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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Topic: Generator for 189 Posted: 17 Jul 2019 at 6:08am |
I've run (not started) my ac on my Honda 2K at 3000 feet and was Ok but I doubt it would have handled it much higher (all other ac loads off). A lot depends on how hot it is as the current draw of the compressor increases as the pressure differential between the evaporator and the condenser increases in hot weather. I took a couple measurements and on a 90 degree day with an inside temp of about 78-80 I was seeing 15.3 amps load from the a/c at 115V, or about 1760 VA. The continuous duty rating of the Honda is 1600 VA so I'm over the rating a little but it handled it OK. Here is a graph from Honda about altitude derate, it indicates 70% at 9000 feet, and that assumes rejetting the carburetor.
So I wouldn't expect to be able to run the a/c at 9000 feet but when would anyone need to?
What really interests me with mcarter's report is starting, not running the a/c. My Honda (and most everyone else's reports I've read) wouldn't come close to starting the a/c without the easy start. So I'm curious what the difference is in mcarter's setup. Maybe his genny has a heavier flywheel that can carry it through the compressor startup surge? Just speculating...
But there is
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290
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Posted: 17 Jul 2019 at 5:47am |
Originally posted by Babysaph
I can't imagine camping this time of year without being able to use the AC at night |
Check your campground rules. Many, probably most, do not allow genset use at night, so planning on using a genny overnight to keep cool wouldn't be an option.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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GlueGuy
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Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
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Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:18pm |
The amp draw of the converter is highly variable depending on the state of the batteries and other loads. Theoretically, the maximum draw on the typical R-pod converter is 45 amps on the 12V side. That translates to 4.5 amps on the 120VAC side. But if you aren't running a lot of 12V stuff, and the batteries only need a trickle charge, the load might only be 1 or 2 amps, which would be 0.1 or 0.2 amps on the 120VAC side.
So the bottom line is "it depends".
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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podwerkz
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Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
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Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:12pm |
If you camp in higher elevations and/or more northern latitudes it's doable.
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r・pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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Babysaph
Newbie
Joined: 01 Jul 2019
Location: WV
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Posts: 37
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Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 9:05pm |
I can't imagine camping this time of year without being able to use the AC at night
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Dr. J.R. Chambers II
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podwerkz
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Location: Texas
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Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 7:39pm |
Understood....and it's a good solution for you, but might not work for others when camped at high elevations...just sayin...
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r・pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp
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Location: Greenbrier, TN
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Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 6:27pm |
Honestly I don't recall the amp draw of the charging circuit, as I do recall GlueGuy discussed it at one time awhile back. Could be wrong, but I think 5 Amps is low, I think it was more toward 8 Amps. But all in all I can run an AC off a 2K genset in my local and somewhat extended area. AND I'm not the only one who can do this.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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podwerkz
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Location: Texas
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Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 6:12pm |
Well, sure, if the converter is charging then it is larger draw...but probably no more than about 5 amps or so on the 120v side, but that will taper down to less than a couple of amps as the battery becomes charged, tapering down even more when there are no 12v loads. But if your batteries are that low, then you probably will need to alternate the use of the roof air with battery charging. Hmm...sounds labor intensive.
And yes, my test of the genset running the roof air and microwave was just that, a test. It was mild up there near Cloudcroft, and we were outside in the shade of those tall pine trees most of the day.
But, still, it can get pretty hot up there (or any high spot) if the conditions are just right. Anyway, the fact that the genset loses some power at high elevations will affect some campers, at least sometimes.
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r・pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp
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Location: Greenbrier, TN
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Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 5:14pm |
First, I don't think that charging circuit is a "small" load. Of course depending it's operational status. Secondly, numerous members have posted running their ACs with a 2K, all of which disable the charge circuit, and lastly 9000 feet is a bit difficult in TN, so I agree, not tried, but who in the heck needs an AC at 9000 feet:)
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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GlueGuy
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Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
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Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 10:20am |
No doubt about it, FR needs to do something about the pipe hangars for both the black and gray tanks. In my observation, that seems to be one of the top bug-a-boos on R-pods.
However, I haven't really looked around to see what other makes do in this regard.
On a positive note, I've installed my own beefed up hangar, and we have not had an accident. 
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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