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dcheshire · 09-03-2013, 10:52 AM

Hi,

I just got back from a dry camping trip and while there, I had the opportunity to test my buddy's Honda EU2000 Generator and use his Kill-a-Watt to measure actual loads on my 1973 Ambassador. I thought this would prove helpful to those with similar trailers who may be considering generator choices.

Here are actual loads measured:

Fridge 415W (has been upgraded, is not original unit)
AC FAN on low (no AC on, just the fan) ~ 220
AC FAN on High (no AC on, just the fan) ` 410W

PD9245 Converter/charger going up against a very drained battery - 820W (this is a surprise, since this is only a 45A converter, it should only draw around 500W)

Water pump - 200W

Lights (Ceiling, 6 bulbs per fixture) 100W per fixture!!

Furnace 90W

AC on LOW AC = 1570 W
AC on High AC = 1900 W

So, what was I able to conclude and what can you possibly learn from this?

1. the EU 2000 will handily run the AC on LOW with no problems. Conventional wisdom says this is not possible, but I saw it happen with NO problems, no overload/etc. It will not run it on High though, so if you need to run your AC on High, you need more than an EU2000. For me, living in a temperate climate, being able to get ONE generator and have it be enough to run low AC if needed and also handle the other loads (one at a time, this is a huge win for me)

2. Those 6 bulb overhead light fixtures will KILL you on power usage. Switch those bulbs out to LED if you are doing any dry camping or you will chow your batteries

I hope this is helpful for anyone considering what to do. I was planning to buy an EU1000 for next season, reasoning that since one genny couldn't run the AC, there was no reason to carry a 50 lb genny to charge batteries. However, now that I know that an EU2000 will run my AC on low by itself, I'm planning to buy one and have it be the one generator I take for all occasions.

Disclaimers: This was done at 65 degrees at sea level. If you do this at 5000 feet, the genny may not have enough power to run it. Also, in extreme heat, you could find the low setting to be worthless, so those of you in the south, disregard this as you'll likely want enough power to run you AC on High, which this genny won't do for an extended period of time.

Also, this is my AC unit, yours may require more power to run.

Happy streamin!

**DKB_SATX** · 09-03-2013, 10:58 AM

Did you make a note of the voltage when the AC unit was running? Or just the wattage?

idroba · 09-03-2013, 11:03 AM

You might also note that if you are running the AC on the one 2000 watt Honda that nothing else can be on. The refrigerator must be on propane, the converter/charger turned off or unplugged, and no other loads but the AC can be operating.

I expect that this is the reason so much variation is reported on weather the 2000 watt generators can power the AC unit. Some people understand that ONLY the AC may be on and turn their refrigerators to propane and also turn their converter/chargers off. Others have no real idea that their refrigerators or converter/chargers are on and make operation of the AC impossible with a smaller generator.

PharmGeek · 09-03-2013, 11:11 AM

I live in the deep south...Alabama...mucho hot in the summers...

I will not be considering a generator for the first year or two while I get my feet wet and stick with places with hookups....but already I am eyeballing some interesting dry camping opportunities...barber motor sports park nearby offers dry camping (that could make for a fun weekend with friends), perhaps some tailgating (never done this with an RV, only with the tents and what not on alabama campus, and of course having the gennie in the even of power outages would be great....we tend to get them bad some years with storms...

But part of me figures im better off just sticking to dry camping outside of most summer months and just not worry about the "needing AC generator calculus" - freeing me up to just think about a EU1000w or 2000w honda perhaps to keep the batteries fresh...and I suppose to run an AC unit on low?

richinny · 09-03-2013, 11:13 AM

that generator will likely not cycle the air once pressure builds up. the surge from restarting the compressor is almost 3x's the running voltage.

PharmGeek · 09-03-2013, 11:18 AM

As it relates (and I DONT want to hijack so let me know if this is off base)....but if you have say a progressive industries or a TRC surge protector..you run out of that gen. 30amp service...if it drops the voltage too much it will trip I presume...so as long as you use one of these surge protectors you would not be putting your AC compressor at risk?

Would that be correct?

Seems like that would be an excellent test...run the AC on low through such a surge protector...if it never trips its good to go? If it often trips then it may be a problem? I could be off about that....

perryg114 · 09-03-2013, 11:23 AM

Well first of all, what size AC unit we talking about here? 13,500, 15, 000 etc. You would have to have an external fuel source to run an EU2000 wide open like that. There maybe some duty cycle issues as well.

If you go by the specs you are right at the limit with the AC on low and nothing else.

AC Output 120V 2000W max. (16.7A) 1600W rated (13.3A)

Perry

dcheshire · 09-03-2013, 11:32 AM

Hi, to clarify and answer a few questions:

We did not measure voltage.

If running the AC, you can ONLY run the AC. Everything else must be off or switched to propane. (ie, converter off, fridge set to propane, no other AC in use)

We did run it for several minutes, shut the AC off, tested other loads, then went back and turned AC on, so it seems to be able to handle it even when "restarting" the AC, again, as long as all other loads are off.

I'm not sure what AC this is, I think it's an original 13.5 that runs on the old school Freon, which is probably why it takes less starting wattage than some of the newer units.

TouringDan · 09-03-2013, 11:34 AM

Very interesting. I have a kil-a-watt meter ordered and I'm looking forward to measuring my fridge power consumption. I am also hoping to determine how much energy it takes to operate it for a day. I want to do this for different fridge settings also.

Dan

AldeanFan · 09-03-2013, 11:58 AM

I have twin Honda EU2000's and in my experience one generator will not run the AC. With nothing else running (converter off, fridge on propane etc) when one generator runs out of fuel the other generator goes in to overload.

The good news is that my Honda's will run the AC and converter on Ecomode for 6-8 hours on a tank of fuel.

dcheshire · 09-03-2013, 12:35 PM

Aldean, if your AC is on High, my results would agree. If your AC is low, then our experiences differ, which is totally plausible with different AC units/etc.

Jim Clark · 09-03-2013, 01:53 PM

I would not to attempt to run the AC on a single Honda 2000, you are asking to either damage the genset or the AC. You do not have enought reserve capacity, so it really depends on how lucky you feel.

I don't base this on anything but the fact that I own 2 Honda EU2000 watt units one a Companion model, one Honda 3000 and a Fischer Panda Marine 4.2 Kw diesel genrator on my sailboat. The all like to be loaded to about 80% but getting above that will stress them including the diesel. Just because you can do it, dosen't mean you should. I live in Hurricane country when I need a Genset I really need a Genset. When you take a genset and load it up in 95 to a 100 degreee tempatures and let it run 24/7 for a week straight sitting in the sun in your driveway you don't want be on the edge of it's capacity.

PharmGeek start out with a Honda EU2000i Companion adding a second if needed or just buy the 3000 and add the wireless electric start, you won't look back. You are going to go there anyway.

Jim

Jim Clark · 09-03-2013, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PharmGeek

As it relates (and I DONT want to hijack so let me know if this is off base)....but if you have say a progressive industries or a TRC surge protector..you run out of that gen. 30amp service...if it drops the voltage too much it will trip I presume...so as long as you use one of these surge protectors you would not be putting your AC compressor at risk?

Would that be correct?

Seems like that would be an excellent test...run the AC on low through such a surge protector...if it never trips its good to go? If it often trips then it may be a problem? I could be off about that....

I have exactly that and I would not do that, to answer your question yes it would and will trip. I leave my trailer plugged into the surge protector 24/7 at home and it has tripped on occassion. The fact is you are still stressing the genset which is why the voltage is dropping, choose your posion Genset or AC. Just buy a genset with enough reserve capacity and all will be fine. Let me add the Surge Protector is not immune to damage either.

richinny · 09-03-2013, 02:05 PM

i also seem to remember reading that a generator should not run at over 80% capacity for an extended time.
similar post:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...3-a-15517.html

Jim Clark · 09-03-2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcheshire

Hi,

Disclaimers: This was done at 65 degrees at sea level.

Also, this is my AC unit, yours may require more power to run.

Happy streamin!

How many people run an AC at 65 degrees ? 65 degrees down here and we start looking for blankets.

Wazbro · 09-03-2013, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

How many people run an AC at 65 degrees ? 65 degrees down here and we start looking for blankets.

I was thinking about that and remembering that heat reduces engine power, being so close to the max 1600 watts with it 25* hotter out might be too much. (besides higher altitude reducing power)

Phoenix · 09-03-2013, 06:56 PM

In the desert southwest, one Honda EU2000i won't hack it; you need two. If you primarily camp in cooler northern states where air conditioning is rarely used, you may be able to get by. However, I agree with others; this is a gamble. And, it's one that I would not take.

If you ever intend to travel south in the summer, I'd get the Yamaha 2400; or if you already have one Honda EU2000i, I'd buy the second Companion generator.

perryg114 · 09-03-2013, 07:16 PM

If you had a smaller trailer with a smaller AC unit you would have more margin of power left.

Perry

mefly2 · 09-20-2013, 11:35 PM

Our EU2000 will not run our AC unit on any mode other than fan ...no heat pump or AC. So, we bought a companion to go with it - problem solved.. Now we have an EU3000is that we just leave under the topper and plug into it as needed ... A/C days are vanishing around her, however.

Bob4x4 · 09-21-2013, 07:26 AM

The title of your thread sounds accurate,my 2000 will run my ac but will not restart it after it cycles.This is in a real life situation at a temp where ac is a big plus to normal comfort-well above 65.I was not testing it but one of my 2000's had an issue and could not pull it's weight.