Roof Air and Generator

[billwilson]

Gents and Ladies

2001 EB 350 4x4 Cruiser top
(pics in gallery)

Need info to power the roof air
(I need it, wife and dog too

Carrier 13,500 btu
shore power only, not hooked to rig or inverter

will run 100% shore power or generator

Question:

Any first hand info on what size to use

I think the Honda 2000 is too small

Looking at Yamaha 2400

generator to be stored in Aluminess box

I am getting different answers from all the supliers

thanx in advance

bw

[scatter]

Get the info on the Carrier - I.E. amps (or watts) to run it and make sure your generator will run that and anything else you might have on at the same time. There is a starting surge for a motor, but that SHOULD be in the Carrier specs. I'd then go to wherever you plan on getting the generator and show them how many amps you need. Let them make the decision and then hook it to your rig to make sure it works before you buy. Just be sure they aren't trying to sell you more generator then you need.

[Greggd]

Bill ,You will need a minimum of 3000 watts to start up a 13.5 Roof Air Conditioner and a 4000 Watt would be even better . The beginning surge is the culprit . And As Scatter pointed out you would be well served to see the advice of an experienced retailer/installer as their several different makes of Air Conditioners , some better that others . I would also look into a smaller BTU unit if it is for a SportsMobile .,a 13.5 is severe overkill ! and 8000 to 9000 BTU would be more than sufficient .
Greggde

[billwilson]

Originally Posted by Greggde

Bill ,You will need a minimum of 3000 watts to start up a 13.5 Roof Air Conditioner and a 4000 Watt would be even better . The beginning surge is the culprit . And As Scatter pointed out you would be well served to see the advice of an experienced retailer/installer as their several different makes of Air Conditioners , some better that others . I would also look into a smaller BTU unit if it is for a SportsMobile .,a 13.5 is severe overkill ! and 8000 to 9000 BTU would be more than sufficient .
Greggde

thats why i love you guys and The Samba too

OK

will search for a 8-9000 btu unit

problems:

1) is there one and if so anyone have a manufacturer/model number

2) a 3000-4000 watt generator will be huge, not fit in an Aluminess

3) who out there has a set up like this?? gotta be someone,,,,,,

bw

[Greggd]

Bill ,
We have the Honda and Yamaha generators and other than name and color have found them to be equals in every sense . You should look into the Yamaha's at www.yamahagenerators.com they have twice as many wattage options as Honda and you ay find the the specification that will meet your needs .
Greggde

[billwilson]

OK, here what i have come up with:

Coleman Polar Cub
9,200 btu cooling
5,600 btu heating

compressor full load 7.6
fan 1.0
(amps at ARI what ever that is)

running watts 1,260
(0utdoor 120F)

weight 88 lbs

per multiple forums
a Honda 2000 will do the deal

i am gettina a Yamaha 2,400

Comments gents??

One problem FUEL

I dont want to start strapping on 5 gal tanks

I have (i think) 70 gals built into the rig

ANY suggestions on how to get gas from the rig
to ONE portible gas can??

( i dont think the simple siphon deal will work )
http://www.simplesiphon.com/siphon/

[vlamgat]

I hate to rain on your parade but this is exactly the quandry I faced. Made worse by the fact that my rig is a powerstroke. Here is a suggestion: there are fuel transfer switches sold by JCW and the like that allow you to electrically switch from one tank to another for long range. You could install a small (say) 5 gallon tank that you attach to the fuel line out of your main tank using this electrical solenoid driven valve. Then connect the small tank to an outlet that allows the sunction created by the dropping fuel level in the Yamaha to suck fuel from the small tank. This will work better if you place the Yamaha on the ground IOW below the buffer tank as it will also permit gravity assistance to the siphon effect of the vacuum in the Yamaha tank.

I am doing something similar with my Honda(s) except my tank is a portable plastic tank especially for this purpose as I cannot use the fuel in the van's tank.

[billwilson]

thanx for the input guys keep it coming

My current solutions:

Roto Pax 2 gallon mounted on the back side of my baja box

1) super sipon into gas can
2) local shop will pull tank, weld in a spigot, problem fixed
will not do this for a while, time and money

bw

[sailquik]

I have the Onan 2800W Microlite ( http://www.cumminsonan.com/rv/products/ ... nsetId=114 ) that fits under the van where the spare tire is. I also have the Danhard air conditioning that SMB now puts in their vans ( http://www.danhard.com/ ).

On the plus side:
No need to carry separate jugs of gas, it feeds off of the main fuel tank
No need to find extra storage to put it away in
Low center of gravity where it is mounted, no heavy weight hanging outside your rear bumper
Will run the Danhard A/C indefinitely as long as the compressor isn't cycling on and off.

On the negative side:
Expensive, when compared the the 2000W Honda, less so when compared to a comparable 2.8K
A few more dB than the 2000W Honda, probably similar to other 2.8K gensets
Will not handle the starting load of my Danhard A/C, so the inverter needs to powershare on start-up or when compressor cycles on/off.
Need to carry your spare on a carrier in the back.

[BroncoHauler]

I haven't seen anyone talk about a propane powered generator. Are they too heavy, too large, or is it just too hard to carry enough propane? Seems there's a propane version of the generator that sailquik has.


Herb