Soft Start for Generator

Easier to reply if we knew your equipment. My 2000i will run my ac but just the ac and converter. Turn on the microwave or electric hot water heater and it will drop out. I do not have the soft start.

My Harbor Freight 2000w Predator will run my A/C at 6,800' since I added the MicroAir Easy Start.  It's been 3 years. No problems yet.  300+ hours on the generator. So any 2000w+ should be satisfactory.  I made a cable from the twist 30a connector to a standard 115/15a plug using a 10ga extension cord. Much easier to handle vs the heavy 30a power cable with the RV plug. I can also run lights and the TV with my Dish Tailgater using a small inverter. Hope this helps.

Only pros

Thanks for feed back. Going with a beefier generator. Heard Harbor Frieghtvmentioned  few times 8n forum.

Really appreciate all the great advice.

Take care and Keep Camping!

If one wants want a generator to run an air conditioner (or a microwave oven), they'll learn that air conditioners and microwaves widely vary as to their power requirements, even within varying AC / MW models of the same brand.  It would be disappointing to choose a slightly-incapable-generator to power a slightly-too-large appliance.   

Historically, Honda started the 2000 watt generator craze with a 98 cc engine model (now updated to 121 ccs).  Yamaha soon competed with their 79 cc model.   Knockoff manufacturers also followed and virtually every one of them cloned the 79 cc Yamaha engine.  Unfortunately, some users have found out the smaller engine models sometimes were lacking in their ability.  And, some clones have little repair support.  Both the H and Y can be repaired or maintained at any dealer that sells their brands of motorcycles, etc.   

Here is a video to watch comparing the two top tier generators mentioned.   While both cost more than twice as much as the knockoffs, you do get what you pay for.  And, as said, with the widely varying requirements of certain appliances, no one user's success can guarantee that you'll have the same results.  The edge, if there is one, is to choose a top tier model with a network of dealers that will see to your needs. 

@RetiredNurse posted:

Thanks for feed back. Going with a beefier generator. Heard Harbor Frieghtvmentioned  few times 8n forum.

Really appreciate all the great advice.

Take care and Keep Camping!

Yes, that HF 3500 watt Predator gen just works. Yeah, it works great until asked to perform in hot environs. I've personally witnessed two that overheated and couldn't handle a 13.5k A/C unit and that was all that was asked of it. The internet also finds many complaints in this regard.

It's unfortunate...such hope and promise.

Bottom line is again..."ya get what you pay for".

@RetiredNurse posted:

Thanks for feed back. Going with a beefier generator. Heard Harbor Frieghtvmentioned  few times 8n forum.

Really appreciate all the great advice.

Take care and Keep Camping!

I have several friends who tried them. They worked fine until put to real use. They consider them throw away 100 hour generators. In my mind they are pure junk with no parts or service support. But then I think that of everything HF sells.

Honda is the way to go. If I didn't want to go Honda I'd go Yamaha and then Champion.

I decided to splurge and purchase the Honda EU3200i generator. Couldn’t be more pleased, and the power it has is amazing. Was able to start the AC unit, followed by a convection oven. The Honda App was also a nice feature, and was able to monitor power output.

My Harbor Freight 2000w Predator has worked flawlessly for 4+ years.  Power outages of 10 days this past winter and 13 days in January 2022 put 350+ hours (I added one of those $10 hour meters from Amazon).  It ran more items than the iPower 2000w inverter generator. Highly recommend.  Just too bad the price has gone up over $150.  I paid $429 back in the day.  Hope this helps.