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MaxAB · 12-05-2012, 08:38 AM

An Airstreamer owner will eventually ask himself, "how bad do I really need 2 AC units blowing cold air when I'm not connected to shore power...?"

CDONA · 12-05-2012, 11:09 AM

Here is a non ethanol site, including Salome Az, 8 miles from my normal wintering spot

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

mefly2 · 12-05-2012, 01:38 PM

The EU 2000 companion comes with an RV adapter plug that plugs into the gen and locks with a slight turn. However, you will not likely be able to start and run even one AC unit with just the single EU2000 standard. With the Standard and companion, one AC is easily handled along with a small microwave ... but NOT the heat pump. Save that for shore power and at least 30 amp service.

Freedomrider · 12-05-2012, 03:38 PM

Wazbro,

That's what I will get when the time comes.

Thank you.

vswingfield · 12-05-2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mefly2

... but NOT the heat pump. Save that for shore power and at least 30 amp service.

Why not the heat pump? You're still just running the AC, only in the opposite direction.

jdalrymple · 12-05-2012, 05:22 PM

Freedom,

My external fuel system is the same as Wazbro posted. It works well.

The 2000i has a fuel pump, so simply start with the onboard fuel tank full and the pump will pull fuel from the external tank until it is empty, and then run from the onboard.

I did turn the connections around so the hoses were attached to the fuel cap and tank has the male quick-coupling.

It makes it much easier to handle the tank with no hoses attached.

Regards,

JD

Freedomrider · 12-06-2012, 04:59 AM

jdalrymple,

I had not thought of this. Surely, this is something that is good to know. I will have a chance to put all of this info into practice tomorrow. We get the "Roadrunner" out of storage for a day of practicing backing, then to Walmart parking for the rest of the day.

The learning curve for a newbie is so steep.

Thanks all.

MaxAB · 12-06-2012, 04:30 PM

Great idea!

F450Harley · 12-06-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freedomrider

jdalrymple,

I had not thought of this. Surely, this is something that is good to know. I will have a chance to put all of this info into practice tomorrow. We get the "Roadrunner" out of storage for a day of practicing backing, then to Walmart parking for the rest of the day.

The learning curve for a newbie is so steep.

Thanks all.

Good for you. Awaiting practice pictures !!!
Congratulations ...

87MH · 12-07-2012, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxAB

An Airstreamer owner will eventually ask himself, "how bad do I really need 2 AC units blowing cold air when I'm not connected to shore power...?"

This question is answered by another question...How badly do you want to maintain relations your present spouse/companion/significant other?

If momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy.

MaxAB · 12-07-2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87MH

This question is answered by another question...How badly do you want to maintain relations your present spouse/companion/significant other?

If momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy.

Roger that, amigo! Gotta keep momma happy, for sure

mefly2 · 12-12-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vswingfield

Why not the heat pump? You're still just running the AC, only in the opposite direction.

Our heat pump in AC mode draws more current on start up than the solo EU2000 is rated for ... in heat mode, it is even more ....

**DKB_SATX** · 12-12-2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mefly2

Our heat pump in AC mode draws more current on start up than the solo EU2000 is rated for ... in heat mode, it is even more ....

The start current of your AC is over 30A? At sea level the peak output of the paired EU2000 with eco mode off should be a little over 30A, and about 27A continuous (assuming 120V). Maybe something's not right with your heat pump...

"Locked Rotor" amps is probably going to be much higher, but that's what capacitors are for and should be demanded for only a fraction of a second.

vswingfield · 12-12-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mefly2

Our heat pump in AC mode draws more current on start up than the solo EU2000 is rated for ...

This much I understand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mefly2

in heat mode, it is even more ....

It's this part I don't.

Why does it draw more in heat mode?

**DKB_SATX** · 12-12-2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

The start current of your AC is over 30A? At sea level the peak output of the paired EU2000 with eco mode off should be a little over 30A, and about 27A continuous (assuming 120V). Maybe something's not right with your heat pump...

"Locked Rotor" amps is probably going to be much higher, but that's what capacitors are for and should be demanded for only a fraction of a second.

d'oh! I missed the "solo" part re: the EU2000... the only person claiming to run AC on 1 is the guy w/ the 5k BTU window unit (can't remember who at this point) right?

<on edit> There's the source of my confusion... in post #23 mefly2 is saying you can't run the heat pump on a PAIR of EU2000i Hondas. Looking at the Coleman Mach HP2 specs, it looks like 33A peak/27A continuous from a pair of EU2000is should be enough to run it.

Travel Bird · 12-12-2012, 09:30 PM

Thanks, I learned a lot from this thread. We are looking for generators as we speak!

thomp · 12-13-2012, 05:20 AM

I have the same exact set-up and it has never kicked off my two Hondas. They power the heat pump just fine. Can't tell any difference between A/C mode and heat pump mode.

Dwellstream · 12-13-2012, 08:55 AM

We are staying at a state park that has power outages sometimes in the winter. I think I need the furnace to keep the tanks from freezing, but often the daytime temps are warm enough for the heat pump. If we are stranded there for several days (ice storms in Alabama) and I only have one generator what is my best plan? I have 8 weeks experience total! I try to get the propane tanks re-filled right away, and we set the thermostat in the low 60's all the time we are there, and disconnect the water hose at night.
Is one EU2000i enough to get us through days of forced boon docking?
Stan

**DKB_SATX** · 12-13-2012, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glfbllrcks

We are staying at a state park that has power outages sometimes in the winter. I think I need the furnace to keep the tanks from freezing, but often the daytime temps are warm enough for the heat pump. If we are stranded there for several days (ice storms in Alabama) and I only have one generator what is my best plan? I have 8 weeks experience total! I try to get the propane tanks re-filled right away, and we set the thermostat in the low 60's all the time we are there, and disconnect the water hose at night.
Is one EU2000i enough to get us through days of forced boon docking?
Stan

Make sure you keep up with your propane levels and gas for the generator. The furnace will run as long as you have battery and propane and should keep up with any temperatures you're likely to experience in Alabama, and your EU2000i is plenty to recharge the batteries in the daytime. Don't skimp on recharging the batteries, and you should be fine.

MaxAB · 12-13-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glfbllrcks

We are staying at a state park that has power outages sometimes in the winter. I think I need the furnace to keep the tanks from freezing, but often the daytime temps are warm enough for the heat pump. If we are stranded there for several days (ice storms in Alabama) and I only have one generator what is my best plan? I have 8 weeks experience total! I try to get the propane tanks re-filled right away, and we set the thermostat in the low 60's all the time we are there, and disconnect the water hose at night.
Is one EU2000i enough to get us through days of forced boon docking?
Stan

Hi Stan,

We can survive in a winter (freezing nights/non-freezing days) dry-camping mode with our EU2000 as a back-up power source, no problem. I've got a 190-watt PV solar panel charging a two-AGM battery array. Assuming plenty of LPG and good battery array condition, we're good for 3 days without connecting the Honda EU if there's cloud cover (ie, no sun rays to convert to DC power to charge array - 210 amp-hour storage). These are basically the conditions you're describing in your question above.

In the scenario above, the forced air furnace not only heats the interior but also forces warm air over the tanks in the "basement" keeping them and ancillary plumbing from freeze damage. Full 30-lbs LPG tanks will last for at least 2-3 weeks under these conditions.

So long as you have enough amp-hour storage in your batteries, you shouldn't have a problem keeping your furnace on during freezing conditions at night without using the generator. If you doubt the condition (amp-hour storage) of your batteries, you can always fire-up your Honda which will charge them through your converter/charger.

If you're considering running the heat pump during the day (A/C mode) to cool off the interior, your EU2000 will not have enough power to run the A/C forcing you to use the "unreliable" shore power 30amp service.

Sounds like the power service at your campground is "unreliable" and if you don't already have one, its recommended that you install a quality surge protector to save electronic devices from frying should your electrical system become victim of damaging current surges.

Hope this helps out...

Cheers,

Art