higher LRA when there is still pressure in the system on a secondary start where a cold start (first of the day) will have lower pressure and less static load.

I suppose one could build a time delay circuit that cuts out the fan for a few moments when it gets a compressor start voltage... I could easily design and build one for sale, but most people couldn't figure out how to install it, and there are so many unit types, the instruction manual would look like a major metro area phone book.

They really need to start making Inverter AC units for RV's, but nobody in this walmart society will pay what they are worth / will cost. When my Carrier dies, I will be replacing it with another fantastic vent and putting in a mitsubishi mr. slim mini split.

Really, the best thing is to use an RV generator or a Honda 3000EUI. People have also successfully paralleled non matching Honda's, like a 1K and a 2K. I can see some benefits to that. I have a Honda EV4010 RV Generator with Electric start. It Will Run everything.

The Mitsubishi sounds like a good plan. Where would you locate the compressor?

[Robin25113]

I wonder why the RV manufacturers don't consider split A/C systems? I really like the EER ratings.

[69_Avion]

chr$ wrote:
The only problem with the "tricks" like putting in a switch to turn the fan off before the compressor start, won't work unless you can set the Tstat to keep the AC unit on all the time. If you set the Tstat to a "normal" temp, it will cycle, and you may not be there to toggle the fan(s) off (My Carrier has dual fans). It will also have higher LRA when there is still pressure in the system on a secondary start where a cold start (first of the day) will have lower pressure and less static load.

I suppose one could build a time delay circuit that cuts out the fan for a few moments when it gets a compressor start voltage... I could easily design and build one for sale, but most people couldn't figure out how to install it, and there are so many unit types, the instruction manual would look like a major metro area phone book.

They really need to start making Inverter AC units for RV's, but nobody in this walmart society will pay what they are worth / will cost. When my Carrier dies, I will be replacing it with another fantastic vent and putting in a mitsubishi mr. slim mini split.

Really, the best thing is to use an RV generator or a Honda 3000EUI. People have also successfully paralleled non matching Honda's, like a 1K and a 2K. I can see some benefits to that. I have a Honda EV4010 RV Generator with Electric start. It Will Run everything.

Mini Splits are a good way to go and are some of the highest efficiency units out there. The SEER ratings are really high and you can get a heat pump while you are at it. Besides, they don't need a large hole through the roof.

[chr_]

The only problem with the "tricks" like putting in a switch to turn the fan off before the compressor start, won't work unless you can set the Tstat to keep the AC unit on all the time. If you set the Tstat to a "normal" temp, it will cycle, and you may not be there to toggle the fan(s) off (My Carrier has dual fans). It will also have higher LRA when there is still pressure in the system on a secondary start where a cold start (first of the day) will have lower pressure and less static load.

I suppose one could build a time delay circuit that cuts out the fan for a few moments when it gets a compressor start voltage... I could easily design and build one for sale, but most people couldn't figure out how to install it, and there are so many unit types, the instruction manual would look like a major metro area phone book.

They really need to start making Inverter AC units for RV's, but nobody in this walmart society will pay what they are worth / will cost. When my Carrier dies, I will be replacing it with another fantastic vent and putting in a mitsubishi mr. slim mini split.

Really, the best thing is to use an RV generator or a Honda 3000EUI. People have also successfully paralleled non matching Honda's, like a 1K and a 2K. I can see some benefits to that. I have a Honda EV4010 RV Generator with Electric start. It Will Run everything.

[jaycocreek]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Here are five with power under $12:

five under $12

jaycocreek wrote:

If I need to use the air conditioner when staying in one spot, I head for a cheap campground instead when ever that is possible.

Our campgrounds don't have hookups around here. Just camping on asphalt with a picnic table and outhouse, basically.

None of those are around here! There are no campgrounds with hookups in this area unless you head to a State Park.(no thanks). As I said, there Forest Service campgrounds on asphalt with a table and outhouse for $12 a night. No hookups....

[69_Avion]

It is hard to beat two 2000 watt Honda or Yamaha inverter generators.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Here are five with power under $12:

five under $12

jaycocreek wrote:

If I need to use the air conditioner when staying in one spot, I head for a cheap campground instead when ever that is possible.

Our campgrounds don't have hookups around here. Just camping on asphalt with a picnic table and outhouse, basically.

[TheGriswolds]

We have a 15k BTU a/c unit and 2 2k watt yamaha inverters. I switch the 15amp breaker for the converter off when I fire the a/c. Works every time and once it's going I can turn it back on. A little bit of a pain but I just love the two small generators vs. the big guy.

[jaycocreek]

The 4k Yamaha ES wouldn't start the compressor on my 13.5 Colman Mach air conditioner in 90+ heat.I think it was about 95 out and it wouldn't run the air.

Surprised me, yet my 3k Honda does it fine.The Yamaha was fairly new also.Ran it fine until it got really hot out.I'm sure the new inverter Yamaha does a much better job.

[colliehauler]

jaycocreek wrote:

If I need to use the air conditioner when staying in one spot, I head for a cheap campground instead when ever that is possible.

Our campgrounds don't have hookups around here. Just camping on asphalt with a picnic table and outhouse, basically.

I had a Yamaha 4k ES that would not run an air conditioner in 90+ heat yet my 3k Honda does it with ease. Go figure.

A 4k generator should run the A/C and the microwave.

[jaycocreek]

If I need to use the air conditioner when staying in one spot, I head for a cheap campground instead when ever that is possible.

Our campgrounds don't have hookups around here. Just camping on asphalt with a picnic table and outhouse, basically.

I had a Yamaha 4k ES that would not run an air conditioner in 90+ heat yet my 3k Honda does it with ease. Go figure.