Generators

[Boomer]

Hi all I need some help. I'm trying to figure out which generator is the right one for me. I have a Classic 30 with a 15,000 btu AC and have read that the starting amps on that unit would exceed the capacity of the Yamaha 3000. Could some of you that have experience please give me some advise, what is the best way to go for me. I really don't want to haul a huge generator around with me. Do I need to get 2 - 2000 amp units? Any and all advise will be welcome. I hope this gets some good discussions going.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Boomer

... I hope this gets some good discussions going.

hiya boomer

there are already some GREAT discussions/threads on the choice of genset...

go to the forum ON generators/solar and RANK the threads by posts/views...

then read the 10-15 BIG ones on this issue...

the TITLES of the useful ones are pretty obvious, and here's the starting point...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...ort=replycount

some of the USEFUL threads are further down the list and some are on page 2...

so dig, read, grab some i drops and repeat...
___________

the problem with reports about TINY gensets running HUGE AC is...

we don't know HOW LONG either piece of gear will last.

and folks who KILL their AC this way almost NEVER post about that.
___________

next is the CONFUSION from posts by well meaning folks with SOME OTHER BRAND/SIZE of ac unit....

they are not all created equal.
___________

the MAKER of your AC has a website and an FAQ section...

in it, is THEIR recommendation for genset WATTAGE for safe/trouble free power to a 15k btu unit.

i've found and read it, u can too!
___________

some folks don't wanna believe the stuff written by the manufacturers...

"it's all a plot to get us to buy MORE stuff and support the war..." they say...

the war in pasadena
___________

HOW OFTEN will u run the ac, at what ALTITUDE and with what OTHER STUFF running on electrons ???

all that matters in the decision process.
___________

cheers
2air'

[Mike Leary]

Do a check on the noise ratings, some of those are very obnoxious.

[Boomer]

Thanks for the input, I've already started checking out your suggestions. But I can't find a search for discussions on generators. I consider myself pretty computer savy but I've always found this site extemely difficult to navigate around in. I need to edit my profile and I can't even find where to do that. :-(

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

As to your questions, we use a pair of Honda 2000's and are very satisfied with their performance.

As far as Forums searches go, you may have better results doing a Google query of "airforums generators".

Brian

[TBRich]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Thanks for the input, I've already started checking out your suggestions. But I can't find a search for discussions on generators. I consider myself pretty computer savy but I've always found this site extremely difficult to navigate around in. I need to edit my profile and I can't even find where to do that. :-(

Here's a link to the Generators Forum...get to the forums by clicking on "Forums" at the very top of the page...all the "sub-forums" are listed there...

As to generators...I would vote for two 2000 watt Honda or Yamaha generators...that will give you 4000 watts of power if run in parallel...and then when you are camping where you don't need that much power for AC, you can take just one generator and run most everything else on board...the 2000s are much easier to lift than the larger ones...and the Hondas and Yamahas are the quietest. Good luck...most of us who use generators have struggled with the same questions...it takes some research to figure it all out...but you will.

[nmgt350h]

I had been running my 30’ classic off of a 3000 Yamaha for the last couple summers , it worked ok…. I never could run the a A/C on anything but low, and it worked most of the time just fine but If the a/c was on I could not run anything else . This winter I installed a 3200 Cummins quite diesel gen set in the back of my diesel truck, even built a slick powder coated box to cover it, turned out great! this last weekend I fired it up and plugged it in to the Airstream and ran it for an hour with the a/c on high, the microwave on, and the TV on. It never overloaded. It also was no loader than the Yamaha. It was quite the project, plumed it off the diesel tank of the truck and built a custom exhaust. I’m planning on posting some pictures soon!

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by nmgt350h

[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]...This winter I installed a 3200 Cummins quite diesel gen set in the back of my diesel truck, even built a slick powder coated box to cover it, turned out great!...

good report!

looking forward to the pictures.

this is unique enough that you should start a new thread for this showntell...

cheers
2air'

to the o.p.

heres a couple more threads to consider (besides the list already posted)

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...ize-29557.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f396...ery-29201.html
(the 13.5 and 15k have the same power requirements)

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...tor-45200.html

[Bluto]

Originally Posted by nmgt350h

I had been running my 30’ classic off of a 3000 Yamaha for the last couple summers , it worked ok…. I never could run the a A/C on anything but low, and it worked most of the time just fine but If the a/c was on I could not run anything else . This winter I installed a 3200 Cummins quite diesel gen set in the back of my diesel truck, even built a slick powder coated box to cover it, turned out great! this last weekend I fired it up and plugged it in to the Airstream and ran it for an hour with the a/c on high, the microwave on, and the TV on. It never overloaded. It also was no loader than the Yamaha. It was quite the project, plumed it off the diesel tank of the truck and built a custom exhaust. I’m planning on posting some pictures soon!

That sounds great. I'd like to see it too. I know the Rockerfeller saying that if you ask the question, "how much did it cost?, you can't afford it" but don't forget to tell us anyway!

[Tin Hut]

I have the yamaha 3000 with tri fuel set up. I only run it on propane. Have a 28' CCD with 15000 AC like yours. It's worked fine for me. If you had a MH then certainly a large genset is the way to go.

[nmgt350h]

Well it wasn’t cheap… have around $4800 in everything, and I did the installation and fabed the toolbox/ cover, and exhaust myself. It is fairly permanent, cutting a huge hole in the bed of the truck it sits half in half out of the truck bed. Being a gadget guy it was a fun project! Pictures coming soon!

Aaron
Albuquerque, Nm
www.gate-it.com

[Bluto]

Originally Posted by nmgt350h

Well it wasn’t cheap… have around $4800 in everything, and I did the installation and fabed the toolbox/ cover, and exhaust myself. It is fairly permanent, cutting a huge hole in the bed of the truck it sits half in half out of the truck bed. Being a gadget guy it was a fun project! Pictures coming soon!

Aaron
Albuquerque, Nm
www.gate-it.com

Didn't think it would be cheap, but none the less, it sounds interesting and the main thing,,,,it works to meet all your needs.

[Boomer]

Just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for their response, it's helped a lot. Great group of people here. Tin Hut we need to get together some time I'm in Irving.

[nmgt350h]

Here are a few pictures of my diesel generator installed. This is the first weekend I had a chance to really use it, works great!

[Tin Hut]

Sweet

[Bluto]

That set up is awesome. What a great idea!

[oklahmamike]

Originally Posted by nmgt350h

Here are a few pictures of my diesel generator installed. This is the first weekend I had a chance to really use it, works great!

Wow I would love to see more about your setup. What does it look like under the bed?

[Gentech]

the starting current is what will make your AC unit sing or Die. the ac unit needs a much higher amount of starting current to start, especially after it has been running and built up a good head pressure.

a sing unit with at least 3600-4400 surge watts would handle most 15kw roof airs but a pair of parallel 2000s have the advantage of dual inverters tom dissipate the heat.

Honda and Kipor both have these units and the parallel kits.