Micro-Minnie 2106ds Boondocking

[Blubugger]

Like many here in Winniedom, we have a new 2106 which is easy to maneuver, park and tow. Enjoy it tremendously. Regards boondocking however I am looking for wisdom from folks who have done some off-the-grid travel. My thought is that the only necessity of 115volt supply is when the AC is needed when shore power is unavailable. Recharging of the battery can be done by toad vehicle etc.
According to Dometic, our 2106 has the 15000btu AC requiring [estimate] 3000-3500 watts startup and 1300-1800 watts running. So, a generator of that size is not compact. Obviously solar is not an option for the AC and other appliances can be operated under propane [fridge, stove] and gas/battery power [heater] in those situations.
Does anyone have experience with perhaps using smaller and lighter generators on these models? It is understood that perhaps switching between use of the AC and other appliances [microwave etc.] may be necessary.
The obvious solution: Honda eu3000 models which are excellent but weight may be an issue.
I am trying to find a suitable generator, not heavy and not noisy. Any suggestions?

[Fred 2106DS]

Have you looked at installing a Micro-Air EasyStart 364 on your air conditioner? Their website states in the FAQs that you can run your 15k on a Honda EU2000i below 4000'.

I installed a 364 on my 13.5K and have no problem running the A/C using a Honda EU2200i in ECO mode.

Another option would be to purchase two 2000W or 2200W watt generators and parallel them. Each is half the weight of a 3000-3500W generator.

Prices appear comparable for a Honda EU2200i and EU2200i Companion vs. one Honda EU3000iS.

[Blubugger]

Thanks for the info on the Easy Start 364. I also contacted Dometic, gave them the VIN info and questions about use of easy-start modules [basically most are simply, large capacitors]. They replied: The minimum generator size for this model is 3.5kW. Unless already installed this unit will need a hard start assist kit as it is not installed per manufacturer.
The part number for that is 3310727.015
Thank you
Dometic Customer Service

It is interesting that this part is substantially less [<$60] that an Easy Start 364 [$300]. So, I will investigate that avenue. If this works as advertised, I could operate the AC boondocking using one Honda 2000 model generator. If and when the Dometic parts is installed, I will report.

[creativepart]

When we had a TT we bought 2-Honda 2000i inverter generators and the parallel cable to pair them up for 4,000 w of power. The parallel cable we got had a 30amp receptacle and it worked great to run the AC and Microwave.

Anytime we thought we'd need AC we'd take both gensets with us in our tow vehicle. But for those times we didn't need AC we'd take just one along with us.

I paid $1,600 for the two (it was 15 years ago) and used them for 10 years. They always started and were super reliable. Quiet too, even with both running. After we moved on to motorhomes I sold the two of them on craigslist in one day for $1,000. So, plus gas they cost us $60 a year for 10-years. Perfect.

[Fred 2106DS]

Originally Posted by Blubugger

Thanks for the info on the Easy Start 364. I also contacted Dometic, gave them the VIN info and questions about use of easy-start modules [basically most are simply, large capacitors]. They replied: The minimum generator size for this model is 3.5kW. Unless already installed this unit will need a hard start assist kit as it is not installed per manufacturer.
The part number for that is 3310727.015
Thank you
Dometic Customer Service

It is interesting that this part is substantially less [<$60] that an Easy Start 364 [$300]. So, I will investigate that avenue. If this works as advertised, I could operate the AC boondocking using one Honda 2000 model generator. If and when the Dometic parts is installed, I will report.

Thanks for the update Blubugger. Good luck with the hard start kit. Interested in how it works for you.

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by Blubugger

If this works as advertised, I could operate the AC boondocking using one Honda 2000 model generator.

Possible, it won't hurt to try. If it doesn't work just pick up another genset.

On my last TT one Honda gen when the compressor started it would kick off the overload circuit on the generator. Once or twice it worked with one generator, but it had to be when NOTHING else was on electrically. That was harder to do than it seems.

The biggest culprit was the battery charger. It's running on AC in the background most all of the time unless you turn it off manually. Also, the fridge on "auto" will try to run on 110v as soon as you start the generator.

So you may need to do more than just install the hard start cap.

[TrailerDon]

Hi, I have a 2106DS and when I am off the grid I bring my Fireman P03063 (4550-3650) generator with me. I keep it in the truck box and leave open the tailgate and the tonneau cover closed usually when I use the generator. It is surprising just how much the noise from the generator is muffled with the tonneau cover closed. You do not hear the generator at all while in the trailer.



As most of my travels have me staying in campgrounds with power, etc I chose not to go with the more expensive, quieter inverter type generators as I only boondock on occasion.

[Blubugger]

I have indeed been looking into the Power Distribution Panel [WFCO power converter
Model WF-8955PEC and the comment about turning the battery charger off I will check...may be easier said than done...however, we will persevere. thanks,

[Wakullabob]

The charge from the tow vehicle is very tiny at idle ,while towing at hiway speeds will keep our batteries up to run stuff over nite . We always dry camp in our 2016 FBS and only run our Champion 3400 if we need a/c .We have been out now for 14 days and have not been to any campgrounds yet . We are travelers , not campers .

[johnevans3]

1. Added second 12v marine battery.
2. Purchased Champion duel fuel generator
3. Installed custom made tray attached to rear frame with a wench to lift generator onto tray.
4. Installed a 1200 watt inverter connected directly to the batteries (not connected to trailer wiring) stand alone in storage bay with 2 duplex electric outlets wired to the inside the bedroom. One on each side of bed.

The generator will start the 15,000 btu a/c. The batteries will power the CPAP, electric mattress pad, two iPhones, and other parasitic power requirements all night. Also about 4 hrs of satellite tv as well.

Don’t have solar panels also the trailer is wired for suitcase panels in the future.

[johnevans3]

I’m not a carpenter as you can tell. Need to clean up pencil marks. Also bottom 2 pictures are sideways. So sorry. Pictures do not show completed inverter install. Will post later if requested.

[zpletcher]

Greetings!
After a lot of research, I bought a Sportsman 2200 Inverter generator dual fuel. I am going to run it on propane. I will buy a 2nd one and link cord that will be needed for our 2018 2106FBS
we just bought. The inverter generators are lighter, and have clean electricity. Which means even flow and will not harm anything sensitive like a TV or cell phone. I do not want the smell of gasoline, plus with the ethanol that is now put in all gasoline, I will not have the issue of not starting or fouling up my carburetors. Gasoline gets bad just sitting around a month or 2. Ask any boat owners.
Propane can stay in the bottle for 20 years and still be as good as new..
Good luck. We have only been on 1 short maiden voyage and still learning.

So far we love our Micro Minnie.
Regards, Zale San Antonio

[johnevans3]

TOTALLY Agree about gas in generators. That’s exactly why I got the dual fuel inverter generator by Champion. Plus I only wanted 1 unit and it needed to be large enough to start the a/c for TX heat. Gas would only be an emergency backup fuel and is easier to find than propane in some locations.
I park in my son’s driveway in Boerne when I’m visiting and want the A/C during hot weather.

[Jaeger]

We have a 2019 Minnie and a Honda EU2200i generator. I have proven I can run our air conditioner using only that generator...but I don't recommend it.

[bfliflet]

Although the OP slanted towards a generator, I prefer a solar setup + battery bank + inverter in my 2108ds over a generator. One of the key benefits of boondocking is the peaceful tranquility that's shattered with a generator. I still bring my 3100w champion generator for emergencies but haven't had to use it since I added solar a year ago...

[Jaeger]

Lots of places that we dry camp have substantial overhead leaf cover. Not to mention, consecutive cloudy days here in the Midwest are a given. I, too, don't like to run the generator, but our setup let's us keep the run time to about an hour or so per day and in mid-morning to around lunch time it's not too disruptive.

[Gityup]

2020 2108tb just got it. We ordered a Trojan trillium 110 amp and are going to try this without solar panels.

[skisurfbum]

I have an EU3000is mounted on the tongue of my 2019 1808fbs. It's not powerful enough to start my 15000btu AC every time. It takes about 3 or 4 tries and the following rain dance:


1. Turn the AC unit off
2. Turn the thermostat on the AC to full-warm
3. Start the generator
4. Wait a minute
5. Turn the AC unit to cool, lowest fan speed
6. Wait two minutes for the AC unit to ramp the fan speed to its normal range, it will be obvious when the fan picks up volume
7. Turn the thermostat on the AC to cold
8. Either the generator trips and you start at step 1 or you get some cold air and pray that it keeps running for more than an hour

At burning man this year I would restart the eu3000is about five times each afternoon. Hard to get any sleep like that.

Honestly it's been a miserable experience. $2300 of generator, $200 for the tongue mount so it's basically part of the trailer, $60 in useless start capacitors for the AC.

I do turn off the two AC circuit breakers that do not appear to be essential to running the AC.

[skisurfbum]

Since burning man I've installed 300W of solar and a fancy MPPT controller so I hope that will help out the generator/AC overload trouble.