Need recommendations for an inverter generator

GenXer · 06-13-2020, 09:42 AM

It's camping season again. The weather is going to be hot as usual. I want to be able to boondock wherever I want. My requirements are 3kWH+ inverter generator so I can power a 13.5K BTU air conditioner when I need.

It must be electric start, quiet, durable and relatively inexpensive. I know right!

A Honda EU300is is eye watering expensive and very heavy. I only camp 4-6 times a year. So it's difficult to justify.

I'm not opposed to running two 2kWH generators in parallel either but that's also twice the fueling and twice the maintenance.

I already have a 2200 watts inverter generator but it won't run my air conditioner unless I install a soft start.

Any camper with recommendations?

chassis · 06-13-2020, 12:33 PM

What's your budget?

GenXer · 06-13-2020, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chassis

What's your budget?

$1000 ish but not as expensive as a Honda.

chassis · 06-13-2020, 12:53 PM

A soft start device looks to be under $500. If you paid an electrician to install it, I think it would be less than $1,000.

You can surf craigslist until the generator you want turns up. I did this in the past and was surprised how many were available at that time and place.

You can rent exactly the model generator you wish to use, at a local equipment rental, assuming you live somewhere near a metropolitan area. Is there a reason you don't list your location on your profile? I rented a Honda generator for a project a few years ago, it worked out well. $35 per day rental fee x 6 camping trips per year x 3 days per camping trip = $630 per year.

dreamingat30fps · 06-13-2020, 12:58 PM

Personally I would reconsider if you need that much power. We have a Yamaha EF3000iSEB and that bitch is so big we basically end up never using it. I inherited the generator so that's really the only reason we have it. Considering selling it (or keep it at home for hurricane season) and getting a smaller maybe 2000 watt one that I can easily carry around. Then add an easy start to one of the AC units and from what I have researched it should have no problems running it.

RacerDad · 06-13-2020, 01:01 PM

I have a version of this one. Small fuel tank, but works good. It also comes in a dual fuel version

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Champion-...Start/52591204

https://www.championpowerequipment.c...watt-inverter/

Another option

https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-w...tor-63584.html

06-13-2020, 09:42 AM	#1
GenXer Major 1396 Rep 1,031 Posts Drives: Like a bat out of hell. Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: here and there iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Chevrolet Volt [0.00] 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe [0.00]	Need recommendations for an inverter generator It's camping season again. The weather is going to be hot as usual. I want to be able to boondock wherever I want. My requirements are 3kWH+ inverter generator so I can power a 13.5K BTU air conditioner when I need. It must be electric start, quiet, durable and relatively inexpensive. I know right! A Honda EU300is is eye watering expensive and very heavy. I only camp 4-6 times a year. So it's difficult to justify. I'm not opposed to running two 2kWH generators in parallel either but that's also twice the fueling and twice the maintenance. I already have a 2200 watts inverter generator but it won't run my air conditioner unless I install a soft start. Any camper with recommendations?
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06-13-2020, 12:33 PM	#2
chassis Colonel 8083 Rep 2,503 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	What's your budget?
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06-13-2020, 12:53 PM	#4
chassis Colonel 8083 Rep 2,503 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	A soft start device looks to be under $500. If you paid an electrician to install it, I think it would be less than $1,000. You can surf craigslist until the generator you want turns up. I did this in the past and was surprised how many were available at that time and place. You can rent exactly the model generator you wish to use, at a local equipment rental, assuming you live somewhere near a metropolitan area. Is there a reason you don't list your location on your profile? I rented a Honda generator for a project a few years ago, it worked out well. $35 per day rental fee x 6 camping trips per year x 3 days per camping trip = $630 per year.
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06-13-2020, 12:58 PM	#5
dreamingat30fps Colonel 5966 Rep 2,025 Posts Drives: Miata, Cayenne, Model 3, F350 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Florida & NC iTrader: (1)	Personally I would reconsider if you need that much power. We have a Yamaha EF3000iSEB and that bitch is so big we basically end up never using it. I inherited the generator so that's really the only reason we have it. Considering selling it (or keep it at home for hurricane season) and getting a smaller maybe 2000 watt one that I can easily carry around. Then add an easy start to one of the AC units and from what I have researched it should have no problems running it.
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06-13-2020, 01:01 PM	#6
RacerDad Private First Class 160 Rep 121 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Virginia Beach, VA iTrader: (0)	I have a version of this one. Small fuel tank, but works good. It also comes in a dual fuel version https://www.walmart.com/ip/Champion-...Start/52591204 https://www.championpowerequipment.c...watt-inverter/ Another option https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-w...tor-63584.html __________________ 2016 M235i BSM, M/T, Sunroof Delete Last edited by RacerDad; 06-13-2020 at 01:06 PM..
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