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05-30-2022, 06:12 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2021 25' International
Ottumwa
, IA
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 108
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Honda 2200 overload
I put 2SoftStarts on my 2021 International 25 FBT thinking I could run both ACs off my generator but it overloads after about 2 min. Is this nml? Should I only be able to ruin one?
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05-30-2022, 06:26 PM
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#2
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Site Team
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,680
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I can only run one of my A/C's using my Honda 2200.
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05-30-2022, 06:30 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2023 28' International
Mercer County
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 726
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You should be only able to run 1 A/C on a 2200W generator. Adding the softstarts only helps with smoothing out the startup curve, not the power usage when running.
If you need to run both, you would need either 2 2200W generators and a parallel kit or a ~4000W generator
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05-30-2022, 07:35 PM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2021 25' International
Ottumwa
, IA
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 108
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So why did I put the Softstarts on? Can I run both ACs on 30A whereas without them I could only run one? Can you run one AC on 115 shorepower with a SoftStart?
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05-30-2022, 07:50 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Bittner
So why did I put the Softstarts on? Can I run both ACs on 30A whereas without them I could only run one? Can you run one AC on 115 shorepower with a SoftStart?
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I doubt you could run both ACs on 30A service consistently but you might get away with it for a while given they both have soft starts. That’s assuming these are Easystarts or equivalent and not just capacitors. If both ACs try to start at the same time I suspect breaker will pop.
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05-30-2022, 07:55 PM
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#6
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Site Team
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,680
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Bittner
So why did I put the Softstarts on? Can I run both ACs on 30A whereas without them I could only run one? Can you run one AC on 115 shorepower with a SoftStart?
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Because, with a Honda 2200 generator, you cannot start even one A/C without having an EZ Start installed. I have EZ Start installed on both A/C's so I can start and run the one of my choice when hooked up to the generator.
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05-30-2022, 08:00 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2020 23' Flying Cloud
2019 22' Sport
Sebastian
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,234
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If you really want to know your limits, measure the current draw.
On my 13.5 KBTU Dometic, the startup surge was about 2200 W, and it would drop to 1700 for running. This was a challenge for my Honda 2000 W generator. The EasyStart eliminates the surge, but does not reduce the normal power draw. Even with EasyStarts, two A/C’s (2X1700W = 3400 W), would overwhelm any 2200 W unit and be very borderline for a 30 A (3600W) generator.
Again, MEASURE before getting your expectations up. I use a Power Watchdog with Bluetooth linked to my phone. Even my wife looks at it, on shore power at an iffy campground when she wants to run the electric water heater alongside some other power hog.
I think every trailer equipped with two A/C’s comes with 50 A service.
Happy Camping!
__________________
-Don
(That man in that tiny can)
(Same man, Bigger can)
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05-30-2022, 08:03 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2023 28' International
Mercer County
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 726
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Bittner
So why did I put the Softstarts on?
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Without an Softstart, you wouldn't even be able to run 1 A/C on less than a 30A circuit. During the startup surge, the generator would go into overload mode and shutdown.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Bittner
Can you run one AC on 115 shorepower with a SoftStart?
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You should be able to run 1 A/C on a 20A shorepower circuit with a softstart. This basically what a 2200 generator is (15A continuous, ~18A surge)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Bittner
Can I run both ACs on 30A whereas without them I could only run one?
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You *may* be able to run both A/C on a 30A circuit but nothing else, not even charging the batteries. Also, the startup would need to be staggered so they are never starting at the same time.
The trailers are designed so that in order to run both A/Cs simultaneously, you need a 50A circuit.
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05-30-2022, 08:05 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 998
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Bittner
So why did I put the Softstarts on? Can I run both ACs on 30A whereas without them I could only run one? Can you run one AC on 115 shorepower with a SoftStart?
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If you turn off all other meaningful electrical loads (water heater, fridge, and converter), you can run both A/C's on 30 amp. I have run into one park where this didn't work, but I have done it elsewhere. I switch water heater and fridge to gas and kill the converter with the circuit breaker.
But since your Honda is doing 18 amps or so, there is no way it can run both.
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05-30-2022, 08:08 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 998
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffb831
Also, the startup would need to be staggered so they are never starting at the same time.
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Given how long I have run both A/C's at home on 30 amp, I am thinking that the thermostat might not let both units start at the same time.
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