Battle of the Mini Generators
Spring is on the wing--or so it seems in the southwest. Yes, it’s true our friends in the plains and elsewhere are ‘wishing they were here,’ but truth be told, summer will eventually get here. With summer comes the camper’s complaint: It’s too hot!
Got an air conditioning unit on your RV, but want to camp away from the hookups? Having a portable generator can really make life a lot more enjoyable. But how much "gen" muscle do you need? Plenty of RVers have been enamored by those ‘cute little red (or blue) generators.’ Yes, those Honda and Yamaha generators are popping up all over.
How much muscle do you need to fire that a/c? Here’s the bottom line: While your air conditioning unit’s power consumption is measure in watts, and oft’ times those watts are less than the rated output of the moderately sized, 2,000 or so watt generators, they take a LOT more in the ‘start up cycle.’ Simply put: The popular Yamaha EF200iS and Honda’s EU2000i probably WON’T operate your RV air conditioning.
What’s to do? The next size up for the "Red Boy Toy" is the Honda EU3000iS or Yamaha’s EF3000i. Yep, they cost more than the smaller versions. Some RVers say the only time they need a 3,000 watt generator is when they’re powering the roof air unit. To them, that much muscle is a waste, so they opt to buy two identical smaller units. When less power is needed, they simply run one of the generators, and when a/c is called for, they link the two smaller units together with the manufacturer supplied (optional) bridge cables.
Well, it’s a hard call for some. Two of the smaller units do cost more than one of their larger bretheren. And if you’re cramped for space, you may only have room for one. And consider noise: These little guys are indeed pretty quiet, but oddly enough, the larger models actually do make less noise than their tiny brothers. What about weight? Can you "horse" a generator out of the pickup bed? Some come equipped with rollers and can be ramped out. Others make the wheels an accessory--wherein some RVers have been known to buy a pressure washer frame and wheel kit for less money than OEM accessories.
It may just come down to, ‘You pays your money, and you takes your choice.’
posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at
1:43 PM
5 Comments:
Another portable model to check out is the Yamaha EF2800i. At 64 lbs. it's light enough to "horse" into the bed of your vehicle...or at least give you some good exercise doing it! The generator is pretty quiet (60-67 dBA) and has enough juice (barely) to start an A/C unit. I use mine with a Coleman Polar Cub (which requires fewer amps that the standard 13,500 BTU model) and it works just fine. The fuel tank (3.0 gal) gives a running time of 12-13 hrs at 1/2 load. Max output = 2800 watts (23 amps), rated output = 2500 watts (21 amps) @ 120V. Price is ~$1300.
By
CuznEddie, at 9:56 AM
OK, what size generator would you recommend for a 15,000 BTU AC. Does the Honda 3000 model have enough juice to start up the AC.
By
B. Wilhelm, at 2:09 PM
You may be pushing it trying to start up a 15,000 BTU A/C with the Honda EU3000is. I have this Generator, but running a 13,500 A/C. I would go with two 2000 kw Hondas if it were me. The EU3000is can be bought for $1799.00 on sale, and two of the 2000 models and the parallel kit to hook them together will run you 2199.00 on sale. You also want to install an extra hard start capacitor on your A/C if it isn't already equipped with one. I put one on my A/C unit and it makes a big difference, and is much easier on your gen set. The hard start kit costs $25.00 at Camping World.
By
Anonymous, at 5:49 PM
we been using an Honda EU3000 for several years and buit my own wheel frame to load and on load from our truck. Cost about $25.00 wheels from LOWES and wood frame from scrap lumber.This generator runs our ac (1500btu) with no problem. Note that your coach circuit breaker to run the ac is a 20 amp so you do the math. You have to have the generator swith on full and not on ecomony
By
Anonymous, at 5:51 AM
Anyone have any experience with those china models sold at automotive parts stores?
By
Anonymous, at 10:51 AM
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