Honda 2000i vs Dometic Marine Air Vector Compact 16K BTU

[PKFK]

Spec sheets are one thing - but real life tests are another.

I want to hear from any folks using a honda 2000i generator with the 16k BTU system mentioned in the subject line.

Does the genny start the system in both cool and heat modes OK or not ?

Do you have a "soft start " on the system ? If so what is it ?

I'm considering getting this generator for my H36, but want to know if it will run the A/C system. (And no - I don't expect to charge the batteries, make hot water, and run the drink blender at the same time !)

Please reply if you have experience and this set up works for you !

Thanks,

Paul

 

[whatfiero]

Honda 2000 starting 16000 btu ac

No ya have to get 2 and parallel them

 

[whatfiero]

Honda 2000

The Honda 2000 generator will run up to a 9000 btu r12 ac unit a 7000 r 22 unit and only a 6000 r 410 unit blame the government every new more efficient ac system needs more power go figure

 

[Chuckbear]

Paul, we could never get the compressor to start for either heat or AC with our single 2000. We have had others that said they were able to use their 16K with the hard start capacitor that Dometic sells. It's a good add on either way. Chuck

 

[Chief RA]

whatfiero knows his stuff. The temporary startup power spikes require more amperage than the 2k can even temporarily (17a) provide. After the initial startup loading spikes have subsided some AC's will run on one gen (13.5a max constant), but, it is a HEAVY, constant load on just one gen! Chief

 

[Benny17441]

No, it will not work in a smooth reliable manner. Get a Honda 3000 if you have the space available. We sat one on our swim platform for a season but found it to heavy to handle for regular use.

 

[RichH]

Dometic (Cruiseair) has a "Smart Start" capacitance starter assist that will enable you to use a 2000w generator with a 16K-18k BTU AC unit. What the capacitance assist starter does is to supply the needed power during the high amp phase of starting so that the AC unit itself only draws ~30 amps instead of ~100+ amps without a capacitance starter.
Bottom line is you CAN use a 2000 watt generator to run a moderate sized AC with a "smart start"; If you try to run an AC without such youll overload the generator and it will automatically shut down. Capacitance starter assists are not cheap; but much cheaper than a 4000 watt generator.

Here's some data including a video: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SmartStart-..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item35bad80b8d&vxp=mtr

 

[Ken13559]

we tested the Honda u20i on my friend's h33 that comes with Hunter fitted MarineAir 16K btu aircon. No problem and works great. No hard start cap.

 

[xsiddr]

We tried this on our older model dometic. Didn't work. We swapped out the new model dometic 16k with smart start installed by factory. Runs perfectly. Leave the honda in Eco mode. It automatically leaves Eco mode when the compressor starts but when it's off and just in fan mode it drops back down to Eco. We love it!!!
Bob s/v Kaylic

 

[Benny17441]

Some say yes and others no. Not all Honda 2000 generators perform at the same level. The state of tune of the engine and the number of hours on it may produce different output results. A significant lag in throttle response may render some unable to handle an A/C compressor load. The rated electrical output is dependent on the engine attaining maximum RPM. Frequent use is the best maintenance.

 

[PKFK]

Thanks all for the comments. RichH - I am looking to get that soft start capacitor in Canada.

So it looks to be a bit of a coin flip on this one. Might work. Might not. Ugh.

One other bit to add to the mix is that I can turn on the inverter (2kw) to perhaps help with the startup. Not sure if that is a good idea or not. It's a Xantrex 2kw unit - perhaps with that and the Honda it will start the compressor ok.

I will be looking for the soft start cap and instructions to wire it in. If you have a link please post.

Cheers Paul

 

[jackhartjr]

To give you an idea of the spike at start up, I had a small dorm sized fridge in my truck, 3.7 cubic feet, my 1500 watt inverter has a digital display, when it cycled on, it would spike at 700 to 800 watts for just a millisecond, just enough to read it, then run at 0 to 5 watts!
A friend had the same 1500 watt in his truck, had burned out two Kuerig coffeemakers because 1500 watts just is not enough to start it! (I think the Kuerig is rated at 1000 watts)! He went to a Hamilton Beach, similar, rated at 600 watts, has had no problems!
Jack

 

[seadaddler]

JAVA

Send Java a email because he made some sort of setup of his own with capactors to start and run the AC on his 356 with 2000 Honda and i think I saw that Honda makes a soft start also but not sure.
Nick

 

[Chuckbear]

Thanks all for the comments. RichH - I am looking to get that soft start capacitor in Canada.

So it looks to be a bit of a coin flip on this one. Might work. Might not. Ugh.

One other bit to add to the mix is that I can turn on the inverter (2kw) to perhaps help with the startup. Not sure if that is a good idea or not. It's a Xantrex 2kw unit - perhaps with that and the Honda it will start the compressor ok.

I will be looking for the soft start cap and instructions to wire it in. If you have a link please post.

Cheers Paul

Paul, You should not do this and you should not be able to do this. If your boat wiring is capable of running the combined input of the generator and inverter on the same circuit, something is seriously wrong. It should never be both, always either or. There are some inverters like Victron that have power sharing features, but they are built into the units. Chuck

 

[Ken Cross]

Careful if you try to parallel an inverter with a generator. If the phase doesn't match exactly they will literally work against each other. That will fry something.
Ken

 

[Chief RA]

If a person is dead set to use a Honda 2K or similar gen for their AC unit: start it up on FAN only and let that spike subside, then kick over to A/C LOW cool setting. It would be wise to read the ampere draw once it settles down to be sure you are not at max. These gen sets are just too small for these loads! I did test this and it will run for about 5 minutes and trip overload with a 1300 AC. Chief




a/C

 

[Jim Seamans]

Been using the 'hard start capacitor' with the Honda 2000 for years. AC or Heat takes a few tries to get the compressor running but always works. Sometimes starts on the third but never more than 5 attempts of the system to turn over.

 

[PKFK]

Thanks everyone for the input and sharing your experience. (And I realized after the comment that trying to run the inverter at the same time is a baaaad idea, and the way it's wired it isn't possible anyway).

I know a larger generator would be best, but I'm not going to spring for a diesel unit, and a larger portable unit will take up too much real estate. I won't be doing this till spring, but want to sort out the options now. I think I will just try it first with no changes - might work, might not, but also plan to buy and install the soft start system.

This will be for occasional use only, so I don't plan to be clocking 100's of hours on the unit ether.

Thanks again for all the inputs.

Paul

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

PKFK;

Jim Seamons or Java knows the subject well with the Honda and his Hunter 356. Send him a private email. I sold him the boat. Also, tell that rascal to call me.

crazy dave condon