Two honda generators in tandem

[edekgb]

How come my 4400 watt honda generator (2200 companion and 2000 in tandem) wont power my 1350 btu air cibsitioner? I am at 5280 ft (Denver).

[badsix]

check this out before you go and pay 300.00 for a micro-air I have one and it works fine. seller name is applianceandair on eBay
Jay D.

[Huntindog]

ktmrfs wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
4200 is surge value
run is 1600 and maybe 1760 with eco switch off

2200 is 1800W continous 2000 is 1600 continous. Issue isn't the running current it's the darn 50+ A locked rotor draw.

So a 2200 in parallel with a 2000 is 3400W continous,more than enough to keep the AC and other stuff running. It's GETTING it running that's the tough one.

My 2000 watt Hondas have ran my 15K @9000' in AZ with no problem. I do make sure that the WH and Fridge are not on AC.
If those two happen to come on at the same time as the AC.... That would be a problem.

[ktmrfs]

pianotuna wrote:
4200 is surge value
run is 1600 and maybe 1760 with eco switch off

2200 is 1800W continous 2000 is 1600 continous. Issue isn't the running current it's the darn 50+ A locked rotor draw.

So a 2200 in parallel with a 2000 is 3400W continous,more than enough to keep the AC and other stuff running. It's GETTING it running that's the tough one.

[philh]

easy start will be your friend.

[ktmrfs]

Tvov wrote:
Do the generators have their "ECO" mode turned OFF? We ran a 13.5 A/C for a weekend using an EU2000 without any problems, but the ECO mode had to be off... which meant it was not quiet.

Yes, we were at sea level, but with the amount of power you are using you should be able to run A/C.

before I installed the micro air easy start, my paralled honda's had to be off the eco mode even when in parallel to start the AC if we were much above sea level or it was quite hot. One generator if lucky would start the AC at sea level if not in eco mode. once started I could go back to eco mode, but then if the AC shut off I had to remember to go back off eco before the AC decided to come back on again.

This was even at sea level, worse at 5,000ft or so.

with the micro air, one honda 2000 in eco mode easily starts the AC even at 6000ft or so, but will soon overload. the honda 2200 is fine for long term starting and running the AC at 7000 ft in eco mode.

[ford_truck_guy]

cbwallace wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:

cbwallace wrote:
It sounds as though the generators are not actually running in parallel for some reason. I have run a 13.5 A/C unit on a single Honda at much lower altitudes but it is about all the generator can handle. I have also tried to do the same at 5,000+ feet and it will not do it. However, I have run 2 Hondas in parallel many times and it will run the microwave, A/C and fridge all at the same time with no problem. The Hondas in parallel should run close to all of the same amenities as a 30A outlet.

^^^ check this.. When I was running the same set up, I was rushed 1 day during set up and I reversed 2 of the 3 cables that run it in parallel.. was not running AC, just everything else, the MAIN genny ran out of fuel while the 2nd was still almost full....All the draw was on 1

I've not managed to do that yet, but always wondered what would happen if you crossed the red and black wires.

yup... It was a cluster that day, but I succeeded in doing that ! Then I pounded in my head - - Red = R = Right.....

[pianotuna]

4200 is surge value
run is 1600 and maybe 1760 with eco switch off

[SoundGuy]

edekgb wrote:
How come my 4400 watt honda generator (2200 companion and 2000 in tandem) wont power my 1350 btu air cibsitioner? I am at 5280 ft (Denver).

Why even bother? Sell the 2K genset, equip your A/C with a Micro-Air Easy Start Soft Starter Kit and your EU2200i alone will easily start your A/C in high ambient temps and at higher elevations.

[cbwallace]

ford truck guy wrote:

cbwallace wrote:
It sounds as though the generators are not actually running in parallel for some reason. I have run a 13.5 A/C unit on a single Honda at much lower altitudes but it is about all the generator can handle. I have also tried to do the same at 5,000+ feet and it will not do it. However, I have run 2 Hondas in parallel many times and it will run the microwave, A/C and fridge all at the same time with no problem. The Hondas in parallel should run close to all of the same amenities as a 30A outlet.

^^^ check this.. When I was running the same set up, I was rushed 1 day during set up and I reversed 2 of the 3 cables that run it in parallel.. was not running AC, just everything else, the MAIN genny ran out of fuel while the 2nd was still almost full....All the draw was on 1

I've not managed to do that yet, but always wondered what would happen if you crossed the red and black wires.

[troubledwaters]

First of all 2200 + 2000 = 4200 (not 4400). Secondly at that altitude you are losing a lot of power; however, the AC should still run. Also, is that running watts or starting watts? Running watts could be way less and make a difference depending on other loads sucking power away at the same time as you trying to start the AC. Make sure everything else is turned off before you start the AC. Lastly, the start capacitor in the AC could be going bad.

[1320Fastback]

We had a new Dometic 13.5 that would just not run reliably on our twin Yamaha 2ks. Switched to a new Atwood AC and they have absolutely zero issue running the AC. I tried all the tricks to get the Dometic to run with different Start Caps and turning off other items and breakers but it just wasn't 100% reliable, more like 60%. We use our toy hauler as a rolling kennel more than anything so having no AC was not a option especially if we were out to dinner and didn't know if turned off. Also we are at Sea Level so our gens should of been making as much power as they can.

I submit not every AC is electrically efficient, there may even be difference within the same Model of the same Brand. Our Atwood came with the testing forms the factory used when they checked it's electrical usage. LRA, running Amps and in every fan speed and mode and it is well within our gens capabilities yet the Dometic was not for some reason.

[ford_truck_guy]

cbwallace wrote:
It sounds as though the generators are not actually running in parallel for some reason. I have run a 13.5 A/C unit on a single Honda at much lower altitudes but it is about all the generator can handle. I have also tried to do the same at 5,000+ feet and it will not do it. However, I have run 2 Hondas in parallel many times and it will run the microwave, A/C and fridge all at the same time with no problem. The Hondas in parallel should run close to all of the same amenities as a 30A outlet.

^^^ check this.. When I was running the same set up, I was rushed 1 day during set up and I reversed 2 of the 3 cables that run it in parallel.. was not running AC, just everything else, the MAIN genny ran out of fuel while the 2nd was still almost full....All the draw was on 1

[wanderingbob]

Do they both have to be running ?

It is my attempt at a joke !

[librty02]

They obviously are not running in parallel together. Something is wrong. 4200 starting watts is almost 35 amps. Everything inside should run in that 30 amp rig...only 3600 watts is needed to make that 30amps which is probably close to the running watts of those 2 gennies

[cbwallace]

It sounds as though the generators are not actually running in parallel for some reason. I have run a 13.5 A/C unit on a single Honda at much lower altitudes but it is about all the generator can handle. I have also tried to do the same at 5,000+ feet and it will not do it. However, I have run 2 Hondas in parallel many times and it will run the microwave, A/C and fridge all at the same time with no problem. The Hondas in parallel should run close to all of the same amenities as a 30A outlet.