RV Generator learnings

[KFhunter]

I think you got the basics

Whatever you buy make sure it's an inverter.   They have different circuitry that's magical, it allows the generator to run lower speed then kick up when more power is needed.  Older style generators run full blast all the time.


It sounds like you just need one 2000w generator 99% of the time, you could space out the purchases (one now, one later) just know that AC is off limits until you have both units. 
If you buy from Costco I'd get them both at the same time  because you know costco, you go back to find something and its gone! 


Always Always Always use a little bit star tron fuel stabilizer so you never have an issue with the generator fuel system.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Star-Tron-Enzyme-Fuel-Treatment/dp/B001VMNHX8/ref=asc_df_B001VMNHX8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242122067968&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14858459895442883850&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007525&hvtargid=pla-684030185232&psc=1

I've gotten the same advice from a boat dealer for treating fuel in the several new outboard engines, then I got the same advice from a local small engine repair shop selling lawn mowers ec, and I got the same advice from a Sthil chain saw shop. So I always use it without exception.

[Mudman]

Yup.  Keep in mind you have to buy kit to connect 2 genny's.  $100 or less.  Microwaves use more then most 2k genny can provide.  Coffee pots draw lot also.  If you can be 220v/110volt switchable its a bonus imop.

[300rum]

If you have babies you will use it more than you think.  I can remember when my kids were little and would take naps in the afternoon, you will use it, trust me!

We also like to take big road trips where we will leave late in the afternoon on big holidays.  My kids are home schooled so we will leave the in the afternoon of labor day for a week or so.  The weather is still hot, even in the mountains.  Sometimes we will pull over in a parking lot and spend the night and I will leave the generators hooked up and running in the back of the truck.  With the tailgate closed, the sound goes straight up and they can barley be heard.

The coffee pot is another good reason to have a parallel.  One generator will run it if hooked directly to the generator but not if plugged in to the trailer.   

[92xj]

Thoughts on this guy?
Price seems right for my budget.
2 hooked up together would power everything I could throw at it, I think.
Con is it is heavy and just under 100 lbs.
But, cost vs power vs sound (db) seems to fall in line with everything I need and I'll deal with the weight.


https://www.costco.com/Firman-Power-Equipment--2900W-Running--3200W-Peak-Gas-Inverter-Generator.product.100367440.html

[KFhunter]

some of them you need a kit, with the costco ones I got there is no kit, it's all included. 


You can plug the RV in either generator, there is no expensive companion generator like the Honda or a goofy harness like the Champion generators. 


I have a red and black wire that connects the two generators and that's it, has a nice plug n play don't even need a screwdriver,  each generator came with a set or black/red wires plus each came with 12v battery charger clamps.   Mine's a tad different in that it has a cigarette lighter style plug instead of the DC plug shown in the video.

[CoryTDF]

Thoughts on this guy?
Price seems right for my budget.
2 hooked up together would power everything I could throw at it, I think.
Con is it is heavy and just under 100 lbs.
But, cost vs power vs sound (db) seems to fall in line with everything I need and I'll deal with the weight.


https://www.costco.com/Firman-Power-Equipment--2900W-Running--3200W-Peak-Gas-Inverter-Generator.product.100367440.html

That is the exact one I was going to buy before I settled on the Westinghouse iGEN4500.

I know that my microwave in my trailer will not work with a 2000 watt gen. Also, if you have the refrigerator on it will kill the generator. I looked at all the options and the Westinghouse iGEN4500 has wheels and a handle so I can move it myself. It looks to get good fuel economy and if necessary it will run everything on my trailer at once. Has some pretty nice features and the reviews from several sites are all 4 star and above.

So, it all sound good and I hope that I am one of the many that give it a 5 star review. I have not used it yet though so this is all just hopes and dreams.

[92xj]

Thoughts on this guy?
Price seems right for my budget.
2 hooked up together would power everything I could throw at it, I think.
Con is it is heavy and just under 100 lbs.
But, cost vs power vs sound (db) seems to fall in line with everything I need and I'll deal with the weight.


https://www.costco.com/Firman-Power-Equipment--2900W-Running--3200W-Peak-Gas-Inverter-Generator.product.100367440.html

That is the exact one I was going to buy before I settled on the Westinghouse iGEN4500.

I know that my microwave in my trailer will not work with a 2000 watt gen. Also, if you have the refrigerator on it will kill the generator. I looked at all the options and the Westinghouse iGEN4500 has wheels and a handle so I can move it myself. It looks to get good fuel economy and if necessary it will run everything on my trailer at once. Has some pretty nice features and the reviews from several sites are all 4 star and above.

So, it all sound good and I hope that I am one of the many that give it a 5 star review. I have not used it yet though so this is all just hopes and dreams.

As in this one?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-4-500-Watt-Super-Quiet-Gas-Powered-Inverter-Generator-with-LED-Display-Push-Button-Start-and-Remote-Start-iGen4500/303364199

and dang it, you have now thrown off my buy two thought because this one is as quiet or quieter, sub 100 pounds so I can manhandle it when needed.  Powerful enough to know it will run the AC by self and everything else in the trailer when needed (when AC is off)  and under the cost of 2 of the 2000 units. 

[92xj]

This would have been a sweet set up, but doesnt look like the kit is sold anymore or in stock 
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-5-000-Watt-Super-Quiet-Gas-Powered-Inverter-Generator-Combination-with-Parallel-Cord-iGen5000p/302874558

[CoryTDF]

Thoughts on this guy?
Price seems right for my budget.
2 hooked up together would power everything I could throw at it, I think.
Con is it is heavy and just under 100 lbs.
But, cost vs power vs sound (db) seems to fall in line with everything I need and I'll deal with the weight.


https://www.costco.com/Firman-Power-Equipment--2900W-Running--3200W-Peak-Gas-Inverter-Generator.product.100367440.html

That is the exact one I was going to buy before I settled on the Westinghouse iGEN4500.

I know that my microwave in my trailer will not work with a 2000 watt gen. Also, if you have the refrigerator on it will kill the generator. I looked at all the options and the Westinghouse iGEN4500 has wheels and a handle so I can move it myself. It looks to get good fuel economy and if necessary it will run everything on my trailer at once. Has some pretty nice features and the reviews from several sites are all 4 star and above.

So, it all sound good and I hope that I am one of the many that give it a 5 star review. I have not used it yet though so this is all just hopes and dreams.

As in this one?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-4-500-Watt-Super-Quiet-Gas-Powered-Inverter-Generator-with-LED-Display-Push-Button-Start-and-Remote-Start-iGen4500/303364199

and dang it, you have now thrown off my buy two thought because this one is as quiet or quieter, sub 100 pounds so I can manhandle it when needed.  Powerful enough to know it will run the AC by self and everything else in the trailer when needed (when AC is off)  and under the cost of 2 of the 2000 units.

That is the one. No idea why it went up to $949. I bought it last week for $776 from HD.

[kirkl]

Ive had two new trailers in the last 5 years and niether microwave stopped my Honda 2000W.  Wonder what size microwaves you have in your trailers. Its makes her snort a little but doesnt throw the breaker on the genny.

[Crunchy]

Quiet is important to me.  Honda makes some really nice quiet 3-4kw gennies but they wont be cheap.

[Mudman]

Its about amps and surge.  The Honda(20amp?) inverter does better job than some.  My old TT would have killed a Honda, newer one probably not.     A 30amp Genny does the job but a 25amp would be perfectly fitted to most RV's.

[BDildine]

Its about amps and surge.  The Honda(20amp?) inverter does better job than some.  My old TT would have killed a Honda, newer one probably not.     A 30amp Genny does the job but a 25amp would be perfectly fitted to most RV's.

thats where a soft start comes in nice, you can buy a smaller sized genset, because it has a capacitor and controller that starts the compressor at a controlled rate rather than a sudden shock/slam on the system. Most  TT a/cs are able to run off a 2k, they just blow the circuit when starting, past initial startup the amperage needed is greatly reduced

[Mudman]

Please provide a product or link to "soft start".  Or is it just a capacitor wired in direct?   

[BDildine]

Please provide a product or link to "soft start".  Or is it just a capacitor wired in direct?   

i provided it earlier, but here it is again
https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters

if your savvy, you can buy just the board and the capacitor for less $$ and just mount it up in the a/c enclosure (cheaper, just doesnt come in an enclosed unit)