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04-19-2015, 07:00 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 87
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Decisions Decisions on which generator to buy..
I have a 13.5 Dometic Brisk Air 2 that runs on its own separate breaker up front in my bedroom on my travel trailer. I am looking at getting a generator for when I am on the road and have to make stops where I cant get shorepower and need to run for just the night. I just need it to run the AC in the bedroom and nothing else. I would love to get the Honda 2000 companion, but I have a little doubt it will run the a/c. I have seen some mixed reviews where people said it wouldn't run the ac when it was hooked up, but they had a few other things going on like the converter. I have seen a few reviews where it said it would. The other reason I would like to get the Honda is I can easily put it in my toolbox on my truck. The other options are the Champion 3100 or the Yamaha 2400. I can get the Honda Companion for 1099.00, The Champion with electric start for 890.00, or the Yamaha 2400 for 1299.00 This would be something I use on a few occasions a year maybe. What route would you guys go? Thanks for any input. Cheers!
LSUTIGER
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04-19-2015, 07:18 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
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Personally, I would borrow or rent a 2000 and see if your A/C will kick over. Some will, and some will not, but altitude, ambient temperature, and a host of other variables will determine if a 2000 will be adequate. I do know of several folks that can run their 13k A/C's on a single 2000w portable, but a host of others that can't.
If your usage would be rare, then the Champion might suit you and should be able to run your A/C without too much issue.. providing other loads were minimal. Your usage would be so minimal that it probably doesn't warrant buying dual 2000's or the 2400.
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04-19-2015, 07:30 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Pilot Mountain NC
Posts: 558
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LSUTiger
I have a 13.5 Dometic Brisk Air 2 that runs on its own separate breaker up front in my bedroom on my travel trailer. I am looking at getting a generator for when I am on the road and have to make stops where I cant get shorepower and need to run for just the night. I just need it to run the AC in the bedroom and nothing else. I would love to get the Honda 2000 companion, but I have a little doubt it will run the a/c. I have seen some mixed reviews where people said it wouldn't run the ac when it was hooked up, but they had a few other things going on like the converter. I have seen a few reviews where it said it would. The other reason I would like to get the Honda is I can easily put it in my toolbox on my truck. The other options are the Champion 3100 or the Yamaha 2400. I can get the Honda Companion for 1099.00, The Champion with electric start for 890.00, or the Yamaha 2400 for 1299.00 This would be something I use on a few occasions a year maybe. What route would you guys go? Thanks for any input. Cheers!
LSUTIGER
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Stay away from the Champion generators, I Just ordered the Yamaha EF3000iseb over the Honda because it the Yamaha does not have a timing belt. A friend of mine had a Honda inverter Generator and he got tired of replacing the timing belt.
__________________
2013 Prime Time 230 FBS
Days camped in 2013: April to November
Days camped in 2014...about 40
Days camped in 2015...more than 2014!!
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04-19-2015, 08:37 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 2,004
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Nothing wrong with the Champions. I think you would be quite happy with the Champion 3100. They are a quiet as the Yamaha, they have a 2 year warranty and are about 1/3 the price of a Yammy the same size.
I have a Champion and have never been happier, starts with one pull every time even after sitting in my garage since last September.
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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04-19-2015, 11:19 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 4,553
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LSUTiger
I have a 13.5 Dometic Brisk Air 2 that runs on its own separate breaker up front in my bedroom on my travel trailer. I am looking at getting a generator for when I am on the road and have to make stops where I cant get shorepower and need to run for just the night. I just need it to run the AC in the bedroom and nothing else. I would love to get the Honda 2000 companion, but I have a little doubt it will run the a/c.
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I just bought a Honda 2000 Companion. In tests at home it runs my Coleman/Airxcell 13.5K AC fine. I acknowledge that I have not yet tried it in the field, nor under extreme conditions.
It didn't need the fan start delay relay mod nor the start boost capacitor to work. I plan to install the boost capacitor as insurance.
I bought the companion because that's all the dealer had on the floor and they sold it to me at the same price as the standard model. The power output is no better or different than the standard model, operating independently.
The only difference in the Companion is the existence of the 30A connector socket and lack of the 12V DC connection. For myself, the 30A connector is convenient and I don't miss the 12V connector. Your needs may differ.
I don't think you'll be able to run the AC overnight without a long-term gas tank of some kind. Yamahas can be converted to propane without warranty problems. That may be more convenient from a long-running fuel perspective but I've read debates here as to the financial wisdom of that approach.
Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.
__________________
TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars
Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)
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04-19-2015, 11:37 PM
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#6
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Blog: RVroadtripper.com
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Near Dallas Texas
Posts: 1,000
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If you go with theChampion 3100 consider the electric start version that comes with a remote. Should you need to run for extended times, Pinellas makes a fuel mod that lets you use marine style remote tanks.
__________________
2016 Wildcat 295RSX - 2015 GMC 2500HD DblCab Duramax/Allison 4x4 Z71 6.6' Bed
Maxxis 235/80/16E; AirBags w/AirLift1; mor/Ryde Rubber Pinbox; Andersen UltimateII Alum. 5erhitch on Reese Flipball w/Curt 4" offset; LCI Ground Control3; King Dishtailgater; Traveling with 10' Portabote;
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04-19-2015, 11:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: North Plains, OR
Posts: 253
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I have Companian 2000 and it barely runs the A/C. When I say barely, I mean it takes 3-4 try's of the generator kicking out before it will take the load. I do not recommend the EU3000. If you are wanting to go with Honda, get 2 EU2000 Companians and wire them together. It is cheaper and easier to maneuver than the EU3000.
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04-19-2015, 11:51 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 87
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Decisions Decisions on which generator to buy..
Hbillsmith,
Which product are you specifically talking about?
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04-20-2015, 07:08 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 359
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i have had the Champion 3100 inverter for 2 years without issues. i do the maintenance as required on any generator. I have a 15k btu ac in my TT and the champion will run it fine on a Hot Texas summer day. it is pretty quite and much cheaper than the Yamaha or Honda. If i had to guess i would say i have around 200 to 300 hours on the Champion if not more.
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04-20-2015, 01:58 PM
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#10
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Blog: RVroadtripper.com
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Near Dallas Texas
Posts: 1,000
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You can see a youtube showing the Pinellas Extended Run Time kit for the Champion 3100 electric start here: https://youtu.be/tPdMvS7MvlY
You can buy the Champion 3100 with kit installed here:
Champion Inverter Generators
The owner at BottomLineTrading is Tommy, give him a call (512)902-3397 and he can answer any questions you have about this setup he is great to work with.
He sells the standard Champion 3100 Electric Start for $986 shipped free, no sales tax (except in Texas).
He sells it with the Pinellas extended run kit pre-installed and even includes the external tank for $1297.
If you want to install the kit yourself, the youtube video is very detailed and Tommy will sell you the kit. It comes in two versions: $249.77 w/ fuel line or $199.77 and you supply fuel line. (tank is not included in either version)
By the way, I have no personal interest in this product, it just turned out to be good idea that's all.
__________________
2016 Wildcat 295RSX - 2015 GMC 2500HD DblCab Duramax/Allison 4x4 Z71 6.6' Bed
Maxxis 235/80/16E; AirBags w/AirLift1; mor/Ryde Rubber Pinbox; Andersen UltimateII Alum. 5erhitch on Reese Flipball w/Curt 4" offset; LCI Ground Control3; King Dishtailgater; Traveling with 10' Portabote;
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04-20-2015, 04:25 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 312
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On an 2002 Coleman TT, I had a 15000 BTU AC. The book said I would need a 5500 watt generator to kick it over. I found that there was a Hard Start Kit for the generator. It was a capacitor that I installed myself.
So, I would inquire if your AC has such an upgrade. The kit only cost about $30. Today, maybe such a kit would cost $50. Talk with service at RV Parts and Accessories for Sale - PPL Motor Homes They mailed mine to me.
I successfully was able to run the AC with a Honda 3000 genny. Easily started the AC with the kit installed.
__________________
2013 Flagstaff 8528IKWS, 2006 F-350 6.0L
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04-21-2015, 07:53 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 6
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Yamaha 2400 Owner
Well I think most of the generators are great and was going to buy a Honda 2000 but decided to go with the Yamaha 2400. This generator has ran through 7 summers without a hitch, camping in August and running the air without a problem. It uses very little gas considering how hard I use it, maybe 6 or 7 gallons for the week. Starts first pull nearly every time. It weighs more than the Honda 2000 but less than the Honda 3000 I looked at. I do think the 2400 is the smallest generator you should buy, bigger is better. If you can afford the Honda 3000 go for it! Rick
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04-28-2015, 10:01 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 87
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I ended up purchasing a 3100 with remote start for 840.00. In the end I could not justify the cost of the Hondas and was scared the 2400 just wasn't gonna be enough. Again the times I will use this thing will be very limited. I'll report back after I put some miles on it. Now I am trying to find a way to secure it in the back of the truck bed.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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04-29-2015, 04:51 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 312
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DickiedooFlagman
On an 2002 Coleman TT, I had a 15000 BTU AC. The book said I would need a 5500 watt generator to kick it over. I found that there was a Hard Start Kit for the generator. It was a capacitor that I installed myself.
So, I would inquire if your AC has such an upgrade. The kit only cost about $30. Today, maybe such a kit would cost $50. Talk with service at RV Parts and Accessories for Sale - PPL Motor Homes They mailed mine to me.
I successfully was able to run the AC with a Honda 3000 genny. Easily started the AC with the kit installed.
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A correction: The hard start kit was for the Air Conditioner, NOT the generator. I purchased the hard start kit 12 years ago from PPL Motorhomes in Texas.
__________________
2013 Flagstaff 8528IKWS, 2006 F-350 6.0L
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05-14-2015, 09:36 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 87
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Update: So after the required break in period of my Champion 3100 I ran my 15 btu off it and it ran like a champ!!!! We shall see what the longevity of it is now. I'll keep you guys updated.
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05-17-2015, 12:37 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 925
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After doing some research I decided to get the Honda 3000is and love it. Its main use will be for the AC when shore power is not available. The dealer carried the Honda, Yamaha and Champion. He recommended the Honda because they have been making them longer than the others and he has never gotten a complaint about one.
They had a chart on the wall and this is the size recommended for a 13.5 AC. He had another good point. You don't realize everything that is running in the background such as a coffee pot, alarm clock, TV, ectra.... It adds up quick.
Jim
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