RV Life: We Overloaded Our NEW Honda Generator (Testing our AC)
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- Ever wonder if a portable generator can really power an RV AC, especially when the temperature spikes? In this video, we're putting the new Honda 3200 Generator to the ultimate test. Will it handle the load, or will it struggle under pressure? You’ll see firsthand whether this generator is up to the task or if we’re asking too much from it.
If you've been thinking about upgrading your RV’s power setup or are just curious about how much you can push a portable generator, this is the video you need to watch. Is the Honda 3200 really as powerful as they say? How does it handle an RV air conditioner in real-world conditions? And more importantly, is it worth the investment for your rig?
Dive in with us as we break down the pros and cons, the performance results, and whether or not this generator deserves a place in your RV setup. Have you tested a generator with your RV AC before?
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🚨 Our RV generator overloaded during this test... way to go Hanks 😄Do you feel like we hurt our baby generator at all? We wanna keep the little guy going for a long time! Thank you all for your amazing support. We are EXCITED to kick off this series with you!!
No it won’t hurt the Gen set. If it gets overloaded the Gen set will pop the breaker on the Gen set and stop producing power.
Pitts from Pittsburgh here. Come visit us at Spacious Skies Minuteman near Boston. We will get you a site. I'm in the office here until last of October.
You are good. If it overloads, the c/b will pop and keep you from any damage.
I haven’t finished watching the video yet, but I think the workaround is having your neutral and your grounds tied together you can do that with a wire and a male plug. You can make one.😊
I haven’t finished watching the video yet, but I think the workaround is having your neutral and your grounds tied together you can do that with a wire and a male plug. You can make one.😊
Former electrician, generator tech, and switchgear tech here. You didn't overload your generator, you experience a motor- starting surge, which is 7-11 times steady-state running power. No worries.
Overloading the generator alone will not typically hurt the generator, and at most it will trip the breaker on the generator.
Yes, soft start is a fabulous idea, and has no real downside. (Not expensive, easy to install, and fairly idiot-proof - I don't know why these are standard equipment now, I really don't.) With soft-start installed on both A/C units, you might be able to run both, but not to start both, at the same time!
The yellow adapter is a bonding adapter which connects your ground connection with your neutral (white wire).
Here are things that can and will hurt your generator: connecting your generator to the grid (lets all the magic smoke out of the generator, and it won't make electricity), flooding (like water, not fuel, so keep it on a set of your levelling blocks, just in case), lack of lubrication, not maintaining the filters, and not running the generator at least once a month - under considerable load (A/C works well) for a half hour or so. It's also a good idea to start up the generator for about five minutes before loading it, and unloading it about five minutes before shutting the generator down.
With summer temperatures soaring, the grid will not be able to reliably cool people, and certainly not at RV parks. Keeping an inverter generator is a matter of life and death. This week, London is reporting 107F temperatures and much of Texas is getting 120F, which is in fact going to kill a lot of people.
I have a built-in Onan generator in our motorhome, and I'm putting one of these in the pickup truck we intend to buy this winter. - just in case. We will install a dual fuel system so that we can run it on gasoline or on propane.
Homework assignment: buy a Kill-O-Watt meter, and build a list of the load of all your appliances. It's a great resource!
I believe the Furrion units come from the factory with soft starts. So they are beginning to come from the factory with them.
Why do you need the bonding adapter? Ima about to start using a genlrator for my camper so I'd like to know before mess something up
@@jeremypiazza3093 not all generators have a 30A RV plug on the front. The bonding adapter "adapts" the 30A socket on the generator to a standard RV 30A plug
@@thisoldrelic About time.
@@jeremypiazza3093
Not using a bonding adapter will not mess anything up, it mostly just reduces frustration, and I don't know about you, but I don't go camping for added frustration!
I'm going to answer this with a useful analogy so that I don't have to introduce you to James Clerk Maxwell and quantum mechanics. This is not accurate, but simpler, and it's harmless. Plenty of electricians use this analogy all their career.
The neutral lead serves to combine waves of AC to create a mathematical "zero" voltage. A ground actually IS "zero" volts. The very small resistance in the white wire of a very long conductor (like your shore power cable) creates a small voltage difference between neutral and ground, which can trip a GCFI breaker or outlet - over and over, and over. The power panel in a sticks and bricks power panel bonds the two at the panel - so you know that this practice (bonding the neutral to ground) is harmless.
Hope this helps.
You can not go wrong by adding a AC soft start. It is much easier on the AC starting up. Generator, 30a, 50a, it will be easier on the AC. Many RUclips videos on the subject. Take care.
Plus 1 on the soft start. but get a good one. There are several methods to design a "softstart" , I am not going to recommend one over others but basically you want a NON relay type...one that uses solid-state throughout.
Just go, use it . and see what you can do. then modify as you learn.
Exactly. I added one to just the bedroom AC and I can run it off my EU2200i. I made sure I bought the soft start designed specifically for my Coleman.
You need a bonding plug for the generator to get it to work with your surge protector. The tire wear is not caused by rubbing. You changed the tire with and offset from stock. This changed the scrub radius among other things. You need to have an alignment shop add some negative camber to get more weight on the inside of the tires. Also looks like the pressure is too low.😮
Don't worry about it. I've been running a EU3000 Honda for 10 years. The Inverters knows how to say no. It has a breaker to protect it. The bigger issue is can your appliances take a surge. The inverter is bulletproof for sure. Mine has 1000s of hours. Keep it maintained and your Honda Inverter will not let you down. Yes I have thrown my breaker often. AC, microwave, coffee maker. Oops. There is a limit and the inverter will let you know. Happy Travels
@user-cw9yk4jq9i I always wondered why the EU3000is's operating wattage is 2800 watts and the EU3200 is 2600. The Eu3000is has a large engine and maybe that is why.
Definitely get a soft starter. You can run your A/C with a 2200 watt generator if you have that installed.
One A/C, anyway. I think they have two. But yes, soft start is definitely the way to go
Wow that's incredible! We definitely need to look into the soft starts!
@@HappilyEverHanks I have a 3500 Predator and it doesn’t struggle with my A/C with soft start.
@@HappilyEverHanks I have a Honda 2200 generator and never have any problem running my 13.5k A/C with it (or running it off a 15 amp household connection at home) with the soft start. Just don't try to run the microwave at the same time.
You shouldn't have to worry about hurting the generator, regardless. Those Hondas are designed to shut off if there's a problem.
Yeah, not so much. If those are 15k units, a 2200 will NOT work even with a Softstart. I have one installed still won't run a 15k unit. Sold my Honda. I bought a Gernac 3500 with duel fuel and this works great. Also has remote start and shutoff. SoftStart is good even if you don't run a generator.
Agree with others about the soft start for the AC. And if you want to avoid having to bypass your surge protector, look into buying a neutral-ground bonding plug.
I have no idea what yr talking about
@@007nadineLRUclips "rv soft start" or "grounding/neutral bonding plug" depending on which one you don't understand
Your generator has a floating neutral. To make your EMS work with generator you need a bonding plug. I have made bonding plugs before just using a male plug and an insulated wire.
To make:
Buy a replacement male plug from hardware store. Like one used to repair an extension cord (120volt).
Then connect the neutral prong to the grounding prong with an insulated jumper wire. You have made a bonding plug.
Then plug bonding plug in one of your spare 120volt outlets on generator like you are plugging in an appliance cord.
Congratulations you’re done!
We run a 13.5K BTU on 2200 watt
Inverter generator and installed SoftStart. Works great with a little overhead.
John & Mary
I have the same... Do you ever try to run it on eco mode...? 🤔 I have heard that you can with a 13500 ac... 👀
What John & Mary said. Honda 2200W inverter generator works fine to power ONE major appliance at a time. Air conditioner (with soft start) OR microwave OR toaster oven.
My refrigerator draws about 350 watts on electric. It can be temporarily switched to propane if the total current draw gets too close to the rated continuous load (1800W) from the generator.
I had been using a Honda 3000W gen, but it weighs too much to load/unload by myself from the truck. (My wife isn't a camper.) Had to just roll it onto the tailgate. The new 2200W gen also takes a lot less space in the truck bed.
RV tech here, bonded ground plug and soft start on the a/c's.
A neutral-ground bonding plug will solve your EMS bypass issue. Also, Jenny has a breaker, so don’t worry about overloading her. If you can start the AC without tripping the breaker, you can probably run it on high.
As an RV Tech, you will need two things to run one A/C on a generator. You need an Easy Start or Soft Start. Both will do the same thing. They gradually apply current to the compressor so that you do not get the high in-rush of current that you saw during your test. The second thing is a plug that creates a ground to neutral bond so that your surge protector will continue to protect your RV and you won't need to put the surge protector into bypass.
I have never seen so much talking and game planning for something like this lol. Usually we just do stuff and then when it goes wrong then the talking begins. This is awesome to watch.
Unless you are doing circles in the Walmart parking lot at full clock rubbing for hours, rubbing won't cause the wear. You'll see chunks missing before you notice wear. General rule is inner and outer shoulder wear together is caused by low tire pressure. Excess tire pressure will cause center tire wear. 1 shoulder (inner or outer) is caused by camber alignment. Cupping is caused by worn shocks. Places like Discount/ americas tire policy is oem pressure or door decal. The only way to know if you have the correct tire pressure is to monitor your tire wear pattern.
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing this. I didn't think about the worn shocks or camber alignment. Appreciate your feedback!
If you guys decide to come over to NH we have a Boondockers Welcome site with electric and water on our farmstead. We would love to have you over sometime!
I love that you say voltage or amperage while looking at the watts. (volts x amps = watts) Yes soft start will help with that surge when the AC kicks on. You can probably charge the battery and run the AC at the same time. Your generator seems pretty smart and has built in protection/sensors so I wouldn't be too shy about seeing what she can do.
I installed a Micro Air soft start on the AC in our travel trailer. My EU2200i starts and runs it just fine. And don’t worry if you damaged your generator. You didn’t. These modern generators are very good at protecting themselves.
"VA", like what is on the dial on the app, is Volt Amps. It is a combination of Watts "W" and Volt Amp Reactance "VAR". Volts and amps are part of the equation but in the end power usage is measured in either Watts or Volt Amps, typically Watts.
Thanks for the clarification! That definitely helps explain it better. Appreciate you taking the time to break that down!
@@HappilyEverHanks no problem
The AC turns on in two phases.
1- the fans turn on.
2- the compressor turns on. This is the large draw which caused you alert. A softstart will reduce this instantaeous current draw.
So what we initially saw was the fans turning on regarding the generator numbers on the phone? That's really good to know. We will look into the soft starts for sure! Thank you!
exactly this, it’s the compressor kick up that causes the surge. soft start will help. also make sure you run the generator a little while to charge the batteries before firing up the ac and lastly consider using the dry mode
@@HappilyEverHanks Also recommend you turn eco throttle off for the initial ac surge.
@@HappilyEverHanks No Offense here but with a 3200 Gen. you are pretty close to what would be a safe with 1400+ KW you only have 1160 KW left before any issues could come about
@@its-andrew-yI agree - if the batts are low on charge the converter can really draw current. If the batts are charged full, they draw very little. Best to charge the batts in the morning, turn the converter off, then run the AC.
Another advantage of MicroAir EasyStarts, same come as your remote thermostats, is you can also run both AC units in a 30amp old school campsite. We use to run into them in old TT and other older campgrounds and gives you more flexibility. I can run either AC on our 2930RL using a 2600W Ryobi generator which is 10 lbs lighter and has similar Bluetooth features. I have the Hughes Power Watchdog which shows me the amperage being pulled while in a 30amp campsite so I can manage my connection, like turn the AC to fan only while I run the microwave, etc. We are not full timers, but hit the road once or twice a year for 6-8 weeks at a time and have crossed this great country several times from northern NV several times. We try not to travel in extreme heat so I have started to travel only with a twist to 30amp cable which is much lighter and easier to coil up on travel days than that heavy 50amp cord from GD.
Not to sound too negative about your tire / wheel situation, but the problem you are having is exactly why I don't like lifting the suspension and going with oversized tires any more, especially when it's a tow rig.
No worries about sounding negative, we totally get it! Having a lifted truck is a fun toy, but isn't always practical like you said. Definitely some cons to consider when having a lifted truck 🙂 We appreciate your support in watching!
Agree with this post. These trucks are designed and engineered for towing and payload. When you lift it and add aftermarket wheels you’re asking for all sorts of problems. It can also throw off the suspension geometry changing angles and placing loads in positions the truck was designed to handle.
We learned that leaving our generators in ecomode caused the starlink to reboot each time we used the coffee pot or the microwave. Forget ecomode, let 'er rip so that the Starlink router does not get damaged. Love you guys, keep the videos coming!
Consider visiting Boldt Castle on an Island in the Saint Lawernce Seaway. Close to Watertown NY. Take the tour, it's out-a sight !!!
We did two years ago and enjoyed it greatly.
The Soft start will take care the starting of the compressor also will prevent your TV going off ...
We need to get some soft starts for sure! Thank you for your wonderful support in watching 🙂
I tested generators for 35 years, believe me you are the first people to overload one!!! Is it a GOOD idea, probably not did it hurt it more than likely not! A soft start is a great idea! Happy Trails! ❤❤
Gens have a breaker for over current. You'll trip the breaker but will not harm it. You'll harm the ac more byshutting off power without turning it off 1st. Follow the break in procedure, they are usually detuned but running at max rpm technically is higher wear and heat which also should increase oil change intervals
Great information! Thank you so much!
First time posting, been watching your videos for a couple years. Yes, soft start, add a grounding plug to your generator and you wont have to bypass the surge protector, check out the national and state forest campgrounds, they are way cheaper. And look into getting a berkey water purifier. You will never have to buy water bottles again. Great videos! We love maine! Planning on retiring there! Have a blast.
AC units normally run the fans immediately but, wait to start the compressor to allow time for the coolant to run down to the low spot. Compressors need to work on the gas form of the coolant. If the liquid form gets in the compressor it will damage it.
Thanks for the tip! It's great to know that waiting for the coolant to settle before the compressor starts can prevent damage. Definitely something we’ll keep in mind!
Don't use Eco mode when the AC can start. You don't have to worry about unplugging anything before connecting generator. Just make sure AC is off. Let generator run a few minutes before connecting and let it run a minute after before starting AC. After AC is running, you can put it in Eco mode as long as you know the AC won't shut off and start again in that time...but it's much less stress to just not worry about eco mode. Also make sure to turn off AC and disconnect load from generator before turning generator off (letting it run a minute with no load before turning off as well).
Also, you should probably install soft starts for both your AC and generator's sake. We killed our first AC, probably from running off a normal 15A outlet occasionally? I don't think the generator really cares but you do have a more fancy generator. The soft start or easy start are magical devices though.
This is really great information, Patrick! Thank you for sharing with us 😀 The Eco mode is such a great feature. I love how quiet it is. Do you have a Honda generator as well?
@@HappilyEverHanks Firman Dual Fuel Inverter Portable Generator 4000W Electric Start - which was $600 at Costco last I checked.
I would suggest shutting off the main breaker in the rv before connecting to a running generator. Just like you plug your trailer into shore power and have the breaker off when connecting to shore power
I have run a Honda 3000eu since 2017. our unit has one AC unit with Soft Start installed. It is amazing how much difference that thing makes on starting the AC. The generator barley knows the AC starts.
That's incredible! We can't wait to get some and do some trial runs with them. It makes you wonder why RV's just don't come with them from the start 🤔
Look into an Easy Start. They will reduce the amount of power to start the compressor
Hey Joseph! Will do 🙂 Thank you for the suggestion
Get a micro air soft start. Put on each of our 2 A/C's on our airstream, going to see if it will run both this weekend.....Same Eu3200i
Thank you, Kevin! We certainly will look into getting some soft starts. Keep us posted on how it handles both of them 😃
I turn my generator on at RV parks once a week just to exercise it I let it run for about 45 minutes
That's a good idea! We need to run ours more often. We have been doing the treatment additive for the gas which helps
Once a week is a little excessive. 45 mins per is excessive too. We run ours once every 3 months for 10-15 mins. We do use a fuel stabilizer.
Just get a propane generator... No concerns about carbs
This is good information about the new 3200 Honda. We love our EU3000is Honda - it has been perfect for powering our 5th wheel for almost 20 years now. About 95% of our camping is dry camping, usually lakefront sites without power. Our Honda EU300is will power the air conditioner in our camper, as long as we've already had the generator connected and running for a few minutes before turning on the A/C. That way the refrigerator compressor and air conditioning aren't drawing high power all at the same instance.
On a side note - I doubt that outside tire wear is from rubbing. It looks more like typical all-terrain tire wear from either mis-alignment or just lots of highway miles. They do look cool - but I'd recommend that you consider tire that wears well for towing/highway use as much as you do.
Even though the refrigerator is switched to gas, it will still require 12 volts to run the electrical circuitry in the refrigerator. Get a soft start. Love the videos, keep em coming!!
Add a soft start to your AC! You can run it on house current of on a generator your size.
We certainly will 🙂 Thanks!
That offset is not causing the tire wear issue. You have an alignment issue. You need a front end alignment. The tread pattern on those tires don’t help with tire wear either. Those tires are “scalloping”. A more aggressive tire pattern will have a tendency to do that more than a less aggressive highway tire would. I don’t see you traveling in snow and ice, I would think you would be much better off with more of a highway tire. Better longevity, and less likely to wear bad or unevenly. Just my 2C. Love the channel. PS: The offset may cause some contact, but it isn’t causing the wear. If they did an alignment on the truck when you bought the tires, they didn’t do a very good job.
Scalloping isn’t caused by alignment. Scalloping is caused by running the wrong tire pressure. There is no scalloping of that tire. The inside blocks are still intact. Seeing the wear pattern being only on the outside of the tire, and with out seeing the other side, it COULD be a camber issue. But with oversize tires and such a deep backspace, the likely answer is clearance over camber. I’d have to see the other tire and the positions at full lock.
As an addendum to this information, which is correct, you may also be having a strut issue with the truck. I don't know when you last replaced them, but if the strut is worn out, it will allow the tire to "bounce" and not keep constant contact with tread, thus causing scalloping of the All Terrain tire
@@Skwatt7171 . They would have a shock. But really bad shock could add to the problem, but I bet they would know if they had a bad shock. Just because of all the traveling they do. I hate to say it, but a lot of these discount tire places don’t have experienced alignment techs. And a lot of the time, that is the problem, unfortunately. Go to a reputable “alignment “ shop and have them look at it. The problem is, if they have started scalloping, I doubt a good alignment shop will align it without tire replacement because once they start that scalloping tire wear, even with an alignment it will continue to wear that same way because it has started doing it. I own a collision repair shop, and I own trucks, and I’ve seen this many times with friends that go to the bargain basement alignment shop being done by the tech that has been there for three month. Sorry, hopefully I haven’t offended anyone.
@@cwhite0708 . A truck with its toe adjustment set in to much will cause the outside of a tire this aggressive to cup or scallop. Ask an alignment tech or shop. That is my experience and what I’m told by the guy that does all my shop alignments. Just what I have experienced and been told by a guy that’s done alignments for fifty years. 🤷♂️
@@garyjones5093 his tire is not scalloped though…. Scalloping is caused by suspension components being worn or failing, not alignment. A toe in wear pattern would be across the whole tire, not limited to the outside blocks. A camber issue would cause the outer tire wear though. And I know what shop guys and techs tell people, it’s always the same story no matter where you go or how long they’ve doing it… I do my own alignment after every lift I put on or have helped put on by hand with no computer. That’s not a toe in wear pattern
We have the same a/c. You may want to try it on high cool, and it may take fewer watts. A soft start is a good deal.
Had the same issue with my tires. I put a 2.5” leveling kit on my truck, and it fixed the issue. Just know if you go with the 2.5” leveling kit, you will most likely need to change the front shocks as well. Hope that helps🤘
For me, I dont want to carry gasoline if I dont have to. With mine, I can run mine forever on propane because I use the coaches propane system. Never need to refuel a hot generator. Just fill 30lb bottles when needed.
I'm super happy with my fireman dual fuel...
The best thing about using the propane is no need to winterize it
For your tire issue, they make wheel spacers that bolt on behind the wheel. This will make your overall foot print a little wider but it should help with the rub issue
@@fritzramsey9440 they do make those… but for the love of god do NOT get spacers. Even the best spacers add yet another fail point in the drive train, not to mention adding in-needed wear on the axle shafts. Even on vehicles that aren’t constantly towing, I would never suggest spacers for anyone unless there is absolutely no other option.
Install soft start on both A/C units. Yiu can only run one at a time but that allows living area colling durring the day and bedroom/bathroom at night.
We did Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire last September with no plans and it worked out great. Harvest Host was also great. We camped at brewerys and maple syrup businesses. 😋 they were our last 3 states to hit all 50 states. We had no plans at all and it worked out. We were there just before the leaves changing so missed that but also missed the massive crowds.
I would put soft starts on both of you ac units. The start ups are much quieter and easier to sleep through when running at night. You won’t have any issues with your generator with soft starts installed.
We run an EU 3000 Honda. With throttle mode off it will power our fridge (residential 110 V) and both AC's. It has never let us down.
Yes. Get a soft start. Install it. Then redo your test and see how much better it is and less heavy surge to generator
Soft Start will be a big help. We installed 2 on our Montana with dual 15s. No which we run. Safe travels in the Northeast.
The tire wearing on the outside is more likely an alignment or suspension issue and not from the rubbing in the wheel well. I have a leveled Ram 2500 and have oversized tires and wheels for the last 10 years. Pretty much always had rubbing issues but never uneven wear. When you replace our tires soon, get 8t aligned afterwards and i would bet you won't have aymowear issues for a while. Just a thought.
Excellent information and something I had never considered. Thank you very much for this! - Kyle
It will not hurt your gen. It has 2 rates on it. One is the startup rate, and the other is rsm (running) rate. The generator will shut down if it exceeds the startup rate. The warning message is for if you are using a continuous higher current than the rsm load. Generally it is to let you know you cant run the toaster and the microwave at the same time I.E. I would not worry about damaging your gen if your only using a.c. having your a.c.om high dose not draw much more current the compresser works the same it just changes the fan speed 👍
Look into Micro Air Easy Start. Much better than just a Soft Start capacitor. I have one on my camper a/c and my house a/c as well. Both units start and run much easier and quieter than without. There is also blue tooth to a phone app to see what it's drawing at startup and running.
LOL. You guys overthought this one. I do recommend the Micro-Air SoftStart. I run my AC easily on a 2400-watt generator with a SoftStart. It was fun watching you guys work through this one, but a huge bummer about the tires and rims. Thanks for sharing. You never know who, or how many people might benefit from things we share.
You do need a soft start. They are great. We initially hooked up to just 120 house and when we got softstart that helped alot
Open neutral on the generator. You can buy a plug for one of the “household” outlets to resolve that regarding you In-line surge protector.
I run my 15K A/C Heat Pump on a Honda 2200 both on Gas and Propane no problem. I do have Micro-Air on both my A/C units which also allows me to run both units on 30Amp service with no issues.
Initial start up was just the circulation fan when the numbers went up the ac compressor kicked in...
Good catch! Thanks for pointing that out and for watching our video! We appreciate you
SURPRISE!!!, The generator that everyone else in the RV community recommended and uses worked!!
Good test and you already have a lot of comments. You did not hurt the generator, it has more then enough safeties protecting it. You definitely need soft start on the AC units. I did not buy the MicroAir version, for less then the cost of 1 of theirs I bought 2 of another brand.
Having soft starts on your AC units will help keep the Jenny! running when they turn on
Everything and everyone I see use the generators recommend the A/C soft start.
Your front tires are wearing like that because your always towing. Those independent front ends wear on the outside like on all of them when towing heavy that .my 2019 gmc 2500hd did the same thing when I towed my fithwheel too.
I’d recommend a Victron Multiplus inverter charger power booster. It will manage the power using only about 8 amps (1000 watts) from your generator. Don’t get a soft start when using an inverter. The inverter is better than soft start. The Multiplus will boost the generator output up to 6,000VA then use the excess power to recharge the batteries. This also allows you to run short duration A/C devices just from batteries
Source for “ no soft start with inverters” RUclips Victron titled Inverter Overlaod. Soft starts actually pulse modulate the power. This makes the startup longer duration which can overheat the inverter. The inverter can handle the higher amps without the soft start.
Video showing a Multiplus. I run anything with a Honda EU2000i on eco mode. Quiet and fuel efficient. ruclips.net/user/shortsMBAVI2AABDs?si=S02yDGcOUpjHu70G
Absolutely get a soft start. You’ll be able to run the A/c and lights and maybe a couple other things.. you’ll be amazed.
I have this generator. Runs my rv ac, microwave, fridge, and plugs at the same time. Can’t run the air fryer or dryer but not a problem. Use my jackery solar generator for those items.
I have an off grid home and a back up Honda EU3000 generator when I have issues with my solar. I always run mine on the full speed ahead mode and when I turn on the washing machine it bogs down for a few seconds and then handles the load. I run my AC micro wave just everything in my house when using the generator and as long as I stay under the 3000 watt load it handles it fine. I only had one problem with it as I was down at my house in AZ during summer and we hit 127 degrees and I had to use the Honda to run the AC for a week and it would over heat. I bought one of those water misting things and had it mist water on the generator for that week and it keep it cool and ran 10 days straight with out issues. I run mine off of propane and have it hooked to a 100 gal tank so once I start it, it will run non stop for a month if I so wanted. Don't worry about the readings if the Honda over loads it will kick out the breaker and save its self. Have over loaded it and abused it for four years and it never has failed to start and run.
EvaPOration cools the air by 20 degrees, I read. Im a huge fan of misters also. Just found an evaporating fan on amazing. Hicozy. I now have 3. Totally helps the ac in our Central Valley heat
I’m planning on using my own tugboat as a camper and a boat when I do traveling like this at some point just once in awhile
No comment on the soft start, just about Carl's sweet hat lol. That's a good looking lid in my Detroit Tigers colors.
A significant change from factory wheel offset can damage the bearings because it shifts how the load is applied to the bearings. We had a fifth wheel that was recalled because the factory installed wheels had an offset outside of Dexter's specs.
We have 2 Yamaha EU 2200 inverters and have the parallel adapter to plug them in together. It works great for this type of application. I like the 2-inverter idea, just in case I have a problem with one of them I still have a backup inverter to charge my batteries etc. One inverter will still run my AC with soft start just not everything else in my RV all at once like I can with both generators running together, but it still gets you by.
ALWAYS stick with factory wheels & tires, NEVER deviate. Been down that road before.
We have a EU3000 Honda thats 17 years old that runs our AC on high just fine. Ours of course didn’t include a phone app. You are not hurting the generator. We talk about a soft start but haven’t bought one.
Love your videos!
Honda's one of the best generators out there.I run my air conditioner with a two thousand watt honda
You guys need a Victron Energy Multiplus II. We have one for our Grand Design 31MB. It has a wonderful assist option and ties batteries and what ever amperage limit you set. It’s so awesome to be able to use a 15/20 amp outlet at someones home.
Oh and be sure to see Mt Washington.
Happy with my soft start, and believe it is a necessity when using generator service, I don't get the surge alert, Im running the 2200i and it works fine with 30 AMP service on single Coleman Mach AC. I was a DIY install.
That's so great to hear! Love that you are able to run off the 2200i. The soft starts sound like an incredible way to go to help alleviate that initial start up of the AC
The Honda generators are designed to operate at maximum load of 3200 watts for thirty minutes and after that it will trip the breaker. Operating over 3200 watts will cause the sine wave to distort and the inverter to overheat which can damage your electronics and your inverter.
You are correct to start appliances on low. With an AC unit start on low fan and then start the compressor and then increase slowly.
Suggestion is to read your manual thoroughly. Change your oil often when the generator is new and do not use synthetic oil until the first one hundred hours of use. This will allow the rings to seat properly. And for heavens sake use marine grade non-ethanol petrol. Even though this unit is fuel injected ethanol petrol is garbage.
Good video, I own two Honda EU2200i's and operate them in parallel. What I find amusing is that the Honda commercials depict these as light units. They are fairly light but cumbersome to carry so I use a piano dolly. You can easily hurt your back lugging these things around.
Hi 😁 Love watching you guys every week and we have learned so much since we started camping this summer. I can't stress enough, if you haven't already visited the Fingerlakes Area of NY, you must take a few days in our beautiful area ! There are so many waterfalls and beautiful areas to camp. I work as the Tourism Ambassador at the Fingerlakes Welcome Center in Geneva NY. Sampson State Park is practically in my backyard. It is a fantastic camping spot and also an old military base. Please come our way and see this beautiful area 😁
I noticed that you had the AC set for low manual and 78 degrees. The low manual is probably for the fan speed. It can be set to auto, high, low. It doesn't draw the most current. The compressor does. You might want to set the temperature down to 72 to make sure the compressor is fully loaded and recheck the current draw.
You are fine. I run ac with Yamaha 2400w. Standard Ac is 16,500 but which is just under 2400w. With your 3200 you can easily run ac with battery chargers. That is probably the best and most intelligent genset you can get. Cant beat Honda 3200 suitcase. Like their 2000w it's bulletproof
add a soft start to your ac is the way to go
A few boondocking spots in Maine are the Kittery Trading Post as you enter Maine, LL Bean in Freeport, Walmart outside Acadia is super RV friendly, and Moosehead Lake (a bit more north ) has several free campgrounds on the water.
So much to do up there and all the way up through New England
By all means install a soft start…I also have the same energy management system and a $5.00 cord cap with a copper ridge between the ground and the natural leg plugged into the generator will allow the power to flow through the EMS to your power center. We have a 3500 max generator and run the 15.5K A/C unit and most everything else, being careful to turn off the a/c when using other high wattage appliances. Now with a solar array and 3K inverter, we can run the a/c on the generator and use every thing else as well combining the two systems…really good boondocking experience.
Love your approach to all of your experiments and the resolve to press on through circumstances you don’t have much knowledge of. Keep it up you guys, love the adventure!
Only get the a/c soft start that goes inside your a/c. Not the built in surge protector one that plugs into the pedestal.
Great video. Definitely would go with the soft start on the A/C to help everything run better on generator power. The tire issue is definitely something to address ASAP. It is significantly decreasing your tread life and definitely could lead to tire failure. Don’t let anyone talk you into wheel spacers to fix the issue. Way too many safety concerns especially towing a large trailer.
The tire wear isn’t from rubbing the fender. It’s an alignment issue.
Also the rubbing can be minimized or eliminated with some minor cutting/trimming. It’s really not a big deal.
It won't hurt your generator unless you repetively overload. Add the soft start to your AC and you could theoretically run two 15k BTU AC units on 3500 watts. There is enough running watts just not starting watts for the compressor. Also, get a second unit and parallel them. That will give you more power.
I have the same surge protector. All generators keep an open ground. Surge protectors don't like that. You need a bonding plug. you can but one or just make one. That should solve you having to shut off your surge protector problem
Hey there! If you’re going to Connecticut, we highly recommend Grandview Camping and Cabins in Moodus, CT. Great place when we were there in 2022!
Moosehillock Campground in Warren NH, and at Lake George NY. Great big sites, real fire pits. Awesome owners. Not cheap. Tell them I said hello 😎
A/C soft starter is the best thing ever. Fixed our issues perfect
Put soft starts on your AC’s and you’ll be set. It will reduce the spikes on start up.
Absolutely get a soft start. We can easily run our 15K BTU AC with our 2200 Honda and MicroAir EasyStart (even on propane at lower altitudes). If we need to use more appliances and can give up a little cool, we just use our 13.5K AC instead. Your generator will just shut off if you overload it. We have all done it at least once. 🤪 Lots of good advice in the comments about how to use your EMS with your generator.
We have a boat with 8KW generator. It uses 1 gallon an hour. We have a 2,500 watt inverted with 10 golf cart batteries to power it. The charger draws 10AMPs so I got a 2000 watt inverter generator that burns 1 gallon every 8 hours to charge the batteries. Some times it trips due to a refigerator going on. After 5 years the generator works fine. I would not worry.
That’s good to know-sounds like your setup works really well! Thanks for sharing your experience and for supporting our channel. We really appreciate it, David!
With my Honda 3000 I have to keep my Honda out of eco mode when operation the AC so that it doesn't have to ramp up when the ac kicks on. So keep it out of eco and see if that helps you, it did me!!
We have that Honda gen and have another that piggy backs with it so we can run our AC . Works great! But you need to buy the partner gen.
Absolutely you need soft starts for your air conditioners. They make a huge difference even when running on shore power.
My Honda 2200i will start my 13.5 A/c even without the soft start, but I did put one in anyway. Great service network, known and available parts, and easy to maintain. Love the Honda's!
Great demonstration on the genny. Looking forward to the Maine trip. We have a Honda EU2200i Companion and a 13.5 BTU air conditioner in our small 16 foot toy hauler. I have a neutral ground bonding plug I use with our surge protector because it doesn't like the lack of a grounding cable on the genny. I am considering a soft start but the highest draw from the AC is right around 1100 watts. Whenever I turn off the AC, I try to turn it to fan low so when I start it back up, it's not automatically going to the AC.
Here is the process I use to start the AC:
1. Shut everything off in the breaker panel, including the main breaker.
2. Connect the generator with the 30 amp cord.
3. Start the genny and the app.
4. Turn on the main breaker.
5. Turn on the breaker to the AC.
6. Start the AC and check the draw on the app.
7. Turn the AC to cool and check the draw on the app.
8. Cool down.
The soft starts are the way to go.
I do hvac for a living.
I have on home and fifth wheel
The amp savings is unreal and will help the life of you compressor.
I have a 3000 watt gen like you.
I have two units in rv it will run one no problem.
Probably would run both if I had Way to Keep them from coming on it exact same time
Micro air.
RVSoftStart on both our AC’s is what we needed.
You fid Not hurt your generator.
The generator will disconnect if more power is demanded than it can supply. No problem, no harm.
The High & Low you mention is only for your fan speeds.
The compressor kicking on is what pulls the mist current. The High fan pulls a little more than low but not that much.
If low fan and compressor puts you close to gen max wattage, going to high fan could cause the generator to disconnect on overload.
Looking forward to the Hawaii leg of your 50 state journey!
I run my Harbor Freight 2000 generator with a soft start ac kit on my class C no problem. Also I had to do a neutral ground plug so it wouldn’t trip the breaker