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Rzrbrn · 01-22-2018, 03:44 AM

I read somewhere that breathing too much of CO, CO2 or N2O is deadly. And that pre Catalytic converter the gas engine produced more CO, post catalytic converter the gas engine produces more CO2. I was looking for something else and did not think to document where I found that piece of information on the internet, sorry.

Just one thoughtless act or situation can be deadly. For instance I have a generator mounted on the front of my small trailer. It could be that it is mounted too close to the window, given certain conditions. This thread has given me pause for thought, and I am grateful.

As an example of thoughtlessness on my part: We pulled into a Walmart and parked next to a line of semi trucks, all parked at an angle. In such a situation I like to pull in such that the tail of my trailer is about even with the tail of the semi, so the next guy pulling in will see that the space is occupied before he tries to turn in. This time, the trucker was still in his driver's seat and awake. He rolled down his window and motioned me to pull forward, a couple of times. I did not do so for the reason I just stated. The trucker then started his rig and moved back. I had no idea why he did that. I thought he was upset with me for some reason, but he did not get out of his truck, and so we all bedded down for the night. Next morning he was still there and we just left to go to a restaurant for breakfast.

As I was eating my eggs and sausage, it hit me. That trucker saved our lives.

His truck was a refrigeration truck. I never really noticed but many such trucks have the refrigeration unit on the top front of the trailer, with the exhaust venting possibly upward. This one had the exhaust venting UNDER the trailer and to the SIDE. That is, where I originally positioned my trailer, his exhaust vented right into my open bedroom window. He engines were on all night, both the truck and the refrigeration unit engines. The wind was blowing very hard when we went to bed and as a result there were no fumes to smell. The air was still when we woke up the next morning.

Had he not moved back, I am certain we would have died.

I was very distraught when I realized what happened. We drove back to the Walmart lot so I could thank him and buy him a breakfast, but he was gone.

My point, as someone previously said in this thread, is be careful and be mindful, at all times.

riverdweller · 03-08-2018, 08:57 AM

Thanks for the story! Sometimes we are so blind to the obvious. This will stick in my mind. Thanks again [emoji16]

rdbagley · 03-11-2018, 02:11 PM

Generac. Made in USA. Excellent power, economy, and operation. I bought two iq2000so I can split, team, etc.

uncle_bob · 03-12-2018, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdbagley

Generac. Made in USA. Excellent power, economy, and operation. I bought two iq2000so I can split, team, etc.

Hi

If you decide to buy a Generac because it's USA made, do a little digging into what percentage of parts in the model you buy come from the US. I see very little reason to hop on the "go USA" bandwagon for something that is 90% Chinese. Is that the case with this or that generator? Not at all easy to find out.

Bob

Mollysdad · 03-12-2018, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by labans

OMG a Typo!!! OMG a TYPO!!
I admit a mistrake here, folks. Brain was thinking carbon monoxide and fingers were typing carbon dioxide.

Sorry for sounding overly critical. That typo hit upon a real compound that is perhaps overly criticized today. CO2 makes up only .4% of the atmosphere, yet it makes people get anxious.
CO is very dangerous, a little CO2 is not, but a lot of CO2 is.

Back to the OP's question, What generator?
I'd counter, what do you want to run? A Honda 2000 can run a 13.5 AC, but nothing else. I choose a Honda 3000 but there are cheaper alternatives. If I didn't have so much experience with Hondas, I might choose a Champion 3500. In any case, I'd get the largest I could afford. (I found my Honda on Craig's list.)

sb55 · 03-12-2018, 03:15 PM

I just bought 2 Champion 2000 watt generators with the parallel kit after reading many favorable reviews. The best part was that the package was on sale and cost about $800. delivered.
I did the 5 hour break-in routine and changed the oil just today. I ran no load, light load and heavy load and they seemed to run fine. The real test will be my first camping trip in April.

gypsydad · 03-13-2018, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sb55

I just bought 2 Champion 2000 watt generators with the parallel kit after reading many favorable reviews. The best part was that the package was on sale and cost about $800. delivered.
I did the 5 hour break-in routine and changed the oil just today. I ran no load, light load and heavy load and they seemed to run fine. The real test will be my first camping trip in April.

Just curious; why 2 Champion 2000's and not a single 3400 or the 3500 Dual Fuel with electric start? Was it the weight of moving each single unit? FYI- I'm real happy with the Dual Fuel running on propane.

Roadtech · 03-13-2018, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsydad

FYI- I'm real happy with the Dual Fuel running on propane.

Me too!

rmkrum · 03-13-2018, 11:09 PM

Ditto, and I do not plan to ever put gasoline in my dual fuel unless it’s a Zombie Apocalypse- level emergency.

sb55 · 03-14-2018, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Just curious; why 2 Champion 2000's and not a single 3400 or the 3500 Dual Fuel with electric start? Was it the weight of moving each single unit? FYI- I'm real happy with the Dual Fuel running on propane.

I will mostly use one to keep the batteries topped up. Once in a blue moon I’ll need both for the A/C.
Fortunately I can buy no ethanol gas and plan to use that.

gypsydad · 03-14-2018, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Ditto, and I do not plan to ever put gasoline in my dual fuel unless it’s a Zombie Apocalypse- level emergency.

Zombie Apocalypse....I've seen that happen in CA a few times!

KK4YZ · 03-15-2018, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Just curious; why 2 Champion 2000's and not a single 3400 or the 3500 Dual Fuel with electric start? Was it the weight of moving each single unit? FYI- I'm real happy with the Dual Fuel running on propane.

We did the same thing - two 2K gens- for the flexibility. Easier to move...plus sometimes you only need to bring one....if you don’t need the AC.

DBinSD · 03-15-2018, 02:58 PM

I went 3k Yamaha.

I was going to do 2-2k but it would take more room in the truck.

Besides, if I REALLY needed the gen on then I want it all on and not have to set another up for A/c etc.

It will stay put in the truck. I have a bed slide so access is easy for fuel.

My 2cents

Roadtech · 03-15-2018, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBinSD

I went 3k Yamaha.

I was going to do 2-2k but it would take more room in the truck.

Besides, if I REALLY needed the gen on then I want it all on and not have to set another up for A/c etc.

I went 3.5k Champion for the same reasons, but also, I didn't want to have to service two engines and I wanted propane out of the box, warranted by the generator mfg.

rmkrum · 03-15-2018, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Zombie Apocalypse....I've seen that happen in CA a few times!

Naw, that’s just the usual over-hyped rainy weather, mudslides, or brush fires. The breathless reporting just seems to be apocalyptic....

Mattirs · 03-15-2018, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Naw, that’s just the usual over-hyped rainy weather, mudslides, or brush fires. The breathless reporting just seems to be apocalyptic....

Don't forget, foot massage earthquakes.

rmkrum · 03-15-2018, 11:55 PM

Meh. Anything around 3-4 on the Richter scale around here is usually ignored.

rmkrum · 03-15-2018, 11:57 PM

Frankly, the “vehicle pursuit of the day is far more interesting. Channel 9’s helicopter reporter, Stu Mondel, is on one right now. The usual stuff...

gypsydad · 03-16-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Meh. Anything around 3-4 on the Richter scale around here is usually ignored.

Except, when in Lincoln, MT this past year at the cabin...that 4 scarred the Sxxt out of us at midnight on July 4th; then the 5.6 next was a real scare...I told the wife, "lets move back to CA where they happen more frequently and we only have to worry about the Zombies again!"

jamlarcara · 03-24-2018, 01:14 PM

we just bought a 2017 Air Steam 25FB and looking at the 3400 watt champion generator and was wondering if this unit will run the 15K AC unit without modify AC for hard starting?

Maybe someone is already using one.

thanks