Topic Sponsor
Towing/ Hauling/ Plowing Discuss all of your towing and/or cargo moving experiences here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Generator question

Old 01-09-2017, 07:42 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
NC F150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 471
Received 99 Likes on 60 Posts

Default Generator question

Thought I'd ask this here even though this is more of a Rv related question than a towing question.

I have two 2000 watt Yamaha generators I run in tandem. Does anyone else have experience with this set up running a 15000 air conditioner? I currently power a 13,500 and on a hot day at startup, it really taxes the units. Not sure they would carry the extra power.

Thanks
Old 01-09-2017, 12:03 PM
  #2  
Grumpy Old Man
 
smokeywren's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Midland County Texas, just west of the star in my avatar
Posts: 3,129
Received 879 Likes on 686 Posts

Default

Yamaha EF2400iSHC - 2000 Watt Inverter Generator
2000 watts rated, 2400 watts starting,
17 amps


So nearly double that by having two of them connected parallel, and you'd have almost 4,000 watts and 34 amps of output.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-air-conditioners/coleman-rv-air-conditioning.htm
Coleman 15k BTU AC
14.7 amps,
2050 watts running


So one of the 2,000-watt generators would be close to enough for that Coleman 15k generator. Two of then connected parallel should be plenty.


But you have more to power than just the AC. Microwave, coffee pot, hair dryer and hair curlers should still have enough juice to run some (but not all at the same time) of them when the AC is going full blast in 100° summertime.


The "industry standard" for small inverter generators is the Honda EU2000i. They have 1,600 watts rated output, or 3200-watts total, and nobody I know admits they don't have enough juice to run a 15k AC when two of those Honda's are connected parallel. Your Yamahas produce 400 more watts per unit than the Honda, so I don't think you'll have any problem, unless your DW insists on running the microwave and the coffee pot and the hair curler while Darling Daughter runs the hair dryer all at the same time.




Last edited by smokeywren; 01-09-2017 at 12:06 PM.
Old 01-09-2017, 03:03 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
NC F150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 471
Received 99 Likes on 60 Posts

Default

Thanks Smokey. My 2000's are the equivalent of the 2000 Hondas. 1600 continuous, 2000 burst * 2 in tandem. 3200 & 4000.

It just seems that when the 13.500 on my current camper starts up, it really pushes the capabilities of the generators. Matter of fact, with the refrigerator running in electric and the other miscellaneous Rv systems, (battery chargers, etc) I don't think it will run my 13500. Granted it is a 8 year old unit.
Old 01-09-2017, 04:41 PM
  #4  
Member
 
fleming23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 71
Received 15 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

I think everyone's situation will vary slightly BUT, I was able to power my 15k BTU roof top unit on my 24' enclosed car trailer with a single Honda EU2000. I do have a companion unit to help balance the load but even with the trailer interior lights on, I could run the single 2000 and the A/C. The generator would run at full song though. Everything online stated a 15k unit would kill the breaker, so maybe I was just lucky, or dumb.
Old 01-11-2017, 10:19 AM
  #5  
2014 FX4 EcoScrew
 
RedAggie03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 452
Received 48 Likes on 44 Posts
Default

Get a hard-start kit for your Coleman.

http://www.loveyourrv.com/installing...r-conditioner/

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/15679175.cfm
Old 01-11-2017, 12:29 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Dirttracker18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Slate River, ON
Posts: 1,331
Received 281 Likes on 217 Posts

Default

It will sound very taxing when you start up any AC unit as it takes more amps on start up then it does for continuous use. Consider you are going from an extremely low amp draw to suddenly 10-14 amps and yes the generator will seem very taxed. That does not mean it cannot handle it.

Smokey ran the numbers for you and you are well within the safe working limits for either AC unit plus some other pieces in your TT.
Old 01-11-2017, 12:51 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
acadianbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,060
Received 159 Likes on 126 Posts

Default

If you are running in "eco" mode, your generators will be "startled" by the sudden change in demand when your AC kicks in. But they will handle it. If you prefer, you can turn off eco mode and there will be less drama.

FWIW, my Honda EU2000 in no way could run my 13.5 AC.
Old 01-11-2017, 09:25 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Bruski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: The City of Oranges,FL
Posts: 2,245
Received 267 Likes on 196 Posts

Default

It should be able to start and run a 15k until but I would install the Supco SPP6 hard start capacitor with built in PTCR relay. That is the brand I chose as well as alot of RV'ers to ease the amp draw burst of a compressor cycling.
Old 01-12-2017, 07:11 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
PerryB's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Chico, Ca.
Posts: 4,574
Received 964 Likes on 742 Posts

Default

I have the Honda 2000's (Companion set) and run a 15K A/C regularly.
Old 01-12-2017, 08:38 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
untraceable's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 425
Received 63 Likes on 51 Posts
Default

It is suposed to run it, but even when those 2000's get off eco mode, they sound like a three wheeler pinned wide open.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:00 PM.