Ibis Roof Top Airconditioner
Submitted: Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 13:28
ThreadID:
130573
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6770
Replies:
8
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3
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Russan
G'day all
When we had our Jayco caravan we could run the airconditioner off our 2KVA generator.
We have since changed caravans and the new van has an Ibis Roof Top airconditioner which the 2KVA generator will not start. We have been advised that the Ibis AC need about 2.8KVA to start and about 1.4KVA to run once started.
I have found an inverter? that can boost the power for short periods of time through the caravan battery but this was pretty expensive (about $1,900).
Does anybody know it there is another way of getting the AC started with our existing generator.
We rarely use the AC so really don't want to buy another generator for something that may never get used.
Look forward to any advise that anyone may have regarding
Reply By: Notso - Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 13:54
Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 13:54
Looks like the inverter supplementing the genny for start up is the only real answer. Unless you buy a larger genny of course. We have a member of our van club that has an inverter supplement set up in his US Built 5th Wheeler. It seems to work.
AnswerID:
591497
Reply By: steved58 - Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 14:24
Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 14:24
Ask ibis about converting to a soft starter for your air conditioner early model ibis air conditioners
would not run on the 2 kva generators late model ibis willThey have a soft start I know they advertise the Honda 2 kva will run the ibis
mine definitely does
Good luck Steve
AnswerID:
591498
Follow Up By: Russan - Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 17:23
Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 17:23
Thanks Steve
I spoke to Ibis and they said that a soft start can be added to some models by adding a capacitor to the motor. I will follow this up further.
FollowupID:
859548
Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 15:32
Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 15:32
Get it touch with the manufacturer (Aircommand....an Aussie company !).... they can tell you the gennies that will and won't support the Ibis. Last time I was reading up on it, the Honda 2k has no problems....(other makes of genny claiming to be 2k may not be as happy). Oh...and...you'll probably have to make sure that every other appliance in the van is off at the time (such as water heater elements etc.)
AnswerID:
591502
Follow Up By: Russan - Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 17:25
Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 17:25
Thanks Darian
I have a
Kulkyne generator. I might hold of a Honda and see if that makes a difference.
FollowupID:
859549
Reply By: pop2jocem - Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 19:46
Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 19:46
Our van has an Aircommand Wren which as far as I can determine has much the same power requirements as the later Ibis. We have a Honda 2 (2000w max, 1600w continuous). I know it will run our AC but in high ambients it is pretty much maxed out to start it unless all other power draws even the battery charger are disconected. Once it is running all good.
We haven't bothered with chasing up a soft start option as we mostly use caravan parks nowadays. The Honda is now basically our standby for when the mains fail for any extended time.
Cheers
Pop
AnswerID:
591511
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 20:32
Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 20:32
Russian,
Unless you can get the Ibis retro fitted with soft start cheaply, you might be better off buying a 2800w gennie, rather than invest $1900 in the inverter system. Only downfall might the increased weight, and manoeuvrability of a bigger generator.
Found this on Google:
Yamaha 2800w Generator
No affiliation etc...
Bob
AnswerID:
591517
Follow Up By: Member - Bigred13 - Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 21:32
Monday, Oct 12, 2015 at 21:32
Hi Bob, Yes that 2800 W Yamaha will do it easily ,I've got one and I used it with an Air Command Cormorant ,which I believe is the biggest one they make ,and it was no problem ,I think it has the easy start too on the air Con .+I have a Coleman Mach on the caravan now and it starts that and runs it as
well as a turbo cooker ,although it is really working with them both going
Regards
John
FollowupID:
859553
Reply By: Legendts - Tuesday, Oct 13, 2015 at 00:14
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2015 at 00:14
A friend of ours has an Ibis 3 with a Honda 2kVa generator and he says he can get his running but to start it has to turn everything off including battery charger, compressor fridge etc. then just turn on what he needs, his comment was "turn everything and I mean everything off" not sure if that helps or if you have tried that.
AnswerID:
591523
Reply By: Member - peter h (SA) - Tuesday, Oct 13, 2015 at 07:14
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2015 at 07:14
Hi
I had same problem and solved it very easy. The condessor needs ro be changed . I hope this is the right word. Anyway rang the maker who sent me the part . Ten minutes to replace and now our honda 20 starts the airconditioner no problems. Its only the start up surge need the problem the new part lowers this
AnswerID:
591527
Reply By: BIGFOOTDAD - Friday, Dec 04, 2015 at 23:07
Friday, Dec 04, 2015 at 23:07
Hi,
came across this thread by accident.
Blah blah annoys me when people dont know just make stuff up.
Read Starting Air Conditioner with Generator thread of
mine.
Spend 25 bucks and 99 per cent your problem will be solved.
AnswerID:
593394