R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Dual Honda 2000s versus AC
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedDual Honda 2000s versus AC
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123>
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Luv2Q View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Central TX
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 309 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Dual Honda 2000s versus AC
    Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 11:11pm
If anyone uses the dual Honda 2000s to power their 13.5 AC, here's my question: Should I expect to leave the "Eco throttle" off at all times when running my AC?  Outside temp yesterday was around 100°. I ran the AC for a couple of hours with the Eco throttles off (i.e., at full throttle) and all was good.  I then turned the Eco throttles on.  I wasn't in the trailer at the time so checked on it after 20-30 minutes and saw that the surge protector had returned a low voltage error code.  According to that info, I need to leave the Eco throttles off whenever I'm using the AC.  

Does that sound right? I would expect to use full throttle when I first turn on the fan then compressor, but would have thought the Eco throttles would be able to respond to changes in demand after that.

Thoughts appreciated .. TIA 
John & Teri
Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180
E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3
Back to Top
WillThrill View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 04 Jul 2014
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 298 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 2:30pm
Yes, you should leave the Eco throttles off when powering such a high startup draw item like an AC.
"Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien

2014 Hood River 177
2005 GMC Envoy XL
Back to Top
Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 3:50pm
Ditto!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 10:59pm
Odd, because with my Honda EU3000is I can leave Eco on with no problems starting up my 13.5K btu A/C on my Salem.  It may even be a 15K, but I haven't pulled the cover yet to verify that.  On my pod I could even run the A/C and microwave at the same time, with Eco on.

2800 watts continuous rating.  Don't you get 3200 continuous with the 2000's paralleled?  Once difference I can think of - the engine on the 3000 is oversized.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
Luv2Q View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Central TX
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 309 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 11:54pm
Doug, yes, supposedly 3200 continuous.  I guess that, when the ac pulls a surge (if I'm using the right terminology), the generators just can't respond quickly enough to ramp up the power.  If full-hrottle-only is required when using the ac .. well, disappointing to say the least.
John & Teri
Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180
E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3
Back to Top
Podamus View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 29 Jul 2015
Location: Camas WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2015 at 4:30pm
We just got back from 5 days of dry camping in northern California with temps in the 90s.  We have two Honda 2000s which were on eco mode during heat of the day.  While the generators took a second to catch up they never faulted when the AC launched.  With our 5th wheel they would fault frequently.  Unfortunately I don't recall the size of the unit in that trailer.
Jim
Camas WA
2015 RPod 179
2014 Ford F250
Back to Top
SNO4ME View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 28 Sep 2013
Location: NW Wis
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 122 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2015 at 5:37pm
We had a couple contractors doing some work today and talk turned to generators.
We have a 11k btu Dometic AC unit on our Pod and the contractor offered to check the draw on our Pods AC.
6.1 amps (732 watts) when the fan first starts up.
When the AC compressor spools up it draws 22.5 amps (2700 watts)
When running it draws 13.5 amps (1620 watts)

Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod
(and Brewer too)
2011 RP 177
Back to Top
Luv2Q View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Central TX
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 309 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 12:52am
Originally posted by Podamus

We just got back from 5 days of dry camping in northern California with temps in the 90s.  We have two Honda 2000s which were on eco mode during heat of the day.  While the generators took a second to catch up they never faulted when the AC launched.  With our 5th wheel they would fault frequently.  Unfortunately I don't recall the size of the unit in that trailer.

Podamus, interesting.  Wonder what's different between your Pod vs your 5th wheel?  AC capacity?  I ran ours for about 4-5 hours today (107°-109°) and, with eco mode off, never skipped a beat.  Was afraid to try eco mode. 

You know anything about hard start capacitors?  I'm thinking I'll give one of those a try.

Thanks for the reply.
John & Teri
Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180
E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3
Back to Top
Luv2Q View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Central TX
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 309 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 1:08am
Originally posted by SNO4ME

We had a couple contractors doing some work today and talk turned to generators.
We have a 11k btu Dometic AC unit on our Pod and the contractor offered to check the draw on our Pods AC.
6.1 amps (732 watts) when the fan first starts up.
When the AC compressor spools up it draws 22.5 amps (2700 watts)
When running it draws 13.5 amps (1620 watts)

This is the best way to think it through.  Equivalent numbers for mine (per my PI surge protector):
3 amps when fan starts .. 360 watts
17 amps when the compressor kicks on .. 2040 watts
13 amps when running .. 1560 watts 

Based on this, my dual Hondas should just lope when the compressor kicks on, even if in eco mode.  As I mentioned in the post above, I'm getting real tempted to try a hard start capacitor.

Thanks for the feedback.
John & Teri
Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180
E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3
Back to Top
Podster View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 10:10am
I'm certainly no expert here, but it seems plausible to me that a paired set of generators create a situation where the immediate draw on the lead unit takes the initial hit and the 2nd unit immediately supplements. The EMS may be sensing this millisecond of a drop which is probably absent from the single 3000w unit. 

Like I said, just a guess, I really have no idea what I'm talking about, but again, it seems plausible to me.  
Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz