generators

[nailbender]

I'm leaving Thursday  on a trip where electricity will not be available so I'm looking at a  honda 2000.my question is will it run my air conditioner and microwave combined or do i turn the air off before running the micro.Also when the air is running can i overwork something if tv or water pump is on.My trailer is a 16db.

[david]

You definitely will not be able to run both A/C and microwave at the same time. Even the A/C may be a problem. Depends on size. A soft start kit can be installed which will let even a big one run on that generator.

Once it is running an extra amp for the TV is ok. Water pump is intermittent and is DC.

David

[pjcd]

Amps,, its all about how many amps it puts out.

[geo92128]

David, what is a soft start kit? I have two 2000 watt IQ Generators from Costco (Smarter Tools). They can be attached with parallel cable and are very quiet, but one will not run my 21BHS AC unit. You are correct in that it is the start up that causes one unit to kick out.  I used the two units in the Smokies for a few hours during the day to cool things down but still to noisy to use at night. One unit will run the fan no problem but not the AC. I get a little nervous using the AC and Microwave at the same time on shore power.

[david]

MonteD:

There are two types of soft start kits for air conditioners that I am aware of:

The less expensive Supco kit is basically a bigger starting capacitor that is temporarily connected across the motor to help it start.. This one should work http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JP3MEK/ref=biss_dp_t_asn. These reportedly reduce starting inrush current by 35%. I would be ok installing one myself. It just takes removing the cover on your A/C, locating the existing start capacitor and connecting the Supco unit across the capacitor terminals and bolting it down somewhere.

The other type is made by Dometic and works with their A/Cs and reportedly others. It is much more expensive but reportedly reduces starting current by 65%. A Dometic RV dealer should be able to install one for you.

David

[aggie79]

Keep in mind that capacitors can store a tremendous amount of energy so either discharge the existing capacitor and/or use non-conductive tools when changing capacitors.

[hogtyd]

My Honda 2000eu will run my 13.5 btu A/C if I start the unit on "Fan Low" and then turn it up to "Cool Low" after a few seconds.  I only ran it once during an expectedly hot and humid day in the central Florida (in March!)...it got the job done but I wouldn't want to rely on it for regular use.  

-Graham

[geo92128]

OK, so hard start and soft start are basically the same. I see from the internet that one removes the existing capacitor and replaces with the new one or Supco. Both wires on the Supco are black so it does not matter which one goes where? I believe I read this in one forum on Supco. Everything I have read is these capacitors are a great modification for an RV AC unit. They appear to be inexpensive 10-25$ so not sure why they are not standard??  One technician at an RV shop thought my LL would have it installed from the factory due to it being a more expensive trailer?

I will try the Supco SPP6E.

Thank you very much for your input,  David. I will report back once I get this capacitor installed and checked out.

[david]

MonteD:

I have never installed one, but I am under the impression that you leave the existing capacitor in place and hook up the Supco unit in parallel with it. But I am sure the installation instructions will say.

David

[daplumbr]

DC devices in the trailer will also have a demand for amps from a generator. The battery(s) will act as a capacitor to buffer DC electrical demands, but the converter is going to be on and recharging the battery(s), creating some demand from a generator when DC devices are being used. Also, if the generator has been off for some time, while DC electricity has been used extensively, there may be a significant demand by the converter for amps to charge the battery(s) from the generator when it is turned on. I've found the ammeter on the Progressive Industries surge protector to be very enlightening. Even when things seem to be off, there can be a 2-3 amp power draw, which I suspect is mostly the converter powering DC and charging batteries. I guess the bottom line is to be aware of total power draw and don't forget the hidden stuff! 

[geo92128]

David, I have looked at a couple of youtube videos and you are correct, it appears one leaves the old capacitor in place and simply attaches wires to the old unit.

[whoofit]

[p]My 16DB has the 8,000 BTU wall mount A/C. We have no trouble yet with the EU2000i. Once the A/C compressor is started we run the microwave just fine. Never tried it with the microwave on full power and starting the A/C though. It just doesn't make sense to do it that way so I haven't.

Beside the low sones of the wall mount unit, the low current demands of it is what I like the best. We can run the genny in Eco mode as well which is great. I rarely use the genny and have never used it on a trip. Just in the backyard playing around.
[/p]

[runningwriter]

Regarding microwaves, I understand that they have only 1 true power level and that is high (full) power.  The lesser power levels are simply a timer controlling how long high power is applied.

[charliem]

[quote timestamp="1441193283" author="@dave" source="/post/14794/thread"]Regarding microwaves, I understand that they have only 1 true power level and that is high (full) power.  The lesser power levels are simply a timer controlling how long high power is applied.[/quote][font size="3"]Correct. Strictly a duty cycle situation. Fifty percent power equals 50 percent on/50 percent off. Therefore the requirement on the generator will still be the maximum when you first turn it on. [/font]