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Topic ClosedHonda Generator at altitude

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Camper Bob View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Honda Generator at altitude
    Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 8:21am
Just returned from 4 glorius days at Paulina Lake at 6,500' in Oregon.  Had a brand new Honda 2001i generator and a Supco capacitor installed in the A/C.  Started the generator and let it come up to speed.  Turned on the fan in the Rpod and then the A/C.  Unfortunately at that altitude the Honda could not handle the load.  It basically shut down.  It will, however, run the microwave and alternately the hot water heater. Not both together.  This was our first dry camping trip in the Rpod and someone else had mentioned that even with judicious use of water they only got 4 showers out of the tank.  They were correct.  On the third day I took the camper to the dump site cleaned out the waste tanks and added another full load of water.  All good.  We have not tried the generator at lower altitudes, yet.  Hope that helps.  Safe Travels.
Camper Bob and Camper Sue
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 8:55am
Thanks for the update.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 8:58am
Welcome.  Does what happened make sense to you?  Safe Travels.
Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 10:15am
Yes.  Altitude and warm temperatures both give you thinner air.  Thin air = less oxygen, so you get less than the rated output.  There are rules for so much % lost depending on degrees above 77 F and above sea level but I would have to find them.  Also if you get high enough you may have to adjust the unit so the fuel mixture doesn't get too rich.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 5:06pm
Camper Bob, thanks for the report on A/C and 2000 inverter @ altitude. It was as I feared, but hoped not to hear. I have a 2000 Yamaha and am contemplating getting a 9000 BTU A/C for our pod. I don't now anticipate that combo will do much better  boondocking at elevation than you did. When you get a chance, please give us some info on how you do at lower elevations with your Honda and A/C.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 5:37pm
I chose to get a genset that was rated for the full pod load.  Lots less hassle as far as I am concerned. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 7:21pm
A >$200 portable A/C should work with a 2000 watt genset.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 9:19pm
Even a 13,000 BTU air conditioner should be within the capacity of a 2,000 watt genset.  But not when you add the dc power for the trailer, the nuke box and the water heater.  If you are dry camping you need the 12volt stuff as much as the air.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 11:32pm
My thoughts are that at 6,500' the engine couldn't generate enough horsepower to power the A/C.  We live at about 500' above sea level and I still have some fuel left in the Honda.  So after some chores tomorrow I will fire it up and see if it can run the A/C at this lower altitude.  Safe Travels.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Aug 2012 at 11:49pm
  I found out this summer that my generator would not run the A/C on the POD. It's an older Onan contractor unit (built in 72, the year I graduated high school) that says it puts out 2500 watts but.....it would not do the job. It takes 2 1/2 men to lift it and after dragging it down to the POD was not happy that it did not work as planned, we are at around 700 ft above sea level.   Goose  Cry
Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee
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