generators

scoota · Veteran Member

generators

Baz421 · Guru

Honda 2 runs em so i guess 2.2 will too

Baz421 · Guru

Honda 2 runs em so i guess 2.2 will too rated at about 1400 watts

Relax-n · Guru

scoota wrote:
Hi In a delema, has anyone purchased and using the new Honda eu22i generator, if so does it comfortably run a caravan air con unit? I have a ibis 3 in my van and would like to here from anyone. Cheers scoota

We have a honda 2 and an Ibis 3. Our genie will start and run the air con. But we do turn off the battery charger beforehand. We do not draw a lot of solar power through the day, and cool air is more of a priority if stinking hot.

Also note that other items may not run as they draw a lot of power. we will run air con and nothing else. Van can cool down then can turn off for a bit to boil kettle etc. if in any doubt.

When first got genie, we had air con on, had most lights on, ran sirocco fan and boiled kettle, all good. Woudn't do out bush just incase something died and too far out for repairs.

T1 Terry · Guru

We asked the Honda rep at an RV show and he showed us the special cord recommended for use with a Honda 2 generator to power an airconditioner. It was very heavy gauge cable and very short, barely long enough to reach the average plug in point on an RV with the generator positioned directly below the plug in point.
The Ibis3 and the power hungry rooftop rattler AVIDA use in there latest builds will run fine from a Projecta IP2000 inverter how ever, so maybe a decent output battery charger run off the generator would be a better choice. It could be combined with solar and even using the vehicles alternator and a decent DC to DC charger rather than the generator. We have fitted up quite a lot of systems that work this way, they have all since sold their generator because it was no longer required and just took up valuable space and weight they no longer had to account for when packing.

T1 Terry

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Can't even talk about generators without getting a sales pitch from Terry!
Cheers,
Peter

oldtrack123 · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Can't even talk about generators without getting a sales pitch from Terry!
Cheers,
Peter

oldtrack123 · Guru

Relax-n wrote:
scoota wrote:
Hi In a delema, has anyone purchased and using the new Honda eu22i generator, if so does it comfortably run a caravan air con unit? I have a ibis 3 in my van and would like to here from anyone. Cheers scoota
We have a honda 2 and an Ibis 3. Our genie will start and run the air con. But we do turn off the battery charger beforehand. We do not draw a lot of solar power through the day, and cool air is more of a priority if stinking hot.
Also note that other items may not run as they draw a lot of power. we will run air con and nothing else. Van can cool down then can turn off for a bit to boil kettle etc. if in any doubt.
When first got genie, we had air con on, had most lights on, ran sirocco fan and boiled kettle, all good. Woudn't do out bush just incase something died and too far out for repairs.

Conventional Air cons require good voltage & somewhere between 7 to 10 Times their normal running current to Start up

A conventional 15A extension lead give excess voltage drop ,which is why the heavy duty lead is generally required

The generator should not be run in economy mode & removing any other heavy loads on the generator can help.

If you run the Air con via a large inverter, the batteries will supply that initial surge current & then the generator supplying your charger will more than meet the load requirement of the air con & the generator can run on "economy" setting & will keep the batteries fully charged

You will need to check the surge current rating of the inverter [max kVA output/short term]

Ps. Used in that manner the heavy duty extension lead is not needed

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Friday 25th of January 2019 04:04:25 PM

T1 Terry · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Can't even talk about generators without getting a sales pitch from Terry!
Cheers,
Peter

Please explain confuse Where is the sales pitch? I gave an alternative method of powering the air cond other than requiring a generator and cable that can handle the high start up current. I did say we have fitted this method up on previous occasions to verify that I have actually proved the concept on more than one occasion.

So Peter, rather than being your usual troll behaviour on these threads, how about you try putting in some useful alternative suggestions about how things can be done, not just how great you believe your system is compared to the common muggins biggrin

T1 Terry

T1 Terry · Guru

oldtrack123 wrote:
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Can't even talk about generators without getting a sales pitch from Terry!
Cheers,
Peter

The enemy of my enemy is my friend perhaps? Or just you are both named Peter? Or both struggling to remain relevant in the rapidly changing world of RV technology?

I wonder if there would still be a bond between you two outside the forum world?

T1 Terry

Jaahn · Guru

T1 Terry wrote:
We asked the Honda rep at an RV show and he showed us the special cord recommended for use with a Honda 2 generator to power an airconditioner. It was very heavy gauge cable and very short, barely long enough to reach the average plug in point on an RV with the generator positioned directly below the plug in point.
The Ibis3 and the power hungry rooftop rattler AVIDA use in there latest builds will run fine from a Projecta IP2000 inverter how ever, so maybe a decent output battery charger run off the generator would be a better choice. It could be combined with solar and even using the vehicles alternator and a decent DC to DC charger rather than the generator. We have fitted up quite a lot of systems that work this way, they have all since sold their generator because it was no longer required and just took up valuable space and weight they no longer had to account for when packing.

T1 Terry

Hi Peter and Peter smile

I did not think that is a sales pitch. It just says what he does and what has worked. I think it is information that is useful for someone considering the options. Be fair ! hmm

Jaahn

oldtrack123 · Guru

Hi Jann
Actually I pretty much agree with the "information " But not All biggrin
But was this bit really necessary ???
Quote "We have fitted up quite a lot of systems that work this way, they have all since sold their generator because it was no longer required and just took up valuable space and weight they no longer had to account for when packing."

Those systems would have been set up with lots of solar & Li batteries!!

So does not really answer the poster's question

I actually replied by mail to Bazza ,very much on the same lines rather that have T1 try to pick little points that he may disagree with if I had posted here

In fact I am considering that as the best way for me to go on this forum!!

-

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Friday 25th of January 2019 08:17:57 PM

Ron-D · Guru

oldtrack123 wrote:

Hi Jann
Actually I pretty much agree with the "information " But not All
But was this bit really necessary ???
Quote "We have fitted up quite a lot of systems that work this way, they have all since sold their generator because it was no longer required and just took up valuable space and weight they no longer had to account for when packing."
Those systems would have been set up with lots of solar & Li batteries!!
So does not really answer the poster's question

I actually replied by mail to Bazza ,very much on the same lines rather that have T1 try to pick little points that he may disagree with if I had posted here

In fact I am considering that as the best way for me to go on this forum!!

-

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Friday 25th of January 2019 08:17:57 PM

Its crazy how you have to go to that level no one person should dominate a forum to the extent ,its A shame because your posts are easy to understand not over the top ranting ,to gain top dog status ,its childish and sllly in my view,if I need to know anything I will pm you as well...

T1 Terry · Guru

Here was I thinking that the whole push was to stop the needless nonsense and channel our efforts into actually answering the question asked rather than attacking and backing up those doing the attack in that age old "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing that goes on in so many forums. This is the thing that drags threads off topic and into needless bickering. Time to grow up rather than just getting old and bitchy.

And just to answer your putt shot Peter, no, they were not all lithium battery systems, some had quite large lead acid battery systems but they were in vehicles that could carry the weight. I see no reason why a well set up 400Ah LA battery system couldn't run an inverter and air cond as long as the charging was enough to carry the load. Why carry a generator when there is already a perfectly good engine powered charging device already built into the system. Sure, it would be a big ask to get a standard alternator to power a roof top rattler all on its own, but bigger units are available and used in the blue water cruising fraternity to do just such a task. A well set up solar system can also do the job but that would involve quite a bit of either portable panels or well engineered arrays that could be either slide out from under panels already attached or simply clip on to make window shade awnings etc.
There is always a better method to achieve the same goal and they do not all have to be the same method. Just because one person does it that way doesn't mean that is the only way it can be done, unfortunately some members here seem to think their solution is the only solution worth using

T1 Terry

yobarr · Guru

T1 Terry wrote:
........... I see no reason why a well set up 400Ah LA battery system couldn't run an inverter and air cond as long as the charging was enough to carry the load. Why carry a generator....
T1 Terry

Indeed! In my shed I gave a brand new Yamaha 2800i that never has had oil or petrol in it,but it now will stay at home after the success Ive had with my Solar.There are 1710 watts of panels on the van,helping to keep it cool,and I have a 2.5kw MHI split system.If I leave it running overnight at 18 degrees (testing!) the 540 AH of Lithium batteries,through a 5kw Victron inverter,drop to 95% full,and are back to 100% well before 7am. All my appliances...compressor fridge,electric fry pan,slow cooker,TV,air fryer,electric jug,microwave etc run off batteries.The only gas appliance is the griller,which is never used,so that may come out too! With 540 litres of water I can go bush for a long time with no problems.Car has 180 litres diesel capacity so that gives plenty of range,although I carry a jerry can just in case.Cheers

Aussie1 · Guru

Oh come on you two, it's AUSTRALIA DAY for goodness sake. Show a bit of "love and understanding", The pair of you are acting very silly :):):)

yobarr · Guru

Aussie1 wrote:
Oh come on you two, it's AUSTRALIA DAY for goodness sake. Show a bit of "love and understanding", The pair of you are acting very silly :):):)

???????????? Please explain. Cheers

Aussie1 · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Aussie1 wrote:
Oh come on you two, it's AUSTRALIA DAY for goodness sake. Show a bit of "love and understanding", The pair of you are acting very silly :):):)
???????????? Please explain. Cheers

If my comment requires explanation then your not reading all the subject matter above. Anyhow have yourself a great Australia Day cobber :)

oldtrack123 · Guru

scoota wrote:
Hi In a delema, has anyone purchased and using the new Honda eu22i generator, if so does it comfortably run a caravan air con unit? I have a ibis 3 in my van and would like to here from anyone. Cheers scoota

Above is the Op original question.

He was not asking how, or if he should rebuild his whole system. !

The answer was fairly simple .

"Yes ,you can run your air con from that generator IF you do two simple things."

I described those two simple things in my PM to him

He had to buy just one other thing beside the generator & that is all that anyone wishing to run an air con with virtually any generator has to do .

No need even for the special heavy duty lead

No need to increase solar ,which may not be needed for any other purpose

No need to install a bigger battery bank

Yes, there is more than one way to do it

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 26th of January 2019 11:11:07 PM

Ron-D · Guru

yobarr wrote:
T1 Terry wrote:
........... I see no reason why a well set up 400Ah LA battery system couldn't run an inverter and air cond as long as the charging was enough to carry the load. Why carry a generator....
T1 Terry
Indeed! In my shed I gave a brand new Yamaha 2800i that never has had oil or petrol in it,but it now will stay at home after the success Ive had with my Solar.There are 1710 watts of panels on the van,helping to keep it cool,and I have a 2.5kw MHI split system.If I leave it running overnight at 18 degrees (testing!) the 540 AH of Lithium batteries,through a 5kw Victron inverter,drop to 95% full,and are back to 100% well before 7am. All my appliances...compressor fridge,electric fry pan,slow cooker,TV,air fryer,electric jug,microwave etc run off batteries.The only gas appliance is the griller,which is never used,so that may come out too! With 540 litres of water I can go bush for a long time with no problems.Car has 180 litres diesel capacity so that gives plenty of range,although I carry a jerry can just in case.Cheers

THATS IT ,THATS IT ,we should all ditch our primitive solar systems and get you to fit LI systems at great expense.even though what we have is working well,most here I would think would be HAPPY with what there running and its doing every thing they need ,theres people obviously here with Li systems that are in TI fan club ,theres quite a lot more that are not give us BREAK..

-- Edited by Ron-D on Sunday 27th of January 2019 09:39:19 AM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Runing 240v of this amperage through DC or battery is very high load . Long term runing your better off with generator . Even State gov cant get away with decent generation and be reliable . I have found soundproofing, insulating the generator without effecting cooling is a better option . Our 5k diesel generator is built in . Ive fitted two barriers of insulation around it . All we hear now is the light puff -puff out of exhaust . To which Ill be adding my own extra alloy muffler to get as quiet as possible . Being built in ( motorhome) noise , harmonics are important . This side of things dont get debated . Heat insulation used in houses does a fine job. In conjunction with floating flooring insulation sheet to seal . Foam like egg cartons on hard surfaces etc . Hell lot cheaper that high amperage inverters etc . Not anti solar or generator . Just like to have reliable system both ways . Without upsetting ANYONE!! Mainly the WIFE ! Lol

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 27th of January 2019 12:11:47 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

If one needs to remove low frequency sounds, insulation batts left in the compressed pack works better. Otherwise Rockwood which has higher density, which you can get in different densities depending on the frequency of sound you need to reduce.

Failing that, 300mm thick concrete wall as CSIRO use in their acoustic laboratories in North Ryde to stop sound, unfortunately it is a touch heavy!

T1 Terry · Guru

Ron-D wrote:
yobarr wrote:
T1 Terry wrote:
........... I see no reason why a well set up 400Ah LA battery system couldn't run an inverter and air cond as long as the charging was enough to carry the load. Why carry a generator....
T1 Terry
Indeed! In my shed I gave a brand new Yamaha 2800i that never has had oil or petrol in it,but it now will stay at home after the success Ive had with my Solar.There are 1710 watts of panels on the van,helping to keep it cool,and I have a 2.5kw MHI split system.If I leave it running overnight at 18 degrees (testing!) the 540 AH of Lithium batteries,through a 5kw Victron inverter,drop to 95% full,and are back to 100% well before 7am. All my appliances...compressor fridge,electric fry pan,slow cooker,TV,air fryer,electric jug,microwave etc run off batteries.The only gas appliance is the griller,which is never used,so that may come out too! With 540 litres of water I can go bush for a long time with no problems.Car has 180 litres diesel capacity so that gives plenty of range,although I carry a jerry can just in case.Cheers
THATS IT ,THATS IT ,we should all ditch our primitive solar systems and get you to fit LI systems at great expense.even though what we have is working well,most here I would think would be HAPPY with what there running and its doing every thing they need ,theres people obviously here with Li systems that are in TI fan club ,theres quite a lot more that are not give us BREAK..

-- Edited by Ron-D on Sunday 27th of January 2019 09:39:19 AM

Give it rest Ron, you really are like a dog that chases a car, you just can help yourself can you, it's not the car you are after but more the thrill of the attack

T1 Terry

oldtrack123 · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Runing 240v of this amperage through DC or battery is very high load . Long term runing your better off with generator . Even State gov cant get away with decent generation and be reliable . I have found soundproofing, insulating the generator without effecting cooling is a better option . Our 5k diesel generator is built in . Ive fitted two barriers of insulation around it . All we hear now is the light puff -puff out of exhaust . To which Ill be adding my own extra alloy muffler to get as quiet as possible . Being built in ( motorhome) noise , harmonics are important . This side of things dont get debated . Heat insulation used in houses does a fine job. In conjunction with floating flooring insulation sheet to seal . Foam like egg cartons on hard surfaces etc . Hell lot cheaper that high amperage inverters etc . Not anti solar or generator . Just like to have reliable system both ways . Without upsetting ANYONE!! Mainly the WIFE ! Lol

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 27th of January 2019 12:11:47 PM

Hi Kiwi

I agree it require a lot of solar[ if you have the roof space to fit it] & a lot of battery Ahrs to run an air , especially if running @ night.

For those who may only require the air con occasionally ,such expense , even if possible , may not be justifiable .

For those ,even a small generator may be possible,using an inverter,that can supply the very short term high startup power from the batteries,& the generator plugged in ,using a standard lead , to the van power inlet socket & the van battery charger switched on

The generator actually would only need to be a little larger than the air con running current, for it to run the air con & replace the small amount of power pulled from the batteries each time the air cont start cooling

If the Air con is the only thing connected to /running off the inverter, no safety precautions are needed , but if the inverter is wired into the van 240 V system it must have either RCD or preferably RVD protection

No need for a Dc/Dc charger.

No need to run the vehicle engine [inefficiently] for extended periods

I believe that would meet most members' requirements biggrin

It may also be worth consideration by those who also would like to use other high draw appliances for short periods

Note ,another advantage is the generator could run on" ECO" mode

old saying still applies

" there are more than one way to skin a cat'

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 27th of January 2019 02:49:22 PM

Baz421 · Guru

oldtrack123 wrote:
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Runing 240v of this amperage through DC or battery is very high load . Long term runing your better off with generator . Even State gov cant get away with decent generation and be reliable . I have found soundproofing, insulating the generator without effecting cooling is a better option . Our 5k diesel generator is built in . Ive fitted two barriers of insulation around it . All we hear now is the light puff -puff out of exhaust . To which Ill be adding my own extra alloy muffler to get as quiet as possible . Being built in ( motorhome) noise , harmonics are important . This side of things dont get debated . Heat insulation used in houses does a fine job. In conjunction with floating flooring insulation sheet to seal . Foam like egg cartons on hard surfaces etc . Hell lot cheaper that high amperage inverters etc . Not anti solar or generator . Just like to have reliable system both ways . Without upsetting ANYONE!! Mainly the WIFE ! Lol

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 27th of January 2019 12:11:47 PM
Hi Kiwi
I agree it require a lot of solar[ if you have the roof space to fit it] & a lot of battery Ahrs to run an air , especially if running @ night.
For those who may only require the air con occasionally ,such expense , even if possible , may not be justifiable .
For those ,even a small generator may be possible,using an inverter,that can supply the very short term high startup power from the batteries,& the generator plugged in ,using a standard lead , to the van power inlet socket & the van battery charger switched on
The generator actually would only need to be a little larger than the air con running current, for it to run the air con & replace the small amount of power pulled from the batteries each time the air cont start cooling
If the Air con is the only thing connected to /running off the inverter, no safety precautions are needed , but if the inverter is wired into the van 240 V system it must have either RCD or preferably RVD protection
No need for a Dc/Dc charger.
No need to run the vehicle engine [inefficiently] for extended periods
I believe that would meet most members' requirements
It may also be worth consideration by those who also would like to use other high draw appliances for short periods
Note ,another advantage is the generator could run on" ECO" mode
old saying still applies
" there are more than one way to skin a cat'

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 27th of January 2019 02:49:22 PM

I agree,,,, the BIG issue I see of high current DC draw from batteries to feed huge inverters is that AGM's (not high priced Li etc etc) could easily exceed their max current capacity.

Professional can set these systems up BUT AMATEURS like many on this forum could easily take advice literally and incorrectly and cause disaster.

Just my thoughts.

T1 Terry · Guru

oldtrack123 wrote:

Hi Kiwi
I agree it require a lot of solar[ if you have the roof space to fit it] & a lot of battery Ahrs to run an air , especially if running @ night.
For those who may only require the air con occasionally ,such expense , even if possible , may not be justifiable .
For those ,even a small generator may be possible,using an inverter,that can supply the very short term high startup power from the batteries,& the generator plugged in ,using a standard lead , to the van power inlet socket & the van battery charger switched on
The generator actually would only need to be a little larger than the air con running current, for it to run the air con & replace the small amount of power pulled from the batteries each time the air cont start cooling
If the Air con is the only thing connected to /running off the inverter, no safety precautions are needed , but if the inverter is wired into the van 240 V system it must have either RCD or preferably RVD protection
No need for a Dc/Dc charger.
No need to run the vehicle engine [inefficiently] for extended periods
I believe that would meet most members' requirements
It may also be worth consideration by those who also would like to use other high draw appliances for short periods
Note ,another advantage is the generator could run on" ECO" mode
old saying still applies
" there are more than one way to skin a cat'

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 27th of January 2019 02:49:22 PM

Can you explain this idea a bit more Peter, as I read it you are suggesting an inverter and a generator both running on the same circuit that powers the air-conditioner and the battery charger confuse

T1 Terry

oldtrack123 · Guru

Baz421 wrote:
I agree,,,, the BIG issue I see of high current DC draw from batteries to feed huge inverters is that AGM's (not high priced Li etc etc) could easily exceed their max current capacity.
Professional can set these systems up BUT AMATEURS like many on this forum could easily take advice literally and incorrectly and cause disaster.
Just my thoughts.

Any battery combination that can safely put out around 350A for 1<2 seconds .,would be OK Not damaged or life shortened.

Look for "Short Duration Discharge current rating " usually for 10 Secs., you would be well within that

Easily checked with a battery dealer for the installed battery/s smile

Note :As with all inverters the voltage drop in 12V feed cables should be very very low.Inverter as close as possible to the batteries

and HEAVY cables both Plus & Neg . ) 0 B&S [min] for inverter 2M run length from battery/s [4M of cable]

Ron-D · Guru

Its like welcome to my nightmare oldtrack you have my sympathy biggrin Iam so glad my electrical hnowledge is basic ...

oldtrack123 · Guru

deleted double post

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 27th of January 2019 05:44:04 PM

oldtrack123 · Guru

Sorry Terry, but you being so highly qualified ???? should not need any further explanation!!!

I am sure any real electrician would both understand what I am saying, & the reasoning backing it!!

If any member wants a more detailed explanation on any part, I would be quite happy to reply to their PM