Do you need an inverter generator

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by jdarwin

I’d like some feedback on a Westinghouse iGen4500DF.
The DW thinks dual fuel is important. I’m not convinced it’s really needed.

well how rough will the "I told you so" be if it turns out you needed DF

[suny07]

Originally Posted by PNW Fireguy

The timing of this post is just to prophetic. I just got run out of the Badlands because someone parked 10' behind me and ran a contractor generator all day and night. Just ruined the experience.

wow - that sucks. there are really some people out there you are running out of fingers. ...

I would ask to shut it off.

Mike

[prndl]

I have used this plug for years.

http://noshockzone.org/generator-gro...utral-bonding/

[WaltBennett]

Had this HF one https://www.harborfreight.com/4375-w...arb-63960.html until the 3500 came out. Worked flawlessly for about four years. At 72db (I think it was actually more like 68 or so) it was much quieter than an old contractor one I'd had years back, but still too noisy for camping close to anyone else. Worked for Walmarts and such. Have had a 3500 for three years now and it's also been flawless. Only complaint is that it has no gas gauge. Also the little collar that holds the spark arrester in broke off - guess it must have bumped against my truck bed while traveling? Anyway, haven't been able to find a new one yet.

[Nat_Park_Travelers]

Originally Posted by jdarwin

I’d like some feedback on a Westinghouse iGen4500DF.
The DW thinks dual fuel is important. I’m not convinced it’s really needed.

We have the Westinghouse iGen4500 but not dual fuel. It runs at 52db and will run about 18 hours on a tank of gas. It kept our unit running for a week and a half when we had a flood at our TN river property and they cut off everyone's electric power. You can only run 1 AC at a time and watch what you run with it, but we love ours - don't know why more people don't use them.

HTH!

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by PNW Fireguy

The timing of this post is just to prophetic. I just got run out of the Badlands because someone parked 10' behind me and ran a contractor generator all day and night. Just ruined the experience.

I`ve experience this to and did say something to the guy while they were out in the chairs under the awning cause the exhaust was pointing at our unit 30ft. away and he said "you need to stay in your own camping area and mind your own business as he thru another beer can under his trailer. We moved the next morning after a night of unrelenting noise, even the bed a/c wouldn`t drown it out.
I went with the new Westinghouse 4500 dual fuel inverter after selling the 2 Yamaha`s I had. Very nice, as quite, remote start and run on propane instead of the problematic gas side. It would be nice if someone would come out with a 6000 watt like this at a fair price to run both a/c`s and more. Pic of my set up in the back of the truck works for for me at the moment.

[CaptnJohn]

Happy with 2 Champion 2000 watt paired. Chained in the back of my truck and never come out. Less than $1000 all done.

[JamesD]

Appliances, and electronics have been shown to run hotter with non-inverter generators.
I've also read that it messes up the timing on some microwaves, though I'm not sure how.
That may add up to shorter life for some electronics or appliances.
That's not the end of the world, but it's something to consider.

Some people don't realize that decibels are a logarithmic unit, rather than linear.
3 db is almost twice as loud, 6 db is almost 4 times as loud, 10 db is 10 times as loud, and 20 db is 100 times as loud!
So if one generator is 54 db, and one is 74 db, the 2nd one is 100 times as loud.

I have owned several inverter generators, a Champion contractor type, and my RV has an Onan. The Champion was way louder than the others.

[rohrmann]

A non inverter generator does not have accurate frequency control, so when using a contractor generator, it may be running faster or slower which causes the cycles, hertz, or frequency(all the same) to be above or below 60 Hz. That is what messes up the clock on a microwave or other appliance that depends on an accurate input of 60 Hz. This is something that a quality EMS device will look for and might shut power off in the frequency is off.

[JamesD]

How as in, faster, slower, erratic, doesn't work at all... and it may depend on each individual generator.

[bobforest]

I don't think the HF 25 % can be used on Generators (watch the fine print)

[jdarwin]

I'm hoping to be able to spend up to 2 weeks boondocking in the Rockies. We also plan to drive to Alaska at some point.

[PNW Fireguy]

24 hour solar above the artic circle is on my bucket list.