Reviews and General Information: A/C power useage

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A/C power useage

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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7060
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 3:38am
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Topic: A/C power useage

Posted By: Capt Kidd
Subject: A/C power useage
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2015 at 11:05am

How many watts and/or amps does the A/C on a 2016 r-179 draw? I'm wondering if I can run it on just one Honda 2000. I'm thinking I might have to turn the converter/charger off to do this.

Replies:

Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2015 at 11:18am

The standard 13.5k BTU A/C, when running, will draw ~13A. The problem is the starting current when the compressor tries to start. Success with a single Honda 2000 varies depending on altitude and outside temperature. Altitude reduces the performance of any internal combustion engine and high temperatures increase the starting current of the compressor. Adding a hard start capacitor to the A/C helps in some cases, but user experience with the single 2000W genny is mixed.

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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2015 at 2:48pm

+1

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2015 at 2:57pm

+2...

very mixed. Mine will start and run on a buddies Honda 2000i.. his, same brand/model a/c.. won't.

I do have a hard start cap.

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Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2015 at 4:43pm

Where do you get a hard start and how does it work?

Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2015 at 9:25pm

Hmm, with the 13.5 btu A/C, I have the hardwired EMSHW30C system with digital read out and I get higher draw ratings that titter between 16/17 amps. Not during start up, but during cooling. I let it run for 30 minutes to stabilize. No other draws...starting amp draw was 0. I am, however, using 50' of RV feed-line.

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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2015 at 5:03pm

Originally posted by Capt Kidd

Where do you get a hard start and how does it work?

I got mine on Amazon, but any decent appliance parts store will have one. It is a second capacitor that piggy backs on the factory one, it gives an extra boost when starting the compressor..

http://www.amazon.com/SUPCO-SPP6-Start-Relay-Capacitor/dp/B0002YTLFE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1444165327&sr=8-2&keywords=hard+start+capacitor - Capacitor.

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Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2015 at 8:54am

Originally posted by Podster

Hmm, with the 13.5 btu A/C, I have the hardwired EMSHW30C system with digital read out and I get higher draw ratings that titter between 16/17 amps. Not during start up, but during cooling. I let it run for 30 minutes to stabilize. No other draws...starting amp draw was 0. I am, however, using 50' of RV feed-line.

Our AC using our surge protector was reading between 15 and 16 amps. I took it to camping world and their amp meter was showing the same. It was still under warranty and Dometic replaced it. The new AC is colder and quieter now and surge protector shows between 12 and 13 amps.

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2015 at 9:37am

Originally posted by David and Danette

What was the underlying problem. Are you suggesting you took it in b/c of the amp draw and they replaced it for the same?

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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2015 at 9:56am

Originally posted by Podster

Originally posted by David and Danette

What was the underlying problem. Are you suggesting you took it in b/c of the amp draw and they replaced it for the same?

Yes and I am thankful for the members on this forum who told me something was wrong and that it should be checked out. The technician at camping world said that Dometic allows if I remember about 15 % amperage from normal which I believe is 12.75 amps. Dometic approved replacement under warranty. And their is definitely a noticeable difference in the performance of the AC. The technician also mentioned that sometimes from the factory they can add to much Freon and that will affect the amount of amps. it draws. The exact problem that was causing the high amperage I was never told.

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2015 at 10:22am

Originally posted by David and Danette

Originally posted by Podster

Originally posted by David and Danette

What was the underlying problem. Are you suggesting you took it in b/c of the amp draw and they replaced it for the same?

I just checked the specs. The amp draw on my unit is 15.4 amps. Add a 50' RV extension cord and 16amps seems reasonable. Plus, mine is really not all that loud so I'm going to stick with the one I have. Thanks for the feedback.

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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)

Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2015 at 12:27pm

OK, well...based on your input and my readings I contacted Dometic and they suggested the draw was on the high side and suggested I have it checked out. I now have an appointment at my local Camping World Nov 2. Will follow up with the results, that is if I can find this thread afterwards! Thanks again!

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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)