 VoodooChile
Just Smile and Wave Boys
Team Member
Joined: Sep 2002  OK, USA
 Posts: 17810 Feedback: 100% (1) |
Posted: 8/3/2012 12:38:02 PM
THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT I have a 3-3.5 kw generator that I've never had to use..run it once in awhile to make sure it runs. The heat is getting to 110 in Oklahoma and we are getting sporadic blackouts during peak times...I have an extra room upstairs that we use for a guest bedroom. It has a Goodman Mini-split that keeps it cool (bought the house this way) If I could run the minisplit, the TV, and a light with the generator this would be the perfect solution in a heat related outage. I don't know squat about running HVAC from a generator so I'm not sure I've got what I need to make this work indoor section is goodman WMH24-1a outdoor section is goodman HDP24-1B |
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Posted: 8/3/2012 7:54:57 PM
Based on those specs, I'm seeing that your setup would use around 3200 watts, which would be pushing it for what you have. I don't know if I'd take that risk. Anyone else confirm my answer?
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Posted: 8/3/2012 8:45:36 PM
Originally Posted By TexasSmooth:
Based on those specs, I'm seeing that your setup would use around 3200 watts, which would be pushing it for what you have. I don't know if I'd take that risk. Anyone else confirm my answer? Correct. The real issue is the LRA (locked rotor amps) which will tax your generator at over 14,000 watts at start up. Second you never want to run a genny above 80% of it max wattage, it beats them up bad. |
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VoodooChile
Just Smile and Wave Boys
Team Member
Joined: Sep 2002 OK, USA
Posts: 17817 Feedback: 100% (1) Link To This Post |
Posted: 8/3/2012 9:09:57 PM
damn....ok well I appreciate the input..maybe I can find a window unit cheap somewhere that my generator can handle
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phurba
Sardonic pragmatic redneck nerd
Life Member
Joined: Apr 2009 VA, USA
 
Posts: 32532 Feedback: 100% (6) Link To This Post |
Posted: 8/3/2012 9:11:46 PM
Originally Posted By VoodooChile:
damn....ok well I appreciate the input..maybe I can find a window unit cheap somewhere that my generator can handle Or get a bigger generator. |
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Posted: 8/6/2012 5:43:31 PM
Originally Posted By VoodooChile:
damn....ok well I appreciate the input..maybe I can find a window unit cheap somewhere that my generator can handle I keep a $100 window A/C just for this use. Only draws about 500 watts. |
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Posted: 8/6/2012 11:54:50 PM
[Last Edit: 8/6/2012 11:55:09 PM by ZW17]
Originally Posted By c0t0d0s0:
Originally Posted By VoodooChile:
damn....ok well I appreciate the input..maybe I can find a window unit cheap somewhere that my generator can handle I keep a $100 window A/C just for this use. Only draws about 500 watts. This is what I do. We hunker down in the bedroom with the portable A/C and some movies. |
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Posted: 8/26/2012 9:11:11 PM
is your mini split and inverter driven one? The inverter driven ones have like 0 start up amps. So you only have to worry about full load amps
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Posted: 8/28/2012 12:17:29 AM
Originally Posted By jamie930:
is your mini split and inverter driven one? The inverter driven ones have like 0 start up amps. So you only have to worry about full load amps Id be even more leery if it was. inverters and vari-drives like clean power. If you end up surging the genset you'll smoke a mini split that costs a lot more then a cheap window unit |
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Keith_J
Veteran of Reagan Era
Life Member
Joined: Jan 2001 TX, USA
Posts: 74517 Feedback: 100% (1) Link To This Post |
Posted: 8/29/2012 10:46:52 PM
You might get away with it for a few days. The generator just doesn't have the inertia to bring the compressor up to speed. When running off even a 100 amp service, the locked rotor current will be easily provided when the unit first turns on. But with your generator, the LRA will be far less than the name plate rating, meaning it will get to speed more slowly. And it will drag the frequency down with it. Depending on the voltage regulation and phase angle shift, the motor start capacitor will be taxed.
There is no substitute for generator mass. Most consumer types run at 3600 RPM which allows a much more compact head. This means more heating at higher current draws. Which causes greater resistance that makes the regulator peg. Get a generator that will drive the full load amperage with 25% excess capacity. This is based on the LOWER rating of the gen set. So if the generator is rated at 3000/3500, that means the most FLA would be 3000 X .75 or 2250 Watts. At 240 volts, that is 9.38 amperes. You should be able to drive the air handling unit off the excess. |
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Posted: 8/29/2012 10:48:53 PM
Since it is a Goodman I doubt it is inverter driven. You can get a soft start kit for the compressor that should help significantly.
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