We also have the 3500 but also want use the 1200/1500 to cut down on fuel seeing as we really only need about 600 watts overnight to supplement the battery bank.
How many hours have you gotten from the little one? I have a 3000 watt rv model that we use at the ranch and have had good luck with it. We have bought a 1200/1500 watt one for charging batteries for the solar array on cloudy days, and for at night ...