Generator for AC

[Geofish]

Since summer is coming, I thought I would post this since it may help someone else.

We have a Surveyor Select 264 with one 13,500 BTU AC unit. We wanted a generator to power the AC and also charge our two batteries when we wilderness camp.
We need battery power to run the fridge.

Looking at all of the generators, we decided on a Yamaha 2400 because of the following reasons.
1. The Yamaha web site says this model will power most 13,500 BTU RV air conditioners.
2. The generator is fairly light weight, only 75 Lbs. dry.
3. The generator is quiet, only 53 to 60 dBA.

Well brand new camper, brand new generator and NO AC.
Ya the generator will not run the AC.

Installed a SUPCO SPP SUPER BOOST AC hard start kit. Cost about $10, took less than 30 minutes to install.
Now I have AC.

This may also work if you are trying to run your AC with a 2000 watt generator.
I know some people that do.

GeoFish

[nvrsaynvr]

Thanks GeoFish! I sent your suggeston to my husband. Hopefully it will work. We only have a 2000 W. For $10.00, it doesn't hurt to try.

[TURBS]

This helps tremendously as well.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...mod-20541.html

[lswartz]

Originally Posted by Geofish

Since summer is coming, I thought I would post this since it may help someone else.

We have a Surveyor Select 264 with one 13,500 BTU AC unit. We wanted a generator to power the AC and also charge our two batteries when we wilderness camp.
We need battery power to run the fridge.

Looking at all of the generators, we decided on a Yamaha 2400 because of the following reasons.
1. The Yamaha web site says this model will power most 13,500 BTU RV air conditioners.
2. The generator is fairly light weight, only 75 Lbs. dry.
3. The generator is quiet, only 53 to 60 dBA.

Well brand new camper, brand new generator and NO AC.
Ya the generator will not run the AC.

Installed a SUPCO SPP SUPER BOOST AC hard start kit. Cost about $10, took less than 30 minutes to install.
Now I have AC.

This may also work if you are trying to run your AC with a 2000 watt generator.
I know some people that do.

GeoFish

I have the same quiet generator but have not tried it on the AC yet. I suspect that I will have the same problem. What is the part # & where did you get it for $10? I found one from Granger for $16.72 SUPCO Hard Start Kit, AC Compressor - Cooling Equipment Relays - 4E239|SPP5 - Grainger Industrial Supply but it may not be the right one.

[bob213]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

This helps tremendously as well.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...mod-20541.html

I'm still alittle confused. Should we disregard everything until post 14?

Also to restate what I was told by Suppco, the correct Hard Start Cap is the SPP6. No need for the (E) version.
If you have an existing Start Cap you replace it. If you only have a Run Cap you "piggyback" the new "start cap" to the "run cap".

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by bob213

I'm still alittle confused. Should we disregard everything until post 14?

Also to restate what I was told by Suppco, the correct Hard Start Cap is the SPP6. No need for the (E) version.
If you have an existing Start Cap you replace it. If you only have a Run Cap you "piggyback" the new "start cap" to the "run cap".

Yes bob start with post 14.

[Geofish]

I got mine from CC Dickson, I think I paid around $10.00, my company has an account with them and I pay wholesale.

This was last year, it may have been the SPP6 or SPP5, I phoned Suppco before I purchased and used the one they recommended.
I suggest that you call them to be sure.
If you have an existing start capacitor, you will need to replace it.
Most manufactures of AC units, including the one in your house, do not use start capacitors anymore because of first cost.
I doubt that you RV AC unit has one.

PS: A new AC unit may be a little hard to start until it is broken in. After a few hours (about 72 hours of total run time), the compressor parts loosen up and you may not need this kit.


GeoFish

[lswartz]

Thanks much.

Right now it is too cool to even try the AC. If it is OK with you, I might come back with some picture on what I need to do to add one.

The SPP6 ($26.75) has 500 increased torque while the SPP5 ($16.72) has 300 according to the Granger web site.

[rmm2435]

Where does this get installed, at the battery or the ac unit? Btw these postings are incredibly helpful. Also will running the ac unit on 2000 or2400 watts decrease the effectivness of the unit?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by rmm2435

Where does this get installed, at the battery or the ac unit? Btw these postings are incredibly helpful. Also will running the ac unit on 2000 or2400 watts decrease the effectivness of the unit?

it's intalled on the a/c. and a 2000w generator will probably not run a 13.5k a/c, even with the hard start cap kit.
you'll need a minimum of 2400w generator and that won't work for some.
if you've got a 15k a/c, you'll need 3000w minimum, generally.

[jamesroadking]

I bought a Champion 3500 watt generator for $299 brand new with electric remote start, removable wheels and handle, has a 30 amp RV outlet, 2 each 115 volt outlets, and 12 volt DC output, the 2 @ 115 outlets can be used at the same time as the 30 amp RV one's is being used. 5 gallon tank, runs like for 12 hours. at 65 decibels. Sure it's a little louder, but at a what 1/5 the cost, with more electrical output, electric remote start. over twice the fuel capacity. To answer the the OP's question, at 3500 watts it can easily power a single A/C and charge batteries.

[Herk7769]

The Delay Relay is a wonder indeed.

Very easy mod and will allow air conditioner use in times of high demand at older campgrounds where the ability to serve up amps is limited without killing the supplied voltage.

My 15K air conditioner will draw 28 amps for about 5 seconds during start up and then drop to about 14.5 amps when running. (This is normal for a 15K AC - a 13.5K runs at 12.5 amps I am told.)

Last July, this was a problem at our favorite Gettysburg campground when the voltage at our site would drop too low to turn over the compressor at that amperage. With this mod, the peak start amps drop to 17 volts for 4 seconds for the compressor alone, then drops to 8 amps for the delay, then to about 19 amps when the blower starts, then down to its running amperage of 14.5 amps.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...g-26268-2.html

[BarryD0706]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

This helps tremendously as well.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...mod-20541.html

Turbs,
I think I've figured out that you are delaying the inside blower fan.

I had thought that this mod was delaying the condenser fan in the outside unit. You couldn't do it but for a few seconds, but wouldn't that bring down the amperage a lot more?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

Turbs,
I think I've figured out that you are delaying the inside blower fan.

I had thought that this mod was delaying the condenser fan in the outside unit. You couldn't do it but for a few seconds, but wouldn't that bring down the amperage a lot more?

Yes I am cutting out the interior blower fan.
Compresser starts and gets up and running "about 8 seconds" then the blower fan kicks on.

I'll check amperage tonight as I can now with my ems.

I'll update tonight.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

Turbs,


but wouldn't that bring down the amperage a lot more?

Yes it probably would.

[wneise]

How about the Dometic Smart Start. I've seen it on marine forums. Looks like it only draws 18 amps on startup. That combined with a fan delay would make for a happy genny.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by wneise

How about the Dometic Smart Start. I've seen it on marine forums. Looks like it only draws 18 amps on startup. That combined with a fan delay would make for a happy genny.

SmartStart Reduces Startup Surge - Dometic

SmartStart Installation - YouTube

Smartstart Yacht Air Conditioning 32A 115V 60 Hz Dometic 5K 18K Btus | eBay

Seems a bit pricey to me. Much cheaper alternatives, IMO.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by herk7769

SmartStart Reduces Startup Surge - Dometic

Smartstart Yacht Air Conditioning 32A 115V 60 Hz Dometic 5K 18K Btus | eBay

Seems a bit pricey to me. Much cheaper alternatives, IMO.

Yeah not cheap.

[TURBS]

My spp6 fits nicely in the same box as the start cap.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

My spp6 fits nicely in the same box as the start cap.

I did this mod before the delay relay, it did not reduce the start up load near enough for my needs and the demand of the Coleman Mach 3 15K.