Hello all, I am looking for a small portable generator with autostart capability. The only one I have found so far is the AIM models. Does anyone else know of any brands with this feature?My goal is to have a backup generator automatically kick on if the shore power should fail to make sure my dogs still have AC if I am not around to turn it on myself. Thanks!

Not easy to do. You would have to install a transfer switch with some control wiring besides the required power wiring. Not worth the trouble. When we go of and leave the cat we open all the windows and turn on a fan.

cavie wrote:Not easy to do. You would have to install a transfer switch with some control wiring besides the required power wiring. Not worth the trouble. When we go of and leave the cat we open all the windows and turn on a fan.I know I have to install a transfer switch. An automatic transfer switch is $70 and 6 wires. Should take me 20 minutes to install. A control circuit is super easy with an autostart generator. You simply wire in a normally closed solenoid. It remains open while on shore power, and when shore power is lost, the switch closes and starts the generator. It was 110F here yesterday. My dogs would die if shore power was lost and I wasn't here.

How do you plan to handle choking or priming the engine for starting?

Dutch_12078 wrote:How do you plan to handle choking or priming the engine for starting?How do the Champion and Honda with electric start do it? I'm guessing there's a servo motor inside that moves the choke lever? ... Priming, I didn't know that was still a thing on a modern engine.

GordonThree wrote:Dutch_12078 wrote:How do you plan to handle choking or priming the engine for starting?How do the Champion and Honda with electric start do it? I'm guessing there's a servo motor inside that moves the choke lever? ... Priming, I didn't know that was still a thing on a modern engine.Priming is still a thing but if it's not cold out (A/C weather) priming is generally not necessary for an engine that has not been sitting for a long time

Portable generators with auto start capability.

steveh27
Explorer
Jun 21, 2020
Yep, I got the older Honda 2000 to occaisionly use it with my Class B. Works great & quiet. My house lost power for 3 days 2 weeks ago. The genny powered my fridge, sat tv, and computer with internet connection . I could use the microwave when disconnected from the fridge.
Gulfcoast
Explorer
Jun 01, 2020
I'd get a Champion
CoeyCoey
Explorer
May 31, 2020
pianotuna wrote:
CoeyCoey wrote:
If I skip the generator, I can get a Victron Multiplus inverter for $1,300 and two Tesla battery modules with BMS for around $3,000.

Where did you find Tesla Battery modules for $3k?

They are about $1,100 on Ebay, and the BMS is around $700 to $800.
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 31, 2020
CoeyCoey wrote:
If I skip the generator, I can get a Victron Multiplus inverter for $1,300 and two Tesla battery modules with BMS for around $3,000.

Where did you find Tesla Battery modules for $3k?
pnichols
Explorer II
May 31, 2020
CoeyCoey wrote:
Hello all,

I am looking for a small portable generator with autostart capability. The only one I have found so far is the AIM models. Does anyone else know of any brands with this feature?

My goal is to have a backup generator automatically kick on if the shore power should fail to make sure my dogs still have AC if I am not around to turn it on myself.

Thanks!

We've kindof had the same issue with our dog's safety when away from our motorhome on foot while looking for rocks - with the motorhome parked in the desert sun with it's built-in generator running and the rooftop AC on to keep the coach interior and dog cool (the dog was in a playpen - not running loose inside) :

We kept the rooftop vent fan running (of course powered by the coach batteries) for whole-coach ventilation in addition to the AC, and a powerful portable 12V fan running (also powered by the coach battieries) and aimed directly at the dog in it's playpen for super air flow aimed right at the dog's playpen.

When we got back to the RV for some reason the generator, and the AC that it was operating, had stopped on it's own. The 12V coach batteries powered dual fans kept the dog cool and ventilated enough so as to remain comfortable while we were away without the generator no longer running.
time2roll
Nomad
May 31, 2020
Please post pictures of the install :B
CoeyCoey
Explorer
May 31, 2020
Well, I think I am going to go all battery. In order to make it simple, I would need a Victron 2 AC input Quatro inverter/Charger. It would be around $3,300 plus the generator at $800. If I skip the generator, I can get a Victron Multiplus inverter for $1,300 and two Tesla battery modules with BMS for around $3,000. That would give me around 10kWh of energy. Enough to run my AC longer than the gas tank on the generator would. 5 hours with no solar coming in, 8 hours with 75% solar coming in. The two battery modules don't weigh much more than the generator. Plus, I can add more in the future. I think four would be great. Plus, the size of the batteries means I don't have to worry about a cooling system. The air conditioning will only draw a max of about .16C with two modules, and .08C with four, and that is with no solar input.
CoeyCoey
Explorer
May 31, 2020
Dutch_12078 wrote:
How do you plan to handle choking or priming the engine for starting?

https://www.aimscorp.net/3200-watt-portable-inverter-generator.html
CoeyCoey
Explorer
May 31, 2020
Dutch_12078 wrote:
How do you plan to handle choking or priming the engine for starting?

https://www.aimscorp.net/3200-watt-portable-inverter-generator.html
wopachop
Explorer
May 31, 2020
Could you call someone to start the generator for you? If there is wifi near your trailer you could install a temp monitoring system. It can alert your cell phone to a rise in temp and then you could ask someone to go start the genny.

Its also nice to monitor fridge temps.