portable(suitcase) generators

[toplessHO]

Ive ordered a Wen 3600W dual fuel inverter generator,hoping its big enough to start my 13K AC unit on my RV.
Anyone have a first hand experience with this?I do have a new soft start unit but its not installed as Im not sure it will void warranty
and unit has been replaced twice under warranty already.I ll be running this on propane as its already plumbed in the RV.

 

[ipgenie]

I have a 3700W gasoline inverter generator and a soft start on my 15k RV AC. It runs the AC without any issues. I think the determining factor will be any additional loads. Worst case you will need to turn off your battery charger and switch fridge to gas but I bet you will be fine with those loads too.

Running on propane is kind of a pain because it's more work to fill the tanks but if you have large tanks and won't run the genny too much it'll work fine.

 

[dcg9381]

Ive ordered a Wen 3600W dual fuel inverter generator,hoping its big enough to start my 13K AC unit on my RV.
Anyone have a first hand experience with this?I do have a new soft start unit but its not installed as Im not sure it will void warranty
and unit has been replaced twice under warranty already.I ll be running this on propane as its already plumbed in the RV.

3.6K is lower mid sized. Should start 13k RV AC unit without a soft start. Note, it's rated wattage under propane may be less. That's actually a 2.9kW rating, likely running on gas.. It'd put it at 2.5kW running on propane. I think it'll do it. If it won't, then you install the soft start.

 

[duneslider]

I have a wen 3800 currently so I know it is slightly bigger but I have no issues starting the ac and running the microwave and whatever esle happens to be going. I don't have a softstart and usually can get the ac started with only 20amps, if even the fridge is on it won't do it though. I would think the 3600w should be fine though.

I also didn't go with the dual fuel, my friend has one of the dual fuels and it seems to guzzle propane.

 

[toplessHO]

my thoughts with the propane is I need to have it onboard anyway.
Gas powered for something only occasionally used is just another thing
to worry about.

 

[dcg9381]

my thoughts with the propane is I need to have it onboard anyway.
Gas powered for something only occasionally used is just another thing
to worry about.

All I buy are duals these days. Keep 100lb of propane ready.. I'll run them on gas if I have to, but otherwise don't want to mess with it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Install a Micro-Air Easy Start.

 

[PhantomEB]

got a Honda 1500 that used to be my dads (gets fired up here and there when the big door is open just to piss off a neighbour) but am planning a Honda 2200i unit this year for back up with the truck camping.

 

[theoldwizard1]

got a Honda 1500 that used to be my dads (gets fired up here and there when the big door is open just to piss off a neighbour) but am planning a Honda 2200i unit this year for back up with the truck camping.

I know I will be chastised, but ...

Both HF and Champion make decent units that cost MUCH less. I also suggest, getting a LARGER unit, on that can produce at least 20A @ 120VAC continuously, not just peak!

 

[honcho]

I know I will be chastised, but ...

Both HF and Champion make decent units that cost MUCH less. I also suggest, getting a LARGER unit, on that can produce at least 20A @ 120VAC continuously, not just peak!

Of course the Cult of Honda will admonish you for not buying Honda. I own an EU2000 and it's great but I'm sure the Wen and other brands of inverter generators of similar size would probably serve my needs just fine and have saved me some green.

However, the one area that Honda definitely excels in is comprehensive parts support. A friend of mine was using a Wen inverter generator for his food trailer business. It failed and needed a circuit board that was not available from Wen. He did buy another Wen because he felt it was still a good value given his level of use and the savings compared to buying a Honda.

 

[ipgenie]

I had a Honda 2000i that was cosmetically damaged in a car accident a few years ago. I gave the insurance company a list with the part numbers for repair ($250ish), mostly cover pieces, and offered to do the work but they wanted a quote from a repair shop. I dropped it off and they gave a quote of $1200 which insurance paid to me (I did the work). I sold the 2000i when I found a new in the box 2200i from someone who was selling it for $800.

I guess my point is that even though parts are available for Honda and repair shops will work on them, that cost might still not really be worth it for those who can't do the labor themselves.

I have a few of these generators, Honda, Aims, Genkins, maXpeedingrods and have owned a few others. The Honda is great but isn't my favorite. Many of the others offer nice features like remote electric start or dual fuel for less money and generally will last a long time with only regular maintenance. We camp a lot and put a bunch of hours on them and to be honest, other than accidental damage, I've never had to do anything more than basic tune-up and maintenance on any of them.