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john61ct · 07-12-2017, 05:21

Best is a big-amp charger user can derate current as needed.

john61ct · 07-12-2017, 05:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastward ho 24

Any one know any good alternative$ to the balmar 150 amp?

Yes, all discussed in the thread ref'd in #13.

john61ct · 07-12-2017, 05:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastward ho 24

Also are there DC powerd air conditioners?

Yes, very efficient but **very** expensive for even very small capacity, and very few people set up the **huge** 48V DC systems necessary to run off batteries.

You end up just time-shifting your genny use just a little bit, unless you only run directly off a **huge** solar array in peak conditions.

If you want to get into details, best IMO to post to an existing relevant thread, or start a new one.

SoonerSailor · 07-12-2017, 05:35

Previous owner of my previous boat would run a CruiseAir A/C on his EU2000i no problems. My plan is to use an EU2000i to bulk charge the batteries when on the hook and the solar panels don’t quite keep up. I’ll just plug it into the shore power outlet and use the onboard charger. Better to put the wear on a $900 generator than a $20,000 diesel auxiliary engine.

sailjumanji · 07-12-2017, 05:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastward ho 24

I’ve heard you can power the Dometic 12000 btu with a hard start kit and a hond 2000 .I’m eventually thinking I’m gonna try to run the ac for an hour or 2 off the genny. ( haven’t gotten either yet though) but that led me to the lines of thinking if I was steaming for an hour or 2 and had the 150amp alt and an inverter could I run the ac while under power If I isolated my battery bank? I’m not planning on trying to use the battery’s to power the ac.

My friend has the 16k btu Dometic Turbo, and powers it with the Honda 2000. Has a March pump - I don't know if its the 2 or 3 model. I also don't think he has a hard start kit. We installed our AC's a the same time, and I was shocked he did a single unit capable of cooling the whole boat, and it ran fine with the Honda. Been on the boat many times to witness. I installed the 8k btu Dometic Turbo at same time, and a March 3CP pump. (Ducts in just the port, sleeping hull.) Run it easily off the Honda 2000, although sometimes it will kick out if you try to do initial startup of generator set on "eco". Start it up, then switch to "eco" and no problem ever again. When compressor kicks on and off, it will handle it ok. I think friend has to leave "eco" turned off all of the time, due to larger size of his AC unit.

Boatguy30 · 07-12-2017, 05:47

Main problem is that 150 is too much for a 3GM. You’ll never be able to idle down and shift gears running more than 50 or 60 amps. I’ve setup 80 amp alternators on those engine with a toggle switch to cut to 1/2 power for docking an maneuvering

RickG · 07-12-2017, 05:55

The short answer is maybe. We can't without adding a hard start kit to our a/c. An inverter can drain those batteries very fast with the kind of loads we're talking about, even with a generator driving your shore charger. Going direct from generator to a/c is the way to go.

Consider your usage model. We are on the Chesapeake on a dock or in a breezy anchorage in the summer. Winters are south, either on a dock in colder climates or on the hook/mooring in warmer climates. We wish we had a generator to run a/c / heat about five nights a year.

I'd still like to add a Dometic Smart Start to let us run our 7,000 BTU CruisAir a/c on our Honda EU2000i to cool off the boat while making dinner in the summer. But, we are not putting in a full-size generator to make that happen.

Cheers, RickG

Eastward ho 24 · 07-12-2017, 08:40

Sounds like my situation I'm in the Chesepeake to up on the sasafrsss river. I'd like to use my ac as you described. However I have an old crusaire I believe it's a 12k I'm looking to replace it with a new unit but only if I can run it on the hook. I've added 1 " insulation so I'm hoping I can chill the cabin and it'll stay cool a while. I'd hate to get a new ac and a Honda and not be able to run my ac off it.

john61ct · 07-12-2017, 09:13

You should be able to find a seller that lets you bring the genny to test at his shop before installation.

Ideally would be someone who knows about soft / hard start capacitors, so he can sell you a bigger aircon.

Your motivation is top btu output within the limits of your genny setup.

If I were taking advantage of Honda's "Parallel Capability" to get around double the output, I'd get two smaller aircon units that each run off one genny alone, for flexibility and redundancy.

Available with EU1000i, EU2000i, EU3000 Handi, or EU3000is

Cheechako · 07-12-2017, 09:25

One wonders what you are planning on running at 30 amp AC? The majority of house circuits are only 20 amp.
I have run microwaves, vacuums, big drills etc on 100 amp alternator/invertor. But these are at most a 10 minute job.

jhulmer · 07-12-2017, 09:34

I think your trying to drive a brad with a sledge hammer.

efficiency losses all over the place ... diesel driving an alternator to an inverter to the A/C that is trying to cool a space being heated by a diesel.

Go with the Honda, I (and many others) have used them for years.

KISS

Boatwright · 07-12-2017, 09:36

Northern Great Lakes warm months cruising:

We are running a 110 amp Delco with a Sterling regulator. MD11c Vovlo @ 1600 RPM / approx. 3,500 alt. RPM.

At 80 amp output it overheats after 20 minutes. The maximum continuous output for this setup is 30 - 40 amps.

Fortunately we have a solar array that takes care of our modest loads (no air cond., BD-50 refrigeration, all LED lighting) 80%+ of days. We only run the alternator at high output carefully and infrequently.

IMO, for air conditioning in a hot climate you are going to need a genset.

Scout 30 · 07-12-2017, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastward ho 24

Ok silly me the companion model is different then the 2000? I’ve seen the companion model on sale for 699 and thought it was the same 2000 watt one I see on jobsites

Boy, $699 is a great price for a Companion Model which normally costs $1,099, $100 more than the regular Honda 2000. Can you tell us who's got it at that price?