Honda 2200 generator

[tomkatb]

Don’t get it!

I purchased the Honda 2200 as a backup for emergencies.

From all the discussion I learned it would not run the 15,000 btu ac units. Planned to purchase the Micro aire start kit. Just in case.

Yesterday I went to the storage Yard to do a few small items to get ready for a weekend trip. Plugged the Honda into the dogbone. Fired it up in eco mode. Wanted to start the fridge on ac.

About five minutes after that it ramped up to the higher rpm. Wierd. Must be the converter in bulk mode as the batteries were low.

Finally I went inside to get to fridge ready for propane. Temp had dropped to 51. Noticed the ceiling fan was on. Turned it off. Thought the ac was on! Sure enough it was. Running like a champ. And the converter!

I wonder if Cedar Creek installed some soft start device on the ac units at the factory.

Do not get it. Had been regretting not purchasing the 3000 watt Honda that I could likely not lift.

Love the Honda more. Gas tank is still too small.

Don’t get it.

[Chuck_S]

I believe the 2000 watt model was the one that didn't handle all AC units. 2200 model must be slightly bigger. The EU3000is model is too darn big to take camping but nicely powers important parts of my house during power outages. Mine is wired via a isolation panel to my main breaker box.

-- Chuck

[jeff64]

The EU 3000 Handi is darned close to the peak of the 3000is and weighs a lot less. Neither are cheap! Had mine for years. Does well as a standby at the house.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by tomkatb

Love the Honda more. Gas tank is still too small.

Don’t get it.

Get the IPI Industries BERG fuel system. Couple times a year I run a pair of the Hondas five-seven days non-stop. You only have to refuel every other day...sometimes less. Available factory direct or Northern Tool, etc.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...xoCvMAQAvD_BwE

[rsdata]

Thought the ac was on! Sure enough it was. Running like a champ. And the converter!

You posted this on 10/9... we have been having a cool spell in the OH-KY area for the last week. I am not an AC expert but I believe the startup current for the compressor is much higher when the temps are higher then the mid-70's weather we have been having. So although the AC started when cool, I suggest (PLEASE correct me if I am wrong) when it gets 80+ and you try to start AC with a 2200 watt genny you will find differently.

IMHO...

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by rsdata

You posted this on 10/9... we have been having a cool spell in the OH-KY area for the last week. I am not an AC expert but I believe the startup current for the compressor is much higher when the temps are higher then the mid-70's weather we have been having. So although the AC started when cool, I suggest (PLEASE correct me if I am wrong) when it gets 80+ and you try to start AC with a 2200 watt genny you will find differently.

IMHO...

Same thought here about cooler temp and less current draw.

Also, just because the ceiling fan is running doesn't mean the Compressor is running to actually cool. In essence only half he unit was running if it was fan only.


The real test will be if it will start the A/C unit, both fan and compressor, when the outside temp is approaching triple digits and the unit is "heat soaked" from both ambient temp AND direct sun.

[KyDan]

My 2000i started my AC compressor once upon a time on a cool day one time. It could not restart the compressor after that. Nor would it work on a hot day even one time.
The 2200 is a tad more than mine but you had everything else on so I'm really surprised it started the compressor even once!

[emm-dee]

I have the MicroAir easy start installed on a 15K. Have used a single Honda 2000 and it starts and runs just fine in hot weather. The problem is the Honda gets too noisy for me as a single. Running two of them is much quieter.

[Jeffjeeptj]

I agree with emm-dee. I have 2 2004 vintage eu2000i. I had a 13.5 ac years ago It took both Hondas in parallel.
I now have a 15k with micro-air. One eu2000 will start and run it. But amp draw is above the 13.3A rated. In 85F temp the Compressor cycled a couple of times and the honda could be heard changing rpm, but, sounded strsined.
It did run the ac but right at a draw of 15 +/- Amps. Too far above continuous rating for my comfort.

The micro-air website had an article where they used a eu2000 with the caveat that YMMV. Micro-air is a fabulous product. I am considering purchasing another for my window 5K powered by solar inverter to keep peak amp draw lower.

[Flybob]

Keep in mind that a cold start ( equalized pressure in the system) is relatively easy and a 2200 will handle it if not much else drawing load. The real test ( and unfortunately when you really need it) it a hot spell when there is insufficient time for the pressure to equalize from a cooling run before the next start up attempts. This is the worst case scenario and when it will most likely trip the overload.

[67L48]

A 15K BTU A/C is going to want around 16-20 amps on start up, with warmer temps demanding more current to fire. P=VI.

• 16A --> 1,920W
• 17A --> 2,040W
• 18A --> 2,160W
• 19A --> 2,280W
• 20A --> 2,400W

The Honda will do well to produce a continuous 120 VAC, but will struggle as the current draw increases. This is just physics and it's hard to circumvent.

The other issue is altitude. Altitude will rob all normally aspirated engines at around 3% per 1,000' above some nominal value. Most generators are rated to 500' nominal. So, if you camp at 4,500', then your 2,200W peak generator is only capable of around 1,940W (2200*(1-(4500-500)/1000*(.03))).

So, at home in cool weather may work. At the campsite in hot weather could be a much different story.

[ng2951]

I had a Yammy inverter and it would start a 13.5 AC just fine but not a 15. With the in rush and locked rotor startup amps it is really marginal.

A friend has an RV where he installed the Micro-Air(s) and it would start and run his 15s (just one, mind you, noth both) just fine on one 2000.

Still the big advantage of the dual 2000s and 2200s are that they are still portable. 3000s are much tougher to haul around than either of the 2000s or 2200s.

The other nice thing about these dual gensets, is if you have problems with one to are still live. If you have a Micro-Air on the HVAC you can still run the HVAC.

In the wintertime you only usually need one to run everything else in the RV except maybe the hot water.

What you can get with the 3000s are remote electric start which is pretty nice. Some people leave the power connected and the HVAC on. They crank up the 3000 removely before a lunch stop and get the trailer cooled off.

You may have convinced me to get the Micro-Air and keep my 2000s.

[latner]

I have the 2200 and it wouldn't start my 13.5 (and that was with everything else shut off) until I installed the MicroAir, no problems now.