Generator Qs

[Mark Potts]

Buying first generator. Some knowledge gaps:

1. If a generator doesn't have a 30 amp outlet, can you use a 15:30 adapter to run AC (13500)? Do you lose any power?

2. Anyone familiar with the Predator 2000 from Harbor Freight? Sure like the price compared to Honda! Can you hook 2 together to run 13.5 AC? Any power left over to run anything else?

3. Do the batteries charge just by firing it up, or do you need to do anything else?

Thanks much!

[Midnightmoon]

Familiarize yourself with the MicroAir Soft Start. It may be an option to consider instead of 2 generators depending upon your needs.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Mark Potts

Buying first generator. Some knowledge gaps:
...snip...
3. Do the batteries charge just by firing it up, or do you need to do anything else?

Thanks much!

You're asking about the RV batteries, correct?
If your RV has a converter/charger and the breaker for it is switched on, then, yes, the batteries will be charged when plugged into shore power or a generator.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Did you look at the 3500 Predator? It' twice the weight and more money, but it has a lot more features, like electric start. It also has a display that shows output wattage, volts, hours, etc. It comes with an RV adapter for 30A an will give you a lot more power to run your RV. Plus it would be cheaper to buy the 3500 compared to buying 2 2000's.



I bought one a year ago and it has been flawless. Quiet running and enough power to run my AC, & TV. Wife's hair dryer pulls 19 Amps on high heat, so with that we have to be careful


It's like anything else..buy something a little small and soon you will spend more money buying the bigger one

[Mark Potts]

Thanks for the idea, but the weight is too much for us.

[RAurand]

Like MidnightMoon said: Familiarize yourself with the MicroAir Soft Start.

I have a MicroAir Soft sart and love it. I run my15K A/C on 1 2000 watt Yamaha Inverter Genny.
https://www.microair.net/products/ea...nt=30176048267

[Moon]

I have no experience with the predator 2000 (I have the 3500), but I did notice they do make a parallel kit for it.

[smithmdsmith]

1) A/C with a 15-amp adapter - yes, you can do this without losing any power, but, even with a MicroAir, there wouldn't be much power left for anything else. Also, the adapter might get too hot, melt, and cause issues. While possible, I wouldn't do it for an entire weekend.

2) Two 2000-watt generators in parallel with a 30-amp outlet will run your trailer as if you were connected to 30-amp shore power. That is to say you can run pretty much everything, but maybe not a hair dryer or the microwave at the same time as the A/C.

I camped for dozens of weekends with this setup on a 30-amp trailer using two Honda 2000-watt generators.

I have no experience with the MicroAir, but I never needed it.

For my money, today, I would buy a pair of Champion 2000-watt inverter generators with a parallel kit. They are about the same price as the Predator setup, but repair parts are more readily available for the Champion. That said, I've never need a repair on the Champion I own.

3) As previously stated, the batteries will charge if the breaker for the converter is on...this is just like being on shore power.

Good luck!

[Debdon Journeys]

Not sure of your RV or TV I am waiting on the finance department to approve the purchase of a Predator 3500 while it is too heavy for lifting into the back of a pickup I'm looking to mount a hitch on the back of the TT to put a Harbor Freight Haul Master 500lbs mobility carrier this way I can roll the generator on and of if need be I can add a hand winch to assist with loading plus it will allow me to keep the gas back there too.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Debdon Journeys

Not sure of your RV or TV I am waiting on the finance department to approve the purchase of a Predator 3500 while it is too heavy for lifting into the back of a pickup I'm looking to mount a hitch on the back of the TT to put a Harbor Freight Haul Master 500lbs mobility carrier this way I can roll the generator on and of if need be I can add a hand winch to assist with loading plus it will allow me to keep the gas back there too.

NOT sure of YOUR RV or TV either, Debdon Journeys.

Adding weight at the rear of a TT could very likely contribute to a serious sway condition. If sway should start, the extra weight swinging back there and weight removed from the tongue may quickly escalate into an out of control situation. I'm not saying it will, but be VERY cautious of the situation you may be creating.

[bdreinv]

I wasted a lot of money on an over sized invert-er generator.In stalled micro air soft start on 15K ac.Genny barely moves off idle to start! Thanks

[Mark Potts]

Bought a pair of Predator 2000s today for $840 on sale. Quite the deal vs Honda! Much easier to move around than the 3500. And I figure if I don't need AC I can just use one. Heading out on first big boondocking trip in a week. Will post a review when I get back.

[Gizmopilot]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

NOT sure of YOUR RV or TV either, Debdon Journeys.

Adding weight at the rear of a TT could very likely contribute to a serious sway condition. If sway should start, the extra weight swinging back there and weight removed from the tongue may quickly escalate into an out of control situation. I'm not saying it will, but be VERY cautious of the situation you may be creating.

This is exactly what I did except I went with the dual fuel westinghouse and added 2 30lb propane tanks on the side away from the ramp.

In my case adding 295lbs on the built in receiver helped me get my hitch weight down to my 10% goal.

If I hadn’t weighed it.

I would have been to lite and dangerous to tow - I ended up putting more items in my front closet until I got the weight correct

Even though that carrier is rated for 500lbs and I only put 300lbs on it after towing with it on my camper for over 3200 miles it developed a bend in it near the receiver- I probably will be exchanging it and reinforcing it.

[Fleetman]

Dual fuel, 100#, one or two person lift into front cargo bay. Runs 15K AC, and everything else. Just can't run both ACs at same time. $1100. Home Depot, 3 yr warranty. Awesome inverter generator.

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by Debdon Journeys

Not sure of your RV or TV I am waiting on the finance department to approve the purchase of a Predator 3500 while it is too heavy for lifting into the back of a pickup I'm looking to mount a hitch on the back of the TT to put a Harbor Freight Haul Master 500lbs mobility carrier this way I can roll the generator on and of if need be I can add a hand winch to assist with loading plus it will allow me to keep the gas back there too.

Not a good idea, too much weight on the rear of a TT. Also don't recommend financing a Predator as you might be paying for it long after it stopped working.

[Gizmopilot]

Originally Posted by Fleetman

Dual fuel, 100#, one or two person lift into front cargo bay. Runs 15K AC, and everything else. Just can't run both ACs at same time. $1100. Home Depot, 3 yr warranty. Awesome inverter generator.

I also installed 2 micro-air soft starts and can run both 15k a/c s at the same time while charging my batteries and my residential frig.

As far as weight get one of those HaulGauge devices for $99 and verify your weights - it makes it easy.

[bwalden]

Showing my ignorance but can someone fill me in on how the MicroAir works?Thabks.

[Gizmopilot]

Originally Posted by bwalden

Showing my ignorance but can someone fill me in on how the MicroAir works?Thabks.

The microairs have a processor that learns what your compressor needs amps wise to startup and sort of spoon feeds it what it needs instead of it just “slamming” its startup need. This way it reduces the startup impact on both your compressor and your power source - so you can run 2 15k acs on just 30 amps of shore power or generator

[bwalden]

Will it run one 15KW AC on a 2000 Honda?

[sgrol50]

Originally Posted by bwalden

Will it run one 15KW AC on a 2000 Honda?

If you mean with the microair, then yes. And it will start the ac in idle mode. Then the genny speeds up to what the ac needs.