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kstampa · 05-19-2008, 08:18 PM

Has anyone had this problem? I can only run my AC on low and about at #4 on the termostat. The 3000is seems to have difficulty when the compressor starts. It often trips to overcurrent protection on any colder setting on the AC. Unfortunate that Honda literature says it'll push a 13.5K AC and it chokes so much. And no, barely anything else is pulling current in the trailer when the generator trips. Any ideas? Thanks!!

Fyrzowt · 05-19-2008, 08:21 PM

I have the Honda 3000 and it runs mine fine. I can even run it on eco mode, it powers up when the compressor kicks on then slows down some.
I would guess that either your genny or A/C need service.

Goin camping · 05-19-2008, 08:45 PM

I also have a Honda 3000 that runs my A/C set in econo mode with no problems.

Make sure your fridge is set to run on propane. The Honda 3000 won't power the A/C and fridge at the same time.

lsinclair · 05-19-2008, 09:11 PM

Would suggest checking your current draw with an amp meter and compare with manufature's specs.

thecatsandi · 05-19-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstampa

Has anyone had this problem? I can only run my AC on low and about at #4 on the termostat. The 3000is seems to have difficulty when the compressor starts. It often trips to overcurrent protection on any colder setting on the AC. Unfortunate that Honda literature says it'll push a 13.5K AC and it chokes so much. And no, barely anything else is pulling current in the trailer when the generator trips. Any ideas? Thanks!!

Try turning off eco throttle first.

henw · 05-20-2008, 03:51 AM

Amp meter. Check what's drawing what.
Eco throttle off.
Even a TV or a few lights along with the refrig. can be enough of an extra draw to tip the scales.
A longer cord from generator to trailer could be an issue.

kstampa · 05-20-2008, 06:53 AM

thanks for the feedback. I'm not running it on eco-throttle and I have a standard cord length. I'll have to check the draw- didn't do that yet.

DKDarrow · 05-20-2008, 08:03 AM

I have many hours, days, and weeks of running the A/C and Heat pump with my 3000. NO overloads except when using the microwave. Run the TV, for sure the frig, a catylitic heater, and yes even a hair dryer with never a circuit trip.

Yes, even with the gas saving switch on, when the Heat pump kicks in or the AC, the generator just reaches down, grabs itself and throttles up.

By the way the heat pump uses a few more start amps than the AC........

One thing you might try is to build a cord maybe 5 or 6 feet, using a heavy guage stranded wire, with the special plug on one end that that connects to the genset and then on the other end one that connects to the power supply cable from the trailer.

That special plug puts out a few more amps than the standard 110 plugs that you can plug a regular power/extension cord into. Perhaps this is why I have no problems with drawing AC, frig, tv, and other accessories all at one time............Dennis

Motoman · 05-20-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goin camping

I also have a Honda 3000 that runs my A/C set in econo mode with no problems.

Make sure your fridge is set to run on propane. The Honda 3000 won't power the A/C and fridge at the same time.

We have run our 13,500 btu refrigerator on our 3000 but I want to echo Goin Camping's suggestion. Make sure that the refrigerator is not set on automatic, otherwise it will automatically switch to electric and the 3000 may not be able to handle the full load. Switch it to propane manually.

themunks · 06-12-2008, 09:13 PM

Now I am freaking out. i just purchased a EU3000 and we have a 31 soveriegn. Don't know what the BTU is, but I am worried that I underpowered. Have not received it yet, so hopefully we can run the a/c, not too worried about the other stuff. (micro, etc)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoman

We have run our 13,500 btu refrigerator on our 3000 but I want to echo Goin Camping's suggestion. Make sure that the refrigerator is not set on automatic, otherwise it will automatically switch to electric and the 3000 may not be able to handle the full load. Switch it to propane manually.

Goin camping · 06-12-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themunks

Now I am freaking out. i just purchased a EU3000 and we have a 31 soveriegn. Don't know what the BTU is, but I am worried that I underpowered. Have not received it yet, so hopefully we can run the a/c, not too worried about the other stuff. (micro, etc)

Don't worry. The EU3000 will power your A/C just fine.

pmclemore · 06-13-2008, 08:23 AM

The manual on my 15kbtu says it requires a 4000 watt gen at minimum. Have you checked your requirements?

Pat

themunks · 06-17-2008, 12:23 PM

says my A/C needs 3400 to run, probably not continuous, but called Wise Sales and they seem to think it will start up the 15 BTU

kstampa · 06-26-2008, 02:27 PM

GOOD NEWS, Those of you concerned about your generators need not worry any longer. DKDarrow's comments got me thinking more about the cord (thank you). Upon closer examination I discovered that one of the prongs on the 30 amp cord was a little loose and the rubber around it slightly melted. I cut the male end off and rewired it with a kit from camping world. Fired up the Honda and turned the AC on high and tstat maxed cold. Purred like a kitten! No more problems! Thanks everybody!

Dwight · 06-26-2008, 05:48 PM

Glad you found the problem. Our EU3000 runs our Penguin 15k just fine.

davidz71 · 06-26-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstampa

GOOD NEWS, Those of you concerned about your generators need not worry any longer. DKDarrow's comments got me thinking more about the cord (thank you). Upon closer examination I discovered that one of the prongs on the 30 amp cord was a little loose and the rubber around it slightly melted. I cut the male end off and rewired it with a kit from camping world. Fired up the Honda and turned the AC on high and tstat maxed cold. Purred like a kitten! No more problems! Thanks everybody!

While I haven't noticed a problem with my Yamaha 3000SEB powering my 13,500 BTU Penguin, I have the same problem with slightly melted rubber around the prongs. I plan on going to the Marinco marine type of power cord sometime this summer.

rbkhale · 07-13-2008, 11:44 PM

This is a great genset. Don't forget to check oil level with each tank of gas, and change oil (I use synthetic) after 50 hours of operation. Also, I turn the gas off whenever I stop my honda. This keeps the gas from sitting in the carb and going bad.

KL0S · 07-14-2008, 10:30 AM

We're former motorhomers who have finally seen the light and are planning to purchase an Airstream....we always enjoyed having the convenience of an onboard generator and want the same with a trailer. Am also about to buy a Honda 3000 for "hurricane" emergencies with an eye toward using it with the trailer. Two questions:

(1) Do any Airstreams today have on-board generators? (Think the answer is no but a propane powered set wouldn't be an impossibility)

(2) If no to the above where do most folks carry their generators? I'd love to have a pickup truck but don't relish having to buy a new vehicle just to safely transport the genset.

Thanks in advance....look forward to being an Airstream owner soon!

Bambi_Bandit · 07-14-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL0S

We're former motorhomers who have finally seen the light and are planning to purchase an Airstream....we always enjoyed having the convenience of an onboard generator and want the same with a trailer. Am also about to buy a Honda 3000 for "hurricane" emergencies with an eye toward using it with the trailer. Two questions:

(1) Do any Airstreams today have on-board generators? (Think the answer is no but a propane powered set wouldn't be an impossibility)

(2) If no to the above where do most folks carry their generators? I'd love to have a pickup truck but don't relish having to buy a new vehicle just to safely transport the genset.

Thanks in advance....look forward to being an Airstream owner soon!

Hi KLOS and welcome to the forums....

The answers are:

1) - No, but I have seen a few units (some vintage) put a small generator built under the goucho run on propane. Very slick but lots of custom fabrication work.

2) - Most carry in the back of a pickup. If you get a inverter 3K from Honda or Yamaha, they are heavy. Some use 2 Honda 2000s in parallel which weigh much less and easily transportable. I went with a Yamaha 3000 propane conversion and carried it with my Excursion using a front hitch. Nilesrob had this similar setup before me with his Excursion and Honda generator as well.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/566065-post3.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...vel-38912.html

Any way you go, your gonna love the Airstream you get....

jnerges · 07-14-2008, 10:53 AM

Glad to hear a bad plug was the culprit. Seems to always be something small causing something big. We went with the 2 2K's from Honda and the bridge kit. Boondocked this weekend at an Airshow and it got really hot, we worried about the dog. Turned the AC on high, fridge running on electric, fired those puppies up and had a great time. The dog enjoyed herself too.

They are great gens because you can carry the 4K set up in stages, one at a time. Very happy with ours.

John