Using a generator for A/C. - Page 3

**norty1** · 07-05-2023, 07:47 AM

My i2000 won't run either of my 15K Colemans.

joe w · 07-05-2023, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me80sguy

Thanks! I wonder how I could tell if the previous owner has installed a soft start. Not sure what it even looks like or where it is

It looks like a small box and you would notice that the capacitor no longer has wires running to it. The other way is to turn on your AC and if hearing a loud THUNK, it has not been installed.

Me80sguy · 07-05-2023, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ems437

There should be a sticker or plate on the a/c that gives you a model number. And from that, you can google it and find out the BTU size and probably any other numbers you want to look up on it. Mine is on the back side of my a/c on the roof.

I've seen 13,500, 14,000, 14,500, and 15,000 and I've only been tinkering with mine for a year now. So 15,000 is common, but by no means a standard across the line.

I'm pretty sold on the idea of a softstart being essential to getting an a/c running consistently without overloading a small generator, so definitely check into getting one of those regardless of what you find out your a/c is. If I remember correctly, you'll want to find out the brand and model number of your a/c before you order the softstart to make sure you get the right one for your unit.

On my 15,000 BTU Furion, the Cummins-Onan 2500i and a softstart runs it consistently and reliably. Other people here with smaller a/c's have gotten other brands and sizes of inverter generators to power their a/c, so look through this thread for a working combination once you have your brand and size of a/c identified.

Good luck!

Is a soft start a big thing to install?

Me80sguy · 07-05-2023, 09:58 AM

Okay, I thought I could figure this out but I'm not sure which amps to use in the calculation. Can anybody help me figure out how many BTUs I have please. Thanks

joe w · 07-05-2023, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me80sguy

Is a soft start a big thing to install?

Very easy to install so long as you can access your roof, directions are easy to follow.

Me80sguy · 07-05-2023, 10:15 AM

So I found my info tag on the AC unit. It is a Coleman Mac. I'm not sure which amps to use to figure out how many watts to figure out the BTU is. Can anybody help?

also when I took the white plastic cover off the unit. There was two foam insulating kind of pieces that were laying loose so I don't know where they go. I don't see any imprints on anything where they had been forever. So I put them back on top of the unit just under the cover. Assuming there's some type of vibration dampener. If anybody could shed light on that that would be great. Thanks!

pconroy · 07-05-2023, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Cooper

The microwave in your RV may be the biggest single power hog in it.

Not the biggest but sure is holding the number 2 spot. I Kill-A-Watt'd it to measure it. It's a residential model.

Going around with the Kill-A-Watt meter was enlightening. What was surprising is how much power the 'fridge pulls on propane.

pconroy · 07-05-2023, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me80sguy

So I found my info tag on the AC unit. It is a Coleman Mac. I'm not sure which amps to use to figure out how many watts to figure out the BTU is. Can anybody help?

Google says that model number is an Coleman Mach 3+. That'll be a 13.5K BTU unit.
Do you have the heat strip installed?

craigav · 07-05-2023, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pconroy

Not the biggest but sure is holding the number 2 spot. I Kill-A-Watt'd it to measure it. It's a residential model.

Going around with the Kill-A-Watt meter was enlightening. What was surprising is how much power the 'fridge pulls on propane.

I am curious to know how much power a fridge pulls while on propane? My thought would be very little if any, unless it really wasn’t running on propane. ~CA

joe w · 07-05-2023, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me80sguy

So I found my info tag on the AC unit. It is a Coleman Mac. I'm not sure which amps to use to figure out how many watts to figure out the BTU is. Can anybody help?

also when I took the white plastic cover off the unit. There was two foam insulating kind of pieces that were laying loose so I don't know where they go. I don't see any imprints on anything where they had been forever. So I put them back on top of the unit just under the cover. Assuming there's some type of vibration dampener. If anybody could shed light on that that would be great. Thanks!

Sounds like someone during the assembly process just was forgetful as I'm not aware of any insulation foam on the rooftop?

pconroy · 07-05-2023, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me80sguy

Is a soft start a big thing to install?

micro air install

pconroy · 07-05-2023, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigav

I am curious to know how much power a fridge pulls while on propane? My thought would be very little if any, unless it really wasn’t running on propane. ~CA

ugh - now you got me pulling from my memory banks...
RAM failing after 66 years.

It was a couple hundred watts. 2ish. Maybe 225...

I was out there measuring other stuff so I may not have shut everything else off completely. But it was a number I wasn't expecting.

IIRC it was chugging along too, cooling. Not coasting.

Kevin Cooper · 07-05-2023, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pconroy

Not the biggest but sure is holding the number 2 spot. I Kill-A-Watt'd it to measure it. It's a residential model.

Going around with the Kill-A-Watt meter was enlightening. What was surprising is how much power the 'fridge pulls on propane.

I’m a little confused as to how you checked an RV refrigerator running on propane with a Kill o watt. The printed circuit board and controls are 12VDC. So running on propane, the only power being used is those boards and the gas valve being held open at 12VDC. The 120VAC only runs through the board and is switched on and off for the heating element. Since a Kill o watt only connects to and measures 120VAC, where was this load coming from? How was it tested?

joe w · 07-05-2023, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe w

Sounds like someone during the assembly process just was forgetful as I'm not aware of any insulation foam on the rooftop?

Maybe left over unit to roof gasket?

Bugman · 07-09-2023, 07:36 AM

The Honda's are expensive for a reason. They have the biggest engines (121cc) so they don't have to work as hard as the others. Reliable, start every time. Less noise. You get what you pay for. Mine runs my Coleman Mach 15K equipped with a Micro-Air Soft Start all day long. It'll even start and run with the Honda EU2200i on econo-mode. The only concession is we shut off the A/C when using the microwave.

ems437 · 07-09-2023, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me80sguy

Thanks! How long would it take to install a soft start. Where does it go?

It installs inside the a/c unit box that is on your roof. Softstart RV provides a wiring diagram and step by step instructions and all parts you need if you go that route. It took me about 20 minutes and I was moving very slowly and double checking every connection before I connected it.

The jest of that is that it’s pretty quick and easy. Turn off your breakers inside and unplug your shore power to be safe and then grab a Phillips screwdriver and follow the step by step instructions the softstart manufacturer provide for your specific model of a/c.

Look on the internet for a picture of a softstart rv. Mine is a light gray plastic box with about half a dozen wires coming out of one end. You will recognize it pretty easily when you look inside your a/c cabinet if it is there. Mine just sits nicely in the bottom right next to the sheet metal box that has the a/c power wiring and capacitor inside of it.

Kevin Cooper · 07-09-2023, 06:05 PM

Not good with electric? Active start plugs in at the pedestal. More money of course if one. If two ACs, nearer the same price.

bbrauck · 07-12-2023, 07:22 PM

Here's my experience from this weekend. I have a pair of EU2000 generators that I used to need to run my Dometec 13.5k unit. I installed the Microaire unit from Hutch Mountain which took me all of an hour to install after multiple trips up and down the ladder. Installation video was spot on except for having to clip off two spade connectors. After all was put back together I went through the learning process and then shut down one of my EU2000i's and put the other one in ECO mode. AC started up with no issues and the generator settled down to about 3/4 power. Give the guys at Hutch Mountain a call. They are very good and strive to make sure you are completely satisfied.

joe&judy · 07-13-2023, 05:06 AM

Kevin Cooper, I have tried two of the Inverter Generators that come from Northern Tool and the unit will not come on, I had two tied together, maybe you could explain to me what if anything I did wrong, I dont understand what you were saying about the ground, would you explain more of that to me, I sure don't want to get fried like a Chicken, thanks in advance, Joe

Kevin Cooper · 07-13-2023, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe&judy

Kevin Cooper, I have tried two of the Inverter Generators that come from Northern Tool and the unit will not come on, I had two tied together, maybe you could explain to me what if anything I did wrong, I dont understand what you were saying about the ground, would you explain more of that to me, I sure don't want to get fried like a Chicken, thanks in advance, Joe

Can you please tell me the model of generator you are trying? And manufacturer and btu of AC? So, what happens when the gens are running and the AC tries to start? Or is it a running problem?

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