That's great, Jim!  I'm glad it worked for you!  That's got to be the best $13.50 ever spent.  Good to hear that you were able to do the install yourself 

just installed the hard start capacitor and it runs my a/c like a champ in 94 degree heat.it runs my a/c at 68 degrees for about seven hours and 5 minutes on 1.1 gallons of gas.much better than buying a second generator.  thanks for the tip outbound. ps i talked to a local dealer and they refused to install it.

just installed the hard start capacitor and it runs my a/c like a champ in 94 degree heat.it runs my a/c at 68 degrees for about seven hours and 5 minutes on 1.1 gallons of gas.much better than buying a second generator.  thanks for the tip outbound.

 

Techntrek, I appreciate your additional info.  Thanks, guys!

As you've spotted, the word 'generator' is generally used to identify both a generator and an inverter generator (Yamaha is the only manufacturer I've spotted who shortens the name to just 'inverter').

A generator produces 120 volts alternating at 60 cycles per second (120v AC) by essentially rotating a magnet within a coil of wire.  A generator is a simple machine: to maintain the 60 cycles per second, it must maintain a constant rotational speed.  As you put more load on a generator (i.e. you plug more things in), there is more resistance as the generator tries to spin the magnet and the motor must work harder to maintain the rotational speed.  Although its a pretty good system, there are some drawbacks.  First: as loads are added, the generator must ramp-up power and during this time the voltage and the cycles per second will drop, producing 'dirty' power (brownouts and spikes).  Second: the 60 cycles per second is a fixed requirement (even when there is little or no load), requiring the engine to be running constantly at a high speed.

An inverter generator uses electronics to improve performance.  The generator produces direct current (as opposed to alternating current) and this is run through some electronics to convert it to 120v AC and clean-up the blips in the incoming power as it ramps up/down under load.  An inverter generator doesn't need to maintain a constant engine speed to keep up to the 60 cycles per second as the electronics adjust the incoming power to a standard of 120v AC.  The net advantage to an inverter generator is that it provides cleaner power and is able to idle at a much lower (and quieter) level.

Don't mean to sound ignorant here, but what is the difference between and inverter and a generator?  When I went to the page, the Yamaha 2400 EF2400iS-HC that you posted, it calls it an inverter not a generator.  I've never used a generator before but there is a campground I am very interested in but it has no hookups.  Is a generator hard to use or hook up?  Are there any risks to your camper electrical systems?  I know I sound ignorant, but that's because in this department, I am!  I would appreciate any pointers from anyone in the forum, truly I would.

im gonna get someone to install it for me as i have two left fingers.i hope this works,i really dont want to buy another generator

My thought exactly.  It looks like a pretty easy install, too.  Just be careful with the old capacitor when you take apart the A/C - it'll hold a charge for quite a while after the power is disconnected and an accidental discharge would be very dangerous.

Make sure to take pictures and report back on your success 

outbound

thanks alot,i just ordered one,should be here in a few days.they had two reviews,one said it worked great for him and the other said id didnt work.13.50 is a pretty cheap roll of the dice.i hope someone on here has used one on their 2000i

outbound

wow i had no idea that is possible.i will look at the link now.i dont want to get rid of the honda unless i have to.  thanks

if i did not have a/c here where i live i could only use my rpod for maybe 3 months in a year.its already 100 degree heat here.

If I was you, I'd keep the Honda generator and install a capacitor.  The Honda is a nice unit.  If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, talk to some local RV dealers (any dealer that you trust should do - they don't have to carry Forest River products).  I bet you'll find one who can do it for $100 or so.

I see that they're available on Amazon in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Hyundai-HY2000si-2200-Watt-Portable-Generator/dp/B004919NEK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302036505&sr=8-2

No, mine is the stock 13,500 BTU low-profile Dometic.

If you're looking for a generator capable of powering your A/C, check out the Yamaha 2400 EF2400iS-HC.  Its specifically marketed at the RV crowd, very quiet, very reliable and is designed to power 13.5k BTU air conditioners (see the "Features" page).

The Yamaha 2400 EF2400iS-HC produces 2000 watts running, 2400 watts surge.

Just so you know the difference:

- Honda 2000i produces 1600 watts running and 2000 watts surge

- Hyundai 2000si produces 2000 watts running and 2200 watts surge

OTE]

as far as i can see you cant get the hyundai in the united states,is your a/c the 11,000 btu?

Just so you know the difference:

- Honda 2000i produces 1600 watts running and 2000 watts surge

- Hyundai 2000si produces 2000 watts running and 2200 watts surge

rpodcamper

do you mean that peaple are running there a/c with a 2000i?i have an 11,000 btu in mine and its just to much for it.maybe there are smaller a/c units in some rpods?