Easy Start on A/C RPod 196
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Topic: Easy Start on A/C RPod 196
Posted By: Old Man Running
Subject: Easy Start on A/C RPod 196
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2021 at 9:44pm
| I have a 2021 R-Pod 196 with a Coleman Mach 3+ A/C, model 48253-669. Has anyone had experience operating this a/c using a Honda 2200 Generator after installing an EASY START kit on the a/c. |
Replies:
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2021 at 10:34pm
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I don't have the same pod or A/C unit. I have the dometic 13.500btu unit that was available in 2015. I installed an Easy Start and use a Honda 2200 that has been converted to propane. It works well at normal(below 5000') but I have not tried it at elevation yet. I know the propane has about 20% less power than gasoline , but I didn't have a good way to carry and deal with gas cans in our enclosed tow vehicle. The Easy Start install was easy-several videos available and the enclosed directions were perfect, including pictures. I am happy with Easy Start and Honda 2200. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2021 at 6:39am
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It should be ok. Looks like the Coleman Mach 3 is a 13.5k btu/h a/c so should be a similar load to the Dometic 13.5.
But do call Microair and ask them. They are very helpful. Vann, while the heat of combustion of a gallon of propane is 28% less than a gallon of gasoline, the heat of combustion is actually higher per lb. Diesel has higher heat content per gallon than gasoline but that doesn't mean the diesel versions of an engine have higher power than the gas versions. The optimum air to fuel ratio for propane is about 24 to 1 so the cylinder is pulling in mostly air, and the power output relative to gasoline will depend on how fast propane is fed into the engine relative to gasoline. So there could be a negligible difference in power. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2021 at 11:02pm
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Thanks for that extra bit of info re propane vs gas power, OG. I've been waffling between changing over my Honda generators, now feel a little less conflicted. ------------- Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE '07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages 1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2021 at 7:56am
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I found my Honda 2k to be only slightly less powerful on propane. That generator has to be pretty much at it's full continuous rating (1600VA) to run the a/c. If it was losing even 10% it wouldn't be able to run it.
I use the Century Fuels kit which has an adjustable demand regulator, and I do need to readjust it at higher altitudes. YMMV depending on which propane conversion kit you get. If you're concerned about losing power it would be a good idea to check into people's results with the kit you're considering. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Old Man Running
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2021 at 6:31pm
| Thanks to both "Pod People" and "Offgrid" for your timely reply. I successfully used this generator (Honda EU2200i) on a Dometic 13.5K btu/h a/c, with a different RV, but replace that RV with a 2021 R-Pod 196, which is equipped with the Coleman Mach-3+ a/c. Although the generator will operate other appliances such as the microwave it will not operate the a/c, even in the fan mode. It seems like the a/c system has a front-end device that will prevent the a/c from operating in any mode (fan or a/c) unless connected to a full 20-amp service. Could this be possible, and if yes, is there a work around? Your help would be most appreciated. |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2021 at 9:30pm
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I don't know about the electrical system on your pod. That may be a question for Forest River. personally, I have never heard of such a limiting device, but I am not the best electrical source. I would suggest that you call Micro Easy Aire and talk with them. give them a specific model number of AC and they will most likely be able to help. They were very helpful when I called them prior to my installation. As I understand it, the Easy Start will change the sequence of start up so the fan comes on first and has time to rev up to full speed. then the compressor comes on and it takes less voltage to get it going to full capacity. I am not an expert-but I know firsthand that it works on our Dometic 13.5btu AC with the Honda 2200. I hope you can get this worked out and be able to enjoy your pod Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9">
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Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2021 at 10:04pm
This is the way mine operates from the factory...I have the electronic Dometic thermostat...maybe they built in that version of a 'step start'...at any rate my 3500 watt genset (either one of them) starts my roof unit easily. ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: Colonel Podder
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 6:39am
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. ------------- 2021 R-pod 196 |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 6:54am
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There isn't a way for the a/c to know in advance what capacity a power source is.
A 2.2kw generator isn't adequate to reliably start a 13.5kbtu/h a/c, without a soft starter. Just because you can start one a/c one day doesn't mean it will start a different one (or even the same one) on another day. First, are you sure the a/c runs correctly on grid power? There are reports on line of the squirrel cage blower shafts freezing up due to corrosion. Second, what are the exact sequence of symptoms you're seeing when you try to start the a/c on the generator? ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Old Man Running
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 2:25pm
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I agree that a 2.2kw generator isn't adequate to start a 13.5btuh a/c. Therefore I did install an easy start kit and verified that it works on shore power. In fact, I also tested the unit with my surge protector, which displays a readout of consumption. With the a/c unit on and connected to shore power, the surge protector shows a reading of 8-amps, then 9-amps, and then eventually 10-amps. This sequence occurs within a 3-5-minute time span. When connected to the 2.2kw generator, the a/c unit will not come on, not even the fan motor, which pulls very little amps. If you are in the rv when you turn-on the a/c, you will hear a very faint click, but nothing activates. That is why I am wondering if this unit has a front-end device, or maybe software modification which reads the source of incoming power and will not allow the unit to activate unless it reads a full 20-amp power source. Additionally, I also connected the surge protector to the Honda 2.2kw generator to see the amount of power coming from the generator. The strange thing is that the surge protector indicated that there was an open ground and would not transmit power to the rv. This condition only occurs when the surge protector is connected to the generator. BTW, I also did this test using a different surge protector with the same results.
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 2:50pm
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You need on of these. That should fix the problem with the circuit analyser and most likely the a/c as
well. https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Company-LLC-44400-Generator/dp/B07F4R7BDL/ref=asc_df_B07F4R7BDL/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241918478831&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6817916237784550264&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008824&hvtargid=pla-637434786144&psc=1&ref_=d6k_applink_bb_dls_failed - bonding plug ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Old Man Running
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 10:46pm
| Thanks Offgrid, I have ordered a bonding plug from Amazon, trying to solve this problem has been like a scavenger hunt. Although I do not have any special knowledge of air conditioning systems, I do have a basic understanding of electricity and can hopefully think things through, especially with some outside help. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2021 at 7:00am
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Great, do keep us posted. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |