Generators

[FL_Hybrid]

I wouldn't have figured it should be an issue either but wasn't sure. I have read posts about the start capacitor and have thought about maybe doing that. Will have to do some research to see what is involved.

[wavery]

I decided to give it a try on the HTT and some of the time it really struggles and just can't get the A/C compressor to fire up. Seems that once it's going there isn't a problem even as the compressor kicks on and off, just on initial start up. If it just can't get it I let it run for a bit without the A/C on and after a while it does just fine. I am not sure the exact unit but the A/C is a Dometic and I am pretty sure it's a 13,500 BTU unit. Should this generator have any issues with this A/C unit or could there be another problem such as maybe with the generator itself?

The problem with initial start up is that the motor on the generator is fighting to catch up with a huge demand from Idle. It's like trying to tow your trailer up a steep grade and starting at the bottom from a dead stop. It's better to attack those hills from a higher speed at the bottom.

Same goes for your generator. You might try holding the throttle open by hand and have someone turn on the AC unit while the generator is running at a high RPM.

Starting your AC with the gen at idle is also hard on your compressor and will shorten the life of the AC because it is trying to start out at inefficient voltage.

The Honda Gens have a switch that kicks the RPM up for running higher demand items. It turns the RPM up to max (without over revving) and allows you to start the AC at max voltage.

[FL_Hybrid]

After doing some reading on the starter capacitor mod it's definitely something that I will be doing, just not sure if I will get a chance before this first trip on the generator. I did test it out again this evening after some of the info I read and didn't have any issues. For the most part I think my problem yesterday was I was kicking it off then trying to start it up again almost immediately. If I let it run with out the compressor for a few minutes it would start up just fine. Just for reference, where is the best place to find out the exact model number on the A/C unit? I have the manual but it lists a number of units, not exactly sure which one I have.

[PopupModMike]

I installed a hard start capacitor just to ease my Honda's 2000 watt load.It would handle the load but I felt better bout the capacitor.

[FL_Hybrid]

From what I read it appears that in a unit that is at least several years old even replacing the start cap with a new stock unit can help. Since my HTT is now four years old I suspect it will make all the difference. I still plan on getting a couple of 2K Hondas but if one can start and run the A/C when necessary all the better.

[Dusty Dog]

We have and run a couple of Honda EU2000's in parallel. One is the standard EU2000 and the second is the "companion" model EU2000. Normally only running one of the units will support most of what we want to use, however, given that we have a 15,000 btu A/C on our pup one by itself can't handle the startup of the A/C. How many we take with us is determined by where we are going and whether we expect to run the A/C or not.

I have devised a "anti-theft" rig for the generators made from a couple of Trex Deck boards drilled with holes to pass a chain thru on each generator. One of the boards is then drilled with additional holes to enable me to chain the board to a tree. Not bullet proof but would certainly slow someone down if they had any ideas of acquiring my generators! I then place this setup inside of a large Coleman Dog Pup Tent which will allow them to sit there and run out in the rain if need be (since their not designed to get wet). So far this rig has worked out well, has run out in the rain for days and having walked around this setup with both running while pulling the A/C I've concluded that both running in parallel generates the same amount of noise as a single running. Generally, you can't hear them from the campsite across the road or next site over.

[sloscheider]

I've found that switching off the inverter makes a big enough difference.  With it on the 2000i struggles a bit on first startup of the ac and sometimes kicked out but by flipping off the breaker for the inverter the ac starts right up and the 2000i doesn't struggle at all.  Battery power easily kept things like the fridge and water pump working all day.  I need to hook up a killawatt or some other type of ammeter to find out just how much the inverter is pulling.....