Coleman Powermate generator: will surge power run my roof A/C?

[Arberg0]

From: TOM7292  (Original Message) Sent: 6/27/2003 11:10 AM

THE POWERMATE HAS 1500WATT AND 1850 SURGE WILL IT FIRE UP MY AIR CONDITIONER . MY COLEMAN AIR CONDITIONER CALLS FOR 1500 WATTS.




From: wendell Sent: 6/27/2003 11:50 AM
I'd be leery of this.  The A/C will surge when the compressor kicks in.  I'd be afraid the voltage from the generator will drop too much when that happens.  When the voltage drops, the unit will pull more amps and this will probably pop your circuit breaker.  I'd also be concerned that this may damage the compressor in the A/C.

If you are running anything else with the A/C (12 vdc converter, etc.), I think you'll overload things.  I would have a generator with at least 25% more capacity than you need to give you a safety cushion.
 



From: wendell Sent: 6/27/2003 12:05 PM
A typical window unit A/C will pull almost twice the operating wattage when they start.  With this in mind, I think you need a much larger generator to keep from damaging the A/C.



From: mightybooboo Sent: 6/27/2003 1:47 PM
Tom,i would consider a honda eu2000 might run it(MIGHT),if it is a soft start small A/C,they are 899.00 dollars on the web.However,I kinda doubt it.If you are going to use it around people a quiet generator is a must,or you will be real unpopular real fast.Noise would be my very first consideration when buying a genny.You may even be invited to leave as noise standards are being enforced in lots of places.If youre going to nascar races,just bring your 5000 watt industrial,no one will care.My 3500 watt onan will start my dometic with soft start,its a 15000 BTU I think.So a honda eu3000 should do just great.FWIW,strictly IMHO only.
BooBoo




From: mightybooboo Sent: 6/27/2003 2:48 PM
Tom,I pasted some comments from another site that may help you with your genny/ AC questions

BooBoo


I know Honda makes the best generators, but I would take a look at the Yamaha EF3000iSEB. Very comparable in noise, size, and function to the Honda EU3000. It has the added bonus of using the internal battery to "boost" the wattage to 3500 watts for a short time to get over high starting requirements. This was basically designed for a/c & pump needs.

I don't have either right now - but if I was buying today I would either get the Honda 2000 pair or the Yamaha EF3000iSEB.

I own an EU3000 and it powered my Coleman 15,000 btu AC without a problem for four hot days here in Texas during early June. Not only did it run my AC, but it also ran my converter, fridge, TV, sat. receiver and some outdoor lights at the same time. Whether it will power your AC, as others have said, will depend on its exact starting requirements. So, before assuming it won't run your AC, do the research. I think you will be surprised, especially if your AC unit is relatively new. And, without doubt, the Honda EU3000 outperforms any generator in its class.

I don't have either right now - but if I was buying today I would either get the Honda eu2000 (pair) or the Yamaha EF3000iSEB. Check the starting amp (also called locked rotor amp) and the running amp draw for your model A/C. This will tell you if a EU3000 will run it or not. EU3000 is 2800watts continuous (23.3 amps) and 3000watts short term (25 amps) maximum. This is stretching it for a 15,000. Another possible wrinkle is the generator is less effecient the higher the altitude, so as you go up, the watts go down.


I have used the Honda EU3000 for two years down south on our old Jayco that had a 13,500 BTU air conditioner. Now it will not run the micorwave and AC together but it has done a fine job for us in many tough situations. We were headed south one winter and got stuck in NC in a blizzard and stayed in a Cracker Barrel overnight; the Honda had not run since summer but fired right up in sub freezing temps - made me a fan.
Your start up draw will be hardest so I would start on low cool and let it get going then increase it to med then high.We thought about going bigger but didn't because they were far too noisy. We have had folks knock on our Jayco door and ask what kind of generator was so quiet! The EU3000 makes friends not enemies in the campground. Good luck.