A/C powered by generator

[Rocinante33]

Hi all

I have researched this and found a lot of conflicting info. I think I can boil this down to a single question

Will a 16,000 BTU air conditioner work with the new Honda 2200 generator if I install a soft start on the a/c? I am assuming Honda for quality of their build.

Corollary; anybody using the dual fuel Champion 2500?

Is anybody running this set up with 16000 btu ac and either of these generators and finding it to work?

Thanks!

[goboatingnow]

Read this https://coastalclimatecontrol.com/bl...ing?format=amp

The answer is “maybe “

[Turtle Blues]

Really marginal - Depends on your AC unit specifically age and style of the compressor. older units modified with a soft start still see a startup spike although it is dampened. A new unit say Dometic for reference will need about 13.5 /14A on startup, plus another 3A for a cooling pump so it is just under the peak load and slightly under the 15A continuous of the 2200. It is the cycling that really works the genset after it is at operating temp.


Add: The reference in post 2 is a great explanation of the inrush current which is the real culprit.

[Rocinante33]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Read this https://coastalclimatecontrol.com/bl...ing?format=amp

The answer is “maybe “

Thanks a million for that video. I know that theoretically it can handle it, if just barely, but wanted to know first hand from somebody who actually had the set up. Nice to see it in action. Worth a try, I guess (but I’ll save the receipt;-)

Interesting that the initial pull is only 27 amps on the genset with a soft start.

I would go up, but the 3500w is just too cumbersome for me.

[VIKINGBEAR]

I have a 16.000 btu Dometic air conditioner with a soft start but my Honda 2200 will not start it.

[valhalla360]

We just replaced a Yamaha 2400 (basically blue vs red). It was a good generator but it was at it's limit running the air/con.

We went with a Champion 4500, dual fuel.
- Yes, it's a bit bigger but I don't lug it around a lot anyway.
- It doesn't bat an eye at starting the air/con.
- $800 off Amazon (have to keep an eye out for when they are cheaper.
- Side by side comparison, it was quieter than the Yamaha...why? Because when you crank the little generators up to max power...out goes the low dB ratings. The Champion is barely off idle running the air/con.

Can you get away with the little 2000-2200w generators? Maybe, possibly, inconsistently...if you add after market parts. Keep in mind, humidity, temperature, air pressure can impact the output slightly. If you are on the ragged edge of working, sometimes it may not.

To run the air/con, I would be looking at least at a 3000w generator.

[Chuck34]

All depends on the AC unit itself. An older, low efficiency unit…no.
A newer, higher efficiency unit, absolutely. What is the SEER rating of the AC.
One of my dock neighbors runs his 16k unit on a Honda 2000, not 2200.

[VIKINGBEAR]

I have considered buying a generator around 3000 watt, but what is mainly holding me back is the weight of the unit. Around 100 lbs plus/minus is too heavy for me to handle. Space is also a concern.

I have two Honda 2000, (not 2200 as in my earlier comments, sorry) weighing about 40 lbs each, and when I hook them both together the AC will start without problem. However I do not have space to carry two Hondas on my boat, unless I place them in my 14' fiberglass dinghy which is not a good solution.
In hindsight I should have installed a somewhat smaller AC unit which could run on a Honda 2000.

The 16000 btu is almost an overkill on a 31' boat, even here in South Florida.