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Old 10-13-2016, 09:21 AM   #1
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Purchased first portable generator! questions!

Yesterday a Woot! deal for Wen 2000 inverter generator showed up in email. After a little research and checking reviews I purchased for under $400 for our Roo 19. This will be used for occasional dry camping (Smoky Mt NP) for weekends or week at most. I realize this is a small generator and will not run air conditioner, but more interested in just keeping batteries charged and occasional use of coffee maker etc...

My main question is how do you store generator when camping and not in use? I have a trailblazer currently , but plan on upgrade to truck soon. If i store in back of a truck, how do I secure it to keep safe from theft? I hear that that theft can be a problem. Also, when running, can i set directly on ground or do you recommend some type of platform to keep off of ground? Also, should I keep covered when not in use? Can I run in rain?

Any tips suggestions or experiences with Wen inverter generator would be great! Thanks
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Old 10-13-2016, 09:37 AM   #2
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Yesterday a Woot! deal for Wen 2000 inverter generator showed up in email. After a little research and checking reviews I purchased for under $400 for our Roo 19. This will be used for occasional dry camping (Smoky Mt NP) for weekends or week at most. I realize this is a small generator and will not run air conditioner, but more interested in just keeping batteries charged and occasional use of coffee maker etc...

My main question is how do you store generator when camping and not in use? I have a trailblazer currently , but plan on upgrade to truck soon. If i store in back of a truck, how do I secure it to keep safe from theft? I hear that that theft can be a problem. Also, when running, can i set directly on ground or do you recommend some type of platform to keep off of ground? Also, should I keep covered when not in use? Can I run in rain?

Any tips suggestions or experiences with Wen inverter generator would be great! Thanks
I use a long bicycle chain and padlock my generator to the trailer bumper. I bought a cover with it and keep it covered when not in use. If I go to use it in the rain, I remove the cover just enough to expose the exhaust, and air intake.
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Old 10-13-2016, 01:55 PM   #3
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+1 on the bike lock. I will lock the generator to a nearby tree or if none are available, will lock it to the frame of the trailer near the front bunk. If you go that route be sure that the exhaust of the generator is not blowing back under the bunk or camper or you will have issues with carbon monoxide. Be safe!


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Old 10-13-2016, 02:34 PM   #4
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I use a bike lock and leave it on the ground if at camp. I chain it to the camper's frame.

When on the road I leave it chained under the bed cover of my pickup. I only drop the tailgate and let the exhaust stick out and plug in right in the back of the truck.

Can the Wen's be paralleled to get enough juice to run the a/c?
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Old 10-13-2016, 02:54 PM   #5
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Can the Wen's be paralleled to get enough juice to run the a/c?
I believe they can.
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Old 10-13-2016, 02:58 PM   #6
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I believe they can.
Might be an option then if AC becomes a necessity. It took me about 3 years before I found it a need and was happy with just one 2k geni.
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Old 10-14-2016, 02:18 PM   #7
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I have a Champion 3100. I run it on the ground but level. I use a beach umbrella set low to keep it dry in the rain. Allows plenty of air circulation.
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Old 10-14-2016, 02:24 PM   #8
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Also, Cincy6, you are going to need an Edison Plug so the RV will see the generator, otherwise you plug it in and you still don't have power. I has something to do with inverter gennys not having bridged grounds. Do a search on this forum for "Edison plug", they can be purchased or they are easy to make.
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Old 10-14-2016, 02:47 PM   #9
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I have two yamaha's that i chain to the trailer tongue. I carry mine in the bed of the truck chained to the truck. When the campout is over I run the gas out of the carbs and store them in my garage. When it was raining I had them in the by the tailgate with the exhaust facing out and the tonneau cover over them.
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Old 10-14-2016, 04:42 PM   #10
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I have a Boliy Generator.

I chained it to a tree when camping.

It stayed on the ground.

I ran it in the ran without any worries.

It now stays in my truck bed as a backup to my solar.
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Old 10-15-2016, 02:52 PM   #11
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Also, Cincy6, you are going to need an Edison Plug so the RV will see the generator, otherwise you plug it in and you still don't have power. I has something to do with inverter gennys not having bridged grounds. Do a search on this forum for "Edison plug", they can be purchased or they are easy to make.
I was not aware of this. I assumed I could plug directly to Roo. Has anyone else experienced this?

Also, just received genny yesterday. Plan on starting up soon to check it out. I also noticed in owners manual that I need to ground? This is new to me... I'm assuming most people ignore this as I've never seen it done?
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Old 10-15-2016, 03:35 PM   #12
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I was not aware of this. I assumed I could plug directly to Roo. Has anyone else experienced this?

Also, just received genny yesterday. Plan on starting up soon to check it out. I also noticed in owners manual that I need to ground? This is new to me... I'm assuming most people ignore this as I've never seen it done?
To clarify my question about the Edison plug, I do have a 30 amp to 15 amp adapter I will use to go into the generator from the Roo, willl I still need another adapter?

Thanks
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Old 10-15-2016, 05:45 PM   #13
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You only need the grounding plug if you use a surge protector. Otherwise just plug the 30amp cord into the 30amp plug (might need a twist lock to RV adapter) and go to town. If you need to use a 15amp to 30RV adapter then you will need to be mindful of your power usage but other wise plug in and go to town.
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Old 10-15-2016, 06:40 PM   #14
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I have been plugging the shore cord into my Honda 2000i for 10 years now and never needed any Edison plug.
Just the basic 30 to 15 adapter puck.

Never had a problem.
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Old 10-15-2016, 07:12 PM   #15
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Bike locks keep people honest. Thieves struck twice this year at Dover Downs race track. They are hacksawing the plastic handles on gennys. I am in the process of making a steel plate that I will bolt gennys to. Then park TT on the steel plate.
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Old 10-15-2016, 07:29 PM   #16
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I have been plugging the shore cord into my Honda 2000i for 10 years now and never needed any Edison plug.
Just the basic 30 to 15 adapter puck.

Never had a problem.
It really doesn't matter what you call it a Edison plug or a Hubble or residential its a 15 amp 3 prong plug. You will still need to get the the 30 amp RV connector.
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Old 10-15-2016, 09:05 PM   #17
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Bike locks keep people honest. Thieves struck twice this year at Dover Downs race track. They are hacksawing the plastic handles on gennys. I am in the process of making a steel plate that I will bolt gennys to. Then park TT on the steel plate.

I hide a tile on my generator for just such an occasion.
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Old 10-22-2016, 04:26 PM   #18
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We bought a Honda eu2000i last fall. We secured it with a Kryptonite bicycle cable and lock secured to the frame as others have said. I've been camping since I was a kid in the 1970's and have been very fortunate to have had great experiences with my fellow campers. That said, better safe than sorry.


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Old 10-23-2016, 04:59 AM   #19
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Just got an email from Home Depot that they have the Wen 3100 watt inverter generator back in stock for $649.00. I was going to buy one in the summer but could not find one in stock. I think they changed production to fix a fuel tank problem. Wound up with a Champion 3100 from Costco for $699.00. I'm not familiar with Wen but I would have tried it for that money. The Champion runs my 13.5 AC and fridge with ease.
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Old 10-23-2016, 08:13 AM   #20
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Like others we use a bike cable lock to keep the honest honest, chained to the bumper or tree, once a secured picnic table. If you add a hard start capacitor it should be able to run your AC when needed.
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