LE1 Generator Selection

[ScottyGS]

WOW!  Have not thought of that movie in a while.  I DO remember watching it on TV when I was very young.  It made an impression on me.  And, I like almost everyone at that time did truly "Love Lucy".   Thanks for digging that one up. 

Scotty

[Rolind]

In my opinion, if you are going to frequently be running ac wo shore power , the best solution would be a Generator like the Honda EU 2200 and a Truma installed soft start on your ac unit. The eu2200 is at my limit of lifting comfort. I run mine on gas, but propane would likely work as well.  I don’t have a soft start on my Truma yet, but it  seems like a reasonably priced option as long as the mobile tech cost to install it is not too prohibitive.  I have been holding off on the soft start hoping a DIY option becomes available in the future.

[Ronbrink]

21 hours ago, Rolind said:

I have been holding off on the soft start hoping a DIY option becomes available in the future.

This may be of interest to Truma a/c owners, illustrates how the SoftStartRV is installed.

 

[Rolind]

Thanks so much for the heads up. Looks like a great winter project for my list.

 

[Coastal Aggie]

Has anyone actually ran a soft start truma on a Honda 2200? The main reason I didn't get the truma package was because I'd need to get a larger generator since the soft start wasnt an option at the time and as a full timer I'm pretty limited on weight/space. If it's certain that it'll run it I'd love to swap out my dometic for a truma.

Edited October 23 by Coastal Aggie

[Ronbrink]

7 hours ago, Coastal Aggie said:

Has anyone actually ran a soft start truma on a Honda 2200?

Not a Truma owner, but have read comments by owners of SOBs on other forums that a 2200W genny will run the Truma equipped with a SoftStartRV. 

[ScottyGS]

On 10/19/2024 at 4:47 AM, ScottyGS said:

WOW!  Have not thought of that movie in a while.  I DO remember watching it on TV when I was very young.  It made an impression on me.  And, I like almost everyone at that time did truly "Love Lucy".   Thanks for digging that one up. 

Scotty

Sorry to quote myself but I did re-watch this movie.  Very funny... stands the test of time and shows what genius's Lucy and Desi were.  Forgot about the whole "rocks" thing and Donna and I were laughing hard at that part.  It was funny hearing the "tech" guy explain the brakes using magnets and shook my head realizing that we have the exact same brakes that they did in 1953.  Before I was born for crying out loud!

The movie is available free on TUBI.  You'll have to watch some ads but not too bad.   If you have not seen this movie... or not seen in it a while I strongly recommend "The Long Long Trailer" with Desi and Lucy. 

Scotty 

[Coddiwomple]

We drove to Truma in Indiana in September and had the soft-start installed.  While there and in the presence of the technicians, I connected my Honda 2200i Companion generator with propane conversion and we tested it.  Worked perfectly.  The technicians were impressed.  When we got home, I tried it again and ran the generator and air conditioner for several hours.  I did this test three times.  I am very happy with the set up now and confident going forward.  Instead of running two generators I can now run one.  The big test will be when we get some altitude to see if the generator can handle it - after changing the carb jetting of course.

As a side note, I can now run the air conditioner off the 2000 watt inverter.  We tested this too at Truma with success.    

[Ronbrink]

11 hours ago, Coddiwomple said:

We drove to Truma in Indiana in September and had the soft-start installed.  While there and in the presence of the technicians, I connected my Honda 2200i Companion generator with propane conversion and we tested it.  Worked perfectly.  The technicians were impressed.  When we got home, I tried it again and ran the generator and air conditioner for several hours.  I did this test three times.  I am very happy with the set up now and confident going forward.  Instead of running two generators I can now run one.  The big test will be when we get some altitude to see if the generator can handle it - after changing the carb jetting of course.

As a side note, I can now run the air conditioner off the 2000 watt inverter.  We tested this too at Truma with success.    

Great confirmation with your test results, should be comforting news to other Truma owners! For whatever it’s worth, my former Dometic Penguin ll (11,000 BTU) would not run on the 2200W genny until a Micro Air Easy Start was self-installed; upon further modification I was also able to operate it with the Xantrex 2000, as well. I have since replaced the noisey DPll with a Dreiha Atmos 4.4 (15,000 and 12,000 BTU cooling and heating, respectively) and consider it a much cheaper alternative to the Truma if cost is an issue to some. As with the Dometic, the Atmos equipped with a SoftStartRV runs great with said genny and inverter. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Edited October 30 by Ronbrink

[Boudicca908]

On 10/16/2024 at 10:09 PM, ScottyGS said:

20 vs. 30 lbs propane

When I was ordering my Elite II, and knew I wanted to boondock a lot, I considered ordering the 30# tanks -- but once I understood how much they weigh when full, the decision was easy. I use 20# tanks and I carry 3 of them (2 in the dog house and one in the bed of the truck). I have never run out of propane, though I have allowed 2 of the tanks to be out (once). I have learned to be mindful of where I can REFILL my tanks and also to keep a watchful eye on tank levels (watching for the sensor to show it has switched over to the second tank) -- so I know as soon as one runs out. Remember that if you are boondocked somewhere, you might need to be able to lift the tank into the bed of your truck (unless you want to tow your Oliver every time you refill) -- so it's not just lifting to get into the doghouse, but also in and out of the bed of your TV. 

[Going Coastal]

We picked up this generator a few weeks ago.  We have an LEII w/dometic...I wanted something that I could run ac, micro, hair dryer...and run on propane or gas. 

Amazon.com : Champion Power Equipment 4000-Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology and CO Shield : Patio, Lawn & Garden

[Ronbrink]

17 hours ago, Going Coastal said:

and run on propane or gas. 

I read gasoline or diesel, no mention of propane.

[Steve and MA]

Never heard of a generator that could run on gas or diesel.  Must be a misprint.  There is a dual fuel gas/propane version of this generator. Champion Power Equipment 4000-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology and CO Shield

[Going Coastal]

Steve,

Your link is to the correct one I got, which runs off gas or propane.  The one I linked to runs off just gas (I believe) ...I think it's a misprint on Amazon.

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, Steve and MA said:

Never heard of a generator that could run on gas or diesel.

Agreed, such a product would need two engines. This does not exist IMHO.

Diesel generators are generally huge high KW power industrial generators.

[DavePhelps]

Although hideously expensive, one could get an aluminum 30# propane tank, which, if I recall correctly, weighs the same (when full) as a steel 20 # tank.

A lot of $$ though, but could be worth it for someone's special requirements.

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/30-lb-7-1-gallon-vertical-aluminum-lp-tank-vts-169/

And yes, as has been mentioned, the Elite 1 will only fit 2 20# tanks. Running out of propane has never been an issue with me. The stuff lasts a long time!

Dave

[DavePhelps]

Oh, forgot to add. After years of being anti-generator, I am softening my view. Especially for very early and late season camping where my solar setup can struggle after days of rain and low light. Currently considering the Honda EU 2200i Companion. The companion model has a 30 amp plug (as well as a standard 20amp) so no adapters needed for my Oliver supplied shore power cord. AC is not really a thought for me, have hardly ever used it. But if that changed, I'd get the soft start for that. I'd also convert the generator to propane with the Hutch Mountain kit, which has gotten very good reviews. As little as I would need the generator, propane would be a better choice over gas.

https://www.hutchmountain.com/products/honda-eu2200i-propane-natural-gas-gasoline-tri-fuel-conversion-kit?srsltid=AfmBOop2BOyh5idW05vUOtzKeU9wfC8jIVGVypoD-M00sGuc3CFgqsxA

Dave

[jd1923]

On 11/7/2024 at 9:46 AM, Boudicca908 said:

I considered ordering the 30# tanks -- but once I understood how much they weigh when full, the decision was easy. I use 20# tanks and I carry 3 of them (2 in the dog house and one in the bed of the truck).

Yes, your plan is good. I get the weight issue for sure. Having two 30s though we never need to change one when away from home. Our longer trips are usually 3-4 weeks, and we often use just one 30# and if it's pretty cold overnights, sometimes we switch to the second 30# tank. Given this two 20s would be enough most of the time.

The ultra-light generator linked above weighs 40 lbs. The Honda EU2200i weighs 50 lbs and so does a FULL 30# LP tank. I do not mind loading the 30# tank at home (and I will turn 70 in the new year). I back the truck up within inches of the doghouse, stand on the tailgate, lift up turn and let down. I don't want to mess with running out and filling/changing tanks on the road and do not want to carry a generator and extra fuel. We have enough battery at 600AH, and 720W solar so no need for a generator and extra fuel. This saves me pain on the road and extra room that a generator and extra tank would take in the truck bed.

If I was in the market, having owned many Honda engines, I would spend the extra $400 on the Honda.

[Ronbrink]

On 11/8/2024 at 7:03 AM, Steve and MA said:

Must be a misprint.

That would explain things, thanks for the catch! At 48#, not bad for a 4000W dual fuel; my DuraMax 2200W dual fuel comes in about the same weight and doesn’t have the 30A outlet! 

[Boudicca908]

17 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Our longer trips are usually 3-4 weeks,

And this year's trip for me lasted from mid-April until after mid-October.  Even so, with my three propane tanks and the Oliver's solar power, I haven't needed a generator. Or maybe I should say ... 

I haven't needed a generator YET... but I am still thinking about it because I prefer to boondock or camp off-grid, and I've found that sites aren't always solar-friendly (in the forest, trees can interfere with solar), plus the fact that weather can interfere. My batteries ran very low, ONCE, and it was not fun. Then, I was given a used generator by a friend, and it might work for a trickle charge (it's undersized), but I have been slow to figure it out (testing). OTT is trying to help me with guidance (I have had too many balls in the air to tackle the testing yet.)  Generators weigh a lot, imo. 

[jd1923]

7 hours ago, Boudicca908 said:

I haven't needed a generator YET... but I am still thinking about it

I too haven't needed one yet and NOT thinking about it. Another 80-100 LBS in generator and extra LP. Rather reduce weight than add more.

Added 600AH LiFePO4 and a solar suitcase adding to 720W solar and Victron 3KVA MP2 Inverter/Charger. Yes, none of this helps in bad weather, though 9 of 10 days it's "another sunny day in Arizona!" We don't camp during the hot SW summers. With an Atmos A/C upgrade (planned for Q1 2025) we could run the air a couple hours (<10A at 120VAC) in the afternoon spending ~30% SOC with our configuration.

Most of our travel plans include boondocking for periods of 2-5 days. We regularly book stays at national/state/county parks in-between our dry camping stays. We will get down below 50% and hook-up and chargeback to full. We also carry a 50' extension cord with adapter for emergencies.

Before you go generator, increase your battery bank in AHs and plan a hookup campsite every so often. I would add another 300 to 600AH Epoch LiFePO4 in the basement first (will fit in the void under the pantry for 1200AH total). Or do what @rideadeuce did and start off with 920AH! 

[jd1923]

On 10/20/2024 at 4:34 AM, Ronbrink said:

This may be of interest to Truma a/c owners, illustrates how the SoftStartRV is installed.

Can this item be purchased? My understanding is that only Truma can install their parts, not sold in the aftermarket. I observed the Truma service van install 8 of these during the recent Texas Rally. 

[Ronbrink]

7 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Can this item be purchased? My understanding is that only Truma can install their parts, not sold in the aftermarket. I observed the Truma service van install 8 of these during the recent Texas Rally. 

SoftStartRV units are readily available and claim universal fit, see attached. They can be purchased and self-installed on a Truma, but It is possible such could void their warranty. Perhaps someone in the know will chime in with a definitive answer.

 

[Ronbrink]

16 hours ago, Boudicca908 said:

Generators weigh a lot, imo. 

DC-DC charger is a great alternative!

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

SoftStartRV units are readily available

For sure, though not sure what brand device Truma installs and I believe home installation voids the Truma warranty. What I’ve read here is that Truma brand parts cannot be purchased without Truma service.

So for me, this eliminates Truma products from consideration. Also, there is no Truma and no OTT dealers in the state of Arizona. Two strong reasons.