SoftStart RV using a generator

[rbq]

Just thought I'd take a moment & report on my first use of the Softstart RV using a generator. Last summer while camping at a campground at an elevation of 8000' we were in a site with little shade & had a hot afternoon that we wanted to rest inside. I fired up my Firman 3000 generator & thought I would use the AC to cool the Roo. As soon as the AC kicked on the generator kicked off. Too much power with the AC startup. At Christmas time I ordered a Softstart RV and installed it several months ago. This past week I had the first opportunity to try it out at elevation and with the same generator. Wow--what a difference. The AC would kick on and the generator didn't even hesitate. The install of the Softstart RV was easy, the hardest part was a big guy like me climbing around on the roof.

 

[TravelSolo]

Soft starts are great. I can run my 13.5k off my 3kw inverter and my 3400 champion on propane didn't even notice it.

 

[NJKris]

Surprised that a 3000w generator couldn't handle surge without soft start. I know elevation robs power, which is probably the culprit. 8000 foot elevation is holy smokes high! Is your A/C a 15k btu?

 

[timm9]

You lose 3% of your Horsepower for every 1000 foot climb in elevation.

 

[TitanMike]

Surprised that a 3000w generator couldn't handle surge without soft start. I know elevation robs power, which is probably the culprit. 8000 foot elevation is holy smokes high! Is your A/C a 15k btu?

I head to a campground in Northern NM that is 8300 feet. Pretty common in the mountainous States like MT, CO, NM, UT, etc.

So far my 3500 w Champion Inverter has done well at altitude.

 

[JLA956]

We're getting ready to head to Red River, NM which is around 8,500 feet in elevation. We have a 15K AC with Soft Start and it currently starts and runs well on our Predator 2000 Inv/Gen. I will check it out once we get to Red River and see if it will still do the same there since it seems that we will be losing almost 25% of our Predator's output due to the increase in elevation. We probably won't be using the AC at all once we get there since the forecast for the next two weeks is for highs in the low 70s during the daytime and in the 40s at night. However, it will be nice to know whether it will run the AC at that altitude.

 

[NJKris]

I think you can get jets for your generator that put out more power at altitude if it's doesn't perform.

 

[NJKris]

6,684 feet is our highest peak back East (of Mississippi River)

 

[bikendan]

6,684 feet is our highest peak back East (of Mississippi River)

We'd call that a Hill, out West.[emoji1787]

 

[NJKris]

I know! It blows my mind people camping at 1.5 miles high or higher! Only did that once, Sequoya National Park I believe. Started climbing with a tent and backpack at 4000 feet, made it to 8000 feet by end of day. Tiring.

 

[bikendan]

I know! It blows my mind people camping at 1.5 miles high or higher! Only did that once, Sequoya National Park I believe. Started climbing with a tent and backpack at 4000 feet, made it to 8000 feet by end of day. Tiring.

Back when i could still backpack, we'd camp at 11,000ft and do peak climbs to over 13,000ft.

 

[NJKris]

I was 19, stationed on a Navy base, and took this poor sailor along on the hike. I thought he was gonna drop dead after a 4k foot climb. He got up there, threw his tent down on some rocks in a collapsed condition, proceeded to lay on the collapsed tent and fell asleep.

 

[nomad297]

I was 19, stationed on a Navy base, and took this poor sailor along on the hike. I thought he was gonna drop dead after a 4k foot climb. He got up there, threw his tent down on some rocks in a collapsed condition, proceeded to lay on the collapsed tent and fell asleep.

Sailors can sleep anywhere.

Bruce

 

[TitanMike]

I think you can get jets for your generator that put out more power at altitude if it's doesn't perform.

The high altitude jet doesn't exactly cause the engine to put out more power. It just leans the mixture so the engine will not bog down with a too rich mixture.

Only way to get sea level performance from an engine is a supercharger as that will replace the missing oxygen in the cylinder during combustion.

 

[Sleepy-FRF]

Soft start

My experience has not been as good with a 2K generator and my new soft start!
I have turned off everything in my camper but the AC (13.5K btu) when attempting. My A-I power 2000k peak, 1800 run will not run the AC even with everything else turned off, including turning off the converter.

I believed that a 2K generator would work as advertised, unfortunately when contacting Micro-air, their response was, we only test on a Honda, any other generator may or may not work.

I recommend insisting they tell you if your generator will work BEFORE purchasing the Easy Start.

Just my experience

 

[NJKris]

Got it. So the high altitude jets do nothing to mitigate power loss due to altitude?

 

[NJKris]

My experience has not been as good with a 2K generator and my new soft start!
I have turned off everything in my camper but the AC (13.5K btu) when attempting. My A-I power 2000k peak, 1800 run will not run the AC even with everything else turned off, including turning off the converter.

I believed that a 2K generator would work as advertised, unfortunately when contacting Micro-air, their response was, we only test on a Honda, any other generator may or may not work.

I recommend insisting they tell you if your generator will work BEFORE purchasing the Easy Start.

Just my experience

On the other thread, you stated your generator was 1600 running watts.


****I looked up your generator, it is 1600 running watts, which as I stated on the other thread, is I believe the crux of your problems. The soft start kit will do nothing to mitigate your running watt requirements.

 

[bikendan]

On the other thread, you stated your generator was 1600 running watts.


****I looked up your generator, it is 1600 running watts, which as I stated on the other thread, is I believe the crux of your problems. The soft start kit will do nothing to mitigate your running watt requirements.

Yep, it's 1600w, not 1800w, which is probably the issue.

Now, Costco has this newer A-1 Power 2300w/1800w inverter generator for under $500.

https://a-ipower.com/product/sc2300i-inverter-generator/

 

[Sleepy-FRF]

You are correct

I did state accurately that the running watt is 1600, I obviously hit a wrong key here as this generator is rated differently for gas and LP. The point is this: I am attempting to make our fellow campers aware that because they advertise a 2K generator will work, not all will. I am hoping to alleviate someone else the disappointment.

I suggest checking with Micro-Air, easy start prior to purchase to ensure the generator you have, or plan to purchase, will in fact work.

Best of luck.

 

[Sleepy-FRF]

bikendan

That is a good looking generator at Costco you posted.

I have to say, this A-ipower dual fuel generator has been great for everything I have used it for thus far. Other than the AC.

Now, knowing what I know thus far, I would have saved the $ for the micro-air, and purchased a second generator like the one you shared, and the problem would have been remedied.

I have a few generators, but all but the A-ipower is larger and heavy. Im not able to lift them, and that is why I decided to go the 2K generator and Easy start avenue.

I would love to find a remedy, but more than that, I hope to keep someone else from finding themselves in my predicament.

I suggest that before purchase, verify with Micro-air that your generator will work, or, if planning to purchase a generator, verify it will work prior to purchasing a generator. Would have saved me some grief. I understand that all generators are made differently, but I should have ask that one question...will mine work.

Thanks