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Old 07-29-2020, 01:02 PM   #21
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A Honda 2000 or 2200i will run your A/C with a Hutch Mountain easystart364 installed.
I just installed one on my Jayco X17C with a 1300 BTU A/C and it works great even in Eco mode. Well worth it because the Honda is light, quiet, reliable, and has the 121cc engine compared to the 87cc engine of other generators claiming same output.
You can actually run the A/C without the easy start if you put your fridge on gas and slowly start the a/c just blowing air first but it will put a lot of unnecessary strain on both the compressor and generator.
Spend the extra money and invest in both a Honda and an Easy start from Hutch Mountain (get it on amazon), the company actually recommends honda generators and also offer a propane conversion kit for them as well.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:26 PM   #22
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Do you think a 5000watt generator would run the A/C unit in a 2005 186?
I bought 2 champion 2500 watt inverter generator with parallel kit. Very quite and only 39 lbs dry weight. $475 each at Home Depot
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:38 PM   #23
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Generator

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Originally Posted by Jay185co View Post
Do you think a 5000watt generator would run the A/C unit in a 2005 186?

Yes. 5K Watts is more than enough to run a single 15K AC unit. The problem typically seen is generators being overwhelmed when the AC initially kicks off because this is when they draw the most power. This may change if you have DUAL ACs on your rig. In that case, try turning 1 on and let it run for 5 minutes or so before trying to turn the second one on.



Theory: 15K AC draws 3.5K watts on start and 1.5K to run. 5K gen provides 5K MAX watts. Once the AC is running, you should only be consuming 1.5K of the total 5K, leaving 3.5K to use. Turning the second AC on will likely max out the AC to start, then reduce after running 5 min. So in the end your 5K gen should only need 3K watts to run both ACs.


Caveat: Anytime you run out of fuel, you have to do this process over again. Any secondary items that need power will increase the power consumption on the generator, causing a possible issue with the AC's while they're running. If this is a single AC setup, you're likely to have less issues when running secondary items.


The goal is to have a generator that will provide enough power to run the items that need power without maxing out the total power on the generator. Just because the generator says 5K doesn't mean you can get 5K watts out of it for more than a couple minutes. My guess is the manufacturer probably specified somewhere around 4.8K as the high limit.


Bonus: Micro Air makes an inline soft start that reduces the startup power draw on the AC, allowing smaller generators to run an AC unit. They're a few hundred bucks but well worth the money if you're in that situation.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:51 PM   #24
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As I had the same questions about my Eagle 5th wheel (which is a 50 amp trailer), I finally decided on two Yamaha 2000 watt inverter gens, with the jumper plug to run together, which gave us about 3800 constant watts. I had a Honda 3000EU, but it kept tripping off when we would try to run both AC's at the same time. The plus is we are able to get both in the front gen. compartment, so I don't have to lift the Honda up into the cargo carrier in the back (their pretty heavy), and the Yamaha's run way quieter too. Hope this helps.
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Old 07-29-2020, 04:06 PM   #25
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Generators

We have 2 Honda 2000i's (primary & companion) and they run our 2017 5th wheel Jayco Eagle HT A/C's with no problem. We have a 15K and 13.5K BTU. Just can't run the microwave when both are on. Recently converted the primary from gas to propane using the Hatch Mountain kit, can't wait to see how that works out after I get my new Soft-Start MicroAir switch and install it on the 15K. We are hoping we only need one A/C for whatever dry camping we do. If not - I'll convert the companion generator and add another Soft-Start to the 13.5K. My husband recently went blind and I need to be able to carry and set up the RV (including the generators) with little help, which is why we have the smaller gernerators. Good luck in your adventures.

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Old 07-29-2020, 08:12 PM   #26
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Cummins Onan has entered the market with a 2500i model. I found on offered on the internet for $690. I looked at one a Cousins RV. I think their price was higher.
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Old 07-31-2020, 09:07 AM   #27
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Yes it will, my Seneca 35GS has a 5500 and it powers two AC units and everything else at one time. If you are buying one get an inverter, if you don't your neighbors will be very upset. You can but a Honda for 2k+ and is quite, or a Harbor Freight for less thañ a 1/3. It's just as quite but may not last as long. I have on I use at the track and had been fine for 3 years.
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Old 07-31-2020, 10:56 AM   #28
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I bought one of the early Boliy 3600 chinese generators back in 2006. I was hesitant but I got it at wholesale cost and figured the price was worth the risk. $600 I used it for 13 years with no issues to speak of and it served me well. It did finally give up its ghost one 90 degree night running the AC all night. At that point I felt it owed me nothing. I quickly bought a new Chinese preditor and it works great. For the price of a Honda it would have to last 40 + years to match the pay off of the Chinese gen. My opinion, if Honda does not start dropping their prices they will start loosing sales if they havent already.
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Old 07-31-2020, 02:00 PM   #29
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Highly recommend the Micro Air Soft Start.
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Old 08-01-2020, 02:24 AM   #30
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No you don't. The Companion model of the Honda 2000/2200 has a built in 30 Amp receptacle. That unit would run that small A/C all day ling.

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Probably not. 2000 watts/115 ac voltage =17 amp output ohms law is wattage/voltage=amp output. Does your trailer have a 30 amp plug... round, larger than usual with 3 prongs that has 2 the same but slanted? If so, it’s a 30 amp plug. You’ll need a 3000 watt generator
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Old 08-01-2020, 04:37 AM   #31
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Cavie, just FYI, I just bought a 2018 145rb...everything I found online said the ac was 8k Btu. But when I popped top and found label, it was 13.5k btu. Needed more power than I thought
yep, that won't work.
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Old 08-01-2020, 04:39 AM   #32
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No you don't. The Companion model of the Honda 2000/2200 has a built in 30 Amp receptacle. That unit would run that small A/C all day ling.
That 30 amp outlet is 240 volts not 120 as needed.
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Old 08-01-2020, 01:24 PM   #33
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Don't forget altitude considerations. We live at 5,000 feet, and regularly camp at 7,000-8,000 +. Fortunately, air conditioning is not high on our "have to have" list when overnight temps are in the 60's or 50's, but even at 5,000 it can push 80's overnight. Rule of thumb is 3% drop in efficiency for every 1,000 feet in elevation, often making that Champion 3100 just not quite enough.
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Old 08-01-2020, 02:11 PM   #34
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That 30 amp outlet is 240 volts not 120 as needed.
On my Honda 2000i the 30 amp outlet is 120.
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Old 08-01-2020, 05:53 PM   #35
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That 30 amp outlet is 240 volts not 120 as needed.
I did not see 240 volts for the 30 amp outlet on the website that I looked at. But you are a sparkie... It looked like 30 amps was achievable if you tied two generators together.
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Old 08-03-2020, 08:55 AM   #36
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We have a Champion 3100 Remote start inverter and have been using it for 3 years now with no issues.
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Old 08-03-2020, 09:44 AM   #37
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I too think that the 5000 will handle atleast one AC.


I ran my Jayco 5er on a Honda 3000ie and the only problem I ran into was during the worst time of Summer, it was in the direct sun for several hours and it faulted where it would not produce any electricity. It did get very hot!! All I did was pull it around into the shade and let it sit for about 15 minutes and restarted and it worked fine after that. So you just have to be a little protective of it.
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