Generator/Inverter

[jdanielii]

My 25' Safari has a 11,000 BTU AC unit. Has anyone tried to run that size AC with the Honda EU2000i. The Airstream manual recommends a 2500 watt generator. There is a pretty big difference in price when you go over 2000 watts.

[tpi]

It might work.. at least I bumped your thread. My sister's new Escape 19 came with 11K Dometic Penguin and they told her it would run w/ Honda 2000. As I recall my 11K draws about 1400 watts on 80 degree day (Kil-A-Watt). Wattage requirement goes up as temp climbs. But my big concern would be the starting kick this AC requires. I use a Yamaha 3000 boost with mine. On every compressor start the voltage sags and the generator overload light comes on, even on the non-economy setting. I've used other bigger roof air units with this same generator, and it does not go into overload on a compressor start.

Perhaps someone here has tried it. If it did work, from what I know I'd only recommend it for occasional use. If you plan frequent duty, I think something with a little more margin would be more suitable. Perhaps Yamaha EF2400 three or four hundred more..

[jdanielii]

Yes, I was thinking that the margin was a little thin. Honda goes from 2000 to 3000 without much in between. That ef2400 would probably do the job. The ef2800 has the 30 amp twist lock outlet that would not need an adapter.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by jdanielii

Yes, I was thinking that the margin was a little thin. Honda goes from 2000 to 3000 without much in between. That ef2400 would probably do the job. The ef2800 has the 30 amp twist lock outlet that would not need an adapter.

The twist-lock outlets on Yamahas and Hondas does need an adapter for the 30A RV plug.

[Wayne&Sam]

My 11K BTU AC works with my Yamaha 2400i, never tried it with the Honda 2000i. But since I need to shut down other loads for it to run on the 2400, I wouldn't want to do it.

[urnmor]

I use the honda 2000s in parallel and they work fine. Not sure if this is a concern however you might want to consider is the weight of the larger generators. The honda 2000s are relatively easy to lift and move about. Anything heavier for me would be a problem lifting in and out to the Yukon

[pmclemore]

I can run my ac on my 2400i if I am using gas, but it will not run the ac if the genny is running off propane. I think my ac is a 13000.

Pat

[Bill M.]

Here is one problem with the Honda 2000. It is a 1600 watt generator. The 2000 is the name, not the output. At 120, that gives you just around 13 amps at absolute full output. And the converter in the trailer draws some all the time. Have not tried mine on the AC. My understanding is that at least one version of the 2400 also has heavy capacitors to boost its ability to start an AC.
I do not know if the 2000 will do it, but I would be cautious. Might work in the dirveway at 70 and then blow something in the field when it is really running. I have heard of people using undersized generators and once they the AC started they set it so it does not cycle.

[TG Twinkie]

Propane does not contain the same amount of energy per cubic volume than gasoline. Propane fueled cars do not have the same horse power or get the same mileage as gasoline fueled cars. Propane burns cleaner but it is more expensive. Propane is also a "dry" fuel, it does not provide any lubricant that might be provided by liquid fuels like gasoline and diesel.

[AirsDream]

I've got a Yamaha 2400 and it runs the 11k unit on my '99 Safari just fine, on either gas or propane, but without much margin. I gave up on this eventually, 'cause I got tired of hauling all the parapphernalia around, and went with a solar panel / battery system and Fantastic vent / and Fantastic fan combo. That'll keep me comfortable up to about 95 degrees. Hotter than that and I just don't go there - or I go to a campground where I can plug in ... but since I mostly boondock, for the most part I just use the fans and make do.

[TBRich]

Though it is not the solution for everyone, for many here, two 2000w Hondas (or Yamahas) offers the most flexibility, weight management, and power options. We have two Honda 2000s and it's working well for us. When we are not going to need AC we only take one...and when we do need AC we take two and run them in parallel. We can life and manage two 2000w gennies (@ ~45 lbs ea) where we would have a problem with a 3000w (@ ~130 lbs). It's a nice set-up.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by jdanielii

My 25' Safari has a 11,000 BTU AC unit. Has anyone tried to run that size AC with the Honda EU2000i. The Airstream manual recommends a 2500 watt generator. There is a pretty big difference in price when you go over 2000 watts.

Hi, I also have the Yamaha 2400 running my 11,000 BTU air conditioner and the cost for it wasn't much more than for one Honda 2000. Rough estimate is about $1,000.00 for a Honda 2000 and about $1,300.00 for a Yamaha 2400.