Small Gen Opinions ? UPDATE--Should I Switch?

Here it is here ($30 off next week) half the Amazon price? Seems weird.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/500w-inverter-generator/A-p8717100e

BTW I have tried the truck alternator with fat wires (no real help in my case), the 7-pin (useless), and even the inverter on the truck battery while the truck idles to run the charger trick (much trouble, but it does work)

So this looks really good compared with those methods. But only if the gen is actually is any good.

I have an Earthquake 700/800 VA generator that I've had very good luck with. Comparing the specs, it's a bit larger than the Powerhouse 500Wi, but not much. It's considerably smaller and lighter than an eu1000i, which is why I took a chance on it. Through the converter its maximum charge rate is 25 to 30 amps.

I also have an eu2000i, and use the little guy whenever I'm able to because it's so much easier to carry around. On the sound meter it's not much louder than the eu2000i, but it's a higher pitched sound that is simply more annoying. The Honda is easier on the ears. On the scope, the sine wave isn't as clean as the eu2000i, but also not too shabby. Definitely cleaner than a small non-inverter genset. It has good throttle response and voltage stability when the load changes, something I've found sorely lacking in some other inverter gens that do a lot of hunting around with big voltage swings. The Earthquake generator is from a Chinese OEM manufacturer and sold under a few different labels. Amazon also has a Porta Source and Dirty Hand Tools generator that both look like they're the same one to me. Here's the Amazon page for it: https://www.amazon.com/Earthquake-11613-Starting-Portable-Compliant/dp/B00FL89I2W

Edit: The Homegear genset linked to in the previous post also looks like the same one as the Earthquake. One quirk if you get one is that it's easy to overfill the oil, and it smokes like crazy if you do.

I would go with this then... even im looking at it as price is right..

Good reviews on you tube..

https://www.amazon.com/Homegear-Digital-Portable-Inverter-Generator/dp/B01GCJY620/ref=pd_lpo_86_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=K5NQ0C0DT9S8THNC5FN6

Here it is again, but at twice the price! Not sure what is going on here. Reviews are not that much help.

https://www.amazon.com/Powerhouse-60370-Starting-Portable-Compliant/dp/B004RCVRWW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486261839&sr=8-1&keywords=powerhouse+500wi+inverter+generator

If it can't put 100 amps into the battery what is the point? ;)

lawrosa wrote:
How do you know the gen you looking at has enough watts to run the charger? I see no specs on the vectors stating required input.

Like the convertors in the RV they need specific wattage to run..

Like my current coachmen camper the convertor needs 550 watts input and charges at a 12 amnp rate max. 32 amp convertor.

The new convertors need upwards of 750 watts min ..

I have had Vector chargers for years and know their specs. 20 amps needs about 320w input (as seen on meter) so this 450w job should do it, even if we use VA which we should.

Anyway--never mind all that--is the gen itself any good?

Not very powerful. 1000 watts seems the smallest that would be useful.

How do you know the gen you looking at has enough watts to run the charger? I see no specs on the vectors stating required input.

Like the convertors in the RV they need specific wattage to run..

Like my current coachmen camper the convertor needs 550 watts input and charges at a 12 amnp rate max. 32 amp convertor.

The new convertors need upwards of 750 watts min ..

A 1000w Honda is too big to fit. (Need room for all the dog kennels and stuff.)

Buy a small Honda.