I use a 2000 watt generator. It suits my needs perfectly. As you said, it’s runs everything but the air conditioner.

I lock up my generator while camping so it doesn’t walk off. I use a cable lock around the frame or bumper of the trailer. The lock I use is from a company called Bolt. The cool thing is you set the lock to your car key. That way you don’t have to carry a bunch of keys.

https://www.boltlock.com/locks

Anyways, good luck with the new generator

We are subject to PGE fire safety related black outs. We do have a small 2000 watt Yamaha generator but last year we were able to plug into the inverter on our camper and use the solar and battery bank to power our house including the fridge, a couple lights, internet, tv and a couple other small loads. The inverter was there if needed if we had cloudy weather. Make sure and start and run the generator every few weeks even if you don't need it to keep the fuel from gelling in the carb.

I've had a pair of Champion 2000 watt units for 9 years and recently started using a little 2000w Energizer, haven't had any issues with any of them.
I generally do some minor maintenance them once a year, fresh oil, clean the air filter, spark arrester, spark plug. Also if not using it for months I drain the fuel or add a little fuel stabilizer. The most problem people have is a gummed up carb or low oil.
Here is an old video I did on the Champion maintenance, most of the stuff will be the same - https://www.loveyourrv.com/champion-2000w-inverter-generator-maintenance/
Overall, I find these machines are pretty simple and reliable. Cheers, Ray

look into the Northern Tools Powerhorse Inverter Generator — 3500 Surge Watts, 3000 Rated Watts, Electric Start, EPA and CARB Compliant, Model#
Harbor Freight Predator
3500 Watt Super Quiet Inverter Generator

Maintenance is a very good point. In fact yesterday I did the yearly oil change thing for my snow blower, lawn tractor, power washer and the generator I am giving to my son. I use the stabilizer and run stuff every month. I also have fuel shut offs on everything so I can run the carb dry. The WEN I just ordered also has a fuel shutoff, which was something that was on my list when I was shopping. Going to check out your video today. Thanks.

Thanks for the input. I did check out the Harbor Freight generators when I was looking. I decided to go with a 2000 watt to keep it under 50 lbs because of back issues. Used to throw 100 Lbs around like it was nothing, now not so much.

I can run my AC with my Champion 2000w after installing Micro Air Easy start

Hi, Alan. Lots of good thoughts here and here are several I would add. First, a fuel shut off feature doesn't mean the carb totally empties itself of fuel. In all the portable generators I've used, including my 2200 watt Honda now, there's always been some fuel residue remains which can gum up over time. And that's especially so for us folks who live in seasonal climates and only run the snowblower, lawn mower, etc. for a portion of the year. In fact, lME the RV generators in most RVs see even less action than that. So...I feel it's always good practice to add fuel stabilizer when filling the gas jug I carry with me. I also probably don't need to add that you should use 'real' gasoline and not the E10 blend that's now the national default choice. The E10 stuff is lousy for small engine operations.

Another suggestion - I think Ray has a video on this - is to install an easy start feature on your Wen unit. Micro Air seems to be the popular choice (http://www.micro-air.com). Depending on the size of your AC unit, this just might make it possible for your Wen to power your AC. And finally, keep elevation in mind when thinking you'll boondock somewhere and want to depend on the Wen. The density altitude (elevation + effect of temperature) e.g. in the Rockies where we've been camping can reach 7K' or 8K' easily in the summer, even tho' you might be parked at a lower elevation. Before installing the Micro-Air unit, I found about 6500' density altitude was the point at which my Honda 2200 couldn't support AC operation. The Micro-Air changed that.

Best wishes on a good season!

Jack

Good grief! I should have said add the Micro-Air to your AC unit, not the Wen. Where's my coffee...

Once you get the AC going is there power left to run anything else?

My wife gets her boat motor's fogged for winter storage. Is that something a person could do to a portable generator?

I haven't used the trailer since the install since everything is still shut down in Nova Scotia, but the generator doesn't sound like it is working too hard at all with the AC running.

Ray's raising the question of load sharing & shedding, which is worth adding to the discussion. For our 2200W Honda and 10K BTU A/C. I make sure the microwave breaker is off, don't worry about the converter/charger's load, and give a thought to what if anything significant is being powered by the outlets. (Hair dryer? Coffee maker? If so, I would wait for those to be done). If you have something like a Progressive Industries AC surge & current protecter, you'll actually be able to see the ramp up of the electrical draw as the A/C compressor starts up, and then you'll see it settle into a lower, continuous draw. From memory I seem to recall that our 10K BTU steady A/C draw is somewhere in the 7-8 amps of AC, or about half the 1800W continuous rating of the Honda. So it definitely has more to give.

Ray, I don't know what they do when 'fogging' your wife's outboard but, if a long spell of no use worries you, you can always add an anti-corrosion additive to the oil, let it run at full operating temp long enough to get that additive fully dispersed, and then spray a non-corrosion product thru the spark plug hole and cycle the piston with the pull cord. For a typical GA piston aircraft, that's typically what's recommended when putting the plane to bed for a spell.

Looks like it's an aerosol spray oil product. Here is an example https://www.amsoil.com/p/engine-fogging-oil-fogsc/ Looks like they include portable generators.

I have a Champion 3500 and it will run anything I have. Only issue is it weighs almost 100 pounds so loading and unloading could be a problem for some. So far I am good with the weight.

Hello @Grant M

I have a new Champion 2000 watt and never thought they would work with a Micro Air Easy Start (something about the Champion model). What size AC unit do you have? I assume I have a 13500 BTU unit in my 26 footer. Can you supply more details please? Thanks!!

I have a Honda 3000 watt RV generator and it has a fuel shut off and a float bowl drain. So if you shut off the fuel shut off and drain the bowl the only place there is fuel is in the tank and the lines to the shut-off.

I don't use my generator much so i just use Aspen fuel.