Installing a soft start would benefit you & the Honda. First, you would be able to run on eco mode 100% of the time. You would also stress your inverter a LOT less everytime your ac cycles. Just because it handles that surge doesn't mean it's good for it in the long-term. Replacing an inverter board isn't cheap. With my soft start & my eu2000i in eco mode, my ac unit works great. My ac is only a 13.5k btu, but is 12byears old & not as efficient as the newer 15k ac units. The eu2000i has about 700 hours on it so far.
Howdy, I would like to ask you how much fuel your eu2000i uses in 8 hours on eco mode? Any time frame would work. And how much fuel do you carry? Thanks
Is that an adapter to plug into 110 on the generator or does this have a 30 amp plug into the generator? ...or just the companion generator on it's own?
Clean your A/C Condenser. Put in a clean air filter if needed. Trailer does not have a inverter unless you added one. Trailer has a Converter. I’m looking at generators.
I just got the GD Imagine XLS 22BHE. I think with the same 15k AC unit. Was looking for simple video just like this. I'm searching for the smallest, quietest, actually reliable generator that will run the AC just to get by on the rare occasions in summer that I might end up camping without power on-site. This looks solid for how tiny it is. But whew! That is an expensive little thing! Is the price really worth it over other well-liked brands like Generac? Is this a lot smaller and quieter than other brands offer? I'm also floating the idea of a big LiFePO4 battery or batteries, like 400Ah worth with BMC of 200Amps and a 3000W inverter to handle it. It will be more expensive and the AC won't have more than 2-3 hours tops of run-time per day. b]But then I could go without needing a generator at all! And power all my AC needs (excluding AC) for pretty much as long as I want. Already have 165W solar panel to recharge the batteries. Just need to add a couple more panels there. So it would be like $400 in additional Solar panels, $700 for batteries, $350 for inverter and ~$100 for a shutoff, fat DC cable and miscellaneous connectors and such. So it's either totally solar/battery for ~$1550 with limited AC runtime possible or $1000 for a solid generator like this with unlimited AC, as long as I have the fuel. Anyone have experience trying to go all solar/batteries that could accommodate a 30-45 minute minute AC run once or twice a day? People say it will cost $5k+ to do, but with how cheap decent LiFePO4 batteries are now it doesn't seem that wild to me. Maybe I'm missing something. My solar charge controller and AC/DC converter are already LiFePO4 compatible. So I think all I need is the inverter, shutoff breaker, wires/connectors and the batteries. My new Grand Design even has the circuits installed already for inverter configuration. I would only need to replace the battery-inverter cable run to accommodate the 200A DC current that would be my limit.
I have the 2200i and the companion. Are you running a fridge too? I converted my Hondas to propane because it never goes bad and I don't need to worry about fuel in the carb or it going bad and clogging up the carb. Another plus for me is that I don't need to get up in the middle of the night because a 20lb propane will run the generator for 20+ hours depending on load. I can still use gasoline and do in the middle of the day when I am up and around at the beach but at night when I'm ready for bed I switch to propane, very convenient and I can sleep through the night. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching! I run the fridge on propane when we are boondocking. I’ve thought about an extended run fuel tank so there are less fill ups in the middle of the night.
I just got me a 12,000btu portable inverter ac (Midea) and just bought the Honda 2200. I was also concerned about the start up since my Honda Generator guys says that I would HAVE to use 2nd generator as the companion to make it work (linked together) but what my electrician friend says based on the amp it pulls (13.8) that I should have not problem… your example seems to confirm I’d be ok… but need to run it withOUT Eco mode. I haven’t tried it yet, and almost went down to smaller ac (8k or 10k btu) but the electrical peeps says I’ll do fine… I’m wondering if the “inverter” type ac will also make for easier start ups? Anyone can confirm that??
Just got a companion 2200i to go with my standard 2200i and got them both converted to propane. Was surprised that the companion ran my rv with AC all by itself. Do the newer campers (mines not that new 2017) have smart start devices on the ACs factory installed?
So your still running it fine with the 2200i? I have a grand Design 20BHE and I was recommended not to get the 2200i. I was even told the 3000i and 3200i would be underpowered.
They do reduce the running and start amps. I did one on my heat pump and my generator needs dropped. Plus my lights don’t dim at night in the summer when it starts. Soft starts benefit the AC too. Not sure why they don’t come with them.
I have a watchdog 30 amp surge protector on my RV that shows me the spike in watts and amps and what trips and shuts the generator using a 15amp plug is the amperage not the running watts. When you use the 2200i with a 15amp cord to run the A/C it is best to start with the fan on low, than switch to high and than start your a/c on low, this makes the amps spike to about 7 or 8 amps because of the compressor, if you start the a/c on high and the compressor kicks in it will spike between 16 to 18 amps shutting the generator. If you buy the companion Honda generator instead of the 2200i, the companion comes with a 30amp rv plug and this will take care of the amp issues. Right now I'm running the a/c and fridge at the same time and it is pulling 13.2 amps and 1567 watts temperature outside is 104º. I am plugged to shore power at home but when camping and running the a/c I use the companion only as it is built to run higher amperage loads than the 2200i, the companion has a 20amp and a 30amp rv plug only.
When boondocking - we run the fridge on propane. I can run the AC and other small accessories like the TV. Only thing that would probably trip it would be our coffee maker
@@schneiderandson yes, I would check it again. It only lasted 1 hour 18 mins on my little 8229 BTU RV AC running without ECO on low cool. so bummed. Who wants to get up every hour. The predator lasted 3 hours on low cool. Getting a gas tank extender myself.
Thanks for the video very helpful so you run the AC and all the lights and refrigerator at the same time or do you just run only AC unit in that camper? Thank you.
Thanks for this. Very helpful to "see" it working. Even the Honda website suggests it is only good for a 13,500 BTU AC.
Installing a soft start would benefit you & the Honda. First, you would be able to run on eco mode 100% of the time. You would also stress your inverter a LOT less everytime your ac cycles. Just because it handles that surge doesn't mean it's good for it in the long-term. Replacing an inverter board isn't cheap.
With my soft start & my eu2000i in eco mode, my ac unit works great. My ac is only a 13.5k btu, but is 12byears old & not as efficient as the newer 15k ac units. The eu2000i has about 700 hours on it so far.
Howdy, I would like to ask you how much fuel your eu2000i uses in 8 hours on eco mode? Any time frame would work. And how much fuel do you carry? Thanks
So I should run my eu2200i companion when I turn on my AC? I just installed a soft start
Soft Start installation lowers the wattage draw on startup and ac running wattage. Tested on the same Coleman model but 13.5BTU unit.
Is that an adapter to plug into 110 on the generator or does this have a 30 amp plug into the generator? ...or just the companion generator on it's own?
Clean your A/C Condenser. Put in a clean air filter if needed. Trailer does not have a inverter unless you added one. Trailer has a Converter. I’m looking at generators.
I just got the GD Imagine XLS 22BHE. I think with the same 15k AC unit. Was looking for simple video just like this. I'm searching for the smallest, quietest, actually reliable generator that will run the AC just to get by on the rare occasions in summer that I might end up camping without power on-site. This looks solid for how tiny it is. But whew! That is an expensive little thing! Is the price really worth it over other well-liked brands like Generac? Is this a lot smaller and quieter than other brands offer?
I'm also floating the idea of a big LiFePO4 battery or batteries, like 400Ah worth with BMC of 200Amps and a 3000W inverter to handle it. It will be more expensive and the AC won't have more than 2-3 hours tops of run-time per day. b]But then I could go without needing a generator at all! And power all my AC needs (excluding AC) for pretty much as long as I want. Already have 165W solar panel to recharge the batteries. Just need to add a couple more panels there. So it would be like $400 in additional Solar panels, $700 for batteries, $350 for inverter and ~$100 for a shutoff, fat DC cable and miscellaneous connectors and such. So it's either totally solar/battery for ~$1550 with limited AC runtime possible or $1000 for a solid generator like this with unlimited AC, as long as I have the fuel.
Anyone have experience trying to go all solar/batteries that could accommodate a 30-45 minute minute AC run once or twice a day? People say it will cost $5k+ to do, but with how cheap decent LiFePO4 batteries are now it doesn't seem that wild to me. Maybe I'm missing something. My solar charge controller and AC/DC converter are already LiFePO4 compatible. So I think all I need is the inverter, shutoff breaker, wires/connectors and the batteries. My new Grand Design even has the circuits installed already for inverter configuration. I would only need to replace the battery-inverter cable run to accommodate the 200A DC current that would be my limit.
I have the 2200i and the companion. Are you running a fridge too? I converted my Hondas to propane because it never goes bad and I don't need to worry about fuel in the carb or it going bad and clogging up the carb. Another plus for me is that I don't need to get up in the middle of the night because a 20lb propane will run the generator for 20+ hours depending on load. I can still use gasoline and do in the middle of the day when I am up and around at the beach but at night when I'm ready for bed I switch to propane, very convenient and I can sleep through the night. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching! I run the fridge on propane when we are boondocking. I’ve thought about an extended run fuel tank so there are less fill ups in the middle of the night.
The extended run fuel tank will add almost 2 days of runtime depending on load.@@schneiderandson
I just got me a 12,000btu portable inverter ac (Midea) and just bought the Honda 2200. I was also concerned about the start up since my Honda Generator guys says that I would HAVE to use 2nd generator as the companion to make it work (linked together) but what my electrician friend says based on the amp it pulls (13.8) that I should have not problem… your example seems to confirm I’d be ok… but need to run it withOUT Eco mode.
I haven’t tried it yet, and almost went down to smaller ac (8k or 10k btu) but the electrical peeps says I’ll do fine… I’m wondering if the “inverter” type ac will also make for easier start ups? Anyone can confirm that??
Hot day today for sure
the old Honda helps keep us cool
Now ok ac ✅ 13,500 is what mines got
Now will it run the outlets and lights? At the same time?
My fridge can run on gas
Just got a companion 2200i to go with my standard 2200i and got them both converted to propane. Was surprised that the companion ran my rv with AC all by itself. Do the newer campers (mines not that new 2017) have smart start devices on the ACs factory installed?
What’s the lowest temperature your trailer reaches?
how's it been? Any thoughts of wishing you had a soft start or still happy?
You need to clean that roof coil. It looked clogged up
So your still running it fine with the 2200i? I have a grand Design 20BHE and I was recommended not to get the 2200i. I was even told the 3000i and 3200i would be underpowered.
Salesman on commission : )
Great video. Wonder why everyone says you need a soft start? Thanks again!
They do reduce the running and start amps. I did one on my heat pump and my generator needs dropped. Plus my lights don’t dim at night in the summer when it starts. Soft starts benefit the AC too. Not sure why they don’t come with them.
I have a watchdog 30 amp surge protector on my RV that shows me the spike in watts and amps and what trips and shuts the generator using a 15amp plug is the amperage not the running watts. When you use the 2200i with a 15amp cord to run the A/C it is best to start with the fan on low, than switch to high and than start your a/c on low, this makes the amps spike to about 7 or 8 amps because of the compressor, if you start the a/c on high and the compressor kicks in it will spike between 16 to 18 amps shutting the generator. If you buy the companion Honda generator instead of the 2200i, the companion comes with a 30amp rv plug and this will take care of the amp issues. Right now I'm running the a/c and fridge at the same time and it is pulling 13.2 amps and 1567 watts temperature outside is 104º.
I am plugged to shore power at home but when camping and running the a/c I use the companion only as it is built to run higher amperage loads than the 2200i, the companion has a 20amp and a 30amp rv plug only.
Hoe long have you had it?
My Honda 2200 will not power my 13,500 k btu even with soft start capacitor.
What happens with ac running on high and refrigerator kicks on?
When boondocking - we run the fridge on propane. I can run the AC and other small accessories like the TV. Only thing that would probably trip it would be our coffee maker
You really should emphasize that the generator is the COMPANION model.
Add a 6 gal boat tank. You’ll get thru the night
Good idea - I need to look into this conversion. Thanks!
Grand Design frame cracks
Only runs for me at 2500’ elevation and lower.
How long will it run the AC?
It was less than 8 hours - I’ll need to check again next summer when we’re boondocking. It definitely uses the fuel up when running the AC
@@schneiderandson yes, I would check it again. It only lasted 1 hour 18 mins on my little 8229 BTU RV AC running without ECO on low cool. so bummed. Who wants to get up every hour.
The predator lasted 3 hours on low cool. Getting a gas tank extender myself.
It's too small of a generator... I have one... it may turn on your ac but you can't run anything else...
What kind of gas did you say?
Rec gas. That’s what we call it in Michigan. 100% ethanol free fuel. It is great for small engines!
Are you using a dog bone to the generator? Any issue there?
I do use an adaptor but no issues so far!
Thanks for the video very helpful so you run the AC and all the lights and refrigerator at the same time or do you just run only AC unit in that camper? Thank you.