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Old 10-13-2020, 06:22 AM   #1
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Question Will Honda EU3000is generator run Starcool AC??

I have a 2007 Ford Sportsmobile that we have owned since it was new. I bought a Honda EU3000is generator 10 years ago and I thought the generator provided enough power to run the AC back then but I haven't used it since. Recently when planning a trip to the Gulf Coast, I decided to take the Honda generator, but the generator overload indicator light came on after only a few minutes of operation and the Starcool AC did not produce cool air.

Because the Starcool AC is working fine during both driving and when parked using a 110 Volt power source, I think the issue is with the Honda generator. The rated AC output specs for the generatorbleare: rated voltage 120 V, rated frequency 60 Hz, rated Ampere 23.4 A, rated output 2.8 KVA, and rated maximum output 3.0 kVA.

Does anybody out there know if the Honda EU3000is generator should be adequate to power the Starcool AC when parked? If it should be adequate, I'll pursue checking-out the generator to see if there's a problem with it.

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Old 10-13-2020, 07:34 AM   #2
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Is there a data label on the starcool? If it gives you amps or watts it's an easy calculation.


You've already determined the generator puts out 2800-3000 watts max.....or 23.4 amps.


Power (watts)=volts x amps


so P= 120V x 23.4 amps=2808 watts give or take.



The generator can likely produce a little more for a short period of time...like when the unit starts up.


If the starcool is rated for 3000W (3kW) or less than yes the generator should power the starcool.
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Old 10-13-2020, 08:09 AM   #3
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Be aware that the starcool may not be your only AC draw when running the generator. Depending on your rig, and state of the house battery a certain amount of power would being used for the battery charger.

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Old 10-13-2020, 10:24 AM   #4
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Usually it will bog down a 3kw generator when the AC cycles on. SMB told me I'd need at least a 3300 watt generator but I've heard some who added a set of capacitors to help buffer the startup and make it work on a smaller generator.
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Old 10-13-2020, 10:40 AM   #5
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Yup. You need a soft-start capacitor. Or, if you have an inverter, some new ones can be configured to provide supplemental surge power, then automatically charges as soon as the load goes back down.

If you turn off all other loads, and turn off “eco” mode, the gen might get it going as-is depending on elevation.
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Old 10-13-2020, 11:14 AM   #6
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Are these portable units rated different than a generator in an RV?
My Chinook came with an Onan 2.8K microquiet generator and it ran everything in the RV for years before it finally started burning oil so i replaced it with a 4K.

I could run the AC and throw something in the microwave at the same time and it still worked. Granted you could hear it load down with both running but it still managed.
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Old 10-13-2020, 11:18 AM   #7
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Can you start the vehicle engine, turn on the StarCool, add in the generator, and then turn off the vehicle engine? Just curious.


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Old 10-13-2020, 12:16 PM   #8
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You should be fine. If you're not, take a look at the compressor maybe. That's the only 110v in that system I believe.
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Old 10-13-2020, 04:50 PM   #9
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Thanks for all the responses! I'll dig into the possible issues and solutions you offered and will get back to you. Thanks again.
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Old 10-14-2020, 08:35 AM   #10
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Will Honda EU3000is generator run Starcool AC??

As mentioned above....Running one of these soft starter units on our A/C unit in our travel trailer, works with a 2000W portable generator.

https://www.microair.net/products/ea...nt=30176048267
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