Community Forums

Wundertaker · 05-08-2017, 02:09 PM

I hate to admit it because I sort of pride myself on exhaustive research BEFORE I make any purchases of several hundred dollars BUT I messed up on this one.

We own a 37' Cedar Creek 5er and like it well enough. We plan on being in a campground/resort most of the time but may do some boondocking at some point. In addition I store my 5er in a lot where there is no electrical connection so it's hard to do any work on it without any "juice"! Hence my need and desire to get an "adequate" generator that would provide power and DID NOT have to be able to power the A/C. I also wanted to have one if I or someone else needed some power on the road or in an emergency situation.

Well...I settled on a Champion 2000 watt Inverter generator that I purchased through Amazon for $440. The generator arrived in two days and runs like a "Champ"...no pun intended...the generator runs as designed...one pull start every time right out of the box.

I have a 4 gallon double tank Porter Cable Air Compressor (Not Pancake & Not Oil-free) that I carry with me that will handle "most" of the jobs including the big motorhome tires (I like to assist others) if needed. The Champion is rated for 2000 Watts starting and 1700 running watts at 14.2 amps. I just realized that my air compressor is rated at 14 amps. My generator WILL NOT start the air compressor...it makes it hum but just not enough OOOMPH

to get it going. POOP

Finally, here's my question... I can't return the generator so I'm stuck with it. I really don't want the next size up as it would be around 110lbs and I don't want to lift that myself. I know I can get another generator of the same kind and parallel them so they run together. "IF" I do that, does that give me 4000 starting Watts and 3400 running Watts???

In addition I have to now haul around and store "another 50 lb generator" which I really didn't want to do.

I feel I really messed up on this one which is not my usual outcome. Do any of you actually use 2 2000 Watt generators that you parallel with each other, and if so, how does that work for you...good, or not so good??? If any of you have any other suggestions I would certainly appreciate hearing them. thank you so much!!!!!!!!!

Rambeau · 05-08-2017, 02:24 PM

Seems like you are hung up on keeping the air compressor in the mix...buy a smaller compressor and forget a two gen setup (unless you are dying to spend the bucks).

MtnTrek · 05-08-2017, 03:21 PM

Yeah, think I'd opt. to sell the compressor too.
I prefer my little Bostitch 150psi 1 gal.hotdog, 24lbs. runs on <12Amps.
Best of luck.

Twilightzone · 05-08-2017, 03:27 PM

Hmmm... thinking about this one. I have a bigger Predator... and it runs perfectly.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2000-p...arb-62523.html

TripleGGG · 05-08-2017, 03:38 PM

I picked one of these up at Lowe's recently. I have been very happy with it. Looks like it is 10amps so for $99 you could change air compressors.

pointrow · 05-08-2017, 04:50 PM

thinking outside the box here but will the gen start the compressor if there isn't any load? A lot of compressors have an unloader valve to ease starting. Just a tee and a valve plumbed in the line so the compressor turns over easier.

good luck

pointrow

TripleGGG · 05-08-2017, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggwilde

I picked one of these up at Lowe's recently. I have been very happy with it. Looks like it is 10amps so for $99 you could change air compressors.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/PORTER-CABL...ressor/4764588

ralphie · 05-08-2017, 05:08 PM

You think that's embarrassing? I've done much worse. I agree with a couple of others; get a smaller compressor. Remember also, he who dies with the most tools wins.

TripleGGG · 05-08-2017, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralphie

You think that's embarrassing? I've done much worse. I agree with a couple of others; get a smaller compressor. Remember also, he who dies with the most tools wins.

My favorite thing about getting a MH is an excuse to buy tools again.

powercat_ras · 05-08-2017, 05:36 PM

I also have one of the smaller Porter Cable pancake compressors that outputs up to 130 PSI mounted along with a reel with 50' rubber air hose in my basement. It starts and runs fine off a Xantrex 1000 Watt Modified Sine Wave Inverter. Its pressure switch lets pressure in tank drop to about 100 PSI before it comes back on then runs until pressure is back up to 130. Works fine on a RV that uses 80-90 PSI tire pressure but if any higher tire pressure needed than that be sure to get compressor that pressurizes its tank to 150 PSI.

Wundertaker · 05-08-2017, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointrow

thinking outside the box here but will the gen start the compressor if there isn't any load? A lot of compressors have an unloader valve to ease starting. Just a tee and a valve plumbed in the line so the compressor turns over easier.

good luck

pointrow

Very interesting....Would that be the same as leaving the air tank petcock valves open when first starting the compressor to eliminate the back pressure to hopefully ease the starting process???

Wundertaker · 05-08-2017, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggwilde

I picked one of these up at Lowe's recently. I have been very happy with it. Looks like it is 10amps so for $99 you could change air compressors.

Will certainly keep this one in mind...like the 10 amps

C.B. · 05-09-2017, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twilightzone

Hmmm... thinking about this one. I have a bigger Predator... and it runs perfectly.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2000-p...arb-62523.html

At 66dba your getting close to the noise of a vacuum cleaner(70dba).

C.B.

bddadles · 05-09-2017, 07:12 PM

Are you plugged directly into the genny OR are you using an extension cord? If using a cord try plugging in directly. If this will start it you probably need a heavy cord.

Brad