Questions about portable generators.

I am looking into purchasing a portable generator and need some advice.

Keep in mind I am a nomad in a minivan at the moment. I currently have a 12v, 2560WH power system already setup with 300 watts of tilting solar on the roof. I want to add a portable generator for those times when there are several days without much sun.

Also keep in mind that I am on a fixed income (Social Security Disability).

My questions are:

What is a good brand that won't break the bank? I've heard good things about Honda, but that is way out of range of my finances.

How often should the oil be changed on a portable generator? I know this will vary but I am just looking for kind of a ballpark at this point.

What I am looking for:

At least somewhat quiet (well, quiet for a generator).
Enough output to charge my batteries in a reasonable amount of time.
Recommendations also on a battery charger to plug into the generator.
If I could pull off remote start that would be even better but I personally don't see it considering my finances.

Assuming you are staying in the 2000W range for the suitcase style generators?

Champions are good. Check out "supergenproducts.com" for refurbished units and free shipping. Around $450 depending on version.

Powerhorse is good also, seems to be a house brand of Northern Tool? Around $500

Firman had refurbished generators on ebay for $259 and free shipping.

Iota DLS seris chargers are good for high amperage DC charging. Search for a thread on here called "charging with a suitcase generator" it may help you out.

I would try to change oil each 50 hours, but that's just my preference. Most only take a half quart.

I have this product. Its built well and has been dependable.


Oil change: Break-in oil after the first 10-15 hours. After that most manufacturers recommend to change oil every 100hrs. In cases where the generator is used daily the hours add up fast and changing oil becomes a nuisance. In that case, it makes sense to go with a premium synthetic and you can safely extend oil changes but I wouldn't go over 200 hrs. The oil volume is so small in those generators there isn't much of a dilution factor.

One of the jobs I was on a few years ago we had a Whisper-Watt 20kW rental gen. with an Isuzu diesel, ran 12-14hrs a day. Recommended drain interval was 250hrs. We put in an Amsoil extended life product and after 600hrs an oil sample was sent out to a lab. All of the physical properties were still in range and the contaminate levels were low enough to continue using the oil. We didn't, but could have safely put another 200 hours on that oil.

Markw said:

minivan

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So you already have a portable (or at least self-propelled) gasoline generator, can’t you optimize that for charging your battery?

BentleyJ said:

SUA2000i - 2000 Watt Inverter Generator

a-ipower.com

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Note that "2000 watt" generator is rated for 1600W continuous.

Most of the Chinese made generators are reliable knock offs of Honda or Yamaha generators. I have a couple Wen inverter generators, a 1200W and a 3800W that have been trouble free. I change oil every 75 hours.

If you are constantly traveling, get something that you can exchange or return at a store nationwide. Sams club /costco / harbor freight and so on.

I try to change oil in small gas engines every 50 hours. Set up a system with funnel, catch basin, rags, vinyl gloves and store it all in a plastic garbage bag or small plastic box, ideally outside of the car, maybe in the engine bay or stuffed in the undercarriage some place. Change the oil and drop off the waste at an auto parts store that takes waste oil.

As suggested, a DC-DC charger may address your needs and will charge your batteries from the car engine's alternator. It connects to the car's starting battery and will charge the house batteries. Prices start at $150ish and go up to $400ish, ish. Some include an MPPT controller so depending on your current unit this may be a good time to upgrade both the MPPT and charger.

If you're patient shop for a used or freebie generator. People seem to upgrade often enough that used units are available. Put a wanted ad up at CL of FB or wherever you shop for used stuff.

This is doable and it doesn't have to be at $2K Honda prices.

wpns said:

So you already have a portable (or at least self-propelled) gasoline generator, can’t you optimize that for charging your battery?

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One possibility I am considering is this DC-DC charger (yes, it's an 18 but my thinking is to not put much strain on an old engine, the minivan is a 1993 Mercury Villager with 200k miles on it. Still runs well, though. I want to replace it with something I can stand up in but that will be a while).

Even with cabling it would be much cheaper than a portable generator.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0851TPKV7/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A30Y99I01TOXRG&psc=1

Markw said:

One possibility I am considering is this DC-DC charger (yes, it's an 18 but my thinking is to not put much strain on an old engine, the minivan is a 1993 Mercury Villager with 200k miles on it. Still runs well, though. I want to replace it with something I can stand up in but that will be a while).

Even with cabling it would be much cheaper than a portable generator.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0851TPKV7/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A30Y99I01TOXRG&psc=1

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18 is way plenty.

time2roll said:

18 is way plenty.

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Just FYI this is what my current set up looks like minus the DC-DC charger. The grey ovals are fuses.

If I do go with the DC-DC charger I would likely go with 8 awg cables, or maybe 10? I'm thinking the cable openings will be similar to what's on the charge controller and 6AWG wouldn't fit on that (I ended up using 10 on the MPPT) so likely won't fit the DC-DC, either.

jimf909 said:

I try to change oil in small gas engines every 50 hours. Set up a system with funnel, catch basin, rags, vinyl gloves and store it all in a plastic garbage bag or small plastic box, ideally outside of the car, maybe in the engine bay or stuffed in the undercarriage some place. Change the oil and drop off the waste at an auto parts store that takes waste oil.

As suggested, a DC-DC charger may address your needs and will charge your batteries from the car engine's alternator. It connects to the car's starting battery and will charge the house batteries. Prices start at $150ish and go up to $400ish, ish. Some include an MPPT controller so depending on your current unit this may be a good time to upgrade both the MPPT and charger.

If you're patient shop for a used or freebie generator. People seem to upgrade often enough that used units are available. Put a wanted ad up at CL of FB or wherever you shop for used stuff.

This is doable and it doesn't have to be at $2K Honda prices.

Click to expand...

Best way to change generator oil is with one of those hand pumped vacuum oil changers they sell in marine stores for sucking oil out of boat engines through the dipstick. No fuss, no muss - takes about 10 seconds to suck oil out of our Honda. Best is that it stores up to 6L of used oil with no dripping etc.

For filling, Canadian tire sells calibrated funnels complete with a hose, debris screen, shutoff valve, hose cap and funnel snap lid. I have it hanging on a nail in the generator shed. Takes about 20 seconds to fill with exactly 395 cc of oil and drain it into the Honda. Close valve, put cap on hose, snap lid back on, hang it up again. No clean up! No spills!

Manual says 16mm max wire. Google says that is #6.

ElectricIslander said:

Best way to change generator oil is with one of those hand pumped vacuum oil changers they sell in marine stores for sucking oil out of boat engines through the dipstick. No fuss, no muss - takes about 10 seconds to suck oil out of our Honda. Best is that it stores up to 6L of used oil with no dripping etc.

For filling, Canadian tire sells calibrated funnels complete with a hose, debris screen, shutoff valve, hose cap and funnel snap lid. I have it hanging on a nail in the generator shed. Takes about 20 seconds to fill with exactly 395 cc of oil and drain it into the Honda. Close valve, put cap on hose, snap lid back on, hang it up again. No clean up! No spills!

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Sheesh. I've been around the block a few times but apparently not the right block. I dug a hole under my generator to put a catch bucket under the drain plug and I still spilled oil. These oil extractors look like they make this routine maintenance even easier. My small engines and I thank you.

The Wen 3800W inverter generator and probably other brands have a hose attached to the oil drain to make draining the oil easy without spilling. No tools are needed to change oil.