2000W Inv Gen enough power?

[P-Bo]

(Back history to my question: we bought an open box Champion 2000W inverter at Cabela's a few months ago) We recently purchased this generator for dry camping in our Jayco JayFeather 19BH. One thing we noticed is that NONE of the outlets work. We reset the GFI in the bathroom and we get flickers of power on one outlet, maybe 2. Replaced all fuses. We've even tried (I know a this is a power sucker) running our coffee pot straight into the gen and still struggles with generating power. Is our generator not powerful enough?

[ALJO]

Seems to me there's something wrong with the Inverter/Generator, it should run your coffee pot with ease. Inverter/Generator never start or stop under load or there's a high chance that they die. Ex-son in-law burnt three of them running out of fuel with A/C running. What make of Inverter/Generator?

[TCNashville]

I've had the 2000w Champion Inverter genny for about 3 years now and it'll basically run everything in the camper but the AC. In the directions that came with mine it says something about keeping the spark arrestor clean or your output voltage will drop dramatically. Measure the output voltage on your genny with a multimeter. If that's fine the problem may lie within your camper.

[norty1]

Could it be a lack of grounding?

[P-Bo]

Originally Posted by ALJO

Seems to me there's something wrong with the Inverter/Generator, it should run your coffee pot with ease. Inverter/Generator never start or stop under load or there's a high chance that they die. Ex-son in-law burnt three of them running out of fuel with A/C running. What make of Inverter/Generator?

I have a Champion 2000 watt inverter generator

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by ALJO

Seems to me there's something wrong with the Inverter/Generator, it should run your coffee pot with ease. ...snip

Originally Posted by TCNashville

I've had the 2000w Champion Inverter genny for about 3 years now and it'll basically run everything in the camper but the AC. ...snip

P-Bo:
Seems likely your 'open box' generator is defective. See if Cabela's will replace it or if Champion will warranty it.

[troutslayer]

Are you at an extremely high altitude? My Champion 2000 inverter has problems starting around 8000 feet.

[bansai]

My 2800 watt Champion Inverter gen set runs my whole camper, + AC. I have over loaded it a few times on accident.

It's not grounded or anything, I keep it in the bed of my truck, cabled to the bed tie-outs, and run it from there. 2000 watts (not sure if that is the peak rating?) should be plenty to run most of your 120 volt stuff as long as you aren't running it all concurrently.

Unless your coffee pot is one of those units they use at Starbucks, it should run that, solo, without even struggling.

I routinely use mine above 7000+ ft elevation, no mods. Actually, I haven't used it below that yet, so no need to re-jet unless you are at treeline, consistently.

One tip on these generators... if you need to refill it and you are the type that turns your generator off when you are doing this (don't ask)...

Shut it down by pulling the choke all the way out, that will stop the generator, then when you refill, and restart, it should start right up on the first or second pull. Hit the 'off switch' instead, and have fun spending 10 minutes trying to get it running again. Well maintained, these are 1 or 2 pull starters, but when they are hot, they can be a little finicky.

Check your oil and air filter too maybe... all I can think of.

[RoyBraddy]

I take it you are using a RV30A to 15A LONG DOGBONE Adapter cord to plug your 30A Trailer into the 2KW Generator receptacle. I never had much luck with small round type adapters.

Looks like this from WALMART


My 2KW Honda Generator sits secured in the covered tail gate corner of my truck.

I plug my 30A OFF-ROAD 2008 Starcraft 14RT Trailer into my 2KW Generator 120VAC Receptacle almost every day when camping off grid and run the generator for three hours re-charging my battery bank from its 50% charge state to its 90% charge so I can do the same all over again the day/night off my batteries..

Roy Ken