seeking generator advice

[pzindy]

We have a 2008 Keystone Cougar 276RLS. Single 13,500 BTU A/C. It does not have a generator. 98% of the time we are parked somewhere that has electric hookups. But we are considering taking it to Oshkosh Airventure this summer. And I am wanting air conditioning to work.

I already own a single Honda E2200i Companion, which I use for other things around the house and when traveling to craft shows as a vendor. It has been very reliable.

It seems there are three choices:
1) Purchase a "Soft Start Kit" (~$350) which is claimed will let you run a 13,500 BTU A/C from a single Eu2200i.
2) Purchase a 2nd EU2200i and the parallel wire (~$1100)
3) Purchase a larger off-brand 4000ish generator similar to https://www.ebay.com/itm/385204779087 ($600)

I am really struggling with this. I like the Honda quality, but not sure for my intended usage it is worth the price. If the Soft Start really works, it is the least investment. But having a spare portable would be nice sometimes too.

Would like to hear from anyone who has chosen any of the above options.

[LETMGROW]

My son bought one of these last summer to run his travel trailer with.
https://www.amazon.com/WEN-56380i-38...36056197&psc=1
I was really impressed at how quiet it was and fuel efficient as well. It barely gained speed when running a roof top AC. It also came with the battery installed but it starts easily if you ever needed to start it with the recoil.
A feature I really liked was you have an option to shut the generator down. If you are not going to start it right away you turn a knob which shuts the fuel off right on the control panel and allows the generator to run until the carburetor is fully drained.
It is also super quiet. He ran the Wen next to a Honda 3500 last summer and you could barely notice the difference in noise levels between the two generators if at all.
We met up with a couple other Wen owners with the same unit. Neither of them has had any issues with their generators.

[craigd853]

Soft start is the cheapest, good luck in your decision. Just watch what else you turn on when the a/c is running.

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by craigd853

Soft start is the cheapest, good luck in your decision. Just watch what else you turn on when the a/c is running.

With a 2200 W. generator the 2200 watts is peak wattage which will drop off when the generator is running. This could be marginal wattage and voltage to run a roof top AC unit and could eventually damage the AC unit.

[Jon_C]

I can run my roof air on a single honda 2200i with a micro air soft start. You have to turn off eco throttle mode so its already revved up when compressor kicks on. No other loads can be on for this including battery’s have to be near fully charged so converter is not pulling amps.

I also have a second honda and most of the time run them both with the combiner cord and external fuel tank, Usually about 3 day’s worth before need fuel. This allows 2 loads at same time such as microwave and a space heater. Or 1 a/c and charging batteries.

If yours has bluetooth, the app is great, shows the load on a graph. As mentioned you have to keep constant load at no greater than 1800 watts, anything over that for a few minutes and the protection circuit kicks the power off. It will come back on in a few minutes.

[twinboat]

I run my 13.500 A/C with my eu2200.

No soft start just plug it in.

Have you tried using yours ?

[Gr8bawana]

Originally Posted by twinboat

I run my 13.500 A/C with my eu2200.

No soft start just plug it in.

Have you tried using yours ?

^^^This^^^
I would definitely try it before buying anything. The gen might just run your a/c as is with no added parts.

[dave&ginny]

Originally Posted by pzindy

We have a 2008 Keystone Cougar 276RLS. Single 13,500 BTU A/C. It does not have a generator. 98% of the time we are parked somewhere that has electric hookups. But we are considering taking it to Oshkosh Airventure this summer. And I am wanting air conditioning to work.

I already own a single Honda E2200i Companion, which I use for other things around the house and when traveling to craft shows as a vendor. It has been very reliable.

It seems there are three choices:
1) Purchase a "Soft Start Kit" (~$350) which is claimed will let you run a 13,500 BTU A/C from a single Eu2200i.
2) Purchase a 2nd EU2200i and the parallel wire (~$1100)
3) Purchase a larger off-brand 4000ish generator similar to https://www.ebay.com/itm/385204779087 ($600)

I am really struggling with this. I like the Honda quality, but not sure for my intended usage it is worth the price. If the Soft Start really works, it is the least investment. But having a spare portable would be nice sometimes too.

Would like to hear from anyone who has chosen any of the above options.

There's a campground up there I think it's called Eureka Damn. They offer 50 amp and it's a 20 minute easy drive to Oshkosh, no traffic. I've stayed there 3 times

[fischer76]

So I purchased small roller AC unit(my 1 AC on 38' doesn't cut it
used it 1st time - it was 96 degrees outside
had to turn it off
your EU should handle without problem
I have so many generators it's not funny
the honda eu3000 does everything
have ONan 7000 in 5'r now - but we don't dry camp

[tuffr2]

I have a Yamaha 2400IS. It can not run 13,500 AC everytime. It will run the A/C when it feels like it. I don't know the conditions in which it will run. Probably an unknown electric draw someplace. I don't have soft start. I don't know how reliable soft start is and if it would work 100% of the time.

I don't use this generator anymore to run the A/C because I don't want to damage the A/C unit. I only use the generator to top off the battery and to charge cell phones.

If I were you I think I would try the Soft Start option.

[jacknife]

Get the soft start they work !

[xc-mark]

micro air soft start , add a 2nd honda EU2200 or a used EU2000 will also work if you find a used one (as long as it has ports for connecting the two ) . One honda may do it but it will be running full throttle any time the compressor is running. You could also add larger fuel tanks to the two hondas for extended run. My guess is that one tank full in a single EU2200 will only last 3~4 hours with the AC running.

[1stimerveer]

Friends we RV with use a 3000 watt Harbor Freight inverter generator. I handles a 13,500 btu AC unit easily, while still charging the RV batteries. Its also a lot lighter and less expensive than the 4500 watt Onan inverter that I bought..

Safe Travels and alll the best...

[theoldwizard]

MicroAir EasyStart