Dometic AC+Hard Start Capacitor+2000w Generato
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2733
Printed Date: 24 May 2025 at 6:12am
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Topic: Dometic AC+Hard Start Capacitor+2000w Generato
Posted By: plains
Subject: Dometic AC+Hard Start Capacitor+2000w Generato
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2012 at 4:29pm
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Hey Everyone, My wife and I are planning to full-time in our Pod by the end of the year and travel around the country. This forum has been extremely informative - thank you. Since we will face all sorts of climates while traveling, we have decided we need a generator capable of powering our stock Dometic air conditioner. I read someone mentioning that the Champion 2000w Inverter Generator was up to the task, so I purchased it, but it sent the unit into overload. I tried installing a Supco hard start capacitor (tried both the SPP6 and SPP6e), but it didn't help. Even with all breakers off but the AC and main, with the generator out of eco mode on a cool night, no luck. As soon as the AC tries to start the compressor, the generator is sent into overload. The odd thing is that when plugged into our 15amp outdoor outlet at our home, the AC will run on the max setting, with the battery charger circuit on, a few lights on, and a laptop plugged in. Does anyone have any advice? These are the options I have come up with:
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Replies:
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2012 at 5:50pm
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My Champion is 3500 watt running 4000 watt start and it handles all the pod can give it. If you watch the sales they go for $300 or so fairly regularly. Selling your current unit and getting one big enough will most likely be the best choice. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: plains
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2012 at 7:02pm
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I appreciate the suggestion and will consider it, but I would be concerned with the noise, fuel consumption, and weight. In your experience, how many hours can you get out of a tank of gas, and how big is the tank? Thanks for the reply.
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2012 at 10:20pm
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Mine has a 4 gallon tank, and I have never timed it. I bought it for the camper and wound up using it for other things. I know it runs nearly all day on a tank with medium use, but can't help running the air in the pod. I do know that when the air kicks in the generator doesn't bog down or speed up or anything like that. It just runs. Noise level is slightly more than a Honda, but not annoyingly so. You won't be able to run it in quiet time in a camp ground, but you can't run a Honda then either. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2012 at 10:20pm
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Welcome! If you decide to go with a smaller A/C, we've been kicking around some ideas on another thread here. Some definitely not-so-cheap ideas, and the latest is really cheap... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1433&title=possible-replacement-for-the-a-c - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1433&title=possible-replacement-for-the-a-c ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 8:03am
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Sell your generator and get the Yamaha 2400. The only quieter genny is the Honda. This Yamaha will power the Pod just fine. Shop around for the best price.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Yamaha174-EF2400iSHC-Portable-Generator/730966.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3D52-3037%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D12%26y%3D8&Ntt=52-3037&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products - http://www.cabelas.com/product/Yamaha174-EF2400iSHC-Portable-Generator/730966.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3D52-3037%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D12%26y%3D8&Ntt=52-3037&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products
------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: plains
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 2:46pm
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Ok - so I ended up buying the Ryobi 2000w Inverter Generator from Home Depot today. It retails for $599.99. It seems like it is well built, and it successfully started up my AC on the "AC Fan" setting a couple times, but would only work half the time, and of course flipping back on the breaker for the batter charger would send it into overload. So along with the Champion 2000, the Ryobi will be going back. Just as a side note - the Champion is whisper quiet compared to the Ryobi. The Champion running full out is quieter than the Ryobi rubbing on auto-idle (their version of eco throttle). Though the Champion can't run the AC (or at least my AC), I would highly recommend it. It only cost $490 at Sam's Club, and the noise, fuel efficiency, and weight are all nearly identical to the Honda EU2000i. Looks like I'm on the market for a Yamaha EF2400iSCH...
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Posted By: Panama Red
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 3:36pm
| Or you can buy two Honda 2000i's and hook them up in parallel. |
Posted By: plains
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 4:14pm
| I considered that option, well with two Champions as they cost less than half the price, but it would burn more fuel than the Yamaha. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 4:30pm
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Odd that you are having so much trouble. The newer A/Cs used on the pods are much more efficient than older RV A/Cs. I measured mine running at 1000 watts (1100 VA) a while ago, with the fan on low. Granted, the startup surge will make or break you but I would expect a 2000 watt genset to work. Are you sure something else isn't on that you are missing - like the electric element in the water heater?
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: plains
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 4:59pm
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Nope.. I have the water heater set to propane, and have everything but the Main and AC turned off at the breaker. I had my wife monitor a Kill-A-Watt meter, and though it probably didn't capture the initial surge accurately, she said it didn't go over 1600 watts starting and stayed around 1100-1300 while plugged into the house. I also know it can't be another massive device as I am plugged into a 15 amp circuit at home currently and it doesn't trip w/ the ac and other smaller devices runnings. Only thing I can think is that I installed the capacitor wrong or my AC unit simply draws more power somehow. For reference, our elevation is 594ft currently, I am using the shore power cord that came with the POD, and a 30 to 15amp plug adapter on the generator to attach it.
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Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 5:06pm
You must have a bunch of money and time to piss away. Did you listen to any suggestions before you went out and purchase, yet another, generator that's not doing what you need it to do? Damn man. That Yamaha that I linked for you will work fine on your Pod or at least it does on mine.
------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: plains
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 5:29pm
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I didn't waste a penny as both Home Depot and Sam's Club assured me I could return the generators if they did not work for my situation. The generator you linked to was what I mentioned in my original post... I am aware that the EF2400 can handle the load, but I am trying to find a way to use a less expensive generator that consumes less fuel when I am not running the AC and merely charging my batteries. Many on this forum and others have gotten their AC running on a 2000w inverter, and that is my goal, though it seems like I might be out of luck, but I am looking for suggestions, and hoping my experience will help others.
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Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 8:32pm
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Just returned from leaving a whole lotta cash at Costco. Just buying the normal "stuff" to keep our household running. Did notice they have a 2 KW genset with inverter for $489. Noise level from 51-62db. About as quiet as the Honda and about half the price. I have taken the extra step of replacing the starting cap with one that's designed to ease the start. I have a brand new Honda 2KW but have not put any fuel in it to try. When I have some time, will start it up and see if the larger starting cap will allow me to run my A/C from the Honda. Heading down to Big Sur on Friday for a week. Possibly when I return will try my Honda. Have a full hookup in Monterey. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 9:55pm
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Well, it sounds like you've done everything right. I'm really surprised that the SPP6e didn't work for you. You did just run it in parallel to the existing capacitor, right? (and didn't remove the existing capacitor?) By the way, that Champ you bought produces 2000 watts peak and 1600 watts continuous. I've never investigated the Ryobi, but its likely similar. The Yamaha, which is definitely the generator I'd recommend for an R-POD (or most any 30-amp travel trailer) produces 2400 watts peak and 2000 watts continuous. FYI, here's my own power consumption findings: My R-POD's steady state - 7 watts - everything turned off, only the converter running, plus the TV and Microwave's power leach. http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2518064610105331225psIwjN">  Air conditioner running - 1152 watts http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2930697850105331225xUhxum">  My meter measured a peak of 1210 watts... which is likely wrong. The sampling rate is too slow to capture the true peak draw. http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2420117060105331225ZkJUrl">  Personally, I've got a http://www.hyundaipower.ca/hy2000.php - Hyundai HY2000si , which produces 2200 watts peak and 2000 watts continuous (and reminds me that there are no standards in naming generators) and does a fine job of running my A/C without need for a starting capacitor. But, again, I still recommend the Yamaha for reliability. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: plains
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 10:12pm
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Thanks Outbound. The capacitor is installed parallel with the existing capacitor. When I opened my Dometic, there were existing capacitor devices on the compressor's hard start circuit. One was a black/grey cylinder (looks to be the actual capacitor based on other's photos), and then there was a much smaller device that the circuit also passes through. I just added the capacitor parallel to these. Do you think the order matters? When you installed one on yours, do you remember the order you used? Thanks again.
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Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 11:21pm
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Not to be contrary. However, I did check the install instructions from one of the RV websites regarding the changing of the start cap. According to ModmyRv for hard starting the A/C they recommend replacing the original starting cap with the Supco SPP6E. Which I had done. Are you now saying that I should have just added this Supco to the existing cap. Confused. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2012 at 11:42pm
Easy does it now. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2012 at 12:05am
I was wrong - You're right. The SPP6E is a replacement for the start cap. ( http://www.supco.com/images/pdfs/AC%20Hardstarts%20Booklet.pdf - see Supco ) ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: plains
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2012 at 1:30am
| I read a response from a Supco rep saying if you are installing the SPP6, you should not remove any of the existing capacitors, but rather just install the Supco in addition. I have tried it this way, and also as a replacement, but no luck. |