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Old 11-30-2019, 08:59 AM   #1
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Running an air condition on generator?

Will the escape AC units run off a Honda 2000i generator if thats the only thing running? I see now Honda has a 2200 but mine is a few years old and is the 2000i runs the AC in my casita no problem, but not sure what the model escape uses draws
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Old 11-30-2019, 09:27 AM   #2
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it will, but you'd be best off installing a soft start in the a/c. could also have issues in very hot conditions, or at higher altitudes.


I'd give it a shot as is if you already own it.
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Old 11-30-2019, 09:35 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY View Post
Will the escape AC units run off a Honda 2000i generator if thats the only thing running? I see now Honda has a 2200 but mine is a few years old and is the 2000i runs the AC in my casita no problem, but not sure what the model escape uses draws
Some have run their A/C on a 2000W gen without issue. Some have had trouble. One variable is elevation. Installation of a SmartStart device is a solution that has worked for some. Our Dometic Penguin 11,000 BTU rooftop A/C ran ok by itself on a Honda EU2000i generator but our 9,000 BTU mini-split with inverter compressor runs much better due to the lower load.

Your best bet is a site search for “A/C on generator”. Many threads on the topic.
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Old 11-30-2019, 09:37 AM   #4
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Noted that our local tools people “Acme Tools” had the 2200i on sale for $1049 yesterday. I think this is the Wily Coyote model. Did not check the duration as I’m not in the market.
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Old 11-30-2019, 09:47 AM   #5
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I'm intrigued by the Costco generator sale online currently. They want $499.99 for the Firman 2900W/3200W peak, a gas powered generator. Weighs 92 lbs, but has wheels. DB ratings vary. Made in Arizona, and they also make a dual fuel model.

That price!
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Old 11-30-2019, 10:07 AM   #6
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Here is a great video on how to install the Micro-Air Easy Start. You'll need it to run you Escape a/c with a Honda EU2000i.

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Old 11-30-2019, 11:17 AM   #7
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My stock AC on a 2019 Escape 17B runs on an older EU2000 Honda. The batteries were well charged so the converter wasn't using much power.
The indicated voltage was 123 V. and current draw 10 A.
I use a plug with neutral grounded when running the generator.
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Old 11-30-2019, 12:38 PM   #8
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You may issues with the Progressive EMS if you have that option. As Bob mentioned you may need a special plug or bypass the EMS.
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Old 11-30-2019, 12:54 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by EscapeBoulder View Post
Here is a great video on how to install the Micro-Air Easy Start. You'll need it to run you Escape a/c with a Honda EU2000i.

This is simply not true. Plenty of Escape A/C are run off of the eu2000 with no modification including mine.
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Old 11-30-2019, 10:13 PM   #10
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gen??

Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
I'm intrigued by the Costco generator sale online currently. They want $499.99 for the Firman 2900W/3200W peak, a gas powered generator. Weighs 92 lbs, but has wheels. DB ratings vary. Made in Arizona, and they also make a dual fuel model.

That price!
Be sure that is a sound-shielded inverter-generator that is suitable for camping..not some loud construction-site thing.
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Old 11-30-2019, 11:09 PM   #11
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Interesting title.
I was trying to picture in my mind what type of air conditioner you were going to attach to the top of a generator.
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Old 12-01-2019, 08:06 AM   #12
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We own the Costco Firman generator, it is NOT a cheap open frame contractor's generator, it has sound shielding, it's dB rating is about the same as the Honda 3000 quiet model. Our Firman 2900/3200 runs our A.C. just great at 5000 feet elevation and 100°F. The Firman has 3 different jets for various altitudes. Ours came with the sea level jet, we called Firman and asked for the higher elevation jets. Both arrived within a week, free! One is for 5000 ft and the other for 9000 ft, should take care of our needs.
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Old 12-01-2019, 09:03 AM   #13
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We own the Costco Firman generator, it is NOT a cheap open frame contractor's generator, it has sound shielding, it's dB rating is about the same as the Honda 3000 quiet model. Our Firman 2900/3200 runs our A.C. just great at 5000 feet elevation and 100°F. The Firman has 3 different jets for various altitudes. Ours came with the sea level jet, we called Firman and asked for the higher elevation jets. Both arrived within a week, free! One is for 5000 ft and the other for 9000 ft, should take care of our needs.
Here is a link to the generator so others can see it. Glad to hear there are decent alternatives now to the Honda’s and Yamaha’s. I have found that Costco rarely disappoints in the products they offer.

https://www.costco.com/firman-2900w-...100367440.html
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Old 12-01-2019, 10:01 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
...and they also make a dual fuel model.
Link to dual fuel model: (note power derating on propane)
https://www.costco.com/Firman-2900W-...100481637.html
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Old 12-01-2019, 11:32 AM   #15
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And of course a big thing, I think, is there is no need to spend bucks and installing that soft start electronics. Firman's support seems to be um. Firm.
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Old 12-01-2019, 11:37 AM   #16
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But you will need to join a gym to keep fit, otherwise the 95 pound weight becomes cumbersome.....and that is without fuel.
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Old 12-01-2019, 11:47 AM   #17
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My long range plan has long been to buy a trail bike with a motor, if only I could find one that fits me. When the price is right the question for Quartzsite--etc etc-- will be either .... bike or generator .... which toy is the practical one?
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Old 12-02-2019, 10:46 AM   #18
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This is simply not true. Plenty of Escape A/C are run off of the eu2000 with no modification including mine.
That’s true BUT I am on another brand of trailer forum with the same A/C brand and the general agreed consensus (pages and pages on the topic) of those who know far more than I claim that by using the Honda 2000 without a soft start type of product installed on the A/C you are shortening the life of the A/C every time you do it. You may also be voiding your warranty.

They claim the initial start up without providing the full amps It is designed to start up with puts a big stress on the A/C. Once it’s up and running it’s ok, but the start up is what puts the added stress on the A/C and shortens its life.

As said not an A/C or electrical expert so not something I am going to challenge. The A/C is a fairly expensive piece of equipment to replace so it seems to me paying a couple of hundred for a soft start product is probably a good investment if you want to use a small generator.

Due to the above it is common for distributors of a soft start type products, such as Micro Air to offer installation at a discounted rate at larger rallies.
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Old 12-02-2019, 10:52 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
But you will need to join a gym to keep fit, otherwise the 95 pound weight becomes cumbersome.....and that is without fuel.
Of course Firman makes a 2100W peak generator too, at almost half the weight to compete with the Honda EU2000/2200i. This is an option for those of us that know we can run the A/C with a single generator. For those that want more power and don't want a heavier generator you can always buy two and parallel them. Not suggesting that but I know guys that do it that way. These are also the guys with bigger trailers, bigger trucks and they run the generators at NASCAR races where 100's of other generators are already running. The trailers are so close that the risk of CO poisoning is real.

https://www.firmanpowerequipment.com...verter-w01781/
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Old 12-02-2019, 11:10 AM   #20
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That thought crossed my mind when overnighting at a rest stop with the trucks idling on both sides to keep the refer units going. But someone notated that diesels do not emit the dangerous fumes that kill, as you pointed out at large RV gatherings and generator use.
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