Dual Honda 2000s versus AC
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6717
Printed Date: 19 Jun 2025 at 9:59am
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Topic: Dual Honda 2000s versus AC
Posted By: Luv2Q
Subject: Dual Honda 2000s versus AC
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 11:11pm
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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 |
Replies:
Posted By: WillThrill
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 2:30pm
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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 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 3:50pm
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Ditto! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 10:59pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 11:54pm
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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 |
Posted By: Podamus
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2015 at 4:30pm
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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 |
Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2015 at 5:37pm
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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 |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 12:52am
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 |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 1:08am
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 |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 10:10am
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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) |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 11:37am
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Thanks, Cliff. Yes, a delay seems plausible. I may have a chat with Progressive & sound them out on this phenomenon. Thx again .. ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: Podamus
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 1:33pm
I'll start with saying I know nothing about hard start capacitors. WRT the 5th wheel it could have been the combination of the AC and the inverter. But I'm curious: Do you have two of the 2000i models or the companion. I'm using the companion with the 30A plug. ------------- Jim Camas WA 2015 RPod 179 2014 Ford F250 |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 2:20pm
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Jim, yes, using the Companion w/ 30 amp plug. ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 8:40pm
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You may just need to bypass the surge protector when using the generators. You are far less likely to run into the problems it will protect you against, while using a generator, so I wouldn't call it a compromise on safety. ------------- 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: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 11:45pm
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Thanks for the suggestion, Doug. With 3600 W continuous & 4k surge capacity, I can't believe the dual Hondas can't keep up. (I say that like I know what I'm talking about. Sorry) If I'm not mistaken, my EMS-HW30C has a bypass switch (button) on the display module. That would be downright handy. Thx again, Doug & others, for sharing your thoughts & experiences. ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 6:48am
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John, I think the surge protector is very sensitive and its just detecting a little bump. It's not your generators. Since you know the power source is good I think its ok to bypass. I'm sure its just a momentary drop. Does the EMS cut the power or just throw a code? Bypass switch: This switch is located on the remote panel, and allows the user to bypass the computer circuit in the EMS in the event of computer failure, thus allowing source power into the RV. This does not disable the surge protection portion of the EMS. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 2:29pm
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Cliff, I think you're right. Everything points to a sensitive EMS reacting to a miniscule fluctuation in power. And, yes, it cuts the power. I'll give the bypass a try & report back. I can use the Kil-A-Wat to monitor for dangerously low voltage while conducting my little "experiment". ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 3:28pm
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I agree it is probably just detecting a momentary blip and not reflecting the voltage 99% of the time. ------------- 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: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2015 at 10:11pm
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Update .. Quick background: Using the PI HW-30 hard-wired EMS, I was using 2 Honda 2000s (regular + Companion) in parallel to run my 13,500 btu ac. When the compressor cycled from Off to On, the EMS threw a low-voltage error code & shut down the power. This was with the Eco throttles on. (No problem with the Eco throttles off & the generators running at higher RPM.) That made no sense to several of us since, in "continuous" mode, have a combined 3600 watts. What seemed likely was that, when the ac cycled on, there was a momentary pause while the two generators spooled up. Possible solution: turn the EMS off thereby bypassing it & trust that the Hondas deliver stable power. The test today showed there is indeed a momentary low-voltage lag, but the generators kept the ac running. I was monitoring the voltage with a Kill-a-Wat and they went like this: 122.1 - compressor on 125.6 - compressor off 102.1 - flashed once when compressor came back on 122.4 - compressor on 125.7 - compressor off 101.1 - flashed once when compressor came back on 122.4 - compressor on Next question: Can the momentary brown-outs cause any damage to ac, fridge, etc.? I really could use some advice here, as I have -0- skills in this area. BTW, why don't I just run it with Eco throttles off? Answer: I may have to, but hope to avoid the extra noise & fuel consumption. Thanks in advance, gents.
------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2015 at 12:47pm
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It is probably sagging lower than that, you need a special voltmeter to read true spikes and sags. But, I wouldnt worry about it. 108 is the minimum for continuous operation but equipment usually will tolerate lower startup sags. The fridge just runs a heating element on AC so no worry there. ------------- 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: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2015 at 2:15pm
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"BTW, why don't I just run it with Eco throttles off? Answer: I may have
to, but hope to avoid the extra noise & fuel consumption." It also negates the extra cost for those gensets over a conventional model that can easily handle the load. When I priced them a few years ago it was an extra $1700. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2015 at 7:35pm
Very true! For the extra cost of these ¢%*<®@ things, I shouldn't have to be fooling with work-arounds. I'm surprised this issue hasn't come up before. ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |