Generator

[Marmot]

A suggestion: fill it with fresh gas treated with a couple ounces of STABLE, & run it for 5 minutes. Close the line to the carb and run the carb dry. Now you won’t have to do anything to it for at least 1 to 1.5 years. It will be ready to run when you need it.

[Cap'n Bob]

Originally Posted by Wireman

Not sure how that compares to the Honda or Yamaha but I don't think it will sound like a contractors7KW model.

My recollection is that an increase of 3dB would double the noise power.

[SAMM Kinder]

Kmart /Sams club puts a 1000 watt inversion 4 stroke generator on sale for $199 ... I bought one to recharge when not plugged in ...Works great !!! Had it for a year now without a problem... Also I run a 12 volt Cpap all night .... one or two hour charge and im good for a couple nights

[Kiwimg]

Did you check the decibels? There are ones that are “ok” to use in campground

[videoarizona]

Originally Posted by Marmot

A suggestion: fill it with fresh gas treated with a couple ounces of STABLE, & run it for 5 minutes. Close the line to the carb and run the carb dry. Now you won’t have to do anything to it for at least 1 to 1.5 years. It will be ready to run when you need it.

Not entirely true. There are different formulations of Stabil. Do read the label as they really only last about 4-6 months in real life. You want the formulation that says "Storage".

I've been using it for almost 14 years and rely on it to keep my outboard carbs clean through the Arizona Summer until Fall when we go back out and sail.

But, yep...great stuff!

[bwft57]

If it was only Dual Fuel!!!!!
But looks like a nice small unit, which does the job.
It is larger than the Sportsman 4000 Dual Fuel.

[jtboney]

Sounds like a deal to me. Hondas are great generators but are ridiculously expensive, especially for occasional use.

[jtboney]

Honda's website says 48 db at 1/4 load (500 watt load). It doesn't say what db it is at full load.

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by jtboney

Sounds like a deal to me. Hondas are great generators but are ridiculously expensive, especially for occasional use.

Exactly my thoughts. It will be good enough for my needs.


Figure if needed it will power the fridge or furnace if the power goes out at home.

[skids]

Originally Posted by jtboney

Honda's website says 48 db at 1/4 load (500 watt load). It doesn't say what db it is at full load.

In addition to log-scale for decibels, there are other factors. Sound pressure is reduced by the square of the distance. Twice the distance means 1/4 the sound pressure. Also, as you know, standing in direct line to the exhaust outlet plays a big part. I don’t know if there is an ASTM testing standard for generator noise, but there certainly should be. Some generator manufactures state the distance for their noise and some don’t. Some state dBA at idle and none(?) state it at max output. It is a shame that we have to rely on subjective comparisons, but hey that is just one more good reason for this forum.

[Fleetman]

Cut a piece of plywood a little larger than the horizontal size of generator. Lean against the generator on camper side, does wonders. As added noise deafening, glue styrofoam to it. If you are boondocking for awhile, dig a trench and place it in it.

All learned from many years of army field time.

[larryrebos]

I have a 13000 btu a.c.unit...how many watts will I deed to power it?
195 rb
Toyota Tacoma 4wd 6 cyl
palm beach county

[Atlee]

A pair of Honda 2000's (or their equivalent) will do the trick. Also, a single larger Honda 3000 (or it's equivalent) should do the trick.

Originally Posted by larryrebos

I have a 13000 btu a.c.unit...how many watts will I deed to power it?
195 rb
Toyota Tacoma 4wd 6 cyl
palm beach county

[33 RLDS]

Originally Posted by larryrebos

I have a 13000 btu a.c.unit...how many watts will I deed to power it?
195 rb
Toyota Tacoma 4wd 6 cyl
palm beach county

My Yamaha 2000 watt runs my 15K unit after installing a Micro air soft start unit in the air conditioner.

[Kim Gass]

Your 195 is a rolling ice cube.. I get it that FL is pretty hot though.. The start of the AC is what draws power... We have a 2000 w genny but a 8000 BTU unit.. I think 33 RLDS idea is a good one before buying two gennies.

Unless you need to run toaster, coffee maker a/c and micro all t the same time..!

[bdreinv]

May be consider a micro air soft start,drops you start amps by 60%. May not need a larger genny!

[bwft57]

Originally Posted by bdreinv

May be consider a micro air soft start,drops you start amps by 60%. May not need a larger genny!

This is so true, but many new AC's have a "hard start" capacitor installed. My Mach in my 2015 XRB does, I looked after pulling the cover since I was going to install one.

Not all 13,000 BTU are the same, some may have, some may not.
The Hard start is the same as what you call a "micro air soft start" as it is a capacitor that stores energy locally at the unit, then releases it to start the compressor.

Home AC's have this as well, but the larger it is the more it costs, thus many MFG don't put them on.

[skids]

Originally Posted by TexanTraveler

(snip)

Not all 13,000 BTU are the same, some may have, some may not.
The Hard start is the same as what you call a "micro air soft start" as it is a capacitor that stores energy locally at the unit, then releases it to start the compressor.

(snip).

You are going to start an argument concerning "same." I do agree that the hard start capacitor and the micro air easy start each reduces input line surge, but I believe they do it differently. My Mach 3 AC started with my 2500 Watt generator before the install of the easy start, so maybe you are right about my AC unit already having some sort of start capacitor. The easy start does improve the burden on the generator during startup however. It also allows the generator to run at high elevations (10,000 ft) where it wouldn't do so without it. I realize that there are hardstart capacitors out there that are probably an upgrade to whatever was installed at the factory...

[33 RLDS]

Originally Posted by skids

My Mach 3 AC started with my 2500 Watt generator before the install of the easy start, so maybe you are right about my AC unit already having some sort of start capacitor.

The easy start instructions say to remove any existing hard start caps before starting the installation.

If you only had the one can and smaller oval one, you didn't have a hard start capacitor.

[Akraft]

Originally Posted by Wireman

I really didn't need a generator because 99% of our camping is with full hookups.


I seldom go the cheaper route on the things I buy, but considering my situation, I decided to take a chance on this deal from Sam's Club.

Free shipping so with tax came out to about $430.00.

It will be good enough for running the microwave, or charging the battery or runnning the LED tv if the occasion arises.

No need to get into the Honda, Yamaha, superiority, as that's a given.

But for 40% of there cost and my needs, I think it will suffice.


3 year warranty and all the features I need.


https://www.samsclub.com/sams/sua230...Accessories_10

That is barely enough to run your AC. I have a portable solar panel with two 215 amp-hr batteries that will run all but the AC and the sun is free and the batteries are quiet. Generators are loud. You might want to get solar and only run the generator when it is hot.