Gen 4000 and dual A/c start up

Hollywoodgt · 03-19-2018, 01:19 PM

Hello everyone

Friend of mine has been into the RV scene for a while. It's been at least 8 -10 yrs since I was into it. I bought a 2017 373 QSI like brand new. It is pre-wired for 2nd a/c unit and the generator.

We got into talking and he said saive your money on the 5000 series gen and buy a 4000 series add a device that uses battery pwr for intail start up load. He said the 4000 series has the pwr but lacks on the intial start up ?

Any input would be awesome !!

**bikendan** · 03-19-2018, 01:21 PM

What brand are you talking about?

Is it a built-in type of generator, an inverter generator or a noisy open frame contractor-style generator?

Hollywoodgt · 03-20-2018, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

What brand are you talking about?

Is it a built-in type of generator, an inverter generator or a noisy open frame contractor-style generator?

No it would be an Onan generator built in. What he is saying is the intial start up of the A/c unit or intial load is to much with two a/c units. He said this devise buffers that intial start up.

Now keep in mind I havent looked up generator specs and see what the running draw was or the gen output etc. Quick post to see if anyone has heard of this. It would be used if someone had a 4000 series and added another a/c unit per-say.

5picker · 03-20-2018, 10:26 AM

Many rigs using multiple A/C's and built in (smalller watt) Onans have a power management system built into the rig that won't allow both A/C's to run at the same time. They alternate run times.
Were you planning to add those controls as well?

You could 'maybe' accomplish what you are proposing, using the MicroAir soft start device on the A/C's but even then, on a 4000w genny that is pushing it.

rmoore0852 · 03-20-2018, 02:42 PM

You will regret trying to run 2 AC's on a 4000 w generator.

1. You will be running the generator at almost 100% load all the time. Fuel use will go up dramatically and it will vibrate a lot more.

2. You will be so close to max amperage, that as soon as someone turns on the microwave, or you have the hot water heater set to electric, or any other load you will trip the 30A breaker and shut everything down.

3. Since you are looking at a permanently mounted generator, the 5500 runs MUCH smoother. The 4000 is a single cylinder running at 3600 rpm, where the 5500 is a twin running at 2400 rpm. Just due to the engine design and lower rpm it will not make near as much vibration and it will be running much closer to 1/2 load than full throttle.

4. Using a hard-start capacitor on an AC is a band aid fix for not enough power. I could maybe see trying it if you already had the 4000, but since you are starting from scratch, do it once and do it right.

My .02, spend the money and get the 5500. You will be happy with it for as long as you own the camper.

I am ASSUMING that since your unit is wired for a 2nd AC that it is a 50A service.

RECONUSMC · 03-20-2018, 05:16 PM

This device starts your AC at 5 amps and slowly builds to 45. A 2000 can start a 15,000 Check out the video and website

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

https://www.microair.net/products/ea...nt=30176048267

CHICKDOE · 03-20-2018, 07:03 PM

just some prices.

onan 5500 - $4200
onan 4000 - $3000
micro aire easy start - $300 ($600 for 2 a/c's)

get the 5500! we have one and have run two a/c's, residential refrigerator, and other stuff and have never been short of power.

NMWildcat · 03-21-2018, 06:18 AM

The only time we (or anybody we know) run both a/c is when we are at 50amp hookups. Even then, we usually only run one at a time. And we camp in southern AZ/NM summers.

When on generator of any kind, one a/c at a time.

Hollywoodgt · 03-21-2018, 12:14 PM

No I would do it with a 5000 series never want to over tax a unit like that. My friend was the one that was researching it and mentioned it to me. He actually has two portable Gen's biggy backed to run his trailer.

I'm back in a learning stage and just throughing it out there to see what other people have run into. I plan on doing some remote camping with my UTV and do not want to have a/c issue in 90-100 degree weather

I appreaciate everyines input

NMWildcat · 03-21-2018, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywoodgt

No I would do it with a 5000 series never want to over tax a unit like that. My friend was the one that was researching it and mentioned it to me. He actually has two portable Gen's biggy backed to run his trailer.

I'm back in a learning stage and just throughing it out there to see what other people have run into. I plan on doing some remote camping with my UTV and do not want to have a/c issue in 90-100 degree weather

I appreaciate everyines input

We run our 15k a/c 24 hours at times during summer boondocks. Our 2 Honda 2000s on eco mode run everything just fine, including a/c, converter, and TV. We usually don't turn off a/c even to run the microwave, unless we intend to microwave for a long period. We do turn off a/c for the coffee pot. That thing is a hog.

We do have a six gallon nurse tank for the honda generators. Honda's have a fuel pump to make this easy, where most other brands are gravity fed, requiring a more elaborate nurse tank setup.

Hollywoodgt · 03-22-2018, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

We run our 15k a/c 24 hours at times during summer boondocks. Our 2 Honda 2000s on eco mode run everything just fine, including a/c, converter, and TV. We usually don't turn off a/c even to run the microwave, unless we intend to microwave for a long period. We do turn off a/c for the coffee pot. That thing is a hog.

We do have a six gallon nurse tank for the honda generators. Honda's have a fuel pump to make this easy, where most other brands are gravity fed, requiring a more elaborate nurse tank setup.

I have a toy hauler so I have like a 25 gal tank and if I run ran them through the pre-wired generator wiring just adding a plu I coule run a Y in the fuel line and run of the toy hauler gas also. I could store the Generators in the genertaor compartment. If it was like my motorhome then its a different story because we rolled with the genny on. Cant have someone in the 5th wheel. If I wanted to save money that woud be the way to go

CHICKDOE · 03-22-2018, 02:08 PM

just I update: I went over to the trailer this morning to get the cover off. after it was off I wanted to check out everything. I started the onan 5500 lp generator. it ran two a/c's, the residential refrigerator (full time as it was cooling down to operating temperature, and the converter was putting out 14.4 volts (bulk mode) to charge the batteries. did not turn on the electric water heater as there is no water in the tank. the generator did it all!

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