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08-25-2019, 08:25 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bedford
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #21728
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Do you need an inverter generator
I've been looking at a Champion 4k inverter generator and saw this at Costco today. The price difference is about $100 and I could run the whole coach. My question is how important is an inverter? Would the Firma work just as well? Thanks
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08-25-2019, 08:35 PM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 456
M.O.C. #23094
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The inverter is much cleaner and steady power. Meaning it will stay at the rated voltage better and is much better for your electronics and appliance circuit boards. Its more like the power coming from your electric provider at home with a clean sine wave.
The inverter is also usually much, much more quiet than non inverters. They run at less rpms. That contractor generator will have anyone within a quarter mile mad at you in 5 minutes. In short, I highly recommend an inverter portable genny.
__________________
2019 Montana HC 310RE
2010 Wildcat 29RLBS
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7
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08-25-2019, 09:17 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Menifee
Posts: 1,109
M.O.C. #22986
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I have 2 HF 3500 generators/Inverters, very reasonably priced quiet. I have 2 that I run in parallel to run my entire coach with a little room to spare.
p.s. can't see the picture...
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2018 3920fb 2020 GMC Denali 3500 4x4 Duramax, 10 speed Allison. LB SRW, Firestone air bags with Airlift wireless onboard compressor. Anderson Ultimate Hitch. MX4 folding cover. 50gal titan in bed transfer tank. Onan 6500 lp genset installed by me ! Had: 2 HF 3500 Inverters with Parallel Kit
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08-25-2019, 10:39 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Posts: 633
M.O.C. #13025
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You will want an inverter generator because they are much quieter. I also have the HF 3500 and am very pleased. The HF is 57 db and the Firman is 58db. Either one would be great. You can't beat the Costco return policy! The Harbor Freight is 3500watts and has both electric start and pull start.
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Russ and Linda, So. California
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, D/A, SRW, SB
2005 2955RL, Pullrite Superglide 16K hitch. Bridgestone Duravis R500 tires. EZ Flex Equilizers with wet bolts.EMS HW50C, Disk brakes
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08-26-2019, 02:07 PM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bedford
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #21728
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Here's the generator. I did learn something about the Champion 100302. It seems it requires a grounding rod. Does the HF 3500 need one?
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Member #21728
2019 3931FB
2017 F350 6.7 Powerstroke SRW
B&W Companion Slider 20K
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08-26-2019, 02:22 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,569
M.O.C. #2283
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I think all generators require a ground rod but nobody uses them.
You are certainly better off with an inverter than a standard generator, clean power, much less noise. They are safe for all your electronic equipment where a standard generator isn’t.
Get an inverter. You will not be sorry you did.
Lynwood
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08-26-2019, 02:25 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Menifee
Posts: 1,109
M.O.C. #22986
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That’s going to be a very loud one. If you get it and boondock hopefully you are alone, no neighbors for 1/4 mile lol. No my HF dont need grounding rods. Sorry it’s sideways forgot to rotate before uploading.
__________________
2018 3920fb 2020 GMC Denali 3500 4x4 Duramax, 10 speed Allison. LB SRW, Firestone air bags with Airlift wireless onboard compressor. Anderson Ultimate Hitch. MX4 folding cover. 50gal titan in bed transfer tank. Onan 6500 lp genset installed by me ! Had: 2 HF 3500 Inverters with Parallel Kit
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08-26-2019, 03:07 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Posts: 633
M.O.C. #13025
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Last2Die I sent you a PM
__________________
Russ and Linda, So. California
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, D/A, SRW, SB
2005 2955RL, Pullrite Superglide 16K hitch. Bridgestone Duravis R500 tires. EZ Flex Equilizers with wet bolts.EMS HW50C, Disk brakes
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08-26-2019, 03:32 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Posts: 633
M.O.C. #13025
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The Firman genny you show runs at 74 db at 50% power. That will be WAY too loud for a campground!
__________________
Russ and Linda, So. California
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, D/A, SRW, SB
2005 2955RL, Pullrite Superglide 16K hitch. Bridgestone Duravis R500 tires. EZ Flex Equilizers with wet bolts.EMS HW50C, Disk brakes
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08-26-2019, 03:41 PM
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#10
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Sterling Heights Mi
Posts: 61
M.O.C. #23262
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Check out the new Firman Dual Fuel Inverter ( WHO 3042 )
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Keith & Nancy
2019 Montana 3810MS Legacy Edition
Full Body Paint (Sterling) Slide Toppers
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08-26-2019, 03:46 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,523
M.O.C. #18081
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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.
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SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
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08-26-2019, 05:29 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Menifee
Posts: 1,109
M.O.C. #22986
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AV Tech
Check out the new Firman Dual Fuel Inverter ( WHO 3042 )
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I checked them out, just curious they look good. They are a little more money then the HF 3500 and slightly lower on the running and starting watts. Good warranty and of course Costco, they back everything.
Tony
__________________
2018 3920fb 2020 GMC Denali 3500 4x4 Duramax, 10 speed Allison. LB SRW, Firestone air bags with Airlift wireless onboard compressor. Anderson Ultimate Hitch. MX4 folding cover. 50gal titan in bed transfer tank. Onan 6500 lp genset installed by me ! Had: 2 HF 3500 Inverters with Parallel Kit
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08-28-2019, 11:33 AM
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#13
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Aztec
Posts: 77
M.O.C. #23272
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Sale this Monday at HF.
Predator 3500 on sale for 699.99, coupon for 25% off, brings it to 524 and change.
Any other coupons to add to it out there ?
__________________
2016 Keystone Montana HM 374FL High Country (TRADED)
NOW
2017 Grand Design 376th
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08-28-2019, 12:40 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 1000 oaks
Posts: 955
M.O.C. #19630
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MxBound
Sale this Monday at HF.
Predator 3500 on sale for 699.99, coupon for 25% off, brings it to 524 and change.
Any other coupons to add to it out there ?
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Coupon is not valid on Predator products. Read the fine print on the coupon.
__________________
2011 2955RL Gen-Y Executive Kingpin
2022 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Alison
4X4 Crew Cab/Standard bed.
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08-28-2019, 01:22 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,569
M.O.C. #2283
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prndl
Coupon is not valid on Predator products. Read the fine print on the coupon.
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Yea I learned the hard way.
Lynwood
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08-28-2019, 09:36 PM
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#16
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Aztec
Posts: 77
M.O.C. #23272
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Oh well...
__________________
2016 Keystone Montana HM 374FL High Country (TRADED)
NOW
2017 Grand Design 376th
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08-28-2019, 09:42 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Menifee
Posts: 1,109
M.O.C. #22986
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Still a great price at 699. They both work great for me.
__________________
2018 3920fb 2020 GMC Denali 3500 4x4 Duramax, 10 speed Allison. LB SRW, Firestone air bags with Airlift wireless onboard compressor. Anderson Ultimate Hitch. MX4 folding cover. 50gal titan in bed transfer tank. Onan 6500 lp genset installed by me ! Had: 2 HF 3500 Inverters with Parallel Kit
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08-29-2019, 08:42 PM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bedford
Posts: 307
M.O.C. #21728
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I’d like some feedback on a Westinghouse iGen4500DF.
The DW thinks dual fuel is important. I’m not convinced it’s really needed.
__________________
Member #21728
2019 3931FB
2017 F350 6.7 Powerstroke SRW
B&W Companion Slider 20K
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08-29-2019, 11:54 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,719
M.O.C. #12947
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Just for safety information, portable generators do not need to be grounded with a ground rod, and if done, may actually introduce a step potential hazard if there is a fault in the system. This site provides the information: https://www.jadelearning.com/groundi...le-generators/
And this is quoted from this site:
OSHA Grounding Requirements for portable and vehicle-mounted generators state the following:
Under the following conditions, OSHA directs (29 CFR 1926.404(f)(3)(i)) that the frame of a portable generator need not be grounded (connected to earth) and that the frame may serve as the ground (in place of the earth):
The generator supplies only equipment mounted on the generator and/or cord and plug-connected equipment through receptacles mounted on the generator, § 1926.404(f)(3)(i)(A). The noncurrent-carrying metal parts of equipment (such as the fuel tank, the internal combustion engine, and the generator’s housing) are bonded to the generator frame, and the equipment grounding conductor terminals (of the power receptacles that are a part of [mounted on] the generator) are bonded to the generator frame, § 1926.404(f)(3)(i)(B).
In addition to all this technical jargon, it would be unsafe to be driving ground rods in some areas without having all underground facilities located and marked. Driving a ground rod into a gas line or a high voltage line could be deadly, and at least very expensive.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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08-30-2019, 06:17 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: home base IL, OTR anywhere
Posts: 533
M.O.C. #19382
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Quote:
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.
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How do you plan to use your rig? Occasional boondocking or long stretches off the grid? Most applications... DF is probably not necessary but it is a useful alternative. If you camp at higher elevations frequently, propane does not have fouling issues like gasoline does (read that as a maintenance item) because carburetors are typically jetted for lower elevations and run richer at higher altitude where there is less oxygen. Propane simply burns cleaner. Both will produce less power at altitude. Propane produces about 10% less power than gasoline so what you can run on gasoline may not run on propane (most cases not an issue but it could... just sayin'). Propane is more expensive than gasoline. The iGen4500DF is a hefty brute.... at 105 lbs not including fuel. For some that could be a make or break item.
Your call, not trying to sway you one way or the other.
__________________
2017 RAM 3500 Laramie CCLB Dually CTD Aisin, OEM auto level rear air-ride, B&W hitch
2020 3813MS Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde 8K IS & pinbox, PI EMS,DIY mods by in-house "craftsman", RV security system Mk1 Beagle Alerter
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