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BFL13's avatar
BFL13
Explorer II
Feb 04, 2017

Small Gen Opinions ? UPDATE--Should I Switch?

Update- 7 Feb 17 alternative gen maybe?
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Original OP:

Local shop is selling these for $200 (Can) next week. (about $152 US)

http://www.powerhouse-products.com/powerhouse_product/500wi/

Looks a bit noisy from the specs, but it could run a Vector charger at the 20 amp setting.

It is tiny enough we could take it along in the truck camper, which would be a big help if there was no solar input when off grid. Right now that is an "issue" because it has a 120v- only small fridge (not propane)

Is this gen notorious like some are? I have checked out some other small gens in the past and decided not to get any of them, but this one might be ok----what think?

Also is this the kind you can put in a box outside to help keep the noise down?

Thanks.

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  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Feb 04, 2017
    romore wrote:
    That is just over 4 amps peak, about 3-1/2 running so it won't power much of a fridge. It might be alright but remember, the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.


    The fridge runs on the inverter powered by the batteries. About 4.5 DC amps say 2/3 the time = 72 AH/day ? The gen would run the battery charger. (It can run the 20amp charger ok to bring the batts back up if the solar could not.)

    3 hours at 20 amps is 60 AH. A useful amount. Then you need more gasoline and another 3 hours that day or next if no solar at all. But that ignores letting the batts run down over the whole time off grid (6 days?) which lets you get by longer till you get home to do a proper 100% recharge.
  • romore's avatar
    romore
    Explorer II
    Feb 04, 2017
    That is just over 4 amps peak, about 3-1/2 running so it won't power much of a fridge. It might be alright but remember, the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

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