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08-08-2017, 07:10 PM
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#1
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2
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Car Generator
Has anyone bought or tried this product? Found it on the Airstream store and it looks interesting.
https://store.airstream.com/product/car-generator/
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08-08-2017, 08:01 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master  
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Don't think I'll be spending $695 for a mystery box.
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08-08-2017, 08:23 PM
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#3
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diesel maniac
Airstream - Other
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,550
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It's just a fancy inverter with a fancy price tag. Inverters can be had for much less than that. Output is usually limited by your battery/charging system, don't expect to run all that stuff at once. Your engine has to stay running or your starting battery will soon be depleted. Extended idling with most engines is not good for them, and charge rate at idle may not be enough depending on your load. You can get idle controllers for most diesel vehicles to raise the idle sufficiently to avoid engine damage, but then you have a roaring, fuel sucking engine to listen to. And the risk of CO poisoning at any RPM.
Inverters have their place and IMHO that is for short term use and emergencies. You would probably be better off with a small gas powered inverter generator, there are some out there costing less than that inverter you linked. Personally I like the Honda inverters, very dependable and you can hold a normal conversation while standing next to one, although the priciest of them all.
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08-08-2017, 08:46 PM
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#4
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diesel maniac
Airstream - Other
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,550
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leave the car engine running and lock the car with a spare key
Really??
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08-09-2017, 12:27 PM
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#5
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The Aluminum Tent 3
2014 23' Flying Cloud
Park City
, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,157
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Running a big V-8 engine to supply power? Umm, no. Your batteries will run everything this does...then use portable solar or a small 1000 watt generator to keep them charged up.
No specs on this thing either. Like earlier poster said...a 'mystery box.'
Read up on all the threads here about solar, generators, boondocking...lots of good information to absorb.
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08-09-2017, 12:50 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1977 Argosy 24
Currently Looking...
Milltown
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,087
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It's not generating anything but heat converting 12 volt dc to 110 volt ac. Good scam, and no stats on output. Total waste of money.
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08-09-2017, 01:49 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Ad copy seems to have been written by a 12 year old that knows nothing about automobile or trailer systems.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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08-09-2017, 02:59 PM
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#8
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AWCHIEF
Ad copy seems to have been written by a 12 year old that knows nothing about automobile or trailer systems.
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Could be worse. At least it seems that English is the person's native language.
When I needed information about my Fiamma awning and looked up their web page, the ad copy on the page read like it was translated from Italian to English by a person whose native language was German!
Anyway, save your money and buy a portable jump-starter. This one does a whole lot more than the so-called "car generator" and costs a whole lot less (but don't use it as a car generator, charge it beforehand and carry it with you): https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DXAEPS...34WV09YNXTS24A
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-09-2017, 04:54 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2007 27' International CCD FB
San Diego
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,123
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While I wouldn't pay that much for a 1000W inverter, it could serve a need for certain low use scenarios. For higher duty cycles, or full timing, this wouldn't make sense.
This got me thinking, since I have remote start on my vehicle...
Not that I would do this, but I could see one mounting a high wattage inverter on the trailer. With a high amperage aux pigtail to the tow vehicle. For those less used instances of making coffee/dryer/microwave - easily fire up the vehicle from within the trailer to support the inverter for those durations. Heck, I've certainly idled my car for lesser uses.
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08-09-2017, 08:56 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,408
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No.
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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08-12-2017, 07:46 AM
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#11
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diesel maniac
Airstream - Other
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,550
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Somehow a gasoline generator disappearing does not seem as traumatic as having someone drive off in your tow vehicle, especially if it is still hitched to your trailer!
How do you address the issue of extended idling, which is detrimental to many automotive engines?
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08-15-2017, 10:39 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,408
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Sure, this is a temp, specific option... even for tent camping where vehicle is close by.
There is significant idling concerns... especially for the new diesels which are edicted to run DEF... 10 minutes idling, the filter stsrts clogging.. at 20 minutes continued idling, the exhaust system is having problems... soon, a "regen" will be required on the Duramax, requiring driving over 45 mph until regen clears the filter.
Just an FYI for you to be aware of... might be good to inform customers...
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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09-02-2017, 07:41 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member 
2008 34' Classic S/O
Arnprior
, Ontario
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 231
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Nice to see what happens when opinions, " unhampered with facts" are replaced with facts, unhampered with baseless opinions. Interesting!
Pete
__________________
Pete Crook
"Put it all behind you!"
S/OS#88
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12-22-2021, 11:24 AM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member 
2010 22' Sport
Sarnia
, Ontario
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 40
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$50-$80 thousand dollar generator, running and overheating exhaust system. Also probably polluting more than a small generator. The guy sell these is a absolute genius and probably sells fridges in Alaska. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
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12-22-2021, 04:08 PM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
Down the Shore
, New Jersey
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 156
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Icy
$50-$80 thousand dollar generator, running and overheating exhaust system. Also probably polluting more than a small generator. The guy sell these is a absolute genius and probably sells fridges in Alaska. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
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Fast forward 3 or 4 years from the OP and you have the Ford F-150 V6 twin turbo Hybrid Pro Power Onboard 7.2 kW idling in your driveway…..
__________________
Rich
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12-23-2021, 06:34 AM
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#16
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Dog
Fast forward 3 or 4 years from the OP and you have the Ford F-150 V6 twin turbo Hybrid Pro Power Onboard 7.2 kW idling in your driveway…..
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BooYa...another total waste of a perfectly good driveway. 
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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