A Test: 2014 A122BH Cool Cat + Honda 2000 Generator

[bensinc]

So I finally rented a Honda 2000 and tried running my Cool Cat.

Long story short, it works, at least in my driveway and at the current conditions.

I tested it in Iowa at around 900ft, with the outside temperature at about 80. With eco mode off, it started up just fine, after a very brief bit of strain on the generator. It just sped up for a second, then returned to normal once the cold air started blowing.

It will not run in eco mode.

The 2000 is louder than I anticipated, but I had it sitting just inside my open garage, so out in the open it might not seem as loud. In eco mode it's very quiet, but won't run the AC.

I did stop and restart the AC just to make sure it would, and it did just fine.

If you want to test it for yourself, Home Depot will rent one of these for a few hours for $40 or so.

Here's a short video of it in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSF3f2Jk3Ms

[samjs]

I appreciate your efforts. I'm in MN and know I wouldn't need it that often but would like the option. I'm surprised at how much the fan on the camper top cools it down at night.

[bensinc]

The "fantastic fan" really does work well! I can crack a window between me and the fan and create a great breeze. I usually run it on low with the battery at night.

I decided to go ahead and rent it for the week, and will report back on how it works at 3500 ft and higher temperatures.

I don't have any more plans to be off the grid for this long, but if it works out there, I'm just going to buy one the next time I need it.

[D-mo]

not to rain on anyones parade here .. but i wouldnt run a coolcat on a such a small genset. i am very careful with the cool-cat ... as i know once they go belly up .. they are very "unfixable".

d-mo

[Kenrod]

Fairly certain the Honda literature specifies that Eco Mode be off when starting. In Eco Mode it should be able to adjust the engine speed to the load.
If not then your startup load from the A/C is likely more than it will handle.
Continuous load on those is only 1600 watts (13.3 amps). Here is a link to that model on the Honda website. Under Applications A/C isn't listed.
Honda EU2000i Model Info | Super Quiet 2000 Watt Inverter Generator | Honda Generators
I have one and it will not run my Coleman rooftop A/C. For that I would have to invest in the Companion unit and the necessary cable set.

[oldtool2]

Originally Posted by Kenrod

Fairly certain the Honda literature specifies that Eco Mode be off when starting. In Eco Mode it should be able to adjust the engine speed to the load.
If not then your startup load from the A/C is likely more than it will handle.
Continuous load on those is only 1600 watts (13.3 amps). Here is a link to that model on the Honda website. Under Applications A/C isn't listed.
Honda EU2000i Model Info | Super Quiet 2000 Watt Inverter Generator | Honda Generators
I have one and it will not run my Coleman rooftop A/C. For that I would have to invest in the Companion unit and the necessary cable set.

I own and use a EU3000is and it is what Honda recommends for the AC. I can use the eco mode once the generator warms up, only 3 or 4 minutes. Just got to shut the AC off when I make coffee or run the microwave. No big deal. It handles everything else such as the TV, radio, fan and lighting with no problems.

Used it a week or so ago when we lost power. It still had a little gas left after 12 hours in the eco mode.

Yes, it is too heavy to pick up and move but I don't have to worry about one person walking off with it either.

Jim

[Palletbob]

I have an a128s and manualsays 2.7 k.w. To cover any or all electric. This means at a minamum 3.1 in order to.cover everything and not overloadgen.

[DickiedooFlagman]

Originally Posted by Kenrod

Fairly certain the Honda literature specifies that Eco Mode be off when starting. In Eco Mode it should be able to adjust the engine speed to the load.
If not then your startup load from the A/C is likely more than it will handle.
Continuous load on those is only 1600 watts (13.3 amps). Here is a link to that model on the Honda website. Under Applications A/C isn't listed.
Honda EU2000i Model Info | Super Quiet 2000 Watt Inverter Generator | Honda Generators
I have one and it will not run my Coleman rooftop A/C. For that I would have to invest in the Companion unit and the necessary cable set.

We had a Coleman AC in an older camper that the manual said needed 5500 watts to start. I found a "hard start kit" for the AC at RV Parts and Accessories for Sale - PPL Motor Homes The kit for about $30 at the time contained capacitors that were easily installed. The hard start kit allowed the AC to easily work with a Honda 3000. Perhaps this could be of help for you.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by Palletbob

I have an a128s and manualsays 2.7 k.w. To cover any or all electric. This means at a minamum 3.1 in order to.cover everything and not overloadgen.

That means BOTH the microwave and electric. The microwave is 1.2KW, the converter is about another 0.35 KW (maximum, mine is usually less than 100 watts, fan not running). Fridge on AC would be less than 150 watts unless you have a HW model A-frame. The Cool Cat air conditioner by itself appears to be around 1.3KW to 1.5KW. Which would match up with Bensinc's results.

I do not have a generator, but ran the Cool Cat/camper/fridge just fine on a 20 amp GFCI circuit at 7600ft camping in the driveway this summer for 4 days. I have never tried to run both microwave and Cool Cat at the same time on a 20 amp circuit.

Fred W
2014 A122 (no s or bh)
2008 Hyundia Entourage
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[bensinc]

I'm sitting in the middle of nowhere right now in the Nebraska sandhills. It's 90F out, and the altitude is 2948ft. The Honda 2000 is running my Cool Cat right now!

I agree with D-mo that this is probably the limit. If I decide I want to camp this long in the heat without hookups again, I'm going to look into a hard start capacitor. I would need a generator that I can carry by myself, so I'd prefer to stay with the 2000, or maybe the Yamaha 2400.

There is an airstream out here with two Ryboi 2400's running together. They're small and quiet, so those might be an option too.

Here's a photo from last night of three a-frames up here together:

[Droes]

I have the Yamaha 2400 and love it. It's very quiet and great on gas. I didn't use it yet with the A/C but I think it would be fine.
What do you guys think about using it for the coolcat?
I'm heading up to PEI next month and will take it along. We are camping at cavindish by the water with no electricity. So I'll use the generator some. From there heading up to Gaspe, we have never been to either place so I'm looking forward to it.