Smallest AC that a Honda 2000 will Run?

[Snowy_Bird]

Just sniffing around for AC units to eventually install on our NL which we will be getting in Feb.

I purposely did not order one, factory installed as I have heard (from more than one source), that manufacturers buy AC's by the truck load and of course, from whomever gives then the best price.
I don't think the manufacturers really give too much consideration as to whether a Honda 2000 will run their chosen AC.

I figured we would get a Polar Cub 9200, but now I'm reading that the newer ones are using more power than the older ones?.

Does anyone out there have a less than 2 yr old PC 9200 that they have run off of their Honda 2000 with no problems? Or anyone know of a small brand new model that will work?

[okan-star]

I have the newest model mach 1 power saver and have run it at 8500 ft elevation with my converter on , its the lowest power using one made now , I would recommend this one for a truck camper not needing a low profile AC
The specs that have been given in this thread on the
mach 1 - 11000 btu
mach 3 - 13000 btu
and mach 8 polar cub 9200 btu are NOT up to date numbers , not the newest models ,the compressors have been changed on the Power Savers

the mach 1 ps is 9.3 on low ,9.5 on high
the mach 3 ps is 9.4 on low ,10 on high
the mach 8 polar cub is 11.2 on low , 11.7 on high

the mach 8 cub is lower profile = 3" lower height

[hedge]

yeah it was a tough call for me but I wanted the low profile and the 9200 has ran every time with the Honda 2000 but once. Still not sure why I was having problems that 1 time because every other time it ran with the Honda on eco mode. Maybe my batteries were low and the converter was working harder since it has the built in charge wizard.

[Snowy_Bird]

joeshmoe wrote:
Recently was out for 3 days and had not a single problem running the Honda.

I have the 11,000 BTU Coleman PowerSaver (PS) model and can report that at least at sub 1000 ft elev. down to sea-level, the Honda 2000 runs it without issue.

The A/C pulls exactly 1050 watts on the low/cool setting which is more than cold enough for us even at 90-95 degrees outside temp.
There's plenty of wattage left to also run the fridge (about 200 watts on highest setting), lights, TV and converter without sending the Honda into surge mode. In fact, it ran consistently at probably half throttle during the heat of the day-- when we wanted to get out of the sun. Of course, I did study the specs. of everything and made a weekend-long test at the house before we set out camping anywhere.


The Honda gives a continuous output of about 1600 watts with a 10 min. surge of 2000 watts according to manual.

Reading a lot of stories where people bought the newer version of the Polar Cub and have not been able to run it on a Honda 2000. The PowerSaver model seems to have been developed specifically for campers who want to use a 2000 watt gen. with a little power left over. Sure, it's taller, but you get the benefit of the larger compressor and therefore less wear and tear. I initially thought I had a 13,500 unit. Upon further inspection (only after removing the control panel) to determine how much work it would be to replace with another unit, and seeing the model number, did I discover it was this PS model. I was ready to replace it with a with a Coleman 8 or 9. Glad I didn't. I'm totally happy with it.

Thank you for that info. Answered all my questions.

[joeshmoe]

Recently was out for 3 days and had not a single problem running the Honda.

I have the 11,000 BTU Coleman PowerSaver (PS) model and can report that at least at sub 1000 ft elev. down to sea-level, the Honda 2000 runs it without issue.

The A/C pulls exactly 1050 watts on the low/cool setting which is more than cold enough for us even at 90-95 degrees outside temp.
There's plenty of wattage left to also run the fridge (about 200 watts on highest setting), lights, TV and converter without sending the Honda into surge mode. In fact, it ran consistently at probably half throttle during the heat of the day-- when we wanted to get out of the sun. Of course, I did study the specs. of everything and made a weekend-long test at the house before we set out camping anywhere.


The Honda gives a continuous output of about 1600 watts with a 10 min. surge of 2000 watts according to manual.

Reading a lot of stories where people bought the newer version of the Polar Cub and have not been able to run it on a Honda 2000. The PowerSaver model seems to have been developed specifically for campers who want to use a 2000 watt gen. with a little power left over. Sure, it's taller, but you get the benefit of the larger compressor and therefore less wear and tear. I initially thought I had a 13,500 unit. Upon further inspection (only after removing the control panel) to determine how much work it would be to replace with another unit, and seeing the model number, did I discover it was this PS model. I was ready to replace it with a with a Coleman 8 or 9. Glad I didn't. I'm totally happy with it.

[mkirsch]

Someone needs to come up with a 7500BTU roof unit.

[Mello_Mike]

The Polar Cub 9200 is a great little unit. We have run ours on a Honda EU2000i generator and on a 10amp electrical outlet here at the house. We only use ours at home when loading up the camper during the summer since we prefer camping in the mountains where it's a lot cooler.

[trailgranny50]

As a side note to my previous post. We have not had any issues with running everything in the camper, with the exception of the microwave, runs lights, converter and other 12v stuff on the Honda 2000. Of course we're not charging a back up battery either, no sensors or gauges, etc. None of the added draw thru the converter that the newer campers have. We never stay long enough or use enough "stuff" to drain batteries, use shore power when available, so our experiences will be different than most off the grid. We just go.

[dadwolf2]

It appears that the topic has run it's course but:
I found the Coleman Mach 1 Power Saver model 11,000 btu's
Compressor 7.0 amps
Fan low 2.7 / high 2.9
total amps 9.3 / 9.9
Fan high 320 CFM

[dadwolf2]

I just always assumed that the polar cub 9200 was THE air conditioner to get if you were looking for the lowest amp draw. And, 120 more CFM could be really important on a TC like mine where the AC mounts in the rear, not in a central location.

[Big_Katuna]

There was a clicky link to the specs on my post. The feller that posted his real life experience said it runs the AC ONLY. No lights, fridge, converter etc.

[dadwolf2]

Big Katuna wrote:
The Mach PS only draws 11.2 on start up. The PS is a special version.
Like I said, people have posted that they have done it. But you can't run anything else. No converter, lights etc. it would be best to pigtail the AC line to isolate the AC load.

The Big Katuna is right!! I had a hard time believing it but I just looked up the spec sheets on the Mach 8 9200 vs the Mach 3 Power Saver. And the Mach 3 PS is a little cheaper. So if the lower profile isn't critical, the Mach 3 PS looks like the way to go.

Mach 8 9200 btu:
Compressor amps 10.1
fan low - 1.0 / high 1.4
totals 11.1 / 11.5
fan high 200 CFM
weight 89.5 lbs

Mach 3 13,500 btu Power Saver:
Compressor amps 8.3
fan low - 2.3 / high 2.9
totals 10.6 / 11.2
fan high 320 CFM
weight 83.5 lbs

[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've ran it quite a few times with the Honda at ~3500 ft. I did have an issue one time where I couldn't get it to run until I shut off the breaker to the converter.

I could not run it with my Champion 2000w generator.

[Big_Katuna]

The Mach PS only draws 11.2 on start up. The PS is a special version.
Like I said, people have posted that they have done it. But you can't run anything else. No converter, lights etc. it would be best to pigtail the AC line to isolate the AC load.

[d_smith84]

I just bought and installed a coleman polar cub 9200 and it works with the honda 2000. Our elevation is 2,960 feet. Used it this summer while plugged in and kept the camper nice and cool with outside temps well into the 90's. Well worth the money. Only difficulty was figuring how to get it on the roof, two healthy young men, no problem.