Should I upgrade to 2000w in parallel or single 3100w ?

[gunterm]

I just "upgraded" from my old motorhome to a Jayco Jay Flight. Unfortunately it has the 15k A/C upgrade which immediately trips the breaker on my 2000w Champion inverter.

With the motorhome I could run the 13.5k A/C, but this bigger one looks like it will be impossible even with a hard start capacitor installed based on the inrush and continuous current numbers.

My first instinct is to sell the 2000 watt and buy this:
https://www.supergenproducts.com/catalog/p-100112/refurbished-3100w-dual-fuel-inverter-100204r

It is slightly cheaper to just buy another refurb 2000W and the parallel kit, but it seems like a lot more effort to lug 2 generators. Is there a hidden bonus to 2 generators I'm not seeing?

[gunterm]

To update this old post since I forgot (sorry!) I ended up calling supergen products and getting the dual fuel 2800 model since it's the smallest I can run my 15k A/C on. It works great!

I can even use the regulated BBQ grill output on the back bumper to run it off the trailer's supply. However I found out that just using a straight propane hose has it's problems, the Champion regulator that came with it has 2 stages, a low and high. In order to run it off the trailer I have to adjust the gas flow with the valve after starting and loading it down. So I believe the ultimate solution is the take apart the regulator and remove the high-pressure part and just use the low one. There was a YouTube video of someone else doing the exact same thing however he didn't name it very well and now I can't find it! But here's the one I shot with using a straight hose:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzx5ITHnDsw

EDIT: here it is! http://www.irv2.com/forums/f93/champion-3400-dual-fuel-on-rv-propane-system-344289.html

[CJW8]

My brand new 3100 Champion will run my 15k actually at 4600 feet elevation. It will not run it at 7000 ft. If you are going to be above mile high get 2- 2k's.

[Kayteg1]

3 tons wrote:
2000w is much more portable...

3 000 is way quieter

[Gulfcoast]

After owning a 2000 watt Champion and now a 3100 Champion... I'll stick with the 3100 watt with easy remote start.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

The five starts are to be performed on excellent shore power. They specified to me to NOT do the learning on a generator.

RSD559 wrote:
In the video about the EasyStart, they didn't say whether they did the 5 start learning process for the EasyStart to develop the best start-up strategy. That would optimize the start-up process to run at the lowest amperage draw.

[3_tons]

2000w is much more portable...

[RSD559]

In the video about the EasyStart, they didn't say whether they did the 5 start learning process for the EasyStart to develop the best start-up strategy. That would optimize the start-up process to run at the lowest amperage draw.
I think your decision is a good one. I, personally, would waffle between the dual fuel Champion and the new Harbor Freight, if I were in your situation. Good luck

[gunterm]

By the way this is the generator and price that I'm basing everything on:

https://www.supergenproducts.com/catalog/p-100112/refurbished-3100w-dual-fuel-inverter-100204r

2800 running watts/3100 starting watts (Gasoline)

2520 running watts/2800 starting watts (Propane)

$ 675.00

And I'm assuming selling my yellow generator will net at least $300, making the upgrade cost $375 which is less than buying another 2000w and parallel kit.

[MrWizard]

Max 3200w continuous 26 amps for two Honda's (2) 13 amp breakers

Not 30 amps which is 3600 Watts

The newest version of the Champion inverter is 3100 continuous , 3400 peak

The two Honda's together do have a higher peak surge rating 4000w total
That might be the decision point for some users

[wa8yxm]

The answer is likely either butr I"d go with the parallel 2000 watt.

Logic: you already have one so that is likely the cheaper upgrade

The 2,000 is lighter than the 3,000 so you wont' strain as much

You can, on occasions when you need not the A/C. run one and save gas

Two 2,000 watt Hondas provide a FULL 30 AMPS. the 3,000 does not.

[Dave_H_M]

Gulfcoast wrote:
I'd call SuperGen in Newark, NY and ask what refurbished generators they have in stock. I just got a refurbished 3100 with remote start at a great deal from them. It was not listed on their website. I sold my 2000 on CL real fast too.

I am going to go this route after messing around with two genny's.

[road-runner]

Interesting product, I wonder if it does what it says and works with 2000 watt inverters and 15k A/C units.

What they say specifically is that an eu2000i will run a 15k or 16k air conditioner. I don't question that the EasyStart will allow the generator to start the air conditioner. IMO, most if not all 15k air conditioners will on a hot day pull more power than the 1600 VA rating of the eu2000i, and this is a very irresponsible statement on the part of the company. Seems to me they're asking for a lawsuit.

[ctilsie242]

My next generator is a Champion 3400 dual-fuel. With a soft-start system, there won't be as many amps hitting the generator.

Biggest advantage of a dual fuel genset is the ability to switch it to propane and run it for 30-45 minutes, so all gasoline is expunged from the carb, allowing for worry free storage.

[lawrosa]

gunterm wrote:

lawrosa wrote:
Get one of the easy starts first...

https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters

Interesting product, I wonder if it does what it says and works with 2000 watt inverters and 15k A/C units.

I doubt Jayco/Coleman puts in a hard start capacitor at the factory so maybe my motorhome had one and the trailer doesn't?

This is a demo of the EasyStart from Coastal Climate Control.. It shows a honda 2000i starting a 16k btu A/C...

Video below..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2K0ptvYb6Q