Generator Question - New 2108DS Owner

KEJ-VA · 05-22-2020, 07:43 PM

Hey all!

My husband and I are super happy to join this community and look forward to learning from and sharing with all of you.

We pick up our 2108DS Micro Minnie next week. We are looking at inverter generators, 3000 watts and up. We would love to hear your opinions and preferences/dislikes between the Predator 3500, Firman 3650, and the Champion 3400, or others 1000k or less. For now we have to discount the Hondas due to $$.

Oh, and I'm a very light sleeper so the quieter the better (not sure anyone would prefer a noisier one lol

.

Thanks so much in advance!

Kate and John

Goodspike · 05-22-2020, 08:28 PM

I don't think you're likely going to be running this at night when you sleep. I have a 3000 watt Yamaha I use at home during power outages and I turn it off when I sleep, mainly for the neighbors. Camping you're going to be a lot closer to others than I am at my house and most places have limited hours you can run a generator.

I'm sort of in the same boat as you, and not wanting to carry around my 3000 watt generator (they are heavy), I'm looking more at picking up a couple of 2000s that can be run in parallel, preferably with a 30 amp outlet. That would make it easier to move about, and I'd only have to run one when I'm not running the AC.

Some people have pointed to the Yamaha EF2400iSHC, which is a 2000 watt, 2400 surge unit, that apparently is designed to run small generators. That looks promising, but it doesn't have a 30 amp outlet, and thus is probably marginal for running an AC. And I don't remember it having parallel capacity, so if it didn't run an AC it would be a waste of money.

KEJ-VA · 05-22-2020, 08:40 PM

Thank you for the ideas, Goodspike! I totally agree, no running the generator around other folks! I should have mentioned that when we run it at night it would be on some family land in Maine, well away from anyone. I will check out Yamaha as well,

Goodspike · 05-22-2020, 09:35 PM

You're welcome. BTW, this is my 3000 watt Yamaha, although mine has been modified to be a tri-fuel generator. The 3,000 is sort of odd in that it's 2,800 running and 3,500 surge, but the reason for the 3000 designation is it uses the starting battery as additional power for surge, sort of like how a UPS device will provide 110 volt from a similar battery. I really wish someone came up with an add on device like that for RV use, where you could plug your generator into that device and then have that device provide a bit of extra power for when the AC starts up.

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-EF3000...8832011&sr=8-3

KEJ-VA · 05-24-2020, 11:39 AM

Well we bit the bullet and picked up a Predator 3500 yesterday. It is heavy! Goodspike, I get why you want to get a couple of 2000s for more versatility and easier movement. Best of luck to you and see you around here!

Goodspike · 05-24-2020, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEJ-VA

Well we bit the bullet and picked up a Predator 3500 yesterday. It is heavy! Goodspike, I get why you want to get a couple of 2000s for more versatility and easier movement. !

Yeah, it would be nice to just use the Yamaha I have, but it is rather heavy and my wife isn't really able to help lift/move it. Maybe I need a small trailer behind my trailer to tow it around! ;-)

**creativepart** · 05-24-2020, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodspike

Yeah, it would be nice to just use the Yamaha I have, but it is rather heavy and my wife isn't really able to help lift/move it. Maybe I need a small trailer behind my trailer to tow it around! ;-)

Lot's of folks have a small shelf welded onto their back bumper to not only hold the 3000w gen but to lock it down to prevent theft, too.

Mono2 · 08-04-2020, 06:53 AM

Howdy, which genny did you all end up buying? Also, does your MM have the 15K A/C?
I have a 2106 DS and use the Predator w/ a 15K A/C. It works but it very sensitive to extreme heat and of course other draws while in operation under load of the A/C. Had a problem (A/C wouldn’t cycle on) that required a genny cool down and reset of all breakers in the rig. Worked fine after that.

Thanks and good luck!

Mono

gurroz · 08-04-2020, 08:15 AM

I would use a soft start on the AC which then allows you to use (1) 2000 watt generator which is lighter, uses less gas and is quieter than a 3500. I personally use a Yamaha, however, given the price I would probably go with Champion today. If I needed more than 2000 watts I would go with (2) smaller units in parallel. This way you can only use one unit when needed and spread the hours between both units. If i absolutely had to have a 3500 I would buy the Champion with auto start. If you are on that private property and had to turn on the AC in the middle of the night it would be nice to press a button while in bed to start the generator!

realtytip · 09-08-2022, 05:48 AM

What is a soft start on AC mean

dkoldman · 09-08-2022, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realtytip

What is a soft start on AC mean

https://www.google.com/search?q=soft...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Google is very nice these days, all the information in one place. Try to ignore where you may see "AD" Advertising is why we get it free.

Marine359 · 09-08-2022, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realtytip

What is a soft start on AC mean

The generic term soft start for A/C means a computerized device installed on the A/C that modulates the capacitor output of an air conditioning compressor in order to significantly reduce its start-up amperage load. By reducing start up amperage, you need far less amperage to start and run the A/C. That equates to not needing a large generator to run the A/C. Typically a 13,500 btu A/C equipped with soft start can run with a generator as small as 2,000w. There are several soft start manufacturers. The most popular I believe is Easy Start from Micro-Air.

By adding an easy start, we can run our A/C off a 2,500w propane generator which produces about 1959w on propane. This was HUGE for us because our generator is extremely lightweight, can be stored in the pass through (no gas fumes), we don’t have to carry gasoline at all, and it will run for 30 hours on a single 20lb tank of propane.

realtytip · 09-09-2022, 06:52 AM

Found out yesterday from Zantrex to change the setting in the FXC app from 50 to 20 or 15. 20 still overloaded but 15 worked like a charm on the 2000 watt generator. Charged battery fully in 2 hours and also tried and ran AC on generator.

Marine359 · 09-11-2022, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realtytip

Found out yesterday from Zantrex to change the setting in the FXC app from 50 to 20 or 15. 20 still overloaded but 15 worked like a charm on the 2000 watt generator. Charged battery fully in 2 hours and also tried and ran AC on generator.

Yup, every generator has a sweet spot for the amount of additional load it can serve over the needs of the A/C. I set my Xantrex to 20 amps, or turn off charging when I’m running the A/C on the gennie.