Boondocking and Generators

[desalvo55]

it's raining. Been nearly 200 days since I've seen a drop of rain...

I've got a 35ft 5th wheel and a single Honda generator. We've been boondocking and love it. But the Honda really struggles when using any of our inefficient appliances let alone the air conditioner. So I bought a softstartRV for the AC unit but feel the need to upgrade or add a second generator.

I was in Costco yesterday and brought home a Firman W2000 that looked like it might parallel with my Honda. Firman seems to think that wouldn't be a problem but no guarantee's of course.

In same conversation with Firman, they suggested their 3200watt dual fuel unit which is supposed to go on sale at Costco for maybe $150 to 200 dollars off. It is listed at $849 right now. This would of course allow me to use either gas or on-board propane and should cover all of my electrical needs, especially with the softstartRV device(s).

That may orphan my Honda 2000i

Then I thought I could keep the Honda, which is light, onboard as backup power and drag the firman with us on boondocking adventures. Hell, I could perhaps parallel them for ultimate power

[rebeltown]

You would think Firman would test whether their unit is compatible with Honda if they are going to suggest it MAY be compatible?????

[richp]

Originally Posted by rebeltown

You would think Firman would test whether their unit is compatible with Honda if they are going to suggest it MAY be compatible?????

I personally would not risk frying the electronics in a thousand dollar Honda by hooking it up to non Honda circuitry.

But that's just me...

Rich Phillips

[Reverse_snowbird]

You know what happens when you hook up two devices by two different manufacturers, right? (Doesn't really matter what the devices are....)
When something goes wrong, each manufacturer will blame the other and you're left 'holding the bag'.

[SacRV]

The OP can always return the Firman to Costco even if he fries it. Just keep the box and pack everything up like new.

[desalvo55]

Originally Posted by rebeltown

You would think Firman would test whether their unit is compatible with Honda if they are going to suggest it MAY be compatible?????

They know of customers who are doing this with no problems but, they cannot guarantee issues arising because they did not actually test with Honda.

This is why I'm looking at the dual fuel unit. Me being... me, I might (I say might) test it (paralleling) and deal with whatever repairs might be needed. I can usually perform those sort of repairs.

If the Firman works well all by its little self. Win.

[TitanMike]

I know everyone has their own desires but I've found that a single 3500 watt, dual fuel, Champion Inverter mounted on a rear bumper platform (bumper reinforced with Safety Struts). is great. No lifting, no real setup other than pulling off cover and plugging in power cord, and more than quiet enough for even relatively close quarters camping.

The 3500 watt generator spends most of it's time idling along on low engine speed (Eco On) and even with the A/C running doesn't make as much noise as a 2 kw generator running flat out as it struggles to run an A/C unit.

Also, the Generator is well secured to the trailer so unless someone wants to haul some large tools to cut it off, it won't be growing legs.

All for less money than two small units that require a parallel kit and setup time.

But again, that's just my choice.

[Mandog]

Originally Posted by desalvo55

it's raining. Been nearly 200 days since I've seen a drop of rain...

I've got a 35ft 5th wheel and a single Honda generator. We've been boondocking and love it. But the Honda really struggles when using any of our inefficient appliances let alone the air conditioner. So I bought a softstartRV for the AC unit but feel the need to upgrade or add a second generator.

I was in Costco yesterday and brought home a Firman W2000 that looked like it might parallel with my Honda. Firman seems to think that wouldn't be a problem but no guarantee's of course.

In same conversation with Firman, they suggested their 3200watt dual fuel unit which is supposed to go on sale at Costco for maybe $150 to 200 dollars off. It is listed at $849 right now. This would of course allow me to use either gas or on-board propane and should cover all of my electrical needs, especially with the softstartRV device(s).

That may orphan my Honda 2000i

Then I thought I could keep the Honda, which is light, onboard as backup power and drag the firman with us on boondocking adventures. Hell, I could perhaps parallel them for ultimate power

You’ll be glad you installed a soft start on your AC. I want to do the same on both of mine. The units will last longer and the power surges are absorbed by the soft start.

[dbledan]

Been there done that. I had a yamaha inverter already and went the dual fuel champion 3400w. I vary which generator I carry but mostly take the champion now because we always need AC and with propane I don't need to refuel so often. The cost was the same so more bang for my buck. I dont have a softstart and can run my AC. On propane i think 3500w would struggle with two AC units even with the softstart on both but if they are newer units you could be fine. Mine runs at about 13A so it will be close depending on how much the softstart takes off the startup current. Two AC units would have me running at max startup watts on propane.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by dbledan

Been there done that. I had a yamaha inverter already and went the dual fuel champion 3400w. I vary which generator I carry but mostly take the champion now because we always need AC and with propane I don't need to refuel so often. The cost was the same so more bang for my buck. I dont have a softstart and can run my AC. On propane i think 3500w would struggle with two AC units even with the softstart on both but if they are newer units you could be fine. Mine runs at about 13A so it will be close depending on how much the softstart takes off the startup current. Two AC units would have me running at max startup watts on propane.

Here's a video that demonstrates both start current before and after install of a Micro Aire soft start. Also shows run currents before and after.

Might help answer your question..

[URL="

[dbledan]

Very interested but I missed the link!

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Here's a video that demonstrates both start current before and after install of a Micro Aire soft start. Also shows run currents before and after.

Might help answer your question..

[URL="

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by dbledan

Very interested but I missed the link!

Try this:

https://youtu.be/soP0uZFd0nQ