I would not buy less than a 4000 for one air conditioner. With a 4000, you can run the air and everything else okay.

 

butchera

So you are saying you make a Y connector and parallel 2 gen sets? (simplified) I was going to ask this very question as I want to run my TIG welder but Lincoln says I need at least 8kw set for this. I really don't need that much and they cost a bunch more than say a 5kw. Plus the operating costs are higher just to run the 8k even if I only use 3kw.
If I could just have a 5k for everythng then when I need the TIG I can start up the 3kw or 4kw or what ever I can find and I'll be in business. I know it will take up more room but I could even carry the extra unit in the truck bed.

bentwings

 

wings
The honda eu2000 and eu3000 only produce 110volts. If you are thinking about running a TIG on them, I hope its not a 220v unit. Honda also makes the eu (inverter) series generators in 5k and 7k watt units but they are much bigger, heavier and run about 70db's. But they do produce 220v power.

 

The older 13,500 AC's pulled about 14 - 15 amps - - the newer ones are pulling 12 to 13 amps. 3K will run one, but don't try to run anything else. Dual 2K Hondas are a cheap way to get 4K so you don't have to guess at it.
Bob

 

Wow, second page of responses and altitude has not been mentioned. Although the need for A/C diminishes with altitude, generator performance really diminishes with altitude. If you are planning on running into the high country, your 3,000 watt unit will have a very hard time starting your unit.

 

Honda EU3000 wouldn't run my A/C on my old 96 Wilderness 5er, so I got the 4,500 version of their camping generator. Now I live in my stretched pickup, but don't camp. Now I'd rather have a couple EU2,000's. Actually would rather have small quite diesel. Just can't see haulin gas just for a gen when I carry 140 gals of diesel.



Cheers,
Steve J

 

I like our 10000watt onan Diesel it seems to run 2 AC's purdy good and anything else you can think of....

 

Many people have a hard time understanding the differences between sustained and surge loading when it deals with a genset versus shore power.
Starting an electric motor, especially one under load such as an A/C compressor, demands at least 3 times the running amperage. Microwave ovens are about the same, but the time is much less. An electric motor will take several seconds to drop amperage. A microwave is around a second.
Shore power can usually sustain this surge unless you have a lot of voltage drop from using a small gauge or very long extension cord.
A genset does not have the same infinite capacity. If you exceed the surge rating, voltage drops which increases the amperage draw. Often the A/C will not start and a breaker trips. AS mentioned before, the damage is already done to the A/C motor by the time a breaker trips.
That is why something as low wattage as the frig, TV, or lighting will increase your genset size. Also, anything run through then converter (12v) adds an additional 10% from inefficiency.

IMHO a 3K unit is the smallest; a 4k unit (or twin 2k units) is better
My 5k unit will everything I throw at it, but it has a higher surge rating of 7.2k which many do not.


Nevada;
You must be quilty of second page reading (me, too). Altitude was mentioned in the second post on the first page.

 

Wings,

One of the things you need to look at before running two gens in parellel is if the sets are made to do that. The Honda's are made to run in parellel. The small computer they have is set up to do it, that is why I said you can hear them sysnc up. The computer does that and acts as the protection circuits.

If I was going to try to run something else in parellel, I would make sure I put in some kind of protection circuits in the adapter just to be safe.

 

Yep same person.

I used my EU2000's this weekend and rigged up the "external" fuel tank. It was nice to not have to worry about gas for 12+ hours.

 

Sorry haven't read all the messages so may have missed the post the same. What is the power requirments of the A/C. THey must have Voltage : 120 V Amps :??? 15 maybe (Do they list inrush) 120x 15=1800 Watts volts x amps = Watts in a purely resistive load. The inrush current is the important one. The inrush can be 3 times the running current. The dealer of the generator should / will also know what size will handle the load. So the manufacturer of the TT will know the suggested minimum size generator that should be used. Hope this all helps.

 

FWIW a single Honda EU2000 will run my 13.5k BTU unit all day long. It is obviously near its max... amp draw from the AC runs from 9 to 12 amps depending on out side temperature... but 12 amps is within the continuous-duty rating of the EU2000. Still, I'm certainly not recommending it and a larger generator would certainly be a better choice if you are planning on running the AC often, but it does work in a pinch (or at least it does for me.)

That makes two EU2000's in parallel a great choice... plenty of headroom when they're both running, plus you have some redundancy in case one fails.

 

I'm pretty sure I covered that in the very first response to this question back on page one??

 

Ditto Bertram's response.
Preferred one gen - rather than 2-2000 Hondas -
(if possible) - and -
Didn't want the weight of single 3000 Honda or Yam.

Went with 2400 (inverter) Yam. Runs 13.5 A/C no problem.
A bit larger than a Honda 2000 - weighs 70# - beliefe it has
same eng as yam 3000's.
[Can be "paired" if desired]

 

With everyone's responses and more research, looks like a Yamaha 2400 will handle the job without killing my back.

Thanks everyone!