Honda EU2200i Generator + AC

[RainyDaze]

Just getting to know my new 270RKS, which has a 15k BTU Colman Mach A/C unit.

Hooked up my old EU2000i and it was able to get the AC running, but after 5 minutes or so it tripped. Something else must have kicked on, perhaps battery charging. The A/C unit must have a good hard start capacitor installed.

I ordered a new EU2200i companion generator but the cables are still on the way. Just for grins I hooked it up solo. Low and behold it ran the A/C and refrigerator without any overloading. I'm not sure if any battery charging kicked in or not, but I had all the lights on too. I ran it for 30 minutes or so with the A/C cycling on and off.

I didn't try to add the microwave, I'm sure it would've tripped. Having the two hooked up with companion cables is going to be quite nice.

I'm impressed by the EU2200i thus far!

[Highway 4x4]

Good to know about the 2200. I have a 13.5 AC and carry a honda 3K but would like to get something lighter. Is the 2200 quiet? For all the "import" gens, change the oil ASAP.

[RainyDaze]

Originally Posted by Highway 4x4

Good to know about the 2200. I have a 13.5 AC and carry a honda 3K but would like to get something lighter. Is the 2200 quiet? For all the "import" gens, change the oil ASAP.

It's very quiet until the A/C kicks on! It's spec'd for 48-57db. Even then you can't hear it from inside since the noise from the A/C drowns it out.

My older Honda eu2000i ran my 13.5 unit just fine on my previous Lance trailer. Only the A/C though.

This one didn't ship with oil, but that's a good tip!

[Highway 4x4]

Looks like the Honda 2200u might just be my next toy. If it really will run my 13.5 AC then it's a go. My 3kw Honda weight is 150 with gas. The 2200 is closer to 50. I always cary a gen for the AC on long trips in case of emergency. If anyone has a bad experience running the 13.5 roof AC with a Honda 2200u I would like to know.

[fisher99]

I think there is a lot of "your mileage may vary" involved here. Some, like the OP, seem to be able to run an A/C on a small generator. Others can't. I know that I can't even start my 13.5 A/C on my EU2000.

A good friend who bought a new Airstream with a single 13.5 A/C went to the Honda dealer and told him he wanted to purchase two EU2000's if the dealer could show him that they would run his A/C when connected in tandem. Seemed like a slam dunk. The two EU2000's fired up the A/C ok, but about the 3rd time the A/C cycled off/on the generators gave up. The Honda dealer attributed it to the compressor in the A/C warming up and becoming harder to start. The dealer brought out a single EU3500 and it started and cycled his A/C perfectly, so he bought it.

I'm pretty sure that my EU2000 would be fine if I installed one of the more expensive soft start kits on the A/C. The cheap Supco capacitor "might" work, but I've read a lot of reviews that say that while it helps with the initial start, that it doesn't help with restarts as the A/C cycles off/on in high temps (since it's just a capacitor).

However, I'm really not too interested in running the A/C on generator(s). I'd rather put up with the heat than listen to a generator run all day. And I'm guessing that my camping neighbors probably appreciate that as well...

[Highway 4x4]

My honda 3000 sits in the truck bed with camper shell open and tailgate down for air. You reallt can't hear it less you are at the rear of the truck. The honda I was talking about is the new 2200u. People say it does much better than the 2000.

[ktn1966]

I have the champion 3500 remote start in cargo basket on the trailer hitch. It will run the a/c without a problem. I can have the coffee maker and fireplace going at the same time. I do shut off a big draw appliance if I run the microwave. I am a big guy and have no problem lifting it up on to the basket. We take it off the basket if sitting for a while but use it loaded if we are traveling and staying just a night.

Remote start is great for getting the coffee going and warming up the trailer with the fireplace on cold mornings.

[ModestMonk]

Originally Posted by fisher99

I think there is a lot of "your mileage may vary" involved here. Some, like the OP, seem to be able to run an A/C on a small generator. Others can't. I know that I can't even start my 13.5 A/C on my EU2000.

A good friend who bought a new Airstream with a single 13.5 A/C went to the Honda dealer and told him he wanted to purchase two EU2000's if the dealer could show him that they would run his A/C when connected in tandem. Seemed like a slam dunk. The two EU2000's fired up the A/C ok, but about the 3rd time the A/C cycled off/on the generators gave up. The Honda dealer attributed it to the compressor in the A/C warming up and becoming harder to start. The dealer brought out a single EU3500 and it started and cycled his A/C perfectly, so he bought it.

I'm pretty sure that my EU2000 would be fine if I installed one of the more expensive soft start kits on the A/C. The cheap Supco capacitor "might" work, but I've read a lot of reviews that say that while it helps with the initial start, that it doesn't help with restarts as the A/C cycles off/on in high temps (since it's just a capacitor).

However, I'm really not too interested in running the A/C on generator(s). I'd rather put up with the heat than listen to a generator run all day. And I'm guessing that my camping neighbors probably appreciate that as well...

I attempted to order our 24KTS without the air conditioner or MW, but that’s another story. We’ve been on the road now for nine weeks and only came close one day last week to lugging out the Champion 3400 to run the air. We were transiting the next day as the temp’s were to be 105*, so there was no need to run it. The main reason for hauling this around was to have a back up for the solar and that hasn’t been an issue. Nine weeks out and we haven’t needed to plug in to the genny or shore power.

Brett H uses this on his ORV and loves it: https://www.microair.net/collections...nt=30176048267


At some point I would love to switch out the 3400 for a Honda 2200 and save some weight.

[Cumminsfan]

I'm guessing that if you get up in the mtns that the 2200 won't run the AC. You lose 3% HP for every 1000' of elevation gain.

[Super Thirty]

Originally Posted by RainyDaze

Just getting to know my new 270RKS, which has a 15k BTU Colman Mach A/C unit.



Hooked up my old EU2000i and it was able to get the AC running, but after 5 minutes or so it tripped. Something else must have kicked on, perhaps battery charging. The A/C unit must have a good hard start capacitor installed.



I ordered a new EU2200i companion generator but the cables are still on the way. Just for grins I hooked it up solo. Low and behold it ran the A/C and refrigerator without any overloading. I'm not sure if any battery charging kicked in or not, but I had all the lights on too. I ran it for 30 minutes or so with the A/C cycling on and off.



I didn't try to add the microwave, I'm sure it would've tripped. Having the two hooked up with companion cables is going to be quite nice.



I'm impressed by the EU2200i thus far!

I was looking at a EU2200i companion as well but dealer told me that it couldn’t be hooked up with the EU2000i which I have. Have you hooked the two together yet? How did it work for you?

[GBB]

Originally Posted by Super Thirty

I was looking at a EU2200i companion as well but dealer told me that it couldn’t be hooked up with the EU2000i which I have. Have you hooked the two together yet? How did it work for you?

Certain serial numbers of the 2000 will work with the 2200. I think they show these on Hondas web site

[Super Thirty]

Thanks. I’ll take a look.

[Gerryl]

Originally Posted by GBB

Certain serial numbers of the 2000 will work with the 2200. I think they show these on Hondas web site

Here are the EU2000 that they work with. I have the MicroAir soft start and my EU2000 would run the 13,500 AC. Now I have a EU2200 and sold the EU2000.

[Super Thirty]

Originally Posted by Gerryl

Here are the EU2000 that they work with. I have the MicroAir soft start and my EU2000 would run the 13,500 AC. Now I have a EU2200 and sold the EU2000.

Thanks for the info.