If it still won't start the a/c see if it will run the microwave, which has a much lower startup surge. If you can get that running then try adding the water heater element (with water in the tank so you don't burn it out) to find out what total load the genny can handle. The water heater and micro together should be right around 3KW. If that's too much then turn off one of them and add a smaller known load instead, like say an 800 watt hair dryer. The point is to see if your genny is producing what it should. Do you have a clamp on current meter you can use to see how much load the generator actually has on it? If not just add up the nameplate loads. 

if the genny is performing as it should but won't start the a/c then you'll either need a bigger genny or an Easystart on the a/c to reduce startup load. 

OffGrid.

Thanks for your quick reply.  I tried again since it's been over an hour since my last attempt.  I flipped the microwave and converter breakers off, and the generator's display showed me that 0 % of my capacity was being used, versus the 2 % when I left the microwave and converter on in my previous attempts.  Also, I put the fan speed to low on the air conditioner (rather than auto), and tried again.  Same result. Generator immediately  faulted after the compressor turned on.

I do not have current meter clamp, however, i tried your load idea of water heater and microwave.  That worked for about 1 minute with the display on the generator showing 107.1 %.  Then after that minute, it too went into fault mode.

I'm not sure what all this means.  Do you think my generator is okay, and it's my air conditioner creating more of a load then other RPod air conditioners?  Does it matter that my 2020 RPod 190 is brand new and that the air conditioner has only been tested at the dealers and never really been used?  (I don't have a 30 amp outlet at home.)

I don't think at this point I can return the Briggs and Stratton generator.  What is an Easystart, and is it expensive?  Is it easy to install?

Thanks for all your help.

An Easystart

https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters/products/easystart-364-3-ton-single-phase-soft-starter-for-air-conditioners?variant=30176048267 - https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters/products/easystart-364-3-ton-single-phase-soft-starter-for-air-conditioners?variant=30176048267

is a soft start device that is mounted inside your roof air. It is indeed pricey but it works very well, I have one and it allows my Honda 2K to start the a/c. The hardest thing about installing it is that you are working on the roof of the rPod. You have to reconnect a few wires from the existing start capacitor in the Dometic to the Easystart. Then you run the Easystart through a few starts so it can "learn" and minimize the starting load current. The instructions are pretty good, as is the customer support, and several of us have installed them so you can ask any questions you have on the forum. 

Dometic says their 13,500 BU A/C runs at 12.5 or 12.6 amps.

https://www.dometic.com/assets/58/97/3312501_55897.pdf?att=true

If the standard 2.25 factor is applied for in-rush current that is 28.1A or 3375 watts at 120V.

Your P3000 is a 2600watt/21.7A generator with 3000W peak (25A). 

https://www.briggsandstratton.com/na/en_us/product-catalog/generators/portable-generators/p3000-powersmart-series-inverter-generator.html

You just don't have enough generator. 

So, is it cheaper to have a soft-start installed or trade up to a P4500?  Since you haven't had it long, maybe your dealer will be kind.  If you don't ask, the answer is already "no".

Remember too that a 3000 watt generator is 3000 peak (surge) watts, not 3000 running watts. It is rated for 2600 running watts. That generator should be more than capable of starting and running the AC. I have a Generac iX2000 (2200 peak, 2000 running watts) which can start the AC. I did install a Micro-Air EasyStart also and I do recommend it. However, if that generator won't start the AC, I think it indicates a problem with the generator. I would contact the manufacturer and put in a warranty claim since it is not performing as it should.

A clamp-on meter like the https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwire-Digital-600-Volt-Test-Meter/1001002506 - Southwire Digital 600-Volt Test Meter which can test both AC and DC amperage is reasonably priced from Lowe's at a little lower price on https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Equipment-21550T-Built-Tester/dp/B07HB9W8CX/ - Amazon.

Originally posted by offgrid Some 3kw generators can start the a/c, some can't. Even if you could return the generator, consider the extra size, weight, and fuel use of a larger one. The Easystart is not at all difficult to self-install, and once done its done. Big gennies are backbreakers to load and unload and move around the campsite every time, and depending on your TV can push you over the edge of safety in loading your rig. Other than starting the a/c, there's really nothing you need a big 4.5 kw generator for in an rpod. That's why I opted for a 2kw and the Easystart, the 2kw only weighs about 48 lbs, and converted to propane there is no need for an extra fuel source either.

I can understand a 2K generator not being able to start the AC. I can't see any situation in which a 3K generator would not be able to start and run the AC unless either something is defective in the generator or the AC. If the AC starts without difficulty when powered by shore power, it should start with a 3K generator. After all, it is running on a 15A circuit breaker. That generator should be putting out around 24A steady and 27A surge, which should be more than enough.

A typical 2kw generator would be putting out 1600W steady (14.5A) and 3000W surge (18A). This is a 3kw generator in question. I still think something is wrong with the generator. That is why I suggested contacting the manufacturer for warranty service if it is too late to return it.

You are underestimating the startup current demand on the Dometic 13.5. It can be in excess of 40A, but they are not identical and even with the same unit the current requirement varies with temperature and with how long the compressor has been off. This isn't the first report that a 3KW generator failed to be able to start one. 

A typical residential circuit breaker is designed to hold at least 7x its rated current for a few tenths of a second, which is plenty long enough. Depending on its design and protection electronics a generator might or might not be able to do the same thing. Generators store energy in their rotating mass to handle surges, but inverter generators have to be able to pass that power through their electronics without damage. Briggs is limiting those currents more that Honda is, proportional to the continuous power ratings of its generators. That is not a coincidence, I would bet Honda uses relatively higher capacity components than Briggs does. That would increase their costs but provide a higher level of reliability, and that's what we see: Hondas cost more but have a top notch reliability record.  

The Easystart reduces that 40-ish A startup surge by about 2.5-3X, well within the range of a Honda 2K. 

I'm sorry they did not provide a viable solution or admit that their generator does not work for the purpose intended.

If you're close the Dometic starter might get you over the top. But of course it might not, sometimes those starters are designed to help the compressor motor get started at the expense of even higher line load. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Many years ago I bought the smallest Generac inverter generator, rated at 800 watts IIRC.

It would barely run a 100 watt light bulb.

Junk it was.

It might or might not, reports vary.. This depends on multiple factors, including ambient temp, how long since the last a/c cycle, refrigerant charge, altitude, phase of the moon, throw of the dice, etc. IOW, don't count on it. If you want to be sure, get an Easystart or a larger genny. 

Question in line with this thread topic. If you have a 3k generator AND you get the AC cranking how much capacity is left on the generator to run other appliances, lights, etc, and will your onboard battery be able to charge? I am looking at a gen set to charge my batteries primarily, but if the temps rise or we are camping without tree cover the AC would be great to run in the evening or during my kiddos nap time.   

I think that's unfair to B&S.  Their 2600 watt generator trips in a very few seconds if asked to deliver over 3000 watts, its peak rating.  That another generator will struggle and run at under-voltage long enough to start the A/C should not be a valid expectation.  Running an electric motor at low voltage will damage some, if not most.  Since it performs as stated, we can only say it has no excess reserve and we need a larger generator. 

Agreed. But for my application I would prefer to pay up for a bigger gen set so that I could fire up our water well, ToyoStove and a few lights if our power were to ever go out in the winter. Granted the bigger gennys come at the expense of added weight. I think the Honda 5k is over 150lbs.

+1. The OHSA safe lift limit is 50 lbs. I would want to call my neurologist and schedule another discectomy in advance of trying to move that big genny, that way I could limit the agonizing pain to as short a period as possible.  Please be careful. 

I would want something like this if I were to get a larger generator than the one I have:

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200672540_200672540 - https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200672540_200672540

or this one:

https://www.amazon.com/XtremepowerUS-500Lb-Pickup-Hydraulic-Engine/dp/B00N243PTE/ - https://www.amazon.com/XtremepowerUS-500Lb-Pickup-Hydraulic-Engine/dp/B00N243PTE/

Yes, I fully understood this was the 2200. Many report success and many report failure. As I said, there are are several variables involved. Its not as simple as saying it works or it doesn't, or even that it works for one person under all conditions. I've had my 2K start my a/c as well, under some very benign conditions. 

6 hp = 4.5 kw mechanical engine output. With generator conversion efficiencies in the range of 90% tops that would be about 4kw electric. So, yes, impossible on a continuous basis. But generators being rotating machines store energy in the moving mechanical parts which allows for a peak output higher than the engine hp rating, for a short time. 

When you think about it, what's going on when you start the a/c compressor from a genny is that you're using electricity to transfer stored energy from one machine with rotating mass to another one. Once the compressor is started the power required to maintain it in motion is much less. 

The problem with a budget inverter generator like the Briggs is that that the high initial electric current needed for a/c startup has to make it through the transistors in the inverter section. Those are likely tightly spec'd to save cost so become the limiting factor in the surge rating. The protection circuit is tripping the genny offline rather than allowing those transistors to be fried, which is a good thing. A higher end genny like the Hondas will have larger transistors which can handle more surge current. 

Y'all are funny on this site. And I would also agree that lifting over 50 lbs by yourself, especially planting/turning and lifting is not ideal in any situation... especially if you are camping in the boonies... Needless to say a generator that weighs 100+lbs is asking for trouble on a camping trip. But not having to purchase a generator for your RV and a second for your home would be ideal. 

I found this while looking into the EU2200s. 

Not sure if you were aware of this but see below. 

Please supply a reference.  While there may be situations when the EU2000 will not power the AC, such as a very high BTU unit or very high elevation, a Google search does not immediately bring up reports that the EU2000 fails to run the AC.  But it brings up many reports that it does.  Perhaps I should say, "In general, the EU2200 will run your AC."

I inferred you owned two EU2200s that might have been recalled. 

Here for example.   

https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx119FVJPVUTGMO/1/ref=ask_al_psf_al_hza - https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx119FVJPVUTGMO/1/ref=ask_al_psf_al_hza

I'll repeat: as one of these Amazon reviewers stated, not all a/c's with the same btu/hr rating are the same, and they aren't even the same for the same model number under the same conditions, and they are certainly not the same as conditions vary. And hot compressor starts on hot days are harder.  Similar variations apply to the generators as well. If you want to generalize feel free, but a generalization isn't going to cool you off if your a/c fails to start on its 3rd compressor cycle on a hot day when you really need it. If you want to have a reliable way to run your a/c then either get an Easystart or other system for limiting peak startup current, or get a larger generator. 

BTW my 2K (without Easystart) would sometimes start my a/c once, but never on a second compressor cycle when refrigerant back pressure had built up. YMMV, as they say. 

Originally posted by Tibof After reading those Amazon reviews, most of which don't directly address the EU2200, I'll stick with the tests and owner experience that can be found in a Google search.  Out of 12 Amazon reviews, four said no, and one of those was talking about the EU2000!  And another was a "Seller" who said you need two!  And since we are presumably concerned here with an R-Pod AC, I'll flatly state that the EU2200 will run it.  But anyone buying a generator, check the reviews for yourself.  Go to a dealer that sells them and test one.

Unfortunately, as has been pointed out, it varies.. OUR 177, MY eu2000, WOULD run the a/c. It wouldn't on my sisters 177, nor on a friends Coachman. All the same model and size a/c. All in the same driveway, within minutes of each other when experimenting. (and, as a side note, the eu2000 owned by the Coachman owner, wouldn't start mine.)

The best you can say for sure is that YOUR 2200 will run the a/c on YOUR Pod. It's entirely possible that it will start "most", but know one knows for sure that it will start all of them.

You asked for an example of a start failure, I gave you several. Took me all of 10 seconds as I was already shopping on Amazon. If you don't like my examples that's your prerogative, but I'm not obliged to play "bring me a rock" with you. 

I don't think you are actually reading and understanding my posts. If you were you would not state that it was adequate to "go to a dealer and that sells them and test one".  A one time test is clearly NOT adequate, as several of the Amazon reviewers and many others on this forum and elsewhere also point out.  Are you recommending someone to go on a cold day at sea level when then haven't run their a/c in weeks? A hot day at high altitude when they have just run their a/c for a long period and performed multiple starts? An older a/c or a brand new one? A used generator or new right out of the box? 

You are ignoring the complexities of the variables involved. It is easy to assume that an area of expertise with which one is not very familiar is simple to understand, but if that was the case with air conditioning there wouldn't be tens of thousands of engineers and technicians making a good living dealing with the complexities. Ditto with generators. 

While not an expert in either of these fields I have worked with and respect the experts in both.  As an engineer I am well aware of the dangers from interactions in complex systems operating at or near their limits. Sound engineering practice involves knowing not to shave safety margins too closely lest one encounter lots of unpleasant behaviors best left undiscovered. 

 

I do hope your a/c and generator continue to play well together and incur no long term damage. Moving on...

Don't you know that by now? 

The floggings will continue until morale improves.

American scientists and engineers used to be the best in the world because our educational system combined both theoretical work and practical experience. Other countries didn't have those resources. Now unfortunately that is no longer the case, for example the electrical engineering grad student I met recently who couldn't jump start his car battery. He could write great C++ code though....

End of rant...

Unfortunately, as has been pointed out, it varies.. OUR 177, MY eu2000, WOULD run the a/c. It wouldn't on my sisters 177, nor on a friends Coachman. All the same model and size a/c. All in the same driveway, within minutes of each other when experimenting. (and, as a side note, the eu2000 owned by the Coachman owner, wouldn't start mine.)

The best you can say for sure is that YOUR 2200 will run the a/c on YOUR Pod. It's entirely possible that it will start "most", but know one knows for sure that it will start all of them. 

Thanks for your observations, but this is about the EU2200, NOT the EU2000.  They are very similar but the EU2000 has been replaced by the EU2200.  As I said, Google for actual tests.  Or go to a dealer on a hot day or one at 12,000 feet and check out an old one not just out of the box! Throw as many variables at it as you can find. So far, all I've seen are the numerous tests that Google brings up, plus my own experience.  And the data support my point.  In the end, no one knows anything for sure.  In another galaxy, far, far away, the EU2200 may not power a conventional light bulb.  But probabilities do tell us a lot, and I do know something about that.  When Pod owners start reporting no luck with the EU2200, I'll be the first to acknowledge it and eat crow. 

My comment about digital vs analog was, of course, just for humor...I understand the frustration of trying to figure out what will power the entire RV, and A/C, and still be considered 'portable'.

But, I can barely hoist it by myself into the back of the pickup....it weighs about 150 pounds or so fully fueled!

But by golly it does do the job.

Thanks for your observations, but this is about the EU2200, NOT the EU2000.  They are very similar but the EU2000 has been replaced by the EU2200.  As I said, Google for actual tests.  Or go to a dealer on a hot day or one at 12,000 feet and check out an old one not just out of the box! Throw as many variables at it as you can find. So far, all I've seen are the numerous tests that Google brings up, plus my own experience.  And the data support my point.  In the end, no one knows anything for sure.  In another galaxy, far, far away, the EU2200 may not power a conventional light bulb.  But probabilities do tell us a lot, and I do know something about that.  When Pod owners start reporting no luck with the EU2200, I'll be the first to acknowledge it and eat crow. 

I know a wee bit about statistics too, I used to do statistical experimental design. Its meaningless unless you control your input variables.

OK, you sucked me in with the crow challenge..... Go to about 3:30 in this vid and watch a 2200 NOT start a 13.5Kbtu a/c. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnVMRRoCbfE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnVMRRoCbfE

And don't even think about asking me to bring you yet another rock, two is all my lumbar vertebrae can tolerate....

I know you were joking but the best humor has a sharp point to it.

The "digital" expectations of many people today that their stuff is "just going to work" is a real problem I think. IMHO we are losing the mix of scientific and practical skills that made America great. Personally I think we were better off when we had less stuff and had to take more time to understand and keep the stuff we did have working. Just my $0.02.

I know a wee bit about statistics too, I used to do statistical experimental design. Its meaningless unless you control your input variables.

OK, you sucked me in with the crow challenge..... Go to about 3:30 in this vid and watch a 2200 NOT start a 13.5Kbtu a/c. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnVMRRoCbfE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnVMRRoCbfE

And don't even think about asking me to bring you yet another rock, two is all my lumbar vertebrae can tolerate....

My interest is chiefly to assist Pod owners with a generator decision.  Excellent video, for it emphatically supports my point and actually states clearly (in writing at 6.35) that the EU2200 runs the AC just fine as long as you are not STARTING the AC at the highest fan speed (even when using an extension cord of questionable AWG).  Who would do that?  If you know something about probabilities, then you know that so far the case is quite strong for the EU2200 running a Pod AC.  How many good mellons do I have to pull from the pile to "prove" that they are likely all good?  If we are really attempting to inform Pod owners, then it seems that they should understand that evidence clearly points to the EU2200 running the AC. As for eating crow .........   

I for one want my a/c to run and max evaporator efficiency (eg. high fan speed) and be able to cycle on an off without having to remember to run over and reduce the fan speed before it restarts for the next cycle. 

His issue was only the fan speed while starting the AC, not while running it. I'll leave it to Pod owners/generator buyers to check out all of the information and to fully watch your video. Then try an EU2200 on your Pod, in this galaxy.  I don't know that it will work FOR SURE, but I would bet that plate of crow that it will.

All this talk about generators got me looking again for a new one to upgrade my Generac iX2000. It has been reliable, but I want something with more power and the kicker is that I want it to be able to run on propane. Enter this:

Firman 2900W Running / 3200W Peak Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter Generator Gas and LP

Costco has it listed for $779.99 plus tax with free shipping. It is significantly lower than I have seen it listed anywhere else. I ordered it today and will be looking forward to it arriving so I can test it. It will simplify my travels as I won't need to worry about carrying gasoline containers. It may not be quite as quiet as I would like though and some people indicate that it arrived damaged in shipment. I can't blame Firman for that though. One feature this one has is a meter to track hours, voltage, etc. I was also looking at a Champion model, but that lacked a meter and it would have cost $355.95 more. I won't be removing the EasyStart. I will also have to figure out a way to load/unload the generator because of the additional weight. I have a bed extender that I may be able to adapt for the purpose. 

Also, if we do go out west this summer, it will be much better for running the AC than the Generac iX2000 would have been.

"His issue was only the fan speed while starting the ac, not while running it". That statement indicated to me that you were unclear about starting vs running so I wanted to be certain we were on the same page. Glad we are. 

I've brought you 4 or 5 rocks now and you've rejected every one. Cherry picking data is your prerogative of course. Mine is to conclude that you are not interested in having a serious discussion. I guess this is a case where repeating the same inaccurate statement over and over somehow might make it true. Moving on now. 

I suggest using a piece of pywood on the roof to spread out the load a bit when working up there. Also deploy the stabilizers. Safety first. 

I cant un-see or un-hear all of that...thanks guys, I'll be on my way now....