Generator for caravan Air Conditioner

Submitted: Sunday, Jan 19, 2003 at 18:37
ThreadID: 3022 Views:11612 Replies:3 FollowUps:2
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I am looking at purchasing a Honda EU30i Generator so that we can run the caravan airconditioner when we are camping off the track. Has anyone tried one of these units? How quiet (or noisy) are they? Are they bulky to move around? Are there alternatives? Thanks in anticipation
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Reply By: OziExplorer - Sunday, Jan 19, 2003 at 19:19

Sunday, Jan 19, 2003 at 19:19
Peter they are just the best, and there is nothing better or quieter.

What size air conditioner do you have, as on some air conditioners you can get away with EU20i or EU26i. The best thing to do is to drive your caravan around to a Honda dealer and see if it will start off the EU20i.

Depending on where you are going to use it, you could get away with one not so expensive, and hence not as quite such as an EM30. Just realise, the EM30 does not have the Eco Throttle the EU range has.
These two URL's have good prices on generators.
http://www.hondashop.com.au/power/index.php
http://www.grahams.com.au/

What brand and model air conditioner do you have fitted, in what size van?

Have you thought about a water cooler? These can be run off 12vDC and a solar panel. These are only good away from the coast in the less humid regions from about 60k back from the coast, but they do work well.
AnswerID: 11529

Reply By: Peter - Sunday, Jan 19, 2003 at 19:30

Sunday, Jan 19, 2003 at 19:30
Thanks for the quick response!

The van is a 20ft Bushtracker and the Air Conditioner is an Electrolux CAL 136. I gather that it needs about 2.8Kva to get it started. After that it settles back. I think I'll take your advice though and take the van round to a dealer and see if I can get away with something smaller like the EU20. Thanks again
AnswerID: 11532

Follow Up By: Oziexplorer - Sunday, Jan 19, 2003 at 20:26

Sunday, Jan 19, 2003 at 20:26
Peter I don't know the specifications on the Electrolux CAL 136 model. The Honda EU units have substantially superior motor starting characteristics compared to other generators, so what they say you may need, and what you actually need is often a different matter.
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FollowupID: 6450

Reply By: Bob - Monday, Jan 20, 2003 at 17:38

Monday, Jan 20, 2003 at 17:38
G'Day.
We towed a Bushtracker through the North last summer, pretty hot in spots.
Honda EU20i handled the air con plus battery charger with no problems.
I was originally advised by "Specialists" that one EU20i would not start air con so I purchased 2 to operate in tandem for 4Kva.( easier to handle than large EU30)
I now have a new spare EU20i in the garage.
Interested?
Regards, Bob
AnswerID: 11585

Follow Up By: Peter - Monday, Jan 20, 2003 at 18:03

Monday, Jan 20, 2003 at 18:03
Bob,

Am certainly interested in discussing both your experiences with Bushtracker and the EU20i.

If you wish to contact me on peter.spring@bigpond.com, maybe we could talk that way?

Peter
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FollowupID: 6524

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