Forum Discussion

SpeakEasy's avatar
SpeakEasy
Explorer
Mar 16, 2018

Yet Another Generator Discussion!

I know how much you folks love generator discussions. Here's another one.

I have fallen from heaven. I have ordered a generator. During my nearly 20 years of RV'ing I have sworn at generator-users, I have sworn that I would never have one, and I have nearly gotten into fights with generator-users. Mostly because of the noise.

My defenses began to crumble when I heard about Honda 2000's and their quieter operation. My defenses crumbled even more when I bought a trailer that had an air conditioner. My defenses crumbled even more when I went to a Bluegrass festival in 90-plus heat and had to listen to everyone else's generators anyway. But then I learned that the Honda 2000 and other similar-sized generators wouldn't run my air conditioner. When I realized that I'd need a $2000 generator to do that, I pretty much abandoned the idea. Back to being a committed non-generator-user.

Reading the discussions here recently I learned about Micro-Air Soft Start . In exploring their website I learned how this device is installed and how it enables a 2000-watt generator to power the ac.

My defenses fell the rest of the way when I found that Micro-Air has also researched the small generator market and has come up with a recommended product: the Westinghouse iGen2500. Micro-Air guarantees compatibility with their SoftStart product, and they are selling these generators for $630 with free shipping. Amazing.

Forgive me.

-Speak
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Mar 16, 2018
    That gen, and the 2k Honda, will run your air, but they will be working very hard and be quite loud. My Honda would start and run my Briskair without any outside help, but it was really screaming.
  • WNYBob's avatar
    WNYBob
    Explorer
    Mar 16, 2018
    Thanks for stating you gen is "quietER"
    I bought a similar gen. That was 1 dB quieter, that is at idle! And 5 dB higher than comp. At full throttle

    So all other you looking to buy, check both idle & full throttle db.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Mar 16, 2018
    a note about generator engine speeds

    the common single cylinder 2 pole open frame synchronous generator runs at 3600rpm all the time, idle or full load, its still the same rpm the noise level changes due to increase fuel use of the increased load

    quiet inverter generators typically run about 3000 rpm no load
    so slower speed smaller engine and sound deading material in the enclosed box quiet them down
    but at full load they run about 4200rpm plus the increased fuel use
    so yes they get louder, but they are NOT being harmed, they just sound like they are
    the overload and heat protection systems will see too it that they are not forced beyond their limits

    but yes, they are no longer so peacefully quiet, when you power up the A/C

    the 2500 hopefully has a little more 'load capacity'' and breathing room than a 2000
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Mar 16, 2018
    My school of hard knocks.


    Diesel generator running 24/7 insane heat and humidity

    Nine gallons of diesel daily

    Then FIFTEEN CENTS a gallon Mexico early 1980's $1.15 day

    Times 30-days = $34.00 month

    Two hundred seventy gallons. Six 55 gallon drums

    Long way to nearest gas station

    Plus oil changes, oil and fuel filters

    Generators to me are Not A Miracle for use with AC unless run-time is severely restricted. Your mileage may vary.


    EDIT EDIT EDIT

    I was diving (snorkeling) the Chinchorro reef, when it was virtually untouched. About 300 square miles of 0 to (?) depth. By riding along in a boat belonging to a lobster fisherman. Two months worth until one day a monster Tiger Shark starting circling. I lost all interest in snorkeling then abandoned ship when hurricane Gilberto came along. 8 days later I was in San Cristobal de Las Casas, elevation 7,000+ ft.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Mar 16, 2018
    SpeakEasy wrote:
    Reading the discussions here recently I learned about Micro-Air Soft Start . In exploring their website I learned how this device is installed and how it enables a 2000-watt generator to power the ac.


    Strictly speaking, that's not actually the case ... the Micro-Air Easy Start Soft Starter Kit allows any generator to more easily deal with a reduced A/C compressor start up load but will do nothing to improve it's chances of continuing to run with any genset that's only marginally rated for the load, only a bigger genset can assure that. Exacerbating the situation is that as ambient temperatures begin to rise and elevation increases beyond sea level so too will the A/C compressor put an increased load on the genset so although an Easy Start will significantly improve chances of the A/C starting it won't guarantee it will continue to run when temps are particularly hot and elevation especially high. Believe it, that genset will still be running at a pretty good pace whenever the A/C compressor is also running so it may not be as quiet as you think it will. This genset has a 98 cc engine, same size as the EU2000i, while the new EU2200i has a 121 cc engine, which logic tells me would be more likely to keep an A/C compressor running when ambient temperature and elevation are a concern.
  • Sandia_Man's avatar
    Sandia_Man
    Explorer II
    Mar 16, 2018
    I hope you have good luck with the iGen2500, reviews appear to be pretty solid for this Westinghouse generation of gennies. Didn't see too many stating they were running their RV AC units with them, let us know your results with EasyStart installed. We opted for a Champion 3100 with remote start 3 years ago as we rarely do much RVing below 5.5K' elevation and wanted to be sure to have enough wattage to run our RV AC which we tested above 8500'.

    I'm always amused when somebody trashes generator usage where it is allowed and still decides to camp there, there are plenty of places where their usage is disallowed. We use our genny to power high current items such as AC & MW, we use golfcart batteries and a couple of inverters to power our 2 HDTVs, HD satellite, bluray game system and Bose to name a few low current draw items. Our solar restores consumed amphours normally by high-noon.
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    Mar 16, 2018
    Speakeasy, one question,,,,,
    Every day, about 15 minutes after you start it,
    are you going to cuss yourself out?
    :h
    Chances are, your going to usually be listening to one or more of them, each with their own pitch and tone. Try and relax and enjoy all that comes with, that bit of noise.

    And I would get the Genny first, and try it. You may find it handles your ac without the easy start.
  • Ski_Pro_3's avatar
    Ski_Pro_3
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2018
    Just an FYI on the Honda 2000 inverter generator; they are discontinued. Replaced with a Honda 2200 inverter generator. Price under $1000.

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