Community Forums

Bug512 · 03-05-2011, 06:42 AM

I had a 13.5K Coleman Mach III on our last travel trailer. For six years I used a Honda EU3000is and had no issues with the air conditioning.

I once also used a Honda EU2000is, it did start and run the air conditioner as long as the eco throttle was tourned "off".

Personally I do not think you would need to install a hard start capacitor if you purchase a 3000 watt generator.

Uncle Dave · 03-06-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bug512

I had a 13.5K Coleman Mach III on our last travel trailer. For six years I used a Honda EU3000is and had no issues with the air conditioning.

I once also used a Honda EU2000is, it did start and run the air conditioner as long as the eco throttle was tourned "off".

Personally I do not think you would need to install a hard start capacitor if you purchase a 3000 watt generator.

Im kind of at the other end of your experience. Where I go, at the temps and altitudes I camp at Ive found the following.

A 3000 watt genny (either the honda or the yammie) will struggle to start an ac unit if running in eco mode, and an AC with a tight compressor will occasionally stall them. LIke constant cycling on a 110 degree day.

a hard start kit gives your genny enough buffer to keep the whole thing working in eco mode and give the compressor a good kick against high head pressure.

The yammie with the battery backfeed is enough in my experience to start all tough AC units in eco mode, but everyone else needs either a hard start or to be out of "eco" mode which in my mind defeats the purpose of buying an inverter style generator.

Uncle Dave

Ray,IN · 03-06-2011, 04:15 PM

I didn't mention it previously, never thought of it till now. When I first received my Boliey 3600SI invertor generator I decided to test it running some things. I first started the 15.5 heat pump while monitoring both voltage and amperage. It's been over 2 years so I've forgotten the specifics, but since it didn't even blink at that heat pump I decided to start our 2nd heat pump (13.5). At the moment of startup for the 2nd unit voltage dropped to 110 then rebounded to 115. When I turned on the microwave voltage dropped to 106 so I quickly shut the microwave off and voltage returned to 110.

I would never attempt to power both heat pumps while dry- camping, but that did tell me much about the genset I purchased. I should have it along when we attend the rally if anyone wants to try it out.

RVhauler · 03-06-2011, 08:50 PM

Bug512- Know of 5 Honda 3000 (Inverter style?) that would not start a 13.5 A/C without a hard start kit installed. Perhaps the straight 3000 would do so. i have no knowledge of them. however IMO it is easier on the smaller genny and A/C it a hard start is installed. Also helps A/C if shore power is a bit low.

Bug512 · 03-07-2011, 06:06 AM

Hmm.. For the past ten years we go to at least four NASCAR races a year along with music festivals all of which we dry camp. There are a ton of Honda (AND Yamaha) EU3000is generators, of all the people who I have talked to I never heard of one case where the air conditioning failed to start and run.

A 13.5K BTU AC unit has a FLA of around 15. A Honda EU3000is has a maximum rating of 25 amps and 23.3 rated.

A 3000 watt generator is more then enough to start a 13.5 BTU air conditioner.

Michael · 03-07-2011, 07:21 AM

The Honda 2000 and the Honda 3000 can be linked to another Honda 2000 or Honda 3000 respectively. It's another hundred and a half or so but for the 2000, it gives you all the power you need for the A/C and LED TV's and such. Turn off the A/C when you microwave. I have a 5 1/2 year old Honda 3000 and as stated above, you think about the extra few pounds of fuel in the tank when you lift it. It is a workhorse and after you own one you have bragging rights. It is quiet and cheap to run. I must admit, I consider any money spent on another generator a waste of money, Honda got it right with this one.

Bug512 · 03-07-2011, 10:03 AM

Note you can only parallel two identical units together.

Honda's website link

I have always have liked only having one generator. It would be a lot harder to "borrow" a EU3000 vs. a EU2000.

Michael · 03-08-2011, 06:29 AM

BUG 452, excellant point that I had not considered.

Bug512 · 03-08-2011, 07:27 AM

I went back and fourth when we were purchasing either one EU3000 or two EU2000.

At the time they did not make the companion EU2000 that has the 30 amp plug built in, you needed to purchase the parallel kit.

Another factor was the time between fuel refills, since the EU3000 has a larger gas tank (3.4 gal vs. 1.1 on the EU2000) it will require less tending to. When we had the trailer and would be dry-camping I would top off the generator with fuel once a day.
A good friend of mine has two EU2000 and he would need to top off two to three times per day depending on air conditioning use. He later bought the external fuel tank. Now he has two EU2000, Parallel kit with 30 amp plug and a external fuel tank.

Not that it's a huge deal, but with servicing in mind. You are either doing service (or paying) on one engine or two..

Big Bear Local · 03-24-2011, 07:10 PM

I love my eu3000i. Brag about it all the time. I would rather use it than the 4000kw in the MH.

patty98311 · 03-24-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campingman

I love my eu3000i. Brag about it all the time. I would rather use it than the 4000kw in the MH.

$4000kw gen in your MH, wow! (gotta have some fun).

nplenzick · 03-25-2011, 06:06 AM

I've been following this post as I'm getting ready to purchase a Honda 2000. My main use is not for our motorhome but to power about 1500 watts of lighting for our vendor booth and it could also be used for emergency backup for the MH. Right now I have an older Yamaha 2500, I find it noisy, heavy, and it uses quit a bit of fuel. A few weeks ago I used a friends Honda 2000 and was mighty impressed as we were very close to 2000 watts and used only about 1 gallon of fuel in a 10 hour day not to mentioned that it was so quiet you forgot it was running.
I'm a little confused as to some of the statements here. There's a pretty big difference in price and weight according to the Honda website. EU 2000 Companion $1279.95 47 lbs. EU 3000 $2599.95 78 lbs. Weight is a big issue with me and my very bad back and personally I would rather have two 2000's then one 3000 as I see the maintenance issue ( plug, air filter, and oil change) as just about nothing.
Can anyone also recommend a good online store that sells the Honda 2000. In these parts most are selling at list price

Big Bear Local · 03-25-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nplenzick

I've been following this post as I'm getting ready to purchase a Honda 2000. My main use is not for our motorhome but to power about 1500 watts of lighting for our vendor booth and it could also be used for emergency backup for the MH. Right now I have an older Yamaha 2500, I find it noisy, heavy, and it uses quit a bit of fuel. A few weeks ago I used a friends Honda 2000 and was mighty impressed as we were very close to 2000 watts and used only about 1 gallon of fuel in a 10 hour day not to mentioned that it was so quiet you forgot it was running.
I'm a little confused as to some of the statements here. There's a pretty big difference in price and weight according to the Honda website. EU 2000 Companion $1279.95 47 lbs. EU 3000 $2599.95 78 lbs. Weight is a big issue with me and my very bad back and personally I would rather have two 2000's then one 3000 as I see the maintenance issue ( plug, air filter, and oil change) as just about nothing.

Can anyone also recommend a good online store that sells the Honda 2000. In these parts most are selling at list price

The eu3000 is hard for one person to handle.

Big Bear Local · 03-25-2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patty98311

$4000kw gen in your MH, wow! (gotta have some fun).

Not a four thousand dollor genset. It is a four thousand kiliwatt genset. About as small as you find in a Class A MH. Works great but not as quiet as the Honda. I bought my Honda about 3 years ago on sale, paid $1995.00 for it. My favorite Gen set I have is a Miller Bobcat welder that puts out 45 amps but it weighs 500#s.