Smarter Tools 2000iQ Generator

Contact a local friend or neighbor who may be more savvy on small engines (atv, motorcycles, etc) and have them try to start it.  If they have a problem with it you'll know it's the generator and not you.  If they are successful they can tell you What you need to do differently.  As a long-time small engine mechanic I can tell you that if a properly tuned engine does not start in 2-3 pulls there is usually a problem with the engine, provided you are correctly following the starting procedures.  It is difficult to give you the correct answer to your concern via email.  I once had a customer call me on the phone in his kitchen.  He asked me to listen to his mower running to tell him what was wrong.  He promptly dropped the phone, went into his garage, dragged the mower into his kitchen, started it, and placed the receiver down by the mower.  My diagnosis, HE HAD A PROBLEM!

The Smarter Tools 2000IQ doesn't have a vent or a cap vent at all.  The way I "unflooded" my unit was to:

1)  Let it sit for a few hours (if you aren't in a hurry to use it)

or

2)  Turn the fuel source to "off" , also set the generator to "off" (as in on/off) and just pull the string about 10 times.  then, wait a minute or two, turn the fuel switch to on and then turn the generator to "on" and pull the choke out about 1/2 way and give it a big, honking pull.  Also, make sure you have the "eco" mode turned off when you're trying to start it.  After you get it started and warmed up a little, then put it into eco mode.

If you want a great gas can that will stop automatically when your tank is full, try this!  It's the greatest thing since sliced bread:  There should be a video on the page that demonstrates how easy it is to simply, tip and let 'er rip and it will turn itself off!

Gas Can

Hope this helps,

WoodGlue

I would be very curious to hear your opinions of the 2015.5 2295 trailer.  I am thinking about one of those, but wondering if my F-150 EcoBoost would be able to handle the additional weight.  My 1881 is GVW at 5200, the 2295 is 6000.  But the extra length might be a challenge.  Hope you'll let me know.

I REALLY don't want the outside cooking area and would like to have them eliminate that and make it a storage area for some folding chairs.  But i LOVE the interior floor plan with the full bathroom in the rear.  Our 1881 has that now, and it is wonderful!

I'll be watching for your delivery and assessment.  BTW, who are you buying it from?  Which dealer?

Oh thanks, Lauren.  The cap on my 2400 that has no movable vent, but rather just vents automatically.  The cap on my 2000 has a movable vent. 

Sorry the 2000i does have the manual vented cap, made the assumption the 2000iq did also.

Hi All,

What a great bunch of folks here!  When it is daylight today, I will try the suggestions.  Yes, I am hoping it is a simple stupid mistake on my part...too much gas!  If you've read other posts in this community, you know I will be back to tell you my results.

The gas can...actually, I saw that recommendation here on this or another thread.  Right before the Bp station my husband and I went to Pep Boys to look for that brand, but no luck, so we had to use one of our old leaky, drippy gas cans.  Even  my husband was impressed with the info on the Amazon page.  Looks like you folks have found another way to spend  our money.  Thanks!

Lee-Ann

Spend your money for you Lee-Ann?  

It's easy for us to do. We didn't feel a thing, because.......

We are professionals!   

Hello fellow Lancers. Has anyone tried to parallel the Smarter tools gen with a Honda?

Happy camping nm1oqrz

Wow, I sure wouldn't recommend it - I believe you would surely fry the circuit boards in both generators.  Unlikely that the circuit designs are compatible.

Gosh, I wouldn't try that either, QRZ.    The circuitry in like-brand connected generators probably phases both of their sine-waves into sync.   

Think of how your appliances would react to some alien, multi-phased voltage being transmitted to them.  

So here's where we are...

1. I turkey basted out about 1/4 of the tank of gas before restarting to assure I wouldn't be overfull.

2. Played with the choke as directed here.

3. My husband tried starting the gen as I read him the directions (didn't want to miss a step!).

4. We pulled off the side panel to check if there was a spark plug in the gen (there was).

And nothing happened.  Just a little blub, blub, blub.

Completely emptied the gas tank (managed to get it the gas backinto our vehicle), packed up the gen and returned it to the closest Costco.  You folks are right: Costco has a very good return policy.  I had paid with MC (which they do not accept in stores).  They gave me cash back for the full price, including the shipping.

Looks like I will be saving money on not buying the cool spill-less gas can.  Will be waiting to see how the energy needs and use go in the TC.  I have some thoughts, not sure if any of them are viable (figure out where/how to put in an extra battery?  See if we can change out the 5 gal propane tank for a larger one?  May consider solar, either installed or portable? May see if an inverter - with the extra battery - is possible or necessary?).

Yes, I do tend to jump into the deep end, sometimes without looking.  The gen was a great idea, but it wouldn't start for us.  A sign, perhaps, that I should be trying different options?  Who knows, but thanks for all the great suggestions.  

Lee-Ann

Sorry it didn't work out for you Lee Ann, I couldn't be more pleased with mine.  Maybe you just got a bad one, it happens.  Don't care to try a different one??

Actually, I am pretty philosophical about it.  We don't have a spill-less gas can.  Right  now, I smell a bit like a gas station.  I can taste the fumes.  I had wondered how and where to carry the gen (the 825 is very tight, not much room for one except maybe one specific compartment.  And I worried about the smell in the truck).  I do want to find a way to power up the AC and micro when off the grid, since we have those luxuries.  That is why I am considering alternatives.  But I am okay with this.  That, plus neither my husband nor I wants to have to do the pull cord or lift the gen.

We're good with it.  I tried and am happy I can say I tried it out without eliminating the option.

Lee-Ann

And I forgot the most important lesson my husband and I learned...if we ever want to exceed the bank's limit on ATM withdrawals in a 24 hour period, just use a credit card to order from Costco online - of a large purchase - and return the item to Costco.  Cash back, no charge!

Lee-Ann

No need to get in a hurry with a generator choice.  We just purchased Two Honda eu2000is.  So far they start each time on the first pull.  

Lee-Ann:   Somewhere in here you were pondering about running the air conditioner using the camper's batteries.   I didn't notice if anyone answered you.  Running the A/C with the camper batteries is just not going to happen.   Sure, the possibility is there, but you'd only run it for a few minutes before they were drained.  

As for running a microwave, the camper batteries will do that better, but still it's only for a small amount of usage, such as heating up something.  Cooking a whole dish would probably be out of the question. 

  We run our microwave off our inverter but it is for very short periods.  Longest we have done it was to nuke a baked potato, about 7 minutes I think....

Lets'say the microwave use 1200watts, on 120volt is 10 amp, on 12watts, it's 100 amp . If you use the microwave for 10 min, this will use 16 amp/hour plus the loss of the inverter. In 30 minutes , the battery will be dead.

Thanks for the numbers, BMJ.   An air conditioner draws at least as much amperage, if not more. 

We get the same end result.  A short life of comfort, either cooking or cooling via the battery and an inverter. 

Thanks folks.  We'll figure it out in time.  I am happy I actually do understand the numbers!

Lee-Ann