Honda EU2000 and AC

[Madehn]

A friend just gave me a Honda 2000- it wont quite start my AC unit which is a 16k Webasto. How do i go about cost effectively modifying the AC unit so that it does not have such a larger starting load- The generator can handle it if it is already running as the running load is nothing like the start load. Not looking to spend a ton of money - is there a simple cheap solution that will work?

[socaldmax]

You could install a hard start capacitor on it, but...

it's not just the starting load, it's the running load you have to deal with. A friend of mine did the same with a 15K BTU A/C and a Honda 2000. It would start and run it, but the poor Honda 2000 sounded like it was about to blow up, it was screaming at redline. So annoying, after about 15 or 20 min, I talked him into letting me run a power cord over and powering his trailer off of my 6kw genny. It was quieter to let my genny power both trailers than to listen to that poor thing on the verge of blowing up.

He ended up buying a Honda Eu3000is and paralleling them. He runs the 2000 24/7 on an extended run tank, and when he wants to run the A/C or microwave, he fires up the 3000 and together, they both stay very quiet while powering his A/C.

You could sell it and get a Honda 3000, or buy another 2000 and parallel them.

[Madehn]

the AC units running load is way less than the 2000 is capable of putting out even for extended times- again the question -----is there a way to use some sort of soft start capacitor or something similar to to lessen the starting loads? - i am not in the least interested in adding another generator to the boat.

[mstrebe]

Originally Posted by Madehn

the AC units running load is way less than the 2000 is capable of putting out even for extended times- again the question -----is there a way to use some sort of soft start capacitor or something similar to to lessen the starting loads? - i am not in the least interested in adding another generator to the boat.

A starting capacitor is the only inexpensive thing that can be done. They're big and their discharge is dangerous.

You're probably better off getting another EU2000 companion unit and paralleling them. Then you can decide whether or not to run them in parallel once you've got it started and you'll have redundancy in case one of the generators fails.

I "share" a pair of EU2000s with my brother-in-law--he has the companion and I have the primary. When faced with situations like these I can just borrow his for the trip and vice versa. Maybe you can convince a friend to buy one.

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by Madehn

the AC units running load is way less than the 2000 is capable of putting out even for extended times- again the question -----is there a way to use some sort of soft start capacitor or something similar to to lessen the starting loads? - i am not in the least interested in adding another generator to the boat.

I already answered that question. Soft start capacitor.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=soft+start+capacitor


I'm kinda doubtful that a 16K BTU A/C draws that little. What model is it? Does it state the current draw on the unit somewhere?

[misfits]

Your A/C unit draws around 11 amps @ 120volts, 1320 watts. So once it's running the Honda 2000 should be able to handle the load.


Not to split hairs but in HVAC business this capacitor is referred to a "hard" start kit for the condensing unit side of the a/c unit. This is a common problem trying to run a boat a/c unit off a suitcase generator so do what socaldmax has suggested & you should be good to go.

[onestepcsy37]

FWIW, we were in a mooring field a few summers ago near a 40ft beneteau. He had two honda 2000s running on his swim ladder to power his ac. Not surprisingly those hondas were so quiet we could barely hear them from inside our boat maybe 50ft away.

[S/V Alchemy]

Dometic makes a soft starter that I want to use with my 12,000 BTU Marine Air unit. Your Webasto unit might be pushing it.

[Cadence]

I must be missing something? Do the Hondas have something that makes them sync the phase of their outputs?

[Compactorguy]

Honda has designed their units to run in parallel with each other with a simple connection

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Compactorguy

Honda has designed their units to run in parallel with each other with a simple connection

Thanks! I figured I was missing something. It must have something to do with them not generating 60cycle in the conventional manner. I hope no one takes that paralleling gensets is the norm..

[duefocena]

Just curious but could the Honda 2000's be used in parralell for starting load and then run one after started to lessen fuel usage and noise?

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Cadence

I must be missing something? Do the Hondas have something that makes them sync the phase of their outputs?

Have you considered "visiting" Honda's generator website and doing some reading there?

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Have you considered "visiting" Honda's generator website and doing some reading there?

Stu, Compactorguy gave me the answer. I thanked him and my main concern is it may be considered that paralleling is normal practice, smoke stinks.

[socaldmax]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Thanks! I figured I was missing something. It must have something to do with them not generating 60cycle in the conventional manner. I hope no one takes that paralleling gensets is the norm..

For inverter gensets, it is.

I've even seen videos where people have paralleled an inverter with a genset, paralleled grid tie inverters with battery powered inverters, etc.

All of the inverters that "boost" or power share with a genny are syncing themselves to the genny.