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mlts22's avatar
mlts22
Explorer
Sep 18, 2015

Porta Source IG800 inverter generator, opinions?

Link here and more details here.

This is definitely not a Honda eu2000i, but it is of a relatively small size, so it appears useful for two roles:

1: A relatively cheap emergency generator/charger if the starting battery and/or the chassis batteries wind up too low to start the generator or engine.

2: A relatively small generator to have for charging batteries. With a coach that has a 2800 watt Onan or a 4000 watt genset, having something that can run for 14 hours on a gallon of gasoline is more efficient for small loads like charging up the coach batteries.

Again, this isn't a Honda, but it is an inexpensive generator that puts out relatively clean power that is good enough for charging batteries or light electrical tasks, and at 0.07 gallons an hour, it is pretty thrifty on fuel. Sure beats those $100 Harbor Freight two stroke models.
  • Thanks for the info. I couldn't find any info on this (the Earthquake model is discontinued), that had actual people's use opinions (not just starting up, plugging in a light and saying it is OK, but actual use on the road.)

    It is definitely better than the rattletrap $100 two stroke ET-800 clone, but if 35-55 amps from a converter is this close to having the genset at capacity, then this definitely isn't worth getting for something used constantly.
  • Watts don't mean squat with the generator, VA is what counts. If the Parallax converter has the same power factor as WFCO and PD converters, that 975 watts translates to 1,393 VA. I have the Earthquake clone of the Port Source generator, and with a PD converter the generator maxes out at about 35 amps converter output. The 975 watt spec is totally reasonable: 55 amps*13.8 volts/0.8 efficiency=949 watts.
  • Hi,

    800 VA may not run a 55 amp converter with hungry batteries.

    Run time listed as 6.5 hours--but only at 50% load. The 14 hours would be at 1/4 load.
  • At 5500rpm, I believe you will hear WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE instead of hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

    It is not simply DBs, but the type of sound that matters.

    HTH;
    John
  • Even if I had solar panels I would still need my generator to run my on-board converter/charger to get past the 52-53 amps my battery bank needs to get past the initial high current demand when first hit with 14.4VDC...
    That theory would only be true if the accumulated solar harvest did not match the charge put forth of the generator in three hours. IOW, if you have sufficient solar modules for, say, 24 amps of charge current, it may be possible that the solar does a better job, daily, than using your converter.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    In my case I run into the Generator run time rules just about everywhere we go here on the East side of the US. I have to have enough wattage out of my 120VAC Generator to operate my on-board converter/charger unit inside the generator day-time run time rules.

    I have to re-charge my batteries back up to their 90% charge state as quick as I can and three hours run time is the majic time.

    A small generator would be great for some of my other needs but charging my battery banks would require a good 1000WATTS source. The $300 is a great price for 700WATTS... Even if I had solar panels I would still need my generator to run my on-board converter/charger to get past the 52-53 amps my battery bank needs to get past the initial high current demand when first hit with 14.4VDC...

    Roy Ken
  • Take a look at the discussion about the Earthquake generator in the current thread "Comparing *Small* Inverter Generators ". I assume the Porta Source and Earthquake generators are the same because they look the same, have the same specs, have the same model #, and come from the same manufacturer. Kind of like Winnebago vs. Itasca.
  • Looks pretty cool... if it actually lives up to that fuel consumption or db level when working. You'd likely only be able to charge at around 45 amps for long periods of time.

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