??'s on Yamaha 2400 watt generator - Diesel Forum

dieseldrive · 02-19-2007, 09:21 PM

Will it start and run a 13500 btu RV air conditioner? The Dealer says it will but they will tell you what you want to hear.

My dilemma is that I would like a superquiet generator and all I have found is the Honda and Yamaha, both of which weigh in at close to 150 lbs for the 3000 watt models. I will have to load and unload this myself and don't want to end up with a bad back. Honda only offers the 2K and the 3K, Yamaha offers the 2.4K that only weighs 70 lbs (the dealer told me specifically for RVers), I suspect that much of the weight reduction is from the lack of electric start. I don't plan on using it a lot but would like to know if it will work at all.

Thanks in advance.

96STROKE · 02-19-2007, 09:49 PM

If I remember correctly, a 13.5k A/C unit can take a start up surge of upto 2800 watts @ sea level, and then 1800 watts running. You will loose 5% performance per 1000 ft of elevation gain on any gen set you go with as well.

I recomend, if you don't want a heavy unit, and something easy to handle, look at going with 2 honda EU2000 and hook them up together. This will give you 4000 watts peak and 3600 watts continuous.
I have one of these hondas, and love it. It weights in at 47 lbs and is not much bigger than my igloo lunch box, very quiet, runs for just over 12 hours on a full tank (1 gallon). I have not used ours to run the a/c unit as I only have 1 unit, nor will it start the a/c unit, but runs everything else. I used to have a 6kw gen set, it would power everything and then some, but it was loud, drank lots of fuel and very heavy. I sold it and plan to buy another EU2000.

If you go with 2 honda units, use 2 when you want a/c, or just one if not. They are very light and easy to move/store/carry.

Sorry I can't help with the yamaha

Good luck with your choice, happy camping

Fever · 02-19-2007, 10:46 PM

Try it before you buy it....We sell Honda's and can get the Yamaha's now (but have not sold any yet, sorry)....We sold a 2000W Honda to a customer wanting to do exactly what you do (didn't want the larger 3000W, but wanted A/C)

We had him bring his TT to our shop one day and we demo'ed a 2000W and tried it. Turns out the 2000W had no problem starting and running the A/C (sorry i don't know what size A/C unit it was, but the TT was around a 24' model), we continued to play around with different things and the only time we kicked out the generator was by running the microwave while trying to start the A/C...

If your supplier is even half-decent they should let you try it before buying it...

cgroveusa · 02-20-2007, 12:29 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I recomend, if you don't want a heavy unit, and something easy to handle, look at going with 2 honda EU2000 and hook them up together.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree with 96STROKE. I piggy-back my two EU2000's often. Quiet, dependable, economical. Got mine HERE a couple years ago.

firesoutmatt · 02-20-2007, 05:50 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Will it start and run a 13500 btu RV air conditioner? The Dealer says it will but they will tell you what you want to hear.

My dilemma is that I would like a superquiet generator and all I have found is the Honda and Yamaha, both of which weigh in at close to 150 lbs for the 3000 watt models. I will have to load and unload this myself and don't want to end up with a bad back. Honda only offers the 2K and the 3K, Yamaha offers the 2.4K that only weighs 70 lbs (the dealer told me specifically for RVers), I suspect that much of the weight reduction is from the lack of electric start. I don't plan on using it a lot but would like to know if it will work at all.

Thanks in advance.

[/ QUOTE ]

I do have the quiet Yamaha 3000SB . It will run both my AC units but like stated it will kick out when I turn on microwave or power washer.

You are correct about the weight but I have a toy hauler and put the gen in the golf cart.
I did see a guy with one and he made a ramp that he could run it up into the side door and strapped it down. It will fit in my compartment under fiver .

Everybody comes over and looks at mine and can't believe its that quiet and it powers my whole trailer with both AC's .

nashvillebill · 02-20-2007, 11:25 PM

Although it's heavier at around 100 lbs, the Champion C46540 is RV ready with a 30 amp plug...and only costs $299 plus shipping from PartsAmerica online. It's basically a Chinese clone of the Honda. Rated 3500 watts contimuous, 4000 watts peak. I bought an optional wheel kit from the Champion distributor.

The RV forums speak pretty highly of this unit, and it's supposedly just as quiet as the Honda. I haven't put it on my trailer AC yet but the RV forums say it'll run the 13500 AC just fine. Maybe it won't last as long as the Honda, but it's like 1/6 the cost.

Fever · 02-20-2007, 11:58 PM

they are quieter than a POS coleman or generac, but not quiet like the suitcase style generators...

Problem with the Chinese knock-off honda wannabe's is finding parts to repair them (i won't even start about the lack of warranty), sometimes OEM honda parts fit and work, sometimes they don't...

Rollie · 02-21-2007, 11:36 AM

The champion is a CA company and parts are avaliable thru them and they are pleasant to work with.

I have one of there generators and although they are quieter than many I am careful when I fire it up. a Honda suitcase will be quiet at low levels but get louder as demand rises but are still pretty quiet.

Chillinthemost · 02-21-2007, 06:09 PM

I also have the 3000 Yamaha. It is heavy but it comes with wheels on it that let you move it around easily. It also hold enough gas to run all night. The 2400 or dual 2000 hondas will probably require a middle of the night refill.

firesoutmatt · 02-21-2007, 07:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I also have the 3000 Yamaha. It is heavy but it comes with wheels on it that let you move it around easily. It also hold enough gas to run all night. The 2400 or dual 2000 hondas will probably require a middle of the night refill.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes I forgot about that. Mine will run almost 24hrs on a fill on eco mode.

ryandye · 02-21-2007, 07:16 PM

The Champion is a pretty good little generator - a little on the heavy side, certainly noisier than the Honda or Yamaha, but easily runs my a/c and microwave (once the a/c is started).

I built a sound enclosure box for it from 3/8 MDF that has two medium sized 110v fans on one end to pull air over the motor and generator head. The fans are hidden behind a shroud (each side of the box has a shroud to allow air in and out) to reduce escaping noise. I welded a threaded fitting to the muffler and use steel pipe to route the exhaust out the top of the box. The enclosure is lined with a fiberglass/foil sound and heat mat. It works incredibly well. In the enclosure, I would bet the generator is as quiet as any Honda or Yamaha. I cannot hear the generator inside the trailer at all and outside the only noise is a low hum that does not interfere with normal conversation, even 10 feet away.

The box does add about 25 lbs of weight, but it slips right off when I move the generator out of the truck. My only fear now is that the fans will die one night and the heat build up will kill the generator.