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Old 08-04-2020, 12:39 PM   #1
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NovaKool + AC + EasyStart = ???

I have researched this, but can't quite find a definitive answer.

I would like to install an easy start so that I can carry an inverter generator in the 2,000-2,350 class. Problem is, I have a NovaKool ac/dc refrigerator that draws 4.5 amps on top of the 12/13 amps that my Dometic AC draws. I am wondering if this is possible... I would need a minimum of 18 amps, correct?

I will be bringing my 2020, 20fb Bambi into Jackson Center on the 10th for warranty work and would like to get the unit installed if I can find a "lightweight" generator...

Your thoughts, input, solutions are welcome and sought. Thanks!

Curt
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Old 08-04-2020, 03:47 PM   #2
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Not sure how to edit the above, so...

What I am asking is will a 2,000-2,350 watt generator and an easy start run my AC and refrigerator together?

Thanks again
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Old 08-04-2020, 04:41 PM   #3
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I have the smaller Novakool which draws 2.2. amps. I have the same AC with Easy Start installed. Everything has been working great with the EU2000 ON 90F humid days. I wish I could be more helpful. I think the newer EU2200 would be fine.
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Old 08-04-2020, 04:57 PM   #4
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Isn’t the Novacool amp draw on 12volts? 4 amps of 120 V AC is much higher than I see on my chest Dometic, it’s more like 4.5 at 12 volts or about 50 watts (1/2 amp AC?)
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Old 08-04-2020, 05:34 PM   #5
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Looking at the spec sheets, the quoted Novacool amp draw is at 12 volts. As a rough estimate, the current draw at 120VAC would be 10% of that, or around 1/2 amp as HiHoAgRV suggests. So the Novacool represents a negligible draw in addition to the air conditioner. I saw a post on FB today where someone measured the current draw of a 15K BTU Dometic at 81 degree outside temperature to be 14.9 amps. The current will go up at higher outside temperatures and if the voltage sags. The Honda EU2200i is rated at 15 amps continuous, but posters have reported that they run their ACs without overloading. My EU2000i rated at 13.3 amps continuous runs my 13.5 KBTU AC without overloading. I do have an EasyStart to limit the starting surge when the compressor kicks in.

Folks either love the Harbor Freight Predator generators (or they don't). I bought my Honda used and have had some trouble with it but got it straight. If I were buying a Honda again I'd start with the Companion model since it has the 30A RV receptacle built in. If I needed a second generator I could add the other one later. With two smaller generators if you don't need AC you can only carry (or unload) one of the two.
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Old 08-04-2020, 05:48 PM   #6
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Thanks Al and Missy. That clears a lot up for me too. I’m sure that the OP will appreciate this as well.
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Old 08-04-2020, 09:32 PM   #7
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Thank you all!

Yes Shiny, I do appreciate the info if I understand it correctly.

HiHo, Al and Missy, do I understand this correctly... the stated draw (and confirmed by an email to NovaKool) of 4.5 amps is derived from operation at 12v dc. Because I would be running on 120v ac, the refrigerator would only draw .5 amps? That sure would be great. Would prefer to use the easy start and not have to lug a large generator or two smaller ones if I don’t need to.

Curt
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Old 08-04-2020, 09:44 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harphunt View Post
Thank you all!

Yes Shiny, I do appreciate the info if I understand it correctly.

HiHo, Al and Missy, do I understand this correctly... the stated draw (and confirmed by an email to NovaKool) of 4.5 amps is derived from operation at 12v dc. Because I would be running on 120v ac, the refrigerator would only draw .5 amps? That sure would be great. Would prefer to use the easy start and not have to lug a large generator or two smaller ones if I don’t need to.

Curt
I remember putting an amp meter on the trailer with the AC running. It showed about 12 amps. I purposely left the fridge door open to get the compressor to run and there was almost no change. I was a bit confused by that. Now it makes perfect sense.
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Old 08-05-2020, 06:06 AM   #9
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I hope what you all have said is correct. I have an email into NovaKool to confirm. Fingers crossed.

Thanks again.
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Old 08-05-2020, 01:52 PM   #10
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Nova-Kool? Ac-Dc refrigerator? Have read that this is the new Airstream spec for new trailers. Doesn’t seem as though Airstsream isnt designed for Boondocking any longer. What’s the reason for the changes from LP AC. Dometics. Mine have worked wonderfully for many years.
So glad I have an older model that I can work on. Everyone I know who has purchased a new on has had to make the pilgrimage to Jackson Center to get things fixed.
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Old 08-05-2020, 02:49 PM   #11
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GatorDave and many others, I am perplexed by your convictions that the NovaKool makes it impossible to boondocks. They use about 1/3 the energy of an absorption unit running on electricity. Even on propane, the “Dometic” uses about 1 amp for the controls. That’s 24 Ah/day, vs 32 for the “NovaKool” with minimal door openings (compressor runs about 1/3 of the time).
A-S provides a second battery on the 2020’s (and a dual box on the 2021’s?) to compensate. Many more people are going solar. A-S is not hating on boondockers!
Plus, getting the propane tank filled is my second least favorite job.
Final note: your Dometic may work well, but I have seen almost no complaints about NovaKool performance on this site. Dometic, on the other hand...
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Old 08-05-2020, 04:10 PM   #12
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For the OP and Shiny16.


The equations for what you are asking about ere:

Watts = Amps x VoltsAmps = Watts / Volts

Volts = Watts / Amps.
Both watts and amps are dependent on the voltage in question.


So 4.5amps = 54 watts / 12 volts which equivalent to 0.45 amps = 54 watts / 120 volts.
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Old 08-05-2020, 04:23 PM   #13
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Just a related observation, this weekend on 30a shore power and 95 degree temps, I flipped off all breakers in the trailer except for AC, so AC (13,500) was only load. Amperage draw into the trailer as displayed by my Progressive Industries EMS (which I am told is quite accurate) showed amperage draws of 16-19 amps, at that high temp. AC will draw more amps as temp rises. I do have an Easy Start but that does not impact amperage when the compressor is running, just at startup.
The 2200i provides 18.3amps peak and 15 amps continuous...so you can see how on hotter days the generator will be on the edge of its capabilities. And if elevation is a factor, it gets stickier still...according to Honda, the power loss is 2-3 percent per 1,000 feet of elevation.
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Old 08-05-2020, 07:37 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SailorSam205 View Post
For the OP and Shiny16.


The equations for what you are asking about ere:

Watts = Amps x VoltsAmps = Watts / Volts

Volts = Watts / Amps.
Both watts and amps are dependent on the voltage in question.


So 4.5amps = 54 watts / 12 volts which equivalent to 0.45 amps = 54 watts / 120 volts.
Thanks for that. About .5 is what my cheap amp meter shows when the compressor kicks in. This clears a bunch up for me.
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Old 08-05-2020, 07:41 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by GetawA-S View Post
GatorDave and many others, I am perplexed by your convictions that the NovaKool makes it impossible to boondocks. They use about 1/3 the energy of an absorption unit running on electricity. Even on propane, the “Dometic” uses about 1 amp for the controls. That’s 24 Ah/day, vs 32 for the “NovaKool” with minimal door openings (compressor runs about 1/3 of the time).
A-S provides a second battery on the 2020’s (and a dual box on the 2021’s?) to compensate. Many more people are going solar. A-S is not hating on boondockers!
Plus, getting the propane tank filled is my second least favorite job.
Final note: your Dometic may work well, but I have seen almost no complaints about NovaKool performance on this site. Dometic, on the other hand...
All of this.. plus food that actually stays refrigerated. I mentioned this on other threads. The propane units are for the most part great and efficient. The issue for many of them is the installation. If you have one that is not properly vented such as on the 16s , 23s and any other that is not vented through the roof you will likely have issues with temps above 90f and humidity.
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Old 08-06-2020, 11:10 AM   #16
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Thanks again all!

I got a hold of NovaKool and they confirmed that running 120vac (generator or shore) the refrigerator only draws .5 amps. That is negligable. My dc concerns with the unit will be taken care of through solar.

I NOW HAVE A RELATED, BUT DIFFERENT CONCERN.

PCSKIER touched on it... I was going to have an Easy Start installed this coming Monday 8/10 while at JC for warranty work. I only want to carry a 50-60# generator/2,000 - 2,350 watt. A 100# RV-ready generator is very unappealing. In reading more about the Easy Start it seems to NOT be the panacea that I thought it would be. The math gets a little fuzzy as to it's capabilities, yes?

I have a 2020 Bambi with a NovaKool frig and a Dometic AC... .5+13 amps. What size generator do I need to run this with an EasyStart installed??? What size without ES???

A side note. If the generator outlet is 15 amp (x120=1,800), how do you get 2,200 watts peak?

This is getting confusing and frustrating.
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Old 08-06-2020, 01:59 PM   #17
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2200 W is MAX, for a few minutes. 1800 W is the rated load, good for all day long. This generator will work fine for you. It comes with overload protection, should you forget and turn on a second major load. Stop agonizing and enjoy your trailer!
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Old 08-06-2020, 03:11 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by harphunt View Post
Thanks again all!

I got a hold of NovaKool and they confirmed that running 120vac (generator or shore) the refrigerator only draws .5 amps. That is negligable. My dc concerns with the unit will be taken care of through solar.

I NOW HAVE A RELATED, BUT DIFFERENT CONCERN.

PCSKIER touched on it... I was going to have an Easy Start installed this coming Monday 8/10 while at JC for warranty work. I only want to carry a 50-60# generator/2,000 - 2,350 watt. A 100# RV-ready generator is very unappealing. In reading more about the Easy Start it seems to NOT be the panacea that I thought it would be. The math gets a little fuzzy as to it's capabilities, yes?

I have a 2020 Bambi with a NovaKool frig and a Dometic AC... .5+13 amps. What size generator do I need to run this with an EasyStart installed??? What size without ES???

A side note. If the generator outlet is 15 amp (x120=1,800), how do you get 2,200 watts peak?

This is getting confusing and frustrating.
Does your Bambi have a 13500 btu Dometic?
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Old 08-06-2020, 03:26 PM   #19
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No fuzzy math with the Easy Start. It just lets the generator start the AC compressor. The easy start does not reduce the running load of the AC in any way. And yes, you need the Easy Start to run the AC with a Honda 2200. The Hondas work because they perform magic in this day and age. They actually will put out their full rated output and maybe a little more. I have the companion model so I have the 30 amp plug. The way the 15 amp plug works is that the starting load is of such short duration it does not over heat the outlet. I would (did) pay the extra for the Companion model. I thought I was going to buy a second generator so I could run the AC but after the Easy Start installation I decided I do not need the extra generator. In all honesty we work hard not to boondocks in areas where it is extremely hot and humid so that may affect how well I like the single generator. We do sometimes, but not all times, turn off the power converter when we run the AC on the generator. I have run the AC during the day at 95 degrees at 7000 feet on the gas generator (2000). Our AC is a 13,500 Penguin.
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Old 08-06-2020, 04:28 PM   #20
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Thanks for everyone's patience and help. I tend to to over-research. I did take the Bambi out to Glacier, Olympic, Rainier, etc. for three weeks, so we did have some fun this summer.

I have a 13,500 Dometic and was hoping to use one of the less expensive inverter generators... i.e. WEN 56235i 2,350watt

I could get 1 rv ready or 2 smaller gens for the price of a Honda...

Again, I appreciate all of the input.

Curt
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