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02-27-2017, 01:48 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 309
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Using a cheap generator to charge batteries?
Sometimes when camping without power we need to recharge the house batteries. Instead of running the lp 6000 watt onboard generator to power our Progressive Dynamics 45 amp converter/charger I was considering getting a tiny portable gas generator. Harbor Freight has a little two stroke 700 watt generator but I was wondering if I should be concerned with the quality of the power coming from it. Any thoughts?
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02-27-2017, 01:53 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,852
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Typically the major problems with cheap units like that is noise and longevity.
Edited: As the others have stated make sure it meets your amperage needs.
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02-27-2017, 02:02 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 86
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That little generator runs good and quiet, the problem that I had was it was only good for about 6-7 amps. My charger/inverter needs at least 10 amps to charge the batteries. I have the Magnum MS2812 Charger.
__________________
1998 38' Monaco Dynasty Baron
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02-27-2017, 02:08 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 8,152
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I have a little 800 watt 2 stroke generator that I originally got when we had an 8 ft. camper. Looks much like that one. It works great as long as it's not overloaded, and is about the same at making noise as my buddy's Honda 1000 watt'r. We were at a gathering for a 3 day weekend camp-out dry camping and I had it along. I lent it to some people that didn't have anything and they were super happy to have it.  Just have to be sure it gets mixed gas!  I paid $100.00 for it too!  If you are using a 45 amp charger, it should be no problem. (14 volts X 45 amps = 630 watts)
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand! 
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02-27-2017, 02:46 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Motor City, Mich
Posts: 3,435
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Original single stage 45 amp converter from 1994?
Money might be better spent on a better charger that will charge the batteries faster and hence run the generator less.
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Tim.
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02-27-2017, 02:54 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 8,152
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Here's a pic of my little old 2 stroke genset.. Takes up very little room and is only 20 pounds. Only draw back is I have to have a jerry can of mixed gas to run it. I don't usually take it along, but if I'm going out dry camping with others that may not have a genset, I'll bring it along just in case someone needs it. We do lots of dry camping also.
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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02-27-2017, 03:20 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 309
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Tim,
The converter/charger is not the original from 1994. We installed a Progressive Dynamics 9245, 4 stage converter/charger.
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02-27-2017, 08:31 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Olympia, Wa
Posts: 2,772
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Boy 2 stokes are quiet, NOT. I have had my 7500 diesel running standing next to it and over 200' away the Harbor Freight one and it was over running the diesels sound. Go to a pawn shop or watch Craigslist for a Honda 1000, it IS quiet and will run all day on a gallon of gas.
LEN
__________________
2004 Clss C 31' Winnebgo
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02-27-2017, 09:33 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,175
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A 2 stroke engine fires every stroke, twice as often as a 4 stroke. That's 3600 pops per minute out the sheet metal muffler.
Chainsaw, weed whacker loud.
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02-27-2017, 09:41 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 8,152
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OLYLEN
Boy 2 stokes are quiet, NOT. I have had my 7500 diesel running standing next to it and over 200' away the Harbor Freight one and it was over running the diesels sound. Go to a pawn shop or watch Craigslist for a Honda 1000, it IS quiet and will run all day on a gallon of gas.
LEN
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Sorry, but I have to disagree with the noise level. My buddy had a Honda 1000 and it was every bit as loud as my little 2 stroke. Maybe not at idle, but as soon as it kicked up under any load, it was noisy. As far as gas use, it may have been a little better, but absolutely not a deal breaker. For $75.00 ($100.00 CAD) new is was the winner !
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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02-27-2017, 09:58 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,175
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Is your buddies Honda an inverter generator ? If it is, the muffler is broke.
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02-27-2017, 10:09 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 8,152
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat
Is your buddies Honda an inverter generator ? If it is, the muffler is broke.
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Inverter and brand new.
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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