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Old 08-30-2021, 03:13 PM   #1
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Red face Honda Generator Question

We're picking up our new 25' International this week and I'm having two Micro Air Easy starts installed so that I can run one AC with just one generator when boon docking.

My question is if I'm only going to use one Honda EU2200i, can I use it with a 15 to 30amp adapter or should I have purchased the EU2200i companion instead? I like the fact that the companion already has a 30 amp receptacle built in. Unfortunately the one I purchased only has 15 amp outputs.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Rob, Silverminer
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Old 08-30-2021, 03:19 PM   #2
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Are they 15 amp or 20amp. My EU2200i has one 20amp outlet and the larger 30amp. If they are 20amp, you should be fine. I run mine off my 20amp home circuit with a 10awg extension cord.
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Old 08-30-2021, 03:34 PM   #3
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Hi

You will get at most 20A out of the 2200i. The only value of the 30A plug if you have only one generator is not having to carry a $10 adapter.

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Old 08-30-2021, 03:47 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverminer View Post
I'm having two Micro Air Easy starts installed so that I can run one AC with just one generator when boon docking.

My question is if I'm only going to use one Honda EU2200i,
Something to think about: A while back I had both my gens out and tried all kinds of scenarios. The one that I was most pleased with was, using only one gen I was able to run my 15 ac. Now last week I tried it again and I could not run either ac on one gen. I posted the issue here and most came back with, the temperature, the second time the temp was at least 15 to 20 degrees warmer and the gen just wouldn't handle the load. I have soft starts on both ac's and my gens are 2000's. Using two everything was perfect. I'm just putting this out so you don't get to where you are going and only have one and it may not do the job. I learned I'll always carry both.

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Old 08-30-2021, 05:36 PM   #5
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The 2200i kicks out a little more power than the 2000. 1 or 2 amps can make all the difference.
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Old 08-30-2021, 06:58 PM   #6
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Another thing to consider. If you camp at altitude, each generator loses approximately 3% efficiency for each 1000 feet in altitude. We live at 7400 feet altitude in Colorado and often camp above that up to 10,000 feet. So along with heat, you have to consider altitude. We often use our two Honda 2000's in parallel just to keep up with altitude. Two equals about 23 amps power where we live without high temperatures.
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Old 08-30-2021, 07:35 PM   #7
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Another thing to consider. If you camp at altitude, each generator loses approximately 3% efficiency for each 1000 feet in altitude. We live at 7400 feet altitude in Colorado and often camp above that up to 10,000 feet. So along with heat, you have to consider altitude. We often use our two Honda 2000's in parallel just to keep up with altitude. Two equals about 23 amps power where we live without high temperatures.
Is AC necessary at those higher elevations?
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Old 08-30-2021, 07:42 PM   #8
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"....not having to carry a $10 adapter."

The 2000i companion (and I think the 2200i companion) has a round twist lock 30 amp plug so you still need an adaptor to plug the trailer 30 amp cord in. I like having the companion since I think the 30 amp plug with the adaptor is stronger than the 20 amp plug with its adaptor. It would not be a deal breaker but I picked the companion model and have had no reason to second guess that.

And the adaptor is more than $10.
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Old 08-30-2021, 09:19 PM   #9
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To your original question about using the adapter that is what I do. I have the EU2200i with 15A (or 20A) style plugs. If you already have that, you can use it, or if you rather connect the 30A cord directly to the generator, you will need to return yours and get the companion model, but as others have said, you will not get any more line current that way, only the convenience of using the 30A plug directly. I have a micro-air easy start on my A/C and I can run it with the single 2200i, but I have never done so at higher altitudes, so I can't offer any real world experience with the derate others have mentioned. The adapters can be found for less than $10, and can be as high as $40, so shop wisely.
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Old 08-31-2021, 06:38 AM   #10
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Is AC necessary at those higher elevations?
Not usually. We have only used the A/C once in 6 years on a very hot summer afternoon to cool the trailer down. Even summer nights are usually in the 40s or 50s. It is necessary, however, to run the charger in my Magnum at a decent rate of charge and for the microwave if we use it.
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Old 08-31-2021, 06:46 AM   #11
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Is AC necessary at those higher elevations?
It was this year! This was the hottest summer that I remember in Colorado. I camped boondocking at about 7,200 feet a few months ago and it was cookin’ hot during the day. I was glad to have a generator to run the a/c until things cooled down at night.
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Old 08-31-2021, 07:33 AM   #12
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Not usually. We have only used the A/C once in 6 years on a very hot summer afternoon to cool the trailer down. Even summer nights are usually in the 40s or 50s. It is necessary, however, to run the charger in my Magnum at a decent rate of charge and for the microwave if we use it.
I camped at 9,700 ft. in June. Our Genconnex LP converted EU2200i with high altitude orifice ran the converter, charging devices, and microwave simultaneously. Didn't try A/C. Didn't need it.

As to the OP's question, I did not see any advantage to having the companion version so I went with the regular 15-20 amp outlets. No regrets.
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Old 09-01-2021, 09:06 AM   #13
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The new ones are confusing. They only have two 15Amp inputs. I reached out to Honda, and they said they use 20AMP receptacles regardless, so an adapter should be fine.
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Old 09-01-2021, 09:09 AM   #14
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Yeah, I'm leaning towards sending this back and getting just the companion. Thanks.
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Old 09-01-2021, 11:32 AM   #15
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"....not having to carry a $10 adapter."

The 2000i companion (and I think the 2200i companion) has a round twist lock 30 amp plug so you still need an adaptor to plug the trailer 30 amp cord in. I like having the companion since I think the 30 amp plug with the adaptor is stronger than the 20 amp plug with its adaptor. It would not be a deal breaker but I picked the companion model and have had no reason to second guess that.

And the adaptor is more than $10.
I spoke to Colonial Airstream, and they said that you can't use an adapter to go from 15Amp to 30Amp. So it looks like I'll have to return the Eu2200i for the Eu2200i Companion. I can't believe since last week on Amazon the price jumped from $1199 to $1899 for the Companion. I was able to purchase one on Camping World at the lower price.
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Old 09-01-2021, 11:35 AM   #16
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To your original question about using the adapter that is what I do. I have the EU2200i with 15A (or 20A) style plugs. If you already have that, you can use it, or if you rather connect the 30A cord directly to the generator, you will need to return yours and get the companion model, but as others have said, you will not get any more line current that way, only the convenience of using the 30A plug directly. I have a micro-air easy start on my A/C and I can run it with the single 2200i, but I have never done so at higher altitudes, so I can't offer any real world experience with the derate others have mentioned. The adapters can be found for less than $10, and can be as high as $40, so shop wisely.
Just to follow up, not sure why Colonial Airstream is telling me that I'll need to get the companion. Something about not be able to use an adapter to up charge from 15Amp to 30Amp. I would tend to agree with you that it shouldn't make a difference with using an adapter.
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Old 09-01-2021, 11:41 AM   #17
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Are they 15 amp or 20amp. My EU2200i has one 20amp outlet and the larger 30amp. If they are 20amp, you should be fine. I run mine off my 20amp home circuit with a 10awg extension cord.
I spoke to Honda, and since the new EU2200i only come with two 15Amp plugs, they said I'll need to get the Companion. Too bad. it's a big hassle returning the one and now having with for the Companion delivery. I guess I'll have to to go without an AC on my first upcoming trip. I'd love to be able to test it out with what I have, but am worried that I won't be able to return it after having added oil and gas to the unit.
Hopefully it won't be too hot this weekend.
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Old 09-02-2021, 08:31 AM   #18
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Hi

I believe you will find that your 2200i has a pair of 20A sockets on it. They look a lot like 15A, but there's a slight difference. The 20A plug has a blade rotated 90 degrees from the 15A. A 20A socket will accept either a 20A or a 15A plug.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...3071_200833071

The 2200i will only put out 1800W "full time". That's 15A at 120V. The "2200" is a surge / short term number. A 15A plug is fine for this, A 20A plug is getting into the overkill range.

I routinely run a 50A to 15A adapter on my trailer. It does fine. You have to be carfull about what you power up. The 15A cord will charge the batteries and run a few lights / fans. That's fine by me.

Bob
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Old 09-15-2021, 09:36 AM   #19
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What I’ve noticed is that running one 2200i it will be screamin but in parallel they both run at a slower pace and don’t make as much noise. I think two running much slower uses about the same as one running it’s brains out also.
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Old 09-15-2021, 09:49 AM   #20
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Honda 2200i

Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverminer View Post
We're picking up our new 25' International this week and I'm having two Micro Air Easy starts installed so that I can run one AC with just one generator when boon docking.

My question is if I'm only going to use one Honda EU2200i, can I use it with a 15 to 30amp adapter or should I have purchased the EU2200i companion instead? I like the fact that the companion already has a 30 amp receptacle built in. Unfortunately the one I purchased only has 15 amp outputs.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Rob, Silverminer
My Airstream is a single a/c unit, a 15K btu. I installed a SmartStart RV. I have a Honda 2200i Companion. It does not do the job. When using the Honda, you have to make sure you do not have any other AC drain on the Airstream. The fridge must be on propane, and do not have anything plugged into the inverter sockets. Even the televisions have a draw, the antenna has a DC draw if turned on. Any AC device will add to the load. If you have a DC device turned on, it will drain the batteries and cause the converter/inverter to draw on the Honda. It will work if you do not have anything else on. One more opinion, you need to buy a Honda 2200i Companion for 30 amps. You can (and will likely have to) link the two Hondas together in order to operate two air conditioners. I'm gonna buy another Honda like yours, my companion needs a companion.
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