Need a generator

[tomkatb]

What would you all figure are the odds that the new Honda 2200 watt inverter generator would start a Dometic 15,000 btu air conditioner with the easy start device on it. They claim the Honda 2000 will start a 13,000 btu a/c with the easy start on it.

Assumes all 110 breakers are off except the a/c

I would like a generator that I can pick up. Cannot decide. Would rather not have to deal with two generators.

This would seldom be used.

Or am I likely to need 3000 watts and a strong wife.

[rsdata]

If you already have the easy start mod, I would think that a Honda dealer would let you test-drive the new Honda to see if it worked. I know some have posted that it DOES work with the 13.5K. I would try a hot day and let the AC cycle a couple of times to be sure. Right now I think HONDA DREAM days is going on at Honda dealers.

[5picker]

I don't know the odds but if I'm buying a generator that is questionable at starting just the A/C and no other devices can even be considered to be turned on, I'd feel like I wasted my money. You are asking a pony to do a horses job.

[Skyliner]

The Honda is rated for 1800 watts continuous. Expect your ac to pull 1300 or slightly more when running and at least 2500 watts or more momentarily as a surge when starting the a/c. I don't think the HOnda 2200 surge (1700 continuous) is up for the task.

Most 3k continuous inverter generators weight within the 87-130 lb range.

Most 2k surge (1700 continuous watt) weight about 50 lbs. You will need two in parallel to power your ac or at least get it started and once started, you may get lucky and be able to shut one off but it'll be close depending on your altitude, how much power your converter is pushing out to charge the batteries, and other loads.

Another option is a Boliy generator. It is rated for 3,000 watts continuous and weighs about 87 lbs with electric start. I had one for 7 years and did great until a fuel line split and caused a fire. I now know that fuel lines should be replaced every 5 years in a generator regardless of brand based on what I've read-live and learn. I would not hesitate to recommend a Boliy generator for you. It is the lightest 3kw continuous generator out there and is MUCH quieter than my Champion which weighs 107 lbs.

I bought a Champion because I wanted to try something different and do regret that the noise output of it and tone is more unpleasant then the Boliy which has a lower pitched noise and lower volume of noise.

At altitude, the larger engine in the Champion seems to provide more surge capacity for starting an air conditioner but most folks don't camp at 10,000 feet ASL. With a capacitor/hard start kit, my Boliy did just fine but needed to have eco mode off to start the air conditioner.

Bottom Line Trading Inc. is your best bet for a Boliy if you decide to got his route.

If you decide on two smaller parallel generators, you can save $1,000 by getting two champion 2000 watt (surge) generators plus a parallel kit. The small champions are awesome and I've seen them work in person!

Good luck in your search. Honda's are great generators but a little overpriced in my opinion and the quality of chinese made generators are comparable!


PS Boliy parts from carbs to circuit boards to choke cables are easily available.

[rsdata]

Check out the Harbor Freight 2K generator... goes for about $500. Compares favorably with the Honda... and a parallel kit for two of these is $40.

You mentioned getting the Easy Start kit... which I think I have read is $300... and I think also people have claimed to start their AC with it, although maybe not a 15K unit...

[jeffnick]

One More Time Around: Honda 2000i VS Dometic 13,500 Air Conditioner w/ Micro-Air EasyStart

The 2000i with EZ start worked fine in moderate weather at lower altitudes but failed in extreme conditions.

Go for the Champion.
One More Time Around: Wolf Pup - Generator

[mjacxx]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

What would you all figure are the odds that the new Honda 2200 watt inverter generator would start a Dometic 15,000 btu air conditioner with the easy start device on it. They claim the Honda 2000 will start a 13,000 btu a/c with the easy start on it.

Assumes all 110 breakers are off except the a/c

I would like a generator that I can pick up. Cannot decide. Would rather not have to deal with two generators.

This would seldom be used.

Or am I likely to need 3000 watts and a strong wife.

Can't comment on the 15k/Honda combo you are considering. I have a 13k/Honda 2000/ Micro combo and it works well.
Have you asked Microair the question? They have done extensive testing of their products capabilities.

[Triple J]

I have a Honda EU3000i and couldn't be happier. I don't find it all the heavy and can put it in the camper myself.

I suggest you do as I did and check videos on any generator being recommended. You'd be amazed at how many comparisons are out there so you can hear the decibel differences.

[sawpdx]

On my rig my AC had something like 65 start Amps and 15 run Amps on the power requirement sticker. I think the Amps are more important to getting the compressor running from a dead stop then the wattage of the generator. I had to install a hard start kit on mine. The Yamaha 2800 inverter generator would run the AC fan ok but when the compressor kicked in it was no bueno.

[fredoe61]

I bought a harbor freight 3000 inv with extended warranty for 700 bux 6 months ago and it works like a beast and its super quiet. In 2 years I can trade it in no questions asked for a brand new one. Compared to the ones that cost 1500 + its a no brainer.

[Scubanut]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

What would you all figure are the odds that the new Honda 2200 watt inverter generator would start a Dometic 15,000 btu air conditioner with the easy start device on it. They claim the Honda 2000 will start a 13,000 btu a/c with the easy start on it.



Assumes all 110 breakers are off except the a/c



I would like a generator that I can pick up. Cannot decide. Would rather not have to deal with two generators.



This would seldom be used.



Or am I likely to need 3000 watts and a strong wife.

For my two cents, I have a Powerhouse 2700watt inverter generator. I have a 13,000 btu AC. I have a hard start capacitor and my generator struggles to work it. The engine really struggles and it will run erratic, it sometimes will run for 20 -30 mins but will always go into overload and trip the breaker. Nothing else is on in the trailer.

[mwdilday]

Honda EU2200 two paralleled is the way to go.

[ace911]

As jeffnick mentioned, the Honda eu2000 will struggle with the load. The new 2200 might be a little better, but I would opt for a 3000 or parallel a couple eu2000's. Harbor F also does have a 2000 watt with parallel capability. I have both the eu1000 and the eu2000. I have tested both of these generators with the Hyper engineering Sure start module and now the Micro Aire Easy Start module. I also just bought a HF 3500 predator.
I must admit being very skeptical on the HF purchase. I have owned it 3 weeks. I changed the oil at 2hrs, then 4hrs, then 14hrs. At 32hrs, I dropped in some synthetic oil to see if that will give it some longevity. I just got back from the Kern River, camping at around 4000ft. The temp was around 82-88 degrees for the 4 days we were there, and the generator performed flawlessly. Not only did it run perfectly, but it was very quiet for a larger unit. Since it has a larger capacity, it was running just above the eco throttles idle speed. The amp meter was reading 2170 watts most of the time. I had the eu2000 on the beach last year at sea level with 95-98 degree heat, and although it would run the AC, every time the water pump turned on the genny would trip the overload. It also sounded like it was running flat out-and it wasn't quiet at those rpm's. It was annoying, and that is what prompted this purchase. The Predator seems to be a nice generator for the money, and time will tell if it was a good purchase. I know the Honda's are-my eu1000 was purchased new 30 years ago and still runs perfectly-partially due to the few hours I use it every year, and keeping the maintenance up.
Happy Camping!