A/C by portable generator

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A

agaliha

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Sep 24, 2006
236
Sabre 36 Express Chattanooga, TN
I don't think my Honda 2000 is big enough to start the marine air conditioner in my B361. But will I damage the A/C if I hook it up and it's not big enough? Or will I damage the generator?
Thanks for helping me think this through.
Agaliha
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,220
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
The generator has internal protectiion, so it will not be damaged. The Air Con compressor may be damaged if it is allowed to "grunt" too long in trying to start. Too long is a minute or so.. If ya hook it up and the generator does not trip but the compressor does not start, you may be able to install a "hard start" capacitor/timer on the air con that will allow it to start and run.. What size unit is it?
 
Sailm8

Sailm8

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Feb 21, 2008
1,751
Hunter 29.5 Punta Gorda
Use search on forum topics and you will learn everything you need to know. Search "Honda air conditioner"
 
A

agaliha

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Sep 24, 2006
236
Sabre 36 Express Chattanooga, TN
Thanks for the search tip!

I figured there was a boatload of info on this but didn't know how to search it.
 
RECESS

RECESS

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Dec 20, 2003
1,509
Catalina 27 . St. Mary's Georgia
How big of an AC unit is it? My Honda EU2000 can handle some pretty good size units. Nothing wrong with discussing things more than once.
 
kenn

kenn

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Apr 18, 2009
1,271
CL Sandpiper 565 Toronto
agaliha - where do you locate the portable genny on your boat?

I'm just making the annual caveat that "terrestrial" gas generators can be a source of carbon monoxide if not situated carefully on the boat.

I will avoid mentioning the annoyance factor of exposed gennies running at port or a remote anchorage. Oops ;)
 
A

agaliha

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Sep 24, 2006
236
Sabre 36 Express Chattanooga, TN
In the cabin

Preferably in the v-berth with the exhaust pointed at my pillow.:doh:
Agaliha
 
njsail

njsail

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Feb 18, 2010
216
Bavaria Ocean 40 CC Forked River
I have 2 Marine Air A/C units on Valkyrie. I also have a Honda 2000i which I use to run one A/C unit when it's hot at anchor. It's not a perfect setup but when you miserable hot and humid I drag the Honda on the back deck and hook it up through the shore power line. (make sure it's the back deck due to exhaust reasons). When I start the A/C unit I make sure the compressor kicks over and everything seems to be fine. On rare occasion it doesn't want to kick over. I give it a minute and turn the A/C unit on again. The 2000i unit is just enough to keep one of my A/C units on. I don't use the setup that often...but I'm glad it works when I do. I would love to have a built in genny but my need is minimal with everything else being powered by solar. Good luck with your set up.
 
J

jackhartjr

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Dec 9, 2006
694
Oday 22 Hickory, NC
Agaliha, You need to know these 4 things;
1-How many watts does the Honda provide running...we know that to be 1,600.
2-How many watts does it provide at 'surge', in other words how many watts for a moment to get the motor or appliance started, for the Honda 2000 it is 2,000 watts.
3-How many watts does the A/C use running?
4-How many watts does it take to get the A/C started up?

That said, if the A/C runns at 1,600 watts or lower and the start-up watts are 2,000 or less you should in theroy be OK.
Jack
 
A

agaliha

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Sep 24, 2006
236
Sabre 36 Express Chattanooga, TN
I'll get out the manuals

and look up the specs. I think it's a CruiseAir 16,000 btu, but can't remember for sure. Thanks, Jack, for the clarification. That makes sense and I'll let you know what happens.
Agaliha
 
X

xsiddr

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Jun 14, 2009
34
BENETEAU 361 Worton Creek, MD
Re: I'll get out the manuals

Agaliha, how did you make out with the Honda 2000? We have the same B361 2002. Hoping we can just buy the one honda and not two. Looking forward to your feedback.
Bob
 
O

Old Skool Neil

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Jan 22, 2008
880
Fed up w/ personal attacks I'm done with SBO
Too funny

This whole discussion cracks me up.

With all the KRAP we gassers get from the dieselites, here you are discussing gasoline powered amenities for your diesel powered boats.:eek:

Atomic Bomb comments anyone??:naughty:
 
A

agaliha

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Sep 24, 2006
236
Sabre 36 Express Chattanooga, TN
No go

xsiddr said:
Agaliha, how did you make out with the Honda 2000? We have the same B361 2002. Hoping we can just buy the one honda and not two. Looking forward to your feedback.
Bob
Click to expand
Bob,
Sorry for the long delay...I finally got around to giving it a try yesterday. The Honda 2000 wasn't big enough to start my A/C compressor. It tried mightily for three attemps and then I decided to unplug before I damaged anything in the A/C. I think you will need two units to do it.
Sorry for the bad news.
On the positive side, the generator fits perfectly under the helm seat. I wouldn't run it there for fear of exhaust fumes enerting the boat, but it's a nice place to stow it while underway. On the swim platform I will use it to recharge batteries and run the Admiral's hair dryer at anchor. Just no air conditioning.
Agaliha
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,220
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
ya may want to try another fairly low cost option.. a "Hard start kit".. It basically is a big capacator and a timer.. Gives an extra bump to the AC compressor at start-up then takes itself out of the circuit for running.. The Honda should not have a problem with running amperes (probably around 1000 watts) and you probably will have to take the generator out of variable speed (eco throttle off) to make this happen..
 
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A

agaliha

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Sep 24, 2006
236
Sabre 36 Express Chattanooga, TN
Where?

Thank you for the suggestion. Someone else had mentioned this, too. Where would I find such an item?
Agaliha
 
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