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Old 04-19-2015, 07:00 PM   #1
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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!

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Old 04-19-2015, 07:18 PM   #2
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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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Old 04-19-2015, 07:30 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by LSUTiger View Post
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
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.
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Old 04-19-2015, 08:37 PM   #4
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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.
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Old 04-19-2015, 11:19 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by LSUTiger View Post
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 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.

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Old 04-19-2015, 11:37 PM   #6
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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.
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Old 04-19-2015, 11:48 PM   #7
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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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Old 04-19-2015, 11:51 PM   #8
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Decisions Decisions on which generator to buy..

Hbillsmith,

Which product are you specifically talking about?
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Old 04-20-2015, 07:08 AM   #9
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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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Old 04-20-2015, 01:58 PM   #10
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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.
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Old 04-20-2015, 04:25 PM   #11
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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.
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Old 04-21-2015, 07:53 AM   #12
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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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Old 04-28-2015, 10:01 PM   #13
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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.


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Old 04-29-2015, 04:51 AM   #14
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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.
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.
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Old 05-14-2015, 09:36 PM   #15
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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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Old 05-17-2015, 12:37 PM   #16
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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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