We're planning to install a 6Kbtu Dometic Air Conditioner with the Smart Start option on our C34 II and plan to power it, occasionally, with a Honda 1K gen while on the hook. I have lots of experience with the Honda 2K gen, but my shoulders limit how much I can now comfortably lift and move so I hope to be able to use the 1K instead.
We chose the 6Kbtu as the configuration to just make things tolerable, not cold.
If anyone has actual experience (good or bad) I would like to hear from you. Also any suggestions, considerations, or warnings would be appreciated.
Elliott Alterman
ealterman@suddenlink.net
I can't answer your question but what amperage requirements does that 6k unit have?
I hear what you are saying about the extra weight of the 2000, but if anyway possible, I'd go with the 2000 Honda and a 9000 BTU unit. If there is anyway you can handle the extra 16 lbs of the 2000, I think you will be much happier with a 9000 BTU unit.
Can you manage 2 people carrying the Honda at once?
My honda 2000 will run my 12000btu unit. It is the starting load that is the problem. If you can wire the coolant pump to it's own switch, turn it and the fan on prior to starting the compressor, you can drastically cut the start load down. So the 1000 might work on a 6 or 9k unit.
So glad this topic arose as I am considering an ac install and powering with my Honda 2000. Already have thru hull and circulation pump under nav station and rather than installing the ducts fore and aft, thought I'd just try to cool the main salon. I too don't care to hang meat.... Just take the edge off to get to sleep, then it usually cools off naturally.... Even in coastal Alabama. My question is what is the lowest btu ac unit that would cool the salon? Hope I didn't hi-jack this thread but this info might be useful to all listeners. Thanks
Those of you with these generators, where do you put it when it's running and how do you deal with the gasoline on-board? I've procrastinated in getting a generator because of the gasoline situation.....thanks!
Roc : Most of the people that I seen, put the Honda in the "walk thru" to run it.
The problem is where to store it when it's not running!!
A thought
Get a LP powered generator and keep the containers on the exterior of the boat or in a sealed locker with proper drains or use the ship's LP
tank that is used for the galley stove.
Larry
GWP, I have the same set up. My unit is installed in the locker aft of the nav station and is vented thru the louvered door, both in and out. Mine is 16K and I can hang meet if I wanted especially after the sun sets.
I'm no expert, but I would think a 9k would do well for you. It won't do a lot during the heat of the day, but once the sun goes down, the salon will get cool and both the V-berth and aft cabin will be more than comfortable.
Thanks Chuck... Where did you install cool air discharge and return? Thanks for info.... Gary
The locker has a louvered door. We built a discharge vent into the door and the rest of the door is the return. The discharge hose is connected to the door vent and being flexilbe, allows me to still open the door. Works good.
Very interesting...I am inclined to do exactly that. Come on sultry summer.... I will be ready for you this year. Thx
I know this is an old thread, but I thought some of you might find this interesting.
I noticed my marina neighbor had a Honda 2000 strapped to his deck. When I had a chance to talk to him, he is running his 16k BTU unit with it. I was shocked and asked if I could try his Honda on my 16k unit. When I kicked on my AC, the Honda bogged down just a little and came right back up and ran fine.
I always thought that the Honda Might run a 16k unit, but only with the soft start capacitor. Neither mine nor my neighbor's AC has that option.
I installed a 12K Dometic unit in the locker aft of the Nav station. Louvered door is the return with a 5 in duct on top of the locker & a 4 in vent run to the aft cabin. The 5 in vent is pointed to the overhead in the middle of the salon, keeps the boat comfortable during the day & cool at night. I had an AC guy tell me a 12K would be fine & keep the humidity down, he said a 16K unit would cool the boat faster but would be overkill. I borrowed a 2K Honda generator & it powers the unit even at startup. My AC unit is only 4 months old & I was told the newer units draw much less power & are more efficient. I'm thinking of getting a 2K Honda but am considering where to store, locate when running then also maybe an external gas tank. Any input on these topics?
Quote from: Ekutney on July 05, 2016, 05:02:09 PMthinking of getting a 2K Honda but am considering where to store, locate when running then also maybe an external gas tank. Any input on these topics?
The 2000 model reportedly does NOT fit in the port locker, the 1000 unit does.
Our 2000 sits under the cockpit table just in front of the pedestal. Still able to sit and eat comfortably at the table for 2.
Hull #1759
We have a:
9,800 BTU Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Unit, Shore Power 2
and a:
5,600 BTU Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Unit, Shore Power 1
either (not both) work perfectly with the Honda 2kW companion.
The Honda fits without modification in the port locker.
Quote from: jstrane on July 06, 2016, 09:15:55 AM
Hull #1759
We have a:
9,800 BTU Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Unit, Shore Power 2
and a:
5,600 BTU Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Unit, Shore Power 1
either (not both) work perfectly with the Honda 2kW companion.
The Honda fits without modification in the port locker.
If you haven't already tried it this way....start the 9800 first and after a minute, kick in the 5600.
Stu - Elliot has a Mk II. The 2000 stores quite nicely in the port locker.
Has anyone tried storing a Honda 2000 in the aft locker under the rear seat? I have a shelf that is lower on the stbd side and it looks like it will fit, just concerned about how easy it will be to get it in & back out. I also talked with somebody that uses an external fuel tank, (5 gal). They said it will run for over 48 hrs on the external tank.
On our 86 MKI we store Honda 2000 in aft storage right under the helm on a platform. There was a smaller platform there and I just added a few inches to accommodate the feet on the generator. Added two bungee tie downs. It has traveled over 1500 mile in some rough water never moved. A friend added a perch made of plastic board and some cable and put off port stern and never has to move it to run. He has an 86 as well and cruised for two years from Lake Erie to Bahamas and back without issue. I store gas can on jug board mounted to stanchions.
RV61, exactly what do you mean by stern perch on port side? External of locker? Do you run the generator while in the aft locker on your boat? Do either you or your friend fuel it directly from the external gas can? Thanks for any more details you can provide. I find the on board AC to be a very nice creature comfort here in the Annapolis area where the summer heat can be brutal. It would be very nice to run it while on the hook. On board AC while not at the dock would be a useful capability.
Regarding what size ac the honda 200 will push...came across this craigslist ad which I found interesting:
condition: new
I bought and installed a NEW Marine Air Systems 12K BTU AC to replace my boats 10K BTU unit. Unfortunately my Honda 2000i gen will not start it do to the higher amp draw. So I'm interested in trading it for a smaller New 8 or 9K BTU AC unit. This unit cost over $1,600. Or if you have a New 8 to 9K BTU AC unit to sell at a reasonable price let me know that too. Thks
I sure find it bizarre that there are so many conflicting accounts of what the little honda will support. Some say 16k....others refute that (Chuck53's post earlier in this thread) Unfortunately I have not yet installed ac but I keep wanting to go a little bigger than 9k btu, maybe 12k but fear that a hard start capacitor (if necessary? ) might be a bigger deal than I think or, even then, might place more demand on the honda than comfortable. Also, the Webasto units seem to be popular and with good reviews, and seem to measure smaller which is attractive as I plan to install in hanging locker aft of nav station. Comments appreciated
Quote from: gwp on July 10, 2016, 03:27:01 PM.......but fear that a hard start capacitor (if necessary? ) might be a bigger deal than I think or, even then, might place more demand on the honda than comfortable.
I always thought it was called a SOFT start.
Ed,
The perch is external and made of marine plastic white board. He built what I will call fiddles on both sides of the perch. The bottom fiddles fit over the transom and cockpit combing to lock from swinging forward and back and then cables attached to outer edge of perch run at about 45 degrees up to horizontal stern rail. Perch sits out over the transom. He also has perch attached to a vertical stern rail so no swinging left and right. He uses rubber tie downs to keep generator from moving on perch and secures generator directly to stern rail with line thru handle. The 2000 travels and runs in same place all the time. He also made a short chord to go from generator to shower power plug. Hope that helps.
Rick,
Thanks much for painting a detailed picture of the setup. Makes sense but more importantly sounds like a proven solution that is been tested. I really enjoy the AC and having it while away from the dock is well worth the effort.
Quote from: gwp on July 10, 2016, 03:27:01 PM
Regarding what size ac the honda 200 will push...came across this craigslist ad which I found interesting:
condition: new
I bought and installed a NEW Marine Air Systems 12K BTU AC to replace my boats 10K BTU unit. Unfortunately my Honda 2000i gen will not start it do to the higher amp draw. So I'm interested in trading it for a smaller New 8 or 9K BTU AC unit. This unit cost over $1,600. Or if you have a New 8 to 9K BTU AC unit to sell at a reasonable price let me know that too. Thks
I sure find it bizarre that there are so many conflicting accounts of what the little honda will support. Some say 16k....others refute that (Chuck53's post earlier in this thread) Unfortunately I have not yet installed ac but I keep wanting to go a little bigger than 9k btu, maybe 12k but fear that a hard start capacitor (if necessary? ) might be a bigger deal than I think or, even then, might place more demand on the honda than comfortable. Also, the Webasto units seem to be popular and with good reviews, and seem to measure smaller which is attractive as I plan to install in hanging locker aft of nav station. Comments appreciated
It's not so much how many BTU's you can run, but the efficiency of the unit and the amps needed to run it. A very efficient 16k unit may need fewer amps than an inefficient 12k unit. It wasn't that many years ago where your typical AC unit had a SEER number of 8-10. Now, 14-16 is very typical.
Quote from: gwp on July 10, 2016, 03:27:01 PM
Regarding what size ac the honda 200 will push...came across this craigslist ad which I found interesting:
condition: new
I bought and installed a NEW Marine Air Systems 12K BTU AC to replace my boats 10K BTU unit. Unfortunately my Honda 2000i gen will not start it do to the higher amp draw. So I'm interested in trading it for a smaller New 8 or 9K BTU AC unit. This unit cost over $1,600. Or if you have a New 8 to 9K BTU AC unit to sell at a reasonable price let me know that too. Thks
I sure find it bizarre that there are so many conflicting accounts of what the little honda will support. Some say 16k....others refute that (Chuck53's post earlier in this thread) Unfortunately I have not yet installed ac but I keep wanting to go a little bigger than 9k btu, maybe 12k but fear that a hard start capacitor (if necessary? ) might be a bigger deal than I think or, even then, might place more demand on the honda than comfortable. Also, the Webasto units seem to be popular and with good reviews, and seem to measure smaller which is attractive as I plan to install in hanging locker aft of nav station. Comments appreciated
Just fired up my new 2000i for the first time and just wanted to report that it seems to run my 12,000 btu AC unit just fine.
Allowed the fan to start first. My AC unit has a rotary type compressor and is 17 yrs old. Hope that helps.
The starting load is the issue. Wire the pump to a switch, turn it on, turn the fan on, before turning the compressor on. At the dock, battery charger not working hard or off, my 2000i will run my 12k unit or my neighbor's 16k AC. My AC is 2005 vintage, neighbor's isn't new either.