Question about AC for Lance 815

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nospam@sbcglobal.invalid.net - 12 Jul 2007 01:25 GMT

A friend of mine is buying a new Lance 815, which has no option
for a built-in generator. He also wants to run an air conditioner
off an external 2KW Honda generator (EU2000i, rated at 1600W).
The generator would be kept inside the camper and brought
outside when necessary to run the AC (or a coffeemaker, etc).

We've done some research and found the Coleman Mach III
PowerSaver, which is 13.5K BTU and requires a max of 10.5A,
1200W.

What we'd like to do is install a dedicated power plug in the
camper just for this generator (or other individual appliance
such as a coffeemaker), so that the appliance could readily be
switched between this outlet (when site power isn't available)
or to another 115V outlet in the camper (when site power is
available).

If anyone out there has tried this, or has found a more elegant
solution for AC in a Lance 815 we'd appreciate hearing about
your experiences. Thanks.

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nospam@sbcglobal.invalid.net - 12 Jul 2007 01:29 GMT

(Sorry for the first post, this second one should make more sense.)

A friend of mine is buying a new Lance 815, which has no option
for a built-in generator. He also wants to run an air conditioner
off an external 2KW Honda generator (EU2000i, rated at 1600W).
The generator would be kept inside the camper and brought
outside when necessary to run the AC (or a coffeemaker, etc).

We've done some research and found the Coleman Mach III
PowerSaver, which is 13.5K BTU and requires a max of 10.5A,
1200W.

What we'd like to do is install a dedicated power plug in the
camper just for this generator, so that the AC (or other individual
appliance such as a coffeemaker) could readily be switched
between this outlet (when site power isn't available) or to another
115V outlet in the camper (when site power is available).

If anyone out there has tried this, or has found a more elegant
solution for AC in a Lance 815 we'd appreciate hearing about
your experiences. Thanks.

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Jim Redelfs - 12 Jul 2007 05:18 GMT

> new Lance 815
> Honda...EU2000
> Coleman Mach III PowerSaver

Your idea sounds workable but a WHOLE lot of (IMHO) unnecessary work.

First, is the air conditioner you mention even available on the new camper?

Second, I suggest simply plugging-in the camper's main cord to the generator
and just be careful to not overload the genny. If it turns out that you can't
keep yourself from firing-up too many appliances at-a-time, then go for the
dedicated outlet project. Good luck!

Signature

:)
JR

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Hustlin' Hank - 12 Jul 2007 11:46 GMT

On Jul 11, 7:25?pm, <nos...@sbcglobal.invalid.net> wrote:

> A friend of mine is buying a new Lance 815, which has no option
> for a built-in generator. He also wants to run an air conditioner
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> solution for AC in a Lance 815 we'd appreciate hearing about
> your experiences. Thanks.

First, if the AC runs at 10.5A and 1200W, it may draw more than that
at start-up, which would kick the circuit breaker. Check it out
further, you may need a bigger Generator.

Second, I am not familiar with the Lance but if you are installing it
yourself, routing the wire should be the biggest problem if everything
else is within specs (gen,ac, wire size and etc.).

Third, I don't understand why you would want or need a separate
circuit unless the factory wiring isn't large enough.

Hank <~~~would die without AC and coffee

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nospam@sbcglobal.invalid.net - 12 Jul 2007 12:35 GMT

> On Jul 11, 7:25?pm, <nos...@sbcglobal.invalid.net> wrote:
> > A friend of mine is buying a new Lance 815, which has no option
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> at start-up, which would kick the circuit breaker. Check it out
> further, you may need a bigger Generator.

The 10.5A is max at startup according to the specs, and reviews
we've read on the unit.

> Second, I am not familiar with the Lance but if you are installing it
> yourself, routing the wire should be the biggest problem if everything
> else is within specs (gen,ac, wire size and etc.).
>
> Third, I don't understand why you would want or need a separate
> circuit unless the factory wiring isn't large enough.

Wiring isn't the problem. Here's the issue:

Let's say the camper has a 3-way refrigerator. When the fridge
senses a 110V generator it will autoswitch to this power source.
That's just one example; we don't know what other unseen draws
there will be on this generator... E.g. will it try and recharge its
12V battery from it? The Honda EU2000i is rated at 13A, so
we have only ~2.5A to work with when the AC is running.
Because of portability issues a larger generator isn't an option,
and rather than constantly have to worry about it, we'd like to
put the AC on a separate circuit.

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Jim Redelfs - 12 Jul 2007 13:12 GMT

> Wiring isn't the problem. Here's the issue:
>
> Let's say the camper has a 3-way refrigerator. When the fridge
> senses a 110V generator it will autoswitch to this power source.
> That's just one example;

RV refrigerators can be set to use LP only. That eliminates this as a concern.

> we don't know what other unseen draws
> there will be on this generator... E.g. will it try and recharge its
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> and rather than constantly have to worry about it, we'd like to
> put the AC on a separate circuit.

I suspect that is another non-issue.

For years, I claimed that the EU2000i

<http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/ModelDetail.asp?ModelName=eu2000i>

would/could NOT run a 13,500 BTU air conditioner.

Having acquired one probably three years ago, I recently disproved myself.

With the EU2000i running at its max and connected to my RV (including the
integral 40-amp converter/charger), with the Eco Throttle OFF, I switched the
AC FAN on. I then switched on the compressor. This is Dometic's "cheap"
(entry level camper) Brisk Air 13.5 kBTU roof air.

It all ran with no problem.

Was I damaging the generator? I went to the genny and switched the Eco
Throttle back on and get this: The RPMs went DOWN noticeably!

Anecdotal evidence to be sure, but I take that to mean that the load was NOT
over-taxing the generator, much less operating continuously within the surge
rating.

I have NOT told this to Mrs. MacWidow (my DW). I'll let her continue to
believe my previous, now disproved (to my satisfaction) claim that the genset
will not operate the AC.

I have no new intention of boondocking with the Honda powering the AC for any
number of reasons but it's nice to know that it can cool down the camper if
really desired.

Signature

:)
JR

2000 Skamper Ultra 249 TT
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Vortec 8100 - Allison 1000

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