Honda Generators and AC

[silverta16]

Will the little Honda generators run the AC in a small camper? We have the big 2000 model with electric start that weights probably 200 lbs, this weekend I saw one of the tiny ones with the carry handle I believe is a model 1000 powering a large 5th wheel camper. I can't imagine they'd need electric for anything in a camper being that it was 100 degrees this past weekend. I wasn't sure if the newer campers had air units that drew less power or what. I was under the impression you had to have 2 of the little ones and hook them in parallel to run an AC unit. Thanks in advance.

[mike837go]

A 1KW genset will NOT carry an RV A/C unit. It might carry a small 2-way fridge.


That small a genset will do a great job of charging the batteries and carrying 100% of the 12 volt converter's load.


A 2KW genset will carry an A/C unit and not much else.




And yes, certain models of gensets can be tied together for more power. But only within brands, only models equipped for it and certain combinations. The store displays for those gensets will have the compatible linking cords.


Personally, I have read the instructions on tying any two (or more) gensets together for adding total the output of all gensets together. It is NOT a simple process. And if mis-handled will destroy one or more of the gensets.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by silverta16

Will the little Honda generators run the AC in a small camper? We have the big 2000 model with electric start that weights probably 200 lbs, this weekend I saw one of the tiny ones with the carry handle I believe is a model 1000 powering a large 5th wheel camper. I can't imagine they'd need electric for anything in a camper being that it was 100 degrees this past weekend. I wasn't sure if the newer campers had air units that drew less power or what. I was under the impression you had to have 2 of the little ones and hook them in parallel to run an AC unit. Thanks in advance.

You are correct: One little Honda will not run the factory AC. I have not heard of newer AC units needing less power.

However, there are other, lower-power, ways of cooling besides the usual factory installed AC that might be able to use the power of one little Honda: Fans, Evaporative (aka 'swamp') coolers, smaller (room size) window air conditioners, and portable air conditioners.

[BCx213]

I run a Champion 3100 watt invertor generator that runs the 13500 btu AC on my trailer...I also have the 2000 watt champion Invertor generator too that will not run the AC

[Calgary5er]

I also run the Champion 3100 inverter its really good & is a fraction the weight of the Honda..

[WrenZ71]

Takes both of my Honda eu2000i's paralleled Together with Eco off(surge protector trips off in Eco mode) to run my 15000 btu a/c.

[rick danger]

Well, I'll be trying out my 13,500 on my eu3000is this trip. Hope it runs it with a little left.

[TeamFoxy]

Our first RV had a 7100 BTU rooftop AC which the Honda 2000i powered just fine. Whenever we ran the air, we ran the fridge and water heater on propane and didn't run anything else but the converter. We also never had a problem with running the AC on 20 amp service as long as we followed the same procedure.

The 2000i powers everything in our 25Z except the AC unit. Our service guy told us never to run the AC with anything less than a 30 amp service. He said it would run on less, but it would harm the unit. I forget why.

[mike837go]

[QUOTE=TeamFoxy;313150...snip... never to run the AC with anything less than a 30 amp service. He said it would run on less, but it would harm the unit. I forget why.[/QUOTE]

Overloaded genset means lower voltage to your equipment.

Low volts + electric motors = overheating (gets expensive very quickly)


(Good advice from your service guy.)

[Nighthawk 96]

Two Honda or Yamaha 2000 inverter generators pair with provide 30 amp service.
They are easy to hock up in a pair. My 15kw a/c will not run on one of my Yamahas

[ALJO]

Champion also has 2000 watt generators which can be coupled together and are stacked on top of each other to save space and very quiet like Honda.