nextalcupfan
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Just going to throw my $.02 in here. According to the spec sheet Coug put up that HVAC unit has Soft-Start capability, that means startup surge should be almost non-existent. (Emphasis on should)
According to your first post all your other loads will be "tv, laptops, cell phones, radios and chargers".
Unless you have some monster high powered transmission radio (like a CB with a 200w kicker) all of those should be able to be powered by the convenience outlet easily.
Depending on the size the TV is probably 50-100w, Laptop chargers 30-75w, Cell Phones 10-30w, Standard FM radio 5-10w, and just "chargers" is far to broad i would need to know exactly what type. However I looked up a DeWalt 20v MAX charger and its input current is 1.5A or 180w.
But if you had 2 of each except the TV everything together is at worst 690w, which is only 5.75A from the convenience outlet, everything but the DeWalt Chargers only came to 330w btw.
If this were me (since I already have one) I would try to run this on an 803a, according to the specs of similar units the heating is done with resistive heat.
That means no surge and 1.0powerfactor.
The MEP803a can put out around 12.25kW on 3ph at 1.0pf, your max heating load is 12.18kW.
That is 99% load and adding in your other electronics that comes to 105% load. Now don't get me wrong thats alot, and if it was continuous I would defiantly suggest an 804x generator.
But you need to keep in mind you're only heating a tent so your run times on the HVAC unit should be quite short. (depending on the insulation value of the tent and the temp difference outside)
So I would wager over 50% of the time your generator is running it would be effectively idling just charging your small devices.
This is going to cause Wet Stacking fairly quickly, which is IMO the number 1 problem with these MEP's.
I would also like to note I've seen Youtube videos (I think from members of this very forum) of loading an 803a to 17kW on 3ph briefly and it handling it like a champ.
As for your concerns on running the unit in 3ph and plugging in 120v devices it's not an issue.
3ph is after all 3 individual 120v legs 120 degrees out of phase with each other. So to get 120v all you need to do is pull off 1 leg and neutral (The convenience outlet is wired to L3 and neutral)
Wow sorry this came out way longer winded than I intended...
Anyway in conclusion I personally think you should get an 803a (IF possible maybe a forum member can let you use one to see if it can handle the load before you buy?)
If you're really concerned about overloading it however just remember if you get an 804x you're going to need some way to burn the wet-stacking out of it. (Honestly you might even wet-stack the 803a a bit if the HVAC unit isnt coming on very often.)
And don't worry about your electronics loads you mentioned, they are a drop in a swimming pool compared to your HVAC load.
Now if you want to add a fridge/microwave/coffee maker thats a whole other story.
According to your first post all your other loads will be "tv, laptops, cell phones, radios and chargers".
Unless you have some monster high powered transmission radio (like a CB with a 200w kicker) all of those should be able to be powered by the convenience outlet easily.
Depending on the size the TV is probably 50-100w, Laptop chargers 30-75w, Cell Phones 10-30w, Standard FM radio 5-10w, and just "chargers" is far to broad i would need to know exactly what type. However I looked up a DeWalt 20v MAX charger and its input current is 1.5A or 180w.
But if you had 2 of each except the TV everything together is at worst 690w, which is only 5.75A from the convenience outlet, everything but the DeWalt Chargers only came to 330w btw.
If this were me (since I already have one) I would try to run this on an 803a, according to the specs of similar units the heating is done with resistive heat.
That means no surge and 1.0powerfactor.
The MEP803a can put out around 12.25kW on 3ph at 1.0pf, your max heating load is 12.18kW.
That is 99% load and adding in your other electronics that comes to 105% load. Now don't get me wrong thats alot, and if it was continuous I would defiantly suggest an 804x generator.
But you need to keep in mind you're only heating a tent so your run times on the HVAC unit should be quite short. (depending on the insulation value of the tent and the temp difference outside)
So I would wager over 50% of the time your generator is running it would be effectively idling just charging your small devices.
This is going to cause Wet Stacking fairly quickly, which is IMO the number 1 problem with these MEP's.
I would also like to note I've seen Youtube videos (I think from members of this very forum) of loading an 803a to 17kW on 3ph briefly and it handling it like a champ.
As for your concerns on running the unit in 3ph and plugging in 120v devices it's not an issue.
3ph is after all 3 individual 120v legs 120 degrees out of phase with each other. So to get 120v all you need to do is pull off 1 leg and neutral (The convenience outlet is wired to L3 and neutral)
Wow sorry this came out way longer winded than I intended...
Anyway in conclusion I personally think you should get an 803a (IF possible maybe a forum member can let you use one to see if it can handle the load before you buy?)
If you're really concerned about overloading it however just remember if you get an 804x you're going to need some way to burn the wet-stacking out of it. (Honestly you might even wet-stack the 803a a bit if the HVAC unit isnt coming on very often.)
And don't worry about your electronics loads you mentioned, they are a drop in a swimming pool compared to your HVAC load.
Now if you want to add a fridge/microwave/coffee maker thats a whole other story.