Portable generator

[milsutter]

Bought a new Onan 4500i portable generator @ Camping World today for less than the price of the Honda 2200. The 2200’s are currently being recalled for some issue and not for sale.
Have had Onan on board generators before, so this should be a reliable one.
Did not want to get a Predator because of some of the problems others experienced.

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by milsutter

Bought a new Onan 4500i portable generator @ Camping World today for less than the price of the Honda 2200. The 2200’s are currently being recalled for some issue and not for sale.
Have had Onan on board generators before, so this should be a reliable one.
Did not want to get a Predator because of some of the problems others experienced.

I was also looking at going with a 4500w however I felt the fuel consumption was just too much. I bought the Predator 3500 however I am selling it and going with dual 2200w that way I have options I have a A/C soft start so I can even run AC off of a single 2200W ro add the other for more power if needed, but this way my fuel consumption will be very manageable. When Dry camping gas is more plentiful that Propane so I justdo not want to deplete my propane for other uses (Stove, BBQ, furnace Fire pit ect). Generator for me is more for charging batteries...

[milsutter]

With recall of the 2200’s there are none in the stores for sale. That why I went with the 4500.

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by milsutter

With recall of the 2200’s there are none in the stores for sale. That why I went with the 4500.

There are several good brands of 2000-2500w gens that will pair up to double, even Onan has a 2500w. Besides that was just my reasoning, am getting to old to lug a 3500-4500 in and out of the RV. What really talked me out of propane use was I have a legacy Package which is prepped for a gen, when I went to buy the 5500 Onan after they told me how much Propane it would use it would be a waste of $$$ for me I would be running for propane every day or two. With the dual 2200 gen set up gens I can carry plenty of gas in the truck bed as they use very little and like I said gas is easier to find then propane.

You do have a great Generator (Onan) saw them at CW a few weeks ago, they look well built

[Creeker]

That model Onan appears to be the exact same generator as the Westinghouse 4500. Only difference being the stickers/color. Have a friend with the Westinghouse version and he's had good luck so far but minimal usage.

[Last2Die]

What are the issues with the predator? I ask because I use 2 in parallel for years and never had an issue...

Tony

[opel0697]

I recently purchased 2 WEN 3800 inverters and with a parellel kit I can run my entire camper. Including water heater, fridge, and both 15K and 13K A/Cs. Quite amazing and they are very affordable. Purchase straight from website and avoid paying taxes and get free shipping. I could be happier and paid less than one Honda 2200 for two 3800 inverters.

Best feature of the WEN inverter is that it has a fuel drain feature. When you turn know to off it uses all the remaining fuel in the Carburetor bowl so you don't get any gumming with the ETHANOL in fuel these days. Priceless simple engineering.

Danny

[Montana Man]

WEN generators are designed to mirror pure sine wave generators. Which is sales talk to say they are not pure sine wave. Will they work? Yes. Like any other brand X generator. Honda is often bashed because of price, not durability.

Like other tools, you can get Snap On or Harbor Freight. All wrenches will turn that nut, right?

[CaptnJohn]

Had a Champion for years, got to be too heavy for this old guy so I bought 2 Champion 2000 watt with the pairing kit. All for $990 and never a problem.
I like the run the gas out when shutting down but run NON-ethanol gas anyway.

[Dam Worker]

I thought most all generators manufactured today were run through an inverter and were good to go. I know I still have a modified Sine Wave inverter that I never did hookup and probably won’t, but I figured only the cheapest generators would not be An inverter type.

Tom Marty

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by Creeker

That model Onan appears to be the exact same generator as the Westinghouse 4500. Only difference being the stickers/color. Have a friend with the Westinghouse version and he's had good luck so far but minimal usage.

This is kinda funny they market it as a Cummins product like that`s going to speak to reliability and longevity. I have the Westinghouse 4500 and like you said different color and stickers. It is sold under a couple of other brands out of China. But all and all it is a good unit with remote start (big plus over the other ones) and I run mine on Propane only. I got tired of the dual 2000 Yamahas and the gas issue every year at close up, moving them around all the time, filling in the middle of the night to run the A/C`s to keep the wife happy (that was fun), stale gas issues, on and on and on. On propane all of that is gone and I leave the unit in the truck full time so no moving. Happy camper now.
Last2DIE has the best dual Predator setup , he should post pictures of this like he did before. If they ever come out with dual fuel and remote start I`ll go that route with Predators.Might buy another Westinghouse and try that.

[rohrmann]

The non-inverter generators just use simple alternator technology and do not create a true sine wave like you get from your utility. The square or modified sine wave can cause issues with delicate electronics where power from these inverter generators provide power with very stable frequency and voltage along with a true sine wave. Most of these inverter type generators are also much quieter that the contractor open frame generators.

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

The non-inverter generators just use simple alternator technology and do not create a true sine wave like you get from your utility. The square or modified sine wave can cause issues with delicate electronics where power from these inverter generators provide power with very stable frequency and voltage along with a true sine wave. Most of these inverter type generators are also much quieter that the contractor open frame generators.

Adding to this keep in mind most RV parks to not allow open frame gens as they are just way too loud.

[mlh]

I have an Onan on board generator in my Motorhome. It is the micro quiet 4000. It broke down at 42 hours and required removal and extensive tear down to fix. I also have a Honda IS 3000 that I bought new for a little under $1000. I had to replace the battery in it a few years ago. They are over $2000 now. I don’t know how long I have had it but that gives you an idea.
Lynwood

[Creeker]

Originally Posted by mlh

I have an Onan on board generator in my Motorhome. It is the micro quiet 4000. It broke down at 42 hours and required removal and extensive tear down to fix. I also have a Honda IS 3000 that I bought new for a little under $1000. I had to replace the battery in it a few years ago. They are over $2000 now. I don’t know how long I have had it but that gives you an idea.
Lynwood

We purchased our Honda EU3000is in 2012. It was $1800.00 shipped to our door. That was the best price we could find at the time. Its been flawless with heavy use both for camping and home back-up. Still has the same battery. Worth every penny we paid.

[suny07]

Hi,

we run this Champion 3500 Watt Wireless Start Inverter (Model #100262)

It's designed for Campers and also comes with a remote and a build in 30amp plug.
You have to love the remote on cold and rainy mornings




Mike

[Last2Die]

This set up for me works great, figured I would post it as requested ! Glad someone likes it besides me LOl

Tony

[suny07]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

This set up for me works great, figured I would post it as requested ! Glad someone likes it besides me LOl

Tony

seems a solid package

[BobbyJ]

Really like your set up.
Do you have insulating panels to protect the truck bed from generator heat/exhaust heat?
If I vent the exaust like you have, do you think it would be ok to run in the front bin set up for a built in generator?
Thanks.
Bob

[Last2Die]

I now have a new truck but the system remains the same. No heat panels. I wouldn’t put them up front in the 5th wheel. The unit is not designed to be a bottom breather for fresh air. For me this set up works great and with the addition of the transfer switch and front 50amp plug makes camping for the night a little easier.