Small gen for camper

[GFritsch]

Hi-



We have a cab over camper and are considering adding an a/c unit and buying a portable generator. I am looking at the Honda 2000.



Is this enough for a roof top air unit. We do not use a micro, or other high draw appliance. What kind of power does an a/c unit require. I am attacted to the smallest generator required as we try to travel as light as possible and will be storing the gen in the camper while traveling and pulling it out every time we stop.



Not sure about the variety of roof top a/c units available. Any reccomendations? We have a Bigfoot 10-6 camper.



Thanks,

Greg

 

[CPittman]

I don't think the EU2000i would have enough power to kick off an a/c unit of any size. I guess it really depends on how big an a/c unit you would be installing - some of the newer ones may be efficient enough to work with one EU2K. Once the compressor is up and running the EU2K would probably have enough power to keep it running, but startup may be an issue. You may have to do what others do and run two EU2Ks hooked together. This is nice because during the cool months just leave one of them at home.



You may want to look at the Yamaha EF2400is http://www.hayesequipment.com/yamaha_generators/ef2400is.htm

I had to resort to the Yamaha EF3000iseB the one with the battery boost to stay small but to have the kick-off power. I run a 15K Btu a/c unit though.



Look at the other gen sets on that site - the Robin / Subaru units are also very quiet in the Honda / Yamaha vein.



Good luck.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Buy a smaller 8300 BTU unit and the EU2000 will be fine.



I have a Lance 1030 and purchased the smaller AC from Camping World. It will more than cool the Lance.



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[GFritsch]

Thanks for the replies!



I will look into the coleman. Normally we wouldn't use a gen/air but we are going to Death Valley this summer and I doubt we will be disturbing other campers with the generator as I am sure everyone will be using one in the high heat.



Greg

 

[Grizzly]

Get 2 EU2000 units and hook them together to get 4K W. That's what my son did for his 5er. Not only can he run the AC, he can also run the microwave at the same time. It is also much easier and lighter to carry the units one at a time.

 

[Eric_77]

Be aware the Honda 2000 is only a 1800 watt generator (2000 surge) You may be better off with the Yamaha 2400 about the same size and the extra watts will help when you are at the higher altitude where the gen will be have less output.



FYI I have the Honda 2000 and it will power our AC unit but it is a smaller unit (I think it is around 12000 BTU)but it runs out of fuel in about 5 hours running AC at night so I have to get up and refuel.

 

[EEdmondson]

Death Valley in the summer??? Are you crazy??? Or maybe a masochist.

 

[RSeymon]

death valley

I thought the camp grounds close around first of may in D. V.



Your little a/c that time of the year will cool you down to around 110 at night.



Might check with the camp ground if they are open.



JMTCW