Soft Start w/generator

[DeltaRon]

Saw this unit on sale at Costco. Wonder if it would run my 15000 btu ac with MicroAir soft start ?

[lsbrodsky]

You did not post a generator???? However, MicroAir found, back in the early days, that not all generator ratings give the same performance. Honda's performance was better than most other brands and some brands just did not hold on a 15k A/C unit, even though the rating would indicate they should. Since then, Honda, Yamaha and others have sold slightly higher rated generators that work with a 15k unit. However, the bottom line is actual experience, along with ambient temp and altitude. If you post the generator, maybe someone here has actual experience.
Larry

[OTRA15]

The setup you proposed should not trip any circuit breakers.

[DeltaRon]

Originally Posted by deltaron

saw this unit on sale at costco. Wonder if it would run my 15000 btu ac with microair soft start ?

[Dennis C]

I don't know exactly how much running wattage is required to run an Airstream 15,000 BTU air conditioner, but I have heard that it's about 1,500W. The generator pictured has a running wattage rating of 1,600W, so it's cutting things pretty close. If you got it going, then you wouldn't be able to power much else. You'd also be running the generator at nearly a full load, so you'd be refilling the fuel tank quite often.

[GetawA-S]

I agree with Dennis C. The 13.5K BTU on my 23FB pulls 400W for the fan, another 1000W for the compressor (with MicroAire Easy Start) and another 500 W for the startup surge (before I had the Easy Start installed) You might be able to extrapolate by 10% for your larger A/C: 450W plus 1100W = 1550W, plus your converter, etc... The 2000W nominal capacity is likely the startup capacity, as noted above.
Online reviews may give you an idea how well a Firman handles surges.
The MicroAire is an absolute requirement for that size generator, and you won’t be able to run much else.
Why that particular model? Availability? Low outlay? Small and light? Dual fuel (can’t tell from the photo)? You’ll find that model running flat out when you run the A/C, with little if any fuel savings and possible shortening of the generator’s life.
I’m with the others. You won’t regret going a little bigger.

[1StreamDream]

I don't have any numbers to share, but I thought I read somewhere that this scenario many of us target (small honda with EasyStart to run A/C) is the primary reason Honda boosted their small generator from 2000 to 2200. I have the newer one (2200) and I can only confirm that using a MicroAir Easy start, I can run my A/C. I don't have any actual power numbers to share, but I think you will be cutting it very close to the edge of stable, and thats the worst place to be. Sometimes it runs, sometimes it won't ... can't figure out why .... I don't have proof you will hit that, just speculating that you might be heading in that direction if your generator is undersized.

[DeltaRon]

My reason for inquiring. I own the 3000 watt Briggs & Stratton but never haul it around because of its weight. This Firman only caught my eye because of its light weight and low price.

[GetawA-S]

To second 1streamdream’s comment, if you do decide to cut it this close, invest in a surge protector with power indication, such as the Hughes GuardDog (allows Bluetooth readout to a cellphone). This will let you loadshed (shut down discretionary users) before your generator drops out.

[s1000pre]

I converted my Honda 2200 to propane with the Genconnex. With the microAir installed, I have run my AC, lights and TV/DVD all at the same time.
I don’t recommend screwing around with that generator from Costco. You don’t want to skimp here. After everything you have invested, what’s another couple hundred for the right generator.

[OTRA15]

Well said . . .

Get the right tool for the job, and don't buy cheap tools IMO.

[DaveP]

Originally Posted by DeltaRon

My reason for inquiring. I own the 3000 watt Briggs & Stratton but never haul it around because of its weight. This Firman only caught my eye because of its light weight and low price.

Also think about noise level. You neighbors will appreciate that.

[CBWELL]

I bought 2 Ducar 2000 generators with the parallel kit. They cost a little more than a single Honda. I had a 3500 Honda with electric start that I carried in the bed of the truck. I could not lift it in and out by myself. These Ducars weigh 50 lb each and even the wife can lift and carry them. Not planning on using them a great deal, but wanted to have something 'just in case". The Firman looks very similar to most other generators, as they are almost all made in China. Harbour Freight Predators have a good rating as well. If you are planning on using them a lot, then the Honda's probably make sense. For me, the ones I bought will do everything I need. Point of interest, the Honda is 2 decibles quieter than the Ducar. Not a big difference! JMHO!!

[Sains]

Does anyone have experience with a soft start running on their 15,000 BTU AC, I have a 2020 FC RBT and was wondering if a 2000 watt generator would be big enough to start the AC with a soft start installed? Any help would be much appreciated.😎

[DougFelts]

s1000pre, I have a 2200, converted by GenConnex, and a 13.5K BTU air conditioner on top of our 2019 Flying Cloud 26RB. We installed the MicroAir Easy Start, in anticipation of our trip to Utah last fall. We spent a few days in a parking lot, at a run event, in Kanab, and we were unable to get the system to run! (Kanab is at 5000 ft elevation).

I wonder if you've had success running your system at higher elevations?

[s1000pre]

No, not 5k. I ran it in Alamogordo, NM...4K. I just can’t be sure the heat heat pump kicked on while running the 2200...I was more concerned with the convection oven.
What happened? Did it trip the 2200? I know you loose 15% with elevation. I can run the A/C, lights, TV all off of the 2200 at 1K feet.

We’re you running anything else at the same time?
We’re you running in eco mode? If so, there may not be enough initial power to compensate for the initial draw. When your not in eco at a higher rpm, the 2200 still jumps quite a bit at the initial start.
We’re you hooked up to the propane port on your AS? I have experienced portable grills not heating up at much using the propane port due to lower pressure before the devices built in regulator.

[tbrowne]

It probably will run the AC but you won't know unless you try it. Since you haven't purchased it yet, go for a 2200 watt unit and be sure. So you know - many forums have posters saying they do run 15000 BTU AC units on a 2000 Watt gen set.

[rmkrum]

Figuring for altitude, high air temperatures and running only on propane I went with a Champion 3400 dual fuel inverter. Gives me plenty of margin...the EasyStart from MicroAir is a plus. The Champion has had no issues running my air conditioning so far.

[mythbuster88]

Originally Posted by Sains

Does anyone have experience with a soft start running on their 15,000 BTU AC, I have a 2020 FC RBT and was wondering if a 2000 watt generator would be big enough to start the AC with a soft start installed? Any help would be much appreciated.😎

Your combo is similar to ours and it works.

The fridge has to be set for propane only.
The converter must be off.
The electric H2O must be off.

[jrwayne]

Hello, dropping this into the conversation. I read this on the boards a year ago. With two AC units, and no softstart installed and a honda 2200 generator, I could run the 13,000 ac unit. Turn the fridge to propane, turn off all other electric draws. Start the generator, turn on the fan to the 13,000 ac, let it spin up, then kick on the compressor. You will hear the generator rev up at this point. Let the cooling begin. After initial compressor load, the generator dropped back down some and ran fine. Saved the cost of the softstart and install for those few times we would need ac.