Generator for a 21 classic

[MyronL]

Wait a minute! All the trailer appliances are grounded. That ac works fine when run off shore power. You are saying this generator ground is not the right ground for the ac?
Can't believe you're saying the fault is not that this generator is simply underpowered and unable to handle the required big ac surge.

[PGDriver]

Myron you need to make a plug with a bonded neutral then plug it into the other receptacle on the generator.

[rotorbudd]

You need to bond the neutral to ground on the generator.
You don't need to do anything to the trailer.
Just read the link in the above post. You can buy one premade, or just make one. But PLEASE be sure you tie the neutral and ground together. NOT the hot and ground!

[md cawley]

Finally got around to trying my Honda 2000 generator on my new 21C. Generator had run my AC on our old Casita.
Made sure ground plug in the generator, Inverter off and even turned battery shut-off to off. Nothing else running. Tried this in Texas, so no altitude issue.

Fan started and then AC started for a very short time. AC then shut down. Generator's overload light on.
Note sure what direction I am going to take just yet. Bigger generator, a Honda 2000 companion or the soft start mentioned in an earlier post.

[rotorbudd]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Wait a minute! All the trailer appliances are grounded. That ac works fine when run off shore power. You are saying this generator ground is not the right ground for the ac?
Can't believe you're saying the fault is not that this generator is simply underpowered and unable to handle the required big ac surge.

My brand new Honda 2200 struggled to start my AC even when running full speed. After installing a easy start box it will run the AC from idle. The genset spins up to about half speed when the AC is running, but nowhere near full speed.

[MyronL]

Well, saying I am blown away does not cut it. I dug into my trailer tool bag and pulled out a ground plug for the generator outlet. I had made one several years ago (thank you Jon V.) and totally forgot about it. Plugged into Wen and fired it up. Went into the trailer, all other appliances off.

In the immortal words of Sparky Anderson, you could have knocked me over with a feather.

Thermostat on low. The air conditioner works! To be certain this was for real, let it keep running. Now, feeling feisty, turned on the fridge. Mistake. Boom crash. Shut it all down, had to wait 15 minutes, then turned ac back on and again, ac working just fine. Let it run, then turned the thermostat up half way for colder cooling. Too much to ask. But, we now know the Wen 2350, with the extra ground plug, will turn on and run the 11,000 btu Dometic Penguin II ac.

I am beyond amazed. Thank you for the head’s up, PGDriver and RotorBudd. My Micro-Air easy start will arrive maybe tomorrow. I hate returning stuff. I will install it anyway.

[rotorbudd]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Well, saying I am blown away does not cut it. I dug into my trailer tool bag and pulled out a ground plug for the generator outlet. I had made one several years ago (thank you Jon V.) and totally forgot about it. Plugged into Wen and fired it up. Went into the trailer, all other appliances off.

In the immortal words of Sparky Anderson, you could have knocked me over with a feather.

Thermostat on low. The air conditioner works! To be certain this was for real, let it keep running. Now, feeling feisty, turned on the fridge. Mistake. Boom crash. Shut it all down, had to wait 15 minutes, then turned ac back on and again, ac working just fine. Let it run, then turned the thermostat up half way for colder cooling. Too much to ask. But, we now know the Wen 2350, with the extra ground plug, will turn on and run the 11,000 btu Dometic Penguin II ac.

I am beyond amazed. Thank you for the head’s up, PGDriver and RotorBudd. My Micro-Air easy start will arrive maybe tomorrow. I hate returning stuff. I will install it anyway.

Doesn't surprise me that your A/C and fridge won't run at the same time.
That's a pretty good load from each one. But I'd give it another try when you get the easy start installed. It might take just enough load off the A/C for the fridge to start heating. (but I doubt it )

[rotorbudd]

Originally Posted by md cawley

Finally got around to trying my Honda 2000 generator on my new 21C. Generator had run my AC on our old Casita.
Made sure ground plug in the generator, Inverter off and even turned battery shut-off to off. Nothing else running. Tried this in Texas, so no altitude issue.

Fan started and then AC started for a very short time. AC then shut down. Generator's overload light on.
Note sure what direction I am going to take just yet. Bigger generator, a Honda 2000 companion or the soft start mentioned in an earlier post.

The cheapest, and I think the best solution, would be a Micro-Air box.
I was amazed how much easier the A/C started after training the system.

[NicevilleSteve]

Did your Honda EU2000i have the 30 Amp outlet?

[NicevilleSteve]

Originally Posted by Bea

Hi 75th Ranger, This is indeed, good news since we have a Champion 2000 generator (for emergencies) and have yet to try it with the AC. I assume we have similar AC's (our model is Domeitc 640310). Could not find anything in our manual about an easy start. ETI told us our AC does NOT come with a 'soft start' so I'm thinking it may be that Dometic designed our units to internally start easier?? Hope so. If not, then we'll wait to mod our AC with a soft start unit until after our warranty expires...

Also, ETI told us if we plan to use our generator for AC, then we should turn the 'battery disconnect switch' to off so that all the power goes to the AC, and not the batteries. However, the person at our orientation told us to turn off the 'surge protector' when powering with a generator and didn't mention anything about the 'battery disconnect switch'. Just curious what switches you/others turn off when using a generator for AC?

Thanks for staring this thread, md cawley! -Bea

I have a 2018 21C and was told the Dometic A/C modle (I didn't catch the number) in mine didn't get the softstart but others did!

[Iowa Dave]

I did not buy the Honda 2200i to run the 11,000 BTU AC on Escape. But once power was restored to our home after the Derecho of 2020 ( 146 mph straight line wind for 42 solid minutes) I thought I’d try it.

Got the plug , hooked up generator to the camper, EMS immediately kicked out. So ordered the micro air and my certified electrician brother installed it. Fired everything up, EMS made, AC started and ran, all worked well. Haven’t used it much but I have it if I need it. I’m too old to fight the inconveniences, I spend the money, enjoy the solution and move on. I have had good luck with Hondas. I like their small engines, their cars and their outboard motors.

I also have an open frame generator that saved my previous home from sump pump flooding in a series of heavy rain events, too heavy and too noisy for camping, I still have it and the dependable Briggs and Stratton engine has a place in my heart.
Iowa Dave

[NicevilleSteve]

Yes, my 2000i is the one with the 30Amp outlet.

[HABBERDABBER]

Here's the hot set-up. They seem to be especially popular units.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

Here's the hot set-up. They seem to be especially popular units.

Now that, to me, is funny.
Iowa Dave