Truma Climaster air conditioner running off a generator
tonyob said
05:39 PM Dec 3, 2019
I have the Truma Climaster Comfort air conditioner in our caravan. Have tried to run it off our Honda ECO EU2000i generator unsuccessfully. Looked up the Truma manual and it lists a 20amp startup current. By my calculations this means I'd need a 5.5kva generator.
My question is this... any Grey Nomads who run same air conditioner off a generator and if so, what size and model of generator are you using?
Hetho said
07:31 PM Dec 3, 2019
Hello Tony.
I have the Truma Aventa Comfort which has similar specs to yours.
Mine has 2.4KW Cooling, 1.7KW Heating and a start up current of 28A.
My Generator is an ITechworld (Perth company) 4.8KW.
Their new "Redback" is a bit better than my older model (mine is 5 years old), and I think they are about $1400.00 ish.
Do a google search and all info will be explained.
I`m more than happy with mine. Runs the whole van no problems. It does weigh 33KG`s though.
Hope this helps, if you would like more info please ask.
Regards.
Hetho.
tonyob said
07:51 PM Dec 3, 2019
Thanks Hetho. That's quite helpful. I'm hoping a 3.5kva generator will work as I can locate one of them for under / around $500. Awaiting further replies.
T1 Terry said
10:34 AM Dec 4, 2019
We have had quite a few customers say their Honda 2.0i generator won't run their air con, or if it does get it going the generator stops powering the air con after an hr or so or simply shuts down. Honda resellers make a special very short lead made form very heavy cable that they say will run the rooftop rattlers, but it means the generator is directly below the power inlet point ....... not great for peace inside the van or with the neighbours.
We have successfully powered a lot of rooftop rattlers using the Projecta IP2000 inverter powered from lithium batteries. If the generator is required because there isn't enough solar, it is used to power a 50 amp battery charger and the Honda 2.0i can power that without a problem.
Many customers have given away carting the generator around and use a Dc to DC charger from the tow vehicle's alternator to top the battery up if required, so that is another option.
T1 Terry
tonyob said
03:56 PM Dec 4, 2019
Thanks Terry. I've spent the day with our Honda EU20i and the Truma airconditioner and it's worked perfectly. Not sure why it failed on me previously. Will do more testing to see if it was just a lucky day or whether it will work reliably. Today I started the airconditioning on 240v and only later turned it off and then hooked up the generator. Tomorrow I'll try the generator from the start.
I also spoke to a fellow who used to sell the Truma model I have and he was confident he had customers using it with the E20i.
There also appears to be an aftermarket soft start device that helps. Interested in hearing if any have used such a device successfully.
Whenarewethere said
04:35 PM Dec 6, 2019
Maybe the 240 extension lead's wire it too thin at 1.5 mm2.
4mmsq is 11AWG, so between the purple line and the light green line. The chart is in feet, so 50 mtrs is 164ft, so rounded up to the 200ft mark and even 4mm sq cable would not be enough to carry the 2,000w plus load over 50 mtrs. That special lead the resellers have is about 1.5 metre long and 4mmsq cable, so to get the generator 20 mtrs away you would need real heavy extension lead, 10 AWG is 5.26mmsq and that is represented by the light green line, that would be about the minimum size cable you would need to get the Honda 2.0i to power the air conditioner without risk of damaging the generator from overload or the air conditioner from under voltage burn out.
T1 Terry
Whenarewethere said
03:59 PM Dec 7, 2019
So about a 10 metre cable using 4mm2 is about as long as you can use ($110.00)
It does pose the question that are all those 25metre 1.5mm2 caravan leads being used, are they a touch under rated?
So about a 10 metre cable using 4mm2 is about as long as you can use ($110.00)
It does pose the question that are all those 25metre 1.5mm2 caravan leads being used, are they a touch under rated?
I always thought they were. I wouldn't use a 1.5mmsq cable for 15 amps even over a short run of 5 mtrs or so, I just don't consider it capable of carry the full load without voltage drop. 2.5mmsq or 4mmsq I still try to limit to under 15 mtrs if I think it will be carry the full 15 amps for an extended period, but maybe I'm just a bit over cautious.
That 6mmsq stuff looks good, it would be heavy and not terrible flexible compared to the 4mmsq stuff, but it would do the job if voltage drop is the only problem.
T1 Terry
Whenarewethere said
08:27 PM Dec 7, 2019
I have got this type of rubber cable on an ARRI 2000 watt lamp, they over engineer everything on these lamps as they get abused beyond comprehension, frightening stuff. It is very flexible cable. I will take the plug off & see what thickness the actual wire is & how fine it is.
tonyob said
07:23 AM Dec 8, 2019
Whenarewethere wrote:
I have got this type of rubber cable on an ARRI 2000 watt lamp, they over engineer everything on these lamps as they get abused beyond comprehension, frightening stuff. It is very flexible cable. I will take the plug off & see what thickness the actual wire is & how fine it is.
Thanks. I'm quite interested in what you find. This has been a useful segue for me. I've been using 25 metre 10 amp rated extension leads (with no noticeable issues) up to now. But have been contemplating getting some better rated leads before we start our big lap
Whenarewethere said
06:25 PM Dec 8, 2019
My 2 decade old ARRI light has Titanex three core 2.5mm2, overall diameter of cable is about 11.0 to 11.7mm, a 7m long lead. The cable easily wraps around the terminal box, it's that flexible!
the 3.7 fujimicro electric start will run your unit,,and still not have to turn off water heater and charger..
tonyob said
05:04 AM Dec 28, 2019
Thanks. I've been able to run the air conditioner successfully 7 times in a row with my E20i. Previously, it failed twice and worked twice. Haven't been able to work out exactly what caused it to fail, suspect the water heater is one contributor.
Dougwe said
06:23 AM Dec 28, 2019
Morning Tony,
Yes, the water heater must be turned off. I also only use one major appliance at a time if wanting Gene to run aircon. I also have Gene's 'echo' switch OFF.
I have the Truma Climaster Comfort air conditioner in our caravan. Have tried to run it off our Honda ECO EU2000i generator unsuccessfully. Looked up the Truma manual and it lists a 20amp startup current. By my calculations this means I'd need a 5.5kva generator.
My question is this... any Grey Nomads who run same air conditioner off a generator and if so, what size and model of generator are you using?
Hello Tony.
I have the Truma Aventa Comfort which has similar specs to yours.
Mine has 2.4KW Cooling, 1.7KW Heating and a start up current of 28A.
My Generator is an ITechworld (Perth company) 4.8KW.
Their new "Redback" is a bit better than my older model (mine is 5 years old), and I think they are about $1400.00 ish.
Do a google search and all info will be explained.
I`m more than happy with mine. Runs the whole van no problems. It does weigh 33KG`s though.
Hope this helps, if you would like more info please ask.
Regards.
Hetho.
Thanks Hetho. That's quite helpful. I'm hoping a 3.5kva generator will work as I can locate one of them for under / around $500. Awaiting further replies.
We have successfully powered a lot of rooftop rattlers using the Projecta IP2000 inverter powered from lithium batteries. If the generator is required because there isn't enough solar, it is used to power a 50 amp battery charger and the Honda 2.0i can power that without a problem.
Many customers have given away carting the generator around and use a Dc to DC charger from the tow vehicle's alternator to top the battery up if required, so that is another option.
T1 Terry
I also spoke to a fellow who used to sell the Truma model I have and he was confident he had customers using it with the E20i.
There also appears to be an aftermarket soft start device that helps. Interested in hearing if any have used such a device successfully.
Maybe the 240 extension lead's wire it too thin at 1.5 mm2.
Chart is using feet.
A "Construction" grade option
https://eectech.com.au/15A_50m_Cons_240V_Ext_Lead
T1 Terry
So about a 10 metre cable using 4mm2 is about as long as you can use ($110.00)
It does pose the question that are all those 25metre 1.5mm2 caravan leads being used, are they a touch under rated?
6mm2 cable $6.30 per metre.
https://www.electrotraders.com.au/h07-rubber-flexible-cable-3-core-6-mm2-per-metre
I always thought they were. I wouldn't use a 1.5mmsq cable for 15 amps even over a short run of 5 mtrs or so, I just don't consider it capable of carry the full load without voltage drop. 2.5mmsq or 4mmsq I still try to limit to under 15 mtrs if I think it will be carry the full 15 amps for an extended period, but maybe I'm just a bit over cautious.
That 6mmsq stuff looks good, it would be heavy and not terrible flexible compared to the 4mmsq stuff, but it would do the job if voltage drop is the only problem.
T1 Terry
I have got this type of rubber cable on an ARRI 2000 watt lamp, they over engineer everything on these lamps as they get abused beyond comprehension, frightening stuff. It is very flexible cable. I will take the plug off & see what thickness the actual wire is & how fine it is.
Thanks. I'm quite interested in what you find. This has been a useful segue for me. I've been using 25 metre 10 amp rated extension leads (with no noticeable issues) up to now. But have been contemplating getting some better rated leads before we start our big lap
My 2 decade old ARRI light has Titanex three core 2.5mm2, overall diameter of cable is about 11.0 to 11.7mm, a 7m long lead. The cable easily wraps around the terminal box, it's that flexible!
Technical data
https://www.nexans.co.uk/eservice/UK-en_GB/pdf-family_5023/TITANEX_.pdf
A link to pricing, only shows prices up to 6mm2 $7.89+GST & a credit card fee, 6mm2 should be good enough for most things.
https://www.showtechnix.com.au/store/3-core-ho7-titanex-nexans-olex-rubber-cable/
Plugs, not sure whether these will take an 18mm overall diameter cable of the 6mm2 wire (Maybe someone will have a better idea for plugs)
https://www.edaonline.com.au/product/15-amp-3-pin-ip66-rated-industrial-weatherproof-male-plug-top-extension/
https://www.edaonline.com.au/product/15-amp-3-pin-female-extension-socket-ip66-industrial-weatherproof/
Found this 10amp lead 30m 4mm2 ready made, they also have 10m & 20m
https://floorex.com.au/product/heavy-duty-cable-240v-x-30m-4mm2/
Thanks. I've been able to run the air conditioner successfully 7 times in a row with my E20i. Previously, it failed twice and worked twice. Haven't been able to work out exactly what caused it to fail, suspect the water heater is one contributor.
Yes, the water heater must be turned off. I also only use one major appliance at a time if wanting Gene to run aircon. I also have Gene's 'echo' switch OFF.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.