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Old 05-08-2021, 10:30 AM   #11
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I don't have an air conditioner on my van but I did buy one of these for both shore power, battery charging and DC power. It combines an AC breaker panel with a DC panel and a 120v AC to 12v DC converter/charger:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Plus, in order to connect the above to shore power I added this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and this:

https://www.amazon.com/Leisure-Power...%2C230&sr=8-18

Based on the amperage you'll be drawing you don't want to skimp on the size of your extension cord.

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Old 05-09-2021, 09:29 AM   #12
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I have installed an Easy Start, but still too many amps required to run my AC with a 2000W generator
My Magnum 2800W inverter will run the unit using the house battery bank (Expion 360 AH) with out problems but only for ~ 2 hours .
Live and learn
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Old 05-10-2021, 07:20 AM   #13
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Hmm…I’ll double check, but I’m pretty sure we’ve got the 15,000 BTU version of a Coleman-Mach unit, I’m able to run it off of a smarter tools 2000w generator (2000w start/1600w continuous) with the easy start unit installed on the ac, generator not on eco mode of course. Maybe your easy start isn’t working or has a loose wire or not wired correctly?
Sorry to derail……
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Old 05-10-2021, 09:35 AM   #14
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The East Start works fine and considerably lowered the start up amps from ~35 to 16-18a. Unfortunately, my Yamaha 2000 generator only puts out about 15a. The unit, Dometic Penguin II /heat pump, performs well with the inverter but consumes 1800w/h with the AC running. With our 360 ah battery bank that gives us only 2.0 of maximum use. Since I already had one Yamaha (40 lbs) buying a 2nd with a combining cord allows them together to generate 30a of current and solves our issue. I could have purchased a larger generator, but most 3000w generators weigh 90+ lbs. Harder to lift in and out. One of my generators fits in the rear Aluminess box and the other is strapped down in the garage under the bed of the van. Not ideal, but whatever works
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Old 05-21-2021, 11:37 AM   #15
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Hey guys!

Thanks for the thoughtful responses. In reading your replies and doing some more research, I think I just have more questions.

I chose the brisk because it's cheaper, why are the smaller models with less cooling capacity more expensive?

I think I've realized that I'd like to be able to use a regular 15A outlet if I can. The Dometic Penguin II recommended by someone earlier in the thread has a 10.5 amp ampere rating, and if the battery charger pulls 4 amps I'm right up against the limit. However, it's clear that the air conditioner will pull more than it's rating at start up. So for this scenario do I need to choose a smaller AC unit, only keep one connected at a time, or is this really not going to work without a 30A service?

Thanks guys
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Old 05-21-2021, 12:33 PM   #16
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Hey guys!

I think I've realized that I'd like to be able to use a regular 15A outlet if I can. The Dometic Penguin II recommended by someone earlier in the thread has a 10.5 amp ampere rating, and if the battery charger pulls 4 amps I'm right up against the limit. However, it's clear that the air conditioner will pull more than it's rating at start up. So for this scenario do I need to choose a smaller AC unit, only keep one connected at a time, or is this really not going to work without a 30A service?

Thanks guys




A "regular" receptacle can be either 15A or 20A depending upon the house wiring (in the wall). What do you have or want?

https://www.amazon.com/20-amp-recept...amp+receptacle

If you can find an AC unit with a 10.5A rating then adding 4 amps of charger puts you right at the 15 Amp limit. I'm not sure what you are going to be charging at 40 amps continuous, but my guess you will be much lower for example at C/10 for 100 amp hours is only 10 amps. Haus (deep cycle or lithium) batteries are not going to be wanting a C/10 charge continuous. The controller should go into float and much less current. So we are possibly overestimating the charging demand; I don't know what your battery setup is?

Given what is probably your objective. I would say that if you got the 10.5 Amp rated AC cooler with the smart converter recommended

https://www.hodgesmarine.com/smar303...nfigurati.html

then you can run both AC and charger as long as you are not going full tilt with charging. If you have a 20Ampo service then no issues all the way around.

There are plug converters so you can plug the 30Amp cord into a "normal" 15/20A receptacle.

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/adaptado...1622246&sr=8-5

This way you can plug into a 15/20A service normal outlet or the 30Amp outlets at RV parts. You will have all the functionality you desire running off off the lowest 15A service as long as you do not go full demand continuously.

If you are running in an RV park or other unknown circumstances you will probably want some type of surge protector such as the following.

https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Sur.../dp/B07NW195M8


Of course, if you are always going to run in your driveway under known conditions, and you watch your loads (someone living in the RV in the driveway) you can cheap out and just go with a "regular" plugs for the RV. As previously suggested.

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/GCP2-cor...7TLNQ328&psc=1

Note: "Watch your loads" means.
  • Do not Turn ON the AC unit when you have known Max/high charging demand.
  • Turn on AC unit with Charger OFF.
  • Turn on Charger only after AC unit has started or is OFF.

Of course, the real cheap out mode is to put a $200 window mount AC unit into one of the windows in the rear. These have no problems running off a 15Amp circuit.

https://bestreviews.com/best-window-air-conditioners
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Old 05-21-2021, 02:08 PM   #17
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A Dometic Penguin II will not run on a 15A plug, even with an EasyStart
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Old 05-21-2021, 03:07 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charliesmom View Post
A Dometic Penguin II will not run on a 15A plug, even with an EasyStart
Quote:
Cooling capacity (ISO 5151) 3956.46 W
Power consumption - Cooling mode (ISO 5151) 1731 W
https://www.dometic.com/en-ca/ca/pro...uin-ii-_-20666
Thanks, there seems to be some kind of disconnect with the 10.4A rating.

How do you have even 1731W of power consumption in cooling which is 14.4 amps and have 4K Watts of cooling capacity?
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Old 05-21-2021, 05:01 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by Charliesmom View Post
A Dometic Penguin II will not run on a 15A plug, even with an EasyStart
is there any air conditioner I could put on my van that would possibly work with what I've described? I plan on staying in moderate weather - that's the whole point, so I don't think I'll need overpowered cooling.
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Old 05-21-2021, 05:03 PM   #20
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Maybe the window unit is the solution here
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