Honda eu2000i

[samjs]

Anyone have any experience with one of these? Wondering If it has enough power to run Air Conditioner in a aframe. Seen conflicting information on internet.

[rana]

It depends on the size and brand of your A/C. Generally, no, but there are some 13.5k units that can, and if I'm not mistaken.. your a-frame has an 11k unit? It's possible, but one of those "you have to try it to know" type situations.

[Flybob]

Look at the start-up current for you AC than you can decide. Some A-Frames I have seen had 5K units so you might be OK.

[handbuilder]

Forest River units have the 13.5k BTU air conditioners. As per Dometic general guideline recommendation that came with the trailer, it specifies generator requirement at least 2.8 kw needed.

I have a 2000 watt generator that trips the breakers everytime I've tried to power on the A/C. While it has the running watts to run the air conditioner, It doesn't have the starting watts to get it going.

BTW - The 5k BTU air conditioners are what is used in the Aliner brand A-Frame.

Get at least the 2800 (recommended) or the 3000 generator to be certain. If you're going to spend the money, do it once and purchase what you need, not what you hope will work. Best wishes.

[Big Red Camper]

I have an A128S camper and purchesed the Honda eu2000i and also purchased the Honda eu2000i companion unit to parallel the two together and provide 4kW power. I did this instead of buying the Honda 3kW unit since the 3kW unit weighed about 150lbs. Each Honda unit only weighs about 50 lbs and easier for me to move take in and out of my truck.

The two Honda parallel units provide ample power to run A/C, microwave, etc. Very very quiet units.

Hope this helps.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by handbuilder

Forest River units have the 13.5k BTU air conditioners.

One 2003 manual I found online says they are 11.5K btu.

Some of the FR forum threads from 2012, refer to the Cool Cat as 10,000 BTUs, which is what I recalled.

It is strange that I can't find a current Dometic reference to the Cool Cat anywhere.

As per Dometic general guideline recommendation that came with the trailer, it specifies generator requirement at least 2.8 kw needed.

But your pertinent point is in accordance with the manuals I've seen.

I guess there is no hard start kit for these like there has been for some RV roof top ACs?

Dometic does sell a heavy but manageable 79 lbs, 2.6 KW inverter generator with the claim that it will "power a 13,500 BTU air conditioner with ease." Part no. LW3000P.BLK

[Big Red Camper]

My Dometic manual for the Cool Cat states 2.8kW pull for the A/C. My A128 is a 2014 model year so don't know if previous years had smaller power requirements. I wanted enough power to manage more than just the A/C and the two Hondas do seem to provide that. Keep in mind that even if a generator/inverter states 3kW or 4kW power, the actual result will be somewhat less than that.

Good luck!

[handbuilder]

Good point on the weight, BRC! Two smaller units in parallel are definitely easier to move around than one big one.

Tom, I also have a 2012 model. I was referencing the A-Frame FR models only - not other types of trailers they also make. Also I could have spoken out of turn, as the A-Frame brochures I've seen (2012, 2013, 2014) have the 13.5k BTU listed. I shouldn't assume they are all like mine. Apologies for passing along bum info for those with A-Frames with something different.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by handbuilder

Tom, I also have a 2012 model.

I wasn't trying to call you out. Rather I was referencing the vague and conflicting information available on the unit. Now that I am at home, I have the the 2011 manual that came with my camper for the Dometic 441003 series heatpump, It lists 10,150 BTUs, in line with my memory but different form the older manual found on line. Newer/older/other FR a Frame campers may have different model heat pumps from what any of us have and it is good that we know this.

The CoolCat name is nowhere to be found on the manual, which may be why a Google search doesn't tie it closely to Dometic. Strangely the model number does not turn up a manual in Dometic's own product manual search page.

Anyway, your advice to the OP remains sound based on the 2.8 KW power recommendation from Dometic and the various possibilities for actual rated current draw.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by Pooneil

Dometic does sell a heavy but manageable 79 lbs, 2.6 KW inverter generator with the claim that it will "power a 13,500 BTU air conditioner with ease." Part no. LW3000P.BLK

The web write up for this unit give the peak rating of 2.8 KW. so it should work, albeit with less spare capacity that the dual Honda system.

[handbuilder]

Lol - Tom! I've known you long enough on this site to know you had no intention to my post. I have to work at being very specific in my posts to avoid any misunderstanding in what I try to communicate...and I tend to get lazy in explaining. Which is why I am sporadic in forum activity anymore. I have to think and rethink and focus on reply so it doesn't create problems in comprehension. You're very good at making posts. Me - it's effort...but I plug away. Haha

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by handbuilder

Lol - Tom! I've known you long enough...

Long enough to send those adoption papers so I can move into your lovely camper?

[pgandw]

Having a 2014 A122, the Cool Cat starts and cools just fine on a 20 amp house circuit (parked in my driveway) using a 14 gauge extension cord. The extension cord never got warmer than the garage air temp, and no circuit breakers popped. I have not looked at the BTU or current rating of our Cool Cat - awkward to access in our model. We lived in the A122 in the driveway for a week while moving out and selling our house.

Fred W
2014 Rockwood A122

[handbuilder]

Haha - Tom, you're in a jokey mood! I'd serve ya up some coffee and dessert at any rally we might be at.

[aceinspp]

I use a Boliy 3600SI and cost have the price of one the Honda's 2000 and DB close to them. It will run my 15000 BTU air also. Also has a battery start and only weighs 75 pounds. Later RJD

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by handbuilder

Haha - Tom, you're in a jokey mood! I'd serve ya up some coffee and dessert at any rally we might be at.

Deal.

[Kanikamom]

Well, after many posts on this forum, as to which generator to buy, we finally bought a Honda ei 2000 and used it on our last 4-night camping trip to the Eureka Kinetic Sculpture races. We did not use it the first day/night, but on the second nite, we did plug in the trailer battery to the generator to run the microwave and charge our electronic devices on full power for two hours. It was very loud and stinky with gas fumes. The third night we turned on the eco mode (1/4 power) and charged up our electronics for 1.5 hours. Then, the Man turned on the A/C - just to test it - while still in eco mode! 10 seconds of serious chugging/laboring sounds until the A/C fan came on. I told my partner to turn the generator off immediately because that was way too much load for a 2000, according to Dometic and our forum users. Everything "seemed" to be ok with the charging system. But on the 4th night we noticed the trailer battery was laboring greatly and the interior lights dimmed. Ooops! The battery voltmeter he installed inside the cabin showed 11.8...that is bad! We have not taken another trip since (and in the interim had the generator overhauled) but today are testing the charging system. We will take the A122 out tomorrow to test the charging and a new brake controller we had to have installed today. Bottom line: don't turn on A/C with a Honda 2000!

[samjs]

Did you try the main power cord to the generator? Sorry if I'm not reading it correct.

[bikendan]

Should have plugged the shore cord to the Honda, not the Honda to the battery.

[HONDAMAN174]

Agreed. Let the on board charger manage the job.

As for the genny, when running ac I leave ours Eco mode off. Sound like the genny was working at full power because battery charge was in bulk mode and probably pulling 7 amps on its own. The ac used the rest also probably going in and out of "surge" mode on genny. Also make sure your fridge is not on auto setting- leave on propane. And I would give it another try- should run ac no problem on your unit.