Generator/Inverter plans to run AC or not

[87Yugo]

Hi All

This question probably has been asked before. I am planning to get a generator/inverter. Should I be planning for one that can also run the AC or not? The only thing is that I am concerned about the weight of the unit because I will be the only one doing the lifting in and out of our tow vehicle.

I looked at Honda/Yamaha, but the brand that catches my eyes is Champion with their dual fuel gas/propane. Anyone here that have experiences with them?

Thanks for your input.

[slabat]

I would buy one that can run the AC. If you are concerned about weight buy two small ones and paralell them together, thats what I did. I purchased two Honda 1500's.

[dalebra]

I would plan on having the ability to run the AC which means you will need a total of at least 3000 watts.
If you don't care about the noise level Champion would be a cost effective way to get there.
I wanted quiet so I went with the Honda 3000iS. It is heavy, about 144 lbs. so definitely a 2 person lift. I also went with the 3000iS because it had double the run time on a tank of gas. Last summer in 90+ degree heat I ran it 24 hours a day for 3 days straight. Filled it once in the morning and once before bed. AC ran 75% of the time.
If you don't have help lifting I would do what a lot of others are and that's 2 EU2000's.

[oldmanAZ]

I don't know about the dual fuel Champion. I have the Champion 3100 Watt Inverter Generator (75531i) with battery start. It has worked well for me. It has run the AC as a test. I haven't had a need to run the AC for a long period of time using the generator, but I believe it will not be a problem.

The 75531i generator is NOT the 'contractor grade' generator. It is quiet. If you search the forum and online you'll find others that others agree.

The generator is heavy (~90lbs.), but my DW and I move it in and out of our truck bed using a ramp*. We leave the generator in the bed of the truck so it isn't moved in and out very often. This year, we put the generator in the truck bed in early June and kept it there until late Sept.

In the summer we used the generator every evening for about 3 months to charge our batteries. With the tailgate open; in nice weather I opened the tonneau a bit, the tonneau was closed when it was raining. I had no problems, but the generator was not running the AC at the time. It's possible that under full load cooling could have been a problem. I had a box fan I brought along 'just in case' it was necessary.


* The ramp: With the tailgate off, I rest a 6', fiberglass ladder on the bumper and lay 2 pcs of 1/4" plywood, 2' x 4', end to end on the ladder.

[bansai]

If this is the champion you are looking at, it's not really louder than the honda's. 58 dBA is good.

The less powerful Honda EU2000 is actually louder under load by 1 DB.

It's on my short list:
Champion DUAL-FUEL 2800wt Running / 3100wt Peak Digital Inverter Generator, Electric Start, RV Ready, Parallel Capable, CARB & EPA Certified, Low Decibels

I have a larger Champion I picked up at Cabela's a couple years ago.. 5000 watts I believe, and that one is NOT quiet by any stretch. I use it mostly at home during power failures, but also runs the entire camper with no issues, it's just too heavy to take along with us. I'm hoping the champion I linked to will handle our AC the rare times we are both off grid and in hot climates.

As with the other brands, you can hook two of them together if needed. Costco has them on sale once in a while so if you needed 2, the cost savings over a comparable wattage solution from the other 'big 2' brands is pretty big.

[etex211]

I use the Honda EU6500is to run both my air conditioners.

I use a winch to load it into and unload it from my basement. It's an easy one man operation.

[87Yugo]

Yes, that is the one


If this is the champion you are looking at, it's not really louder than the honda's. 58 dBA is good.

The less powerful Honda EU2000 is actually louder under load by 1 DB.

It's on my short list:
Champion DUAL-FUEL 2800wt Running / 3100wt Peak Digital Inverter Generator, Electric Start, RV Ready, Parallel Capable, CARB & EPA Certified, Low Decibels

I have a larger Champion I picked up at Cabela's a couple years ago.. 5000 watts I believe, and that one is NOT quiet by any stretch. I use it mostly at home during power failures, but also runs the entire camper with no issues, it's just too heavy to take along with us. I'm hoping the champion I linked to will handle our AC the rare times we are both off grid and in hot climates.

As with the other brands, you can hook two of them together if needed. Costco has them on sale once in a while so if you needed 2, the cost savings over a comparable wattage solution from the other 'big 2' brands is pretty big.

[87Yugo]

Thanks for all the comments. Now I have a bigger picture.

Thanks

[Ela1948]

I have both the 3000 Honda and the 3100 Champion. The Honda is slightly quieter then the Champion. The Honda is 140 lb. while the Champion is in the low 90's. The only drawback to the Champion in my book is that it needs fuel every 4 to 5 hours when running the AC. If you shut the generator down to refuel, you need to wait 1/2 hour before it wants to start. I assume there is a valve clearance issue or something that makes it a hard starter until it cools. It will start on the first or second pull when cooled but not when its hot. The Honda has a 4 gallon fuel tank that will run all day.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

The 75531i generator is NOT the 'contractor grade' generator. It is quiet. If you search the forum and online you'll find others that others agree.

The generator is heavy (~90lbs.), but my DW and I move it in and out of our truck bed using a ramp*. We leave the generator in the bed of the truck so it isn't moved in and out very often. This year, we put the generator in the truck bed in early June and kept it there until late Sept.

I use the same generator and the DW and I lift it into the TV bed with the handles at both ends, makes two person lift easy. I like that it has built in folding handle, once it's on the ground it's like pushing a wheel barrow.

[Pfflyer]

Not duel fuel but I have 2 of these Powerhorse from Northern Tool. So far they have worked flawless and 1 person carry. When you don't need the AC Take 1 and leave the other at home.
FREE SHIPPING — Powerhorse Portable Inverter Generator — 2000 Surge Watts, 1600 Rated Watts, CARB Compliant | Inverter Generators| Northern Tool + Equipment
On sale now plus $100 gift card.

[RPreeb]

Originally Posted by Pfflyer

Not duel fuel but I have 2 of these Powerhorse from Northern Tool. So far they have worked flawless and 1 person carry. When you don't need the AC Take 1 and leave the other at home.
FREE SHIPPING — Powerhorse Portable Inverter Generator — 2000 Surge Watts, 1600 Rated Watts, CARB Compliant | Inverter Generators| Northern Tool + Equipment
On sale now plus $100 gift card.

Thanks for that link. Looks like a good generator at a good price.

[2naEagle]

I've been looking at the Champion also.
3200w/3500w duel fuel #100264
Look at the Champion website.