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Old 06-22-2020, 04:50 PM   #21
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I don't have one, suppose I could buy one looks like they have something online for ~$30. Wondering if I should contact Firman customer support first.

Hurt my ankle trying to kick myself yesterday, thinking maybe I bought too small a generator so glad to hear you think it should work.
Either that or return to Costco for a replacement.
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Old 06-22-2020, 04:57 PM   #22
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Thanks for the welcome! Yes first TT and first post here so bear with me if I'm a bit ignorant.

I shut off all my breakers and water heater electric switch outside when I was testing so I don't think there was any other large load.

I'm not sure if the battery was charging or how to turn that off quite honestly but the battery was fully charged I believe because it gets full sun and has a solar panel on the roof where its parked.

I had the 30a surge protector connected to the Gen which was connected with the 30a cord provided with the TT ~20 or 25 ft, no other adapters.

Just to make sure I hadn't fried anything I hooked up my big old 6500w contractor gen and the AC ran fine.

thx

Take the surge protector off. Shut off the converter in the fuse panel, that’s the battery charger. You should be fine running everything once the ac is on. Make sure it is not in eco mode. I have the same gen. I really like it.

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Old 06-22-2020, 04:58 PM   #23
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Yeah I started wondering if I should be using the surge protector on the gen this morning, didn't really occur to me yesterday.

Love buying from Costco because of the customer service and return policies, hoping to get this worked out if its not a bad unit.

So if i hooked up a clamp meter before turning on the AC I suppose I could see what kind of draw I was getting from anything else. Then hooking up to the larger gen would tell me how much power it takes to run the AC. Is that what you would recommend.
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Old 06-22-2020, 05:04 PM   #24
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After you have the gen hooked up. Did you hear the ac fan start?
Try waiting 2 min before you start the ac to let the converter ramp down if it’s charging the battery.
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Old 06-22-2020, 05:06 PM   #25
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To the OP. If they are convinced they want your gen more than you do, they will take it. A cable with a master lock through both top handles in the truck or to the bumper will stop most thieves. Need really good tools to get it that way. Yes cover it somehow, wet weather and gasoline engines don’t get along. I have a hard to to cover with 23” on height from the bed of the truck fits fine. Use a ratchet strap to secure the gen and gas as far away from you as you can. I use 2 2.5 gal cans, shirt spout green button to deliver fuel and cap on the end. Should be plenty of fuel for 5 8 hour days. At least 4/5 hours for the battery charging. Get a Aili battery monitor. Easy to install and use.

Have a great time,
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Old 06-22-2020, 05:21 PM   #26
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I would try it without the surge protector plugged into the gen. The surge protector may not like some parameter (voltage drop) and shut off power to the trailer.
I see no reason to use a surge protector with an inverter generator.
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Old 06-22-2020, 10:03 PM   #27
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Either that or return to Costco for a replacement.
Might have to wait a while for a replacement. They have been sold out for over a week now.
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Old 06-22-2020, 10:16 PM   #28
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Champion

I just Bought a Champion Dual Fuel 3400 Inverter from Factory Pure. Delivered it to My House 2 Days later, Ready to Go. It fits in My Bed with Across the Back with 2 5 Gal Propane Bottles and I can Close the Bed Cover. Going on it's First Trip in 4 Days.
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Old 06-22-2020, 10:18 PM   #29
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Had another camper this weekend with a wen 3800 and wouldn’t start his ac at altitude the second day he tried to use it. Was acting like the ac and fan were trying to come on at same time. We turned off the converter, ran the fan for two minutes then kicked over to ac and all went well. I recommend him picking up a hard start capacitor as I had no issues running mine right next to his and that it’s a cheap thought
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Old 06-22-2020, 10:27 PM   #30
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This is the can you want, the Eagle safety can.
I have one and it is ridiculous how much better it is than any plastic can made in the last 20 years.

If you really want to splurge you can go for the Eagle type II or JustRite type II which have a built in spout instead of a pouring funnel. The attached funnel works great for lawnmowers and generators that have the gas fill on top, but flexible spouts are easier for filling automobiles.
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Old 06-25-2020, 07:31 PM   #31
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Maybe you should into a Micro-Air EasyStart.
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Old 06-25-2020, 07:37 PM   #32
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I have a Westinghouse iGen 4500 and I put it in the bed of the pickup truck all the way in the front. I don’t take it out when camping. I pull it out from the front of the bed a little. I just run it in the bed and make sure I have plenty of ventilation around it.
And yes the generator is an electrical piece of equipment so it needs to stay out of the elements. They make rain covers for most of the generators so you can run in the rain. I don’t have one and I’m not sure how well they work. When I am driving I have a cover for it I got off of amazon and I bungee cord it on. I don’t run the generator if I’m driving. I carry a 2.5 gallon can with me in the bed of the pickup.
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Old 06-25-2020, 07:47 PM   #33
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Costco Gen Refund

I just got a $140 credit from Costco for the Firman gen I bought there. It went on sale 5/1 thru 6/29 $140 off. I purchased it 10 days before the sale. Requested the refund online. Got it two days later. I love Costco!
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Old 06-25-2020, 08:03 PM   #34
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I carry our Champion Generator (3500W) in the bed of the truck along with no spill cans of fuel. When I need it for power I just run it while in the truck bed. I leave it in the bed of the truck once it is loaded with and engine crane at home.
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Old 06-25-2020, 08:04 PM   #35
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Tailgate generator

I built a sliding ramp ($50.) that allows me greater access to most of the bed contents. When I want to use the generator, I just pull it out onto the tailgate.
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Old 06-25-2020, 10:54 PM   #36
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I just got a $140 credit from Costco for the Firman gen I bought there. It went on sale 5/1 thru 6/29 $140 off. I purchased it 10 days before the sale. Requested the refund online. Got it two days later. I love Costco!
Unfortunately they ran out of that unit several weeks ago. So much for that sale price.
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Old 06-26-2020, 03:07 AM   #37
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A frame hitch hauler

Get an A frame hitch hauler. We had one for years on the Microlite 23lb. It will put the weight up front instead of in the rear which will increase sway. We had a 3500 watt Champion Generator. Used angle iron and marine plywood to build a front and top cover. This protected it from the weather but also made a nice theft deterrent. We bought it at etrailer.

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Old 06-26-2020, 10:28 AM   #38
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Mike,
How do you like your champion? I have been considering buying one.
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Old 06-26-2020, 10:37 AM   #39
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Gas Cans and Filling Up

I want to advise you to purchase a gas can that can be easily lifted into the bed of the truck after filling. A metal can is best. Plastic gasoline cans must be filled sitting on the ground; NEVER FILL A PLASTIC GASOLINE CAN SITTING IN THE BED OF A TRUCK.

A plastic gasoline can being filled can generate static electricity, especially under low humidity. The truck is insulated enough from ground (tires) that a charge can build up during the filling process—then boom.

There are plenty of video demonstrating this effect.
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Old 06-26-2020, 10:48 AM   #40
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Our Honda Generator stays in the bed of the truck (against the front of the bed) and is secured with 2 3/4" chains and pad locks. We have a 3/4" horse stall mat underneath it to absorb vibration/noise (not that the Honda is loud). When not in use, I cover it with a custom fit cover. When in use, we remove the cover and connect a long 30amp extension cord (it's 45' in length) to feed the RV. For gas, we haul a 2 gallon Justrite Safety Can secured in a plastic milk crate (the crate helps to protect the can and to keep it from sliding around).
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