Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-23-2018, 07:15 PM   #1
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Has anyone tried running a mini-split on an inverter generator?

Hey Everyone,

I know that the inverter type generators such as the Honda EU2000i are quite popular and I have seen several members installing the Pioneer mini-split's.

Has anyone here run their mini-split from one of the inverter style generators?

I was reading something about the Honda having issues with certain types of loads. I don't recall what they were trying to run. It was something odd. A contractor style generator would run it but the Honda freeked out.

It occurred to me that the electronics in the mini-split are a whole lot different than your typical roof a/c and I should probably verify that they will play together before spending the $$

Thanks.

S.

PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2018, 07:27 PM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
somewhereinusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 2,430
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
I have a Champion inverter generator and can run a mini split.
somewhereinusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2018, 09:21 PM   #3
Bus Crazy
 
david.dgeorge07's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
I have a champion 3100/2800 inverter and it runs my 2x 1 ton mini splits easily.
__________________
My Build Thread:

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/4-...ner-18205.html
david.dgeorge07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2018, 07:52 AM   #4
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,707
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
I havent had any issues with a honda running electronics... havent run a mini split but i have run the Climax portable unit which is a mini-split inverter style compressor in a portable unit package and it runs just fine, phone chargers, macbook pro chargers and even an APC sine-wave battery back-up (testing running a server rack) all run fine on. the eu2000i,

I havent tried running any high-load compressor items like a regular A/C, frig, or a high-start-current motor like a shop-vac etc on it..
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2018, 09:52 AM   #5
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Thanks for the input.

Looks like I have nothing to worry about.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2018, 10:16 AM   #6
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
I load tested my Honda 3000 (inverter) genny with my 8000 btu window unit. The A/C ran full blast without the Honda ever coming off "Economy Idle".
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2018, 10:30 AM   #7
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
I load tested my Honda 3000 (inverter) genny with my 8000 btu window unit. The A/C ran full blast without the Honda ever coming off "Economy Idle".
I have run roof a/c's from a Honda EU3000i with no issue. The inverter mini-splits are a little different animal and I wanted to check with the community before I start spending $$.

Thanks again.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2018, 10:43 AM   #8
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Maybe someone else can chime in, but my understanding of the mini-splits is that they have a much lower start-up load and also draw less juice when running than conventional units. Cadillac can probably tell you more.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2018, 11:10 AM   #9
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
Maybe someone else can chime in, but my understanding of the mini-splits is that they have a much lower start-up load and also draw less juice when running than conventional units. Cadillac can probably tell you more.
I am of the same understanding. That is on of the reasons I am going mini-split and not roof air.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2018, 12:06 PM   #10
Bus Crazy
 
david.dgeorge07's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,413
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
Maybe someone else can chime in, but my understanding of the mini-splits is that they have a much lower start-up load and also draw less juice when running than conventional units. Cadillac can probably tell you more.


I have real time monitored my wattage draw with my 12000 btu pioneers. It creeps up from zero over a couple minutes. I’ve never really seen them go past about 2000 W total with both units running. I think they are spec’d to draw up to 1200 per unit but I haven’t seen it. Maybe that’s when you hit the turbo button.

Once the initial heat or cool target is reached it seems like they level out to about 650 W each or 1300 total. Depends on weather etc.

I’ve run 1 off my inverter while driving without trouble.
__________________
My Build Thread:

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/4-...ner-18205.html
david.dgeorge07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2018, 12:09 PM   #11
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Good info...thanks for sharing.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2018, 01:00 PM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 21
The issue you speak of for the Honda, is that the neutral and ground are isolated. Contractor generators and the commercial system, they are not. The fix is to make a jumper out of a plug to connect the neutral and ground at the generator. Make sure not to jump the wrong terminal, it would be detrimental to your system.

I learned this from a book on RV wiring and how to NOT electrocute yourself with metal skinned campers.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
crashmonster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2018, 01:17 PM   #13
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07 View Post
I have real time monitored my wattage draw with my 12000 btu pioneers. It creeps up from zero over a couple minutes. I’ve never really seen them go past about 2000 W total with both units running. I think they are spec’d to draw up to 1200 per unit but I haven’t seen it. Maybe that’s when you hit the turbo button.

Once the initial heat or cool target is reached it seems like they level out to about 650 W each or 1300 total. Depends on weather etc.

I’ve run 1 off my inverter while driving without trouble.
Awesome information!

Thank you for sharing that.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.