Running 13500 BTU A/C With Honda 2200i

[jamoody]

I've investigated here and elsewhere the possibility of running my 13500 BTU air conditioner using a single Honda 2200i generator. Most reports recommended using a hard-start capacitor which I don't currently have. I thought I'd just give it a try and to my surprise the compressor kicked on, though it did take around 5 seconds, and started cooling without the generator overload light coming on.

The generator specs are marginal for this A/C but are within limits:
* Honda 2200i, 2200W starting, 1800W running
* Dometic Airxcel 48253c969 (aka Mach 3), 13500 BTU,1650W-1900W depending on conditions.


In case these A/C details makes sense to anyone:
1650W - Cooling A.R.I. Standard Conditioning 80º F.DB/67º F.WB Indoor, 95º F.DB Outdoor at 115VAC
1900W - Cooling A.R.I. Standard Conditioning 95º F.DB/71º F.WB Indoor, 115º F.DB Outdoor at 103.5VAC

When needed, I plan to run the A/C only at night so outside temperature is assumed to be 80F or below. Assume all appliances are off, including refrigerator on gas, and battery fully charged (so no power converter draw).

My question is - if there is a repeated overload condition will this hurt either the generator or the A/C compressor, or will it just not cool?

[Black-ripley]

When needed, I plan to run the A/C only at night so outside temperature is assumed to be 80F or below. Assume all appliances are off, including refrigerator on gas, and battery fully charged (so no power converter draw).

Keep in mind that most campgrounds have limited times when you can run a generator, never past 10 PM.

Looking at the specs it seems like you will way over tasking the generator, and it would be running at full all the time. So it so going to be louder than rated and is going to eat gas like a Buick Lesabre.

The other problem is the hard start of the AC that spikes the amp draw and will clip the generator. To help with that you can install a soft start on the AC.

If you are trying to keep it small you might look a 2800w genny like this Honda


It is not as quiet as the 2200i (57 dB ) but it is rated pretty low at 61-69 dB noise rating

[jamoody]

Assuming I try using what I have, if there is a repeated overload condition will this hurt either the generator or the A/C compressor, or will it just not cool?

[nayther]

If there's too much load you might have low voltage from the generator, which could damage the compressor. Watts=voltsxamps and watts are virtually constant so as voltage goes down amps go up. Not sure but I think every compressor has an internal overload, which opens on high amps and repeated cycling on that overload is NOT a good idea.


at the very least I'd use some form of overload protection

[KyDan]

My Honda 2000i started my roof air once and then it wouldn't.
If I wanted to run my roof AC on generator power I'd get a soft start kit.
Pricey at north of $300 but worth it in the long run IF you truly want to be cool on genny power.
It's cheaper than 2 2000is by a long shot and you only have to lug one around.
Saves gas, quieter etc....

[Walholler]

I know that the OP is trying to run a single 13.5K AC unit on a single Honda 2200i inverter generator. This is what I did, I purchase the Honda 2200i and the Honda Companion 2200i, wired them parallel, with both running on the Eco mode, I run a 15K AC unit. I can run both generators pulling the single 15K unit for 7 hours using 1.9 gallons of gasoline. The only time the generators go from the Eco mode to full throttle is when the AC compressor kicks in, that last for about 3 seconds, then they go back to Eco Mode.

[ArkRVHog]

Originally Posted by Walholler

I know that the OP is trying to run a single 13.5K AC unit on a single Honda 2200i inverter generator. This is what I did, I purchase the Honda 2200i and the Honda Companion 2200i, wired them parallel, with both running on the Eco mode, I run a 15K AC unit. I can run both generators pulling the single 15K unit for 7 hours using 1.9 gallons of gasoline. The only time the generators go from the Eco mode to full throttle is when the AC compressor kicks in, that last for about 3 seconds, then they go back to Eco Mode.

Walholler...ditto here. Those two Honda's chained together are quiet workhorses...and a nice backup to an onboard genny if needed. And it's nice that with this configuration, you can pretty much run anything you would do normally on your 30amp service.

The old saying "you get what you pay for" rings true for the 2200's.

[RECONUSMC]

I have one on each AC unit on my 5er. Not only does this make it possible for a 3500 to run both AC units, it protects your AC Compressors and prolongs their life. See the Video & info
https://www.microair.net/products/ea...nt=30176048267

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soP0uZFd0nQ

[TGR]

There are other considerations when using a small generator. In addition to the initial start of an air conditioner, a second start can require even more power than the first if the shut-off to restart time is short. Additionally, since engines are less powerful at higher altitudes, a generator that works at lower altitude may stall out at a higher altitude.

[jamoody]

Thanks to all for your input and suggestions.

[Jerrykyle]

Originally Posted by Walholler

I know that the OP is trying to run a single 13.5K AC unit on a single Honda 2200i inverter generator. This is what I did, I purchase the Honda 2200i and the Honda Companion 2200i, wired them parallel, with both running on the Eco mode, I run a 15K AC unit. I can run both generators pulling the single 15K unit for 7 hours using 1.9 gallons of gasoline. The only time the generators go from the Eco mode to full throttle is when the AC compressor kicks in, that last for about 3 seconds, then they go back to Eco Mode.

I did the same. Gives you 30 amps when you do it.

[67L48]

A 13.5K BTU A/C will want as much as 2,750 watts on start-up. I think it only requires around 1,200 once running.

Generators are like any other engine -- they lose ~3% of power for every 1,000' over nominal (usually 500').

So, if you take a 3,500 Watt peak power generator camping at 7,500', it will be only good to output peak 2,800 W. That should be enough, but it may also trip. It depends how fast the generator can respond to the peak demand when that A/C compressor kicks on.

So, figure altitude effects when sizing your generator.