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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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Joined: 07/16/2003
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Hi, just looking for input from people that have them on their effectiveness. I am thinking of getting a portable genny for the 5th wheel for those times that I need an AC and don't have power. I have a 15000BTU dometic AC, and I must figure out what size genny I need also.
As some of you know I personally hate the noise they make, so it must be quiet and really won't be used for anything else as my solar can do everything else. the other issue I have is there has only been 4 days in the last 5 years of camping where I needed an AC when I was boondocking, so I am really torn weather I need a genny or just see what it would take to be able to run on solar, but I think it's too tall of an order for solar.
2014 F350 6.7 Platinum
2016 Cougar 330RBK
1991 Slumberqueen WS100
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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15k AC will pull 1600 to 1800 watts. About 14.0 amps. So, base the size of your Genny on that. Doug
Surge start up, about 1900 watts
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vermilye
Oswego, NY, USA
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Joined: 08/11/2004
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I have one installed on my Dometic 13,500 BTU AC. The AC runs OK on a Sportsman dual fuel 2200 watt generator running on propane. Another advantage is the "thump" as the compressor comes on is gone.
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
My Photo & RV link blog
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3 tons
NV.
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Joined: 03/13/2009
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I occasionally run our Truck Camper’s 11kbtu Coleman via 400a/h LFP’s, 2000w P/S pass-thru inverter, concurrent with 660w solar (expandable to 1020w via 3 ground deployable PV’s), but as per your closing point of “4 days in 5yrs” (likely due to latitude?), it’s kinda hard to justify my kinda effort and expense, unless of course you’re like me and love to tinker, in which case I’d likely give you an affirmative answer - lol
I’d opt for the portable genny route..
3 tons
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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Joined: 06/22/2005
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have one on my coleman 13.5K and it will start from my old honda 2000 with the honda in eco mode just fine with micro air. The issue that will arise is altitude. The honda 2000's run out of "omph" around 3500ft. The honda 2000 went to our son when the 2200 came out and it will run the coleman at 8,000ft no problem.
So, the micro air does what it claims, very very well. But make sure your generator has enough output at the altitude you want to run at. The 2200 while only an extra 200W, has a 25% larger engine, likely mitigating the altitude issue.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!
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bgum
South Louisiana
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Joined: 02/22/2006
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We have a Honda 3000i and a Westinghouse igen2500. The Honda is very heavy but is a good solid generator. We use it to power our systems in the house when storms cut our power. That and a transfer switch work wonders. Cost about $2400.
For the RV we use the Westinghouse igen2500. It is much more portable. We have it mounted on the tongue of the airstream. It provides all the power We need and only sips fuel. Cost $450.
Both generators have their uses and fulfill them perfectly.
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wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Many folks say a 2000 watt Inverter type generator (And I do recommend inverter types) won't start a 15000 BTU Rooftop AC.. Some Get lucky
3000..Should but still might not
4000 generally does (That's a pair of 2000 in parallel)
Some companies are making like 2400 or 2600.. Often they do it.
Why an inverter generator.> Two answers
CLEAN POWER.. Inverter generators have a output that is pure as a flute.
(nice clean sine wave) Some of the "Contractor" Types... Well you look at them with a proper scope you feel the need to change underwear they are that scary.
That spike filled waveform is hard on your Electronics.. Does not bother light bulbs much. and most motors can take it. But radios, televisions. YOUR CONVERTER... Not going to be happy
There are some that are not so bad but it's been long enough since I knew which were which that the report needs to be redone.
Source American Radio Relay League ARRL.ORG but the article is likely behind a membership wall.
Alas the search engine did not find the article.. I may have it archived locally But again my computer did not find it. and I've 10 years of archives to search.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
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otrfun
On The Road
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Joined: 09/08/2012
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Oops.
* This post was
edited 04/15/23 06:06pm by otrfun *
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3 tons
NV.
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Joined: 03/13/2009
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wa8yxm wrote:Many folks say a 2000 watt Inverter type generator (And I do recommend inverter types) won't start a 15000 BTU Rooftop AC.. Some Get lucky
3000..Should but still might not
4000 generally does (That's a pair of 2000 in parallel)
Some companies are making like 2400 or 2600.. Often they do it.
Why an inverter generator.> Two answers
CLEAN POWER.. Inverter generators have a output that is pure as a flute.
(nice clean sine wave) Some of the "Contractor" Types... Well you look at them with a proper scope you feel the need to change underwear they are that scary.
That spike filled waveform is hard on your Electronics.. Does not bother light bulbs much. and most motors can take it. But radios, televisions. YOUR CONVERTER... Not going to be happy
There are some that are not so bad but it's been long enough since I knew which were which that the report needs to be redone.
Source American Radio Relay League ARRL.ORG but the article is likely behind a membership wall.
Alas the search engine did not find the article.. I may have it archived locally But again my computer did not find it. and I've 10 years of archives to search.
“Well you look at them with a proper scope you feel the need to change underwear they are that scary”……
Now that some advice that’s well worth following ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink") !!
3 tons
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Itinerant1
Itinerant
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Joined: 05/23/2017
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StirCrazy wrote:Hi, just looking for input from people that have them on their effectiveness. I am thinking of getting a portable genny for the 5th wheel for those times that I need an AC and don't have power. I have a 15000BTU dometic AC, and I must figure out what size genny I need also.
As some of you know I personally hate the noise they make, so it must be quiet and really won't be used for anything else as my solar can do everything else. the other issue I have is there has only been 4 days in the last 5 years of camping where I needed an AC when I was boondocking, so I am really torn weather I need a genny or just see what it would take to be able to run on solar, but I think it's too tall of an order for solar.
Back in July of 2020 I added the Micro-Air Easy Start 364 (ASY-364-X20-IP) to the Carrier Air V 15k air conditioning unit (low profile) on my Cameo.
I can run it off of the EU2200i and not only that I have run it off of just the solar/ batteries, granted if it's run like this long enough the generator will need to charge the batteries but for short term use of a lunch stop or just a 2-3 hours to cool things down some no big deal. If it's going to be "HOT" it's time to move anyways.
I have a Magnum Hybrid 3,000w inverter/ charger unit so I can adjust the incoming current and load share it with the solar.
When I was in a campground hooked up to 50a service and completed the 5 learning cycles. It was interesting to watch the Magnum Me-arc display in the ac input screen, the air conditioner fan would run for a couple minutes then I could see 3-4a load coming in for 60 +/- seconds then quickly climb to roughly 18-20a then settle at 14a.
Looking at the service manual the locked rotor amps for the low profile high capacity is 59.0a now best I can tell since the easy start install it appears to be 18-20a.
While still plugged into the pedestal I turned the load share down 15a, 10a, 5a and turning the air conditioner off for a couple minutes between each lowering and at no time did the ac unit stumble or did a red fault light show on the me-arc.
Then I disconnected the the power from the pedestal and connected it to the eu2200i generator setting the ac input load support to 15a and 10a, same results no red fault light on the me-arc and no "overload" or stumble on the generator. Also I'm in tree cover/ overcast so little to no solar was helping.
Tried the 15k A/C unit from just batteries with hardly any solar contributing to see if the fault light would show on the Me-Arc display from the hybrid inverter, no fault light and no stumble in the A/C at anytime.
Initially turning it on the fan started and after 30 seconds the compressor started to spool up slowly, I could see the amps slowly climbing and max somewhere in the 190a + range before settling down to 94a. So if I just use my minimum loads and the sun is shinning the solar panels will cover roughly 60-75a of the A/C load, balance from batteries would be 30ah +/- (6% SoC be depleted per hour).
I use the air-conditioner quite often in the evening if I want to cool things off some while boondocking. Used at elevation from 3000-7000.
Just my hands on experience.
12v 500ah, 20 cells_ 4s5p (GBS LFMP battery system). 8 CTI 160 watt panels (1,280 watts)2s4p,Panels mounted flat. Magnum PT100 SCC, Magnum 3012 hybrid inverter, ME-ARC 50. Installed 4/2016 been on 24/7/365, daily 35-45% DOD 2,500+ partial cycles.
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