Generator

[Formula1]

I am going to be Boondocking this summer, and had planned to use an external 4500 W generator. Can I just plug my shore power plug into the generator?

[LRCURTIS]

It depends...unless you have a new model generator with a rv-style 30 amp female receptacle you will need to utilize an adapter to connect. Typically it will be a rv-style 30 amp female to 30 amp twist-lock male "dog bone" adapter, though there are new models that do not have the 8-12 inches of power cord between the plugs. (i.e. https://www.campingworld.com/30-amp-...le-102422.html or https://www.campingworld.com/one-pie...le-102418.html). Also, some generators utilize a floating ground that require a neutral grounding plug for the EMS in your Escape (if you have one) to operate properly (https://www.etrailer.com/Generator-P...nt=30%20-%2060) or you can find instructions to make your own on the YouTube with parts from a hardware store.

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by Formula1

I am going to be Boondocking this summer, and had planned to use an external 4500 W generator. Can I just plug my shore power plug into the generator?

Make sure it is an inverter generator and not a frame/construction style. Inverter generators deliver clean power so you don't fry your electronics in your appliances or whatever you have plugged in. Inverters are also quiet which other campers in the area will appreciate.

Have fun!

[Formula1]

Thanks for your reply. Fortunately, I do have an inverter generator. See you on the forum.

[Iowa Dave]

I am a Honda fan having several Honda power products and having purchased probably over 50 Honda engines on grounds maintenance equipment over the years. The 2200i that I have now will run our air conditioner and charge a battery if we are camped in a very shady spot in a heat wave condition. I have the micro air easy start.
I travel with a good sealed gas can empty, stop at a station when we are close to an unserviced campground. I use the gasoline to power the generator and before I get on the road again I pour the remainder in the tow vehicle. This works for me. I have a neutral grounding plug and a can of ether to assist starting if the generator hasn’t been run in a while.
I ran this generator for 18 hours a day for 11 days after the 2020 derecho knocked out our electrical service in our county. Never missed a lick.
Iowa Dave

[Formula1]

Good suggestions, especially about the gas can.
Thanks for your input.

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by Formula1

Good suggestions, especially about the gas can.
Thanks for your input.

Don't skimp on the gas container. I shudder to think back on my younger years when I would ride long distances on my enduro with two metal, 1 gallon gas cans full, strapped to either side of my gas tank. Sometimes the canvas bags I had them in would be wet with gas. Yikes!

[Iowa Dave]

The no spill plastic cans have served us well. They are about
30 dollars each. I have one for diesel and on for gasoline. If you don’t spill any fuel on the outside when filling and you get the lid on tight to the “retainer” lock serration there’s no smell of fuel in the vehicle. There’s no separate plug for air. It’s all done in the cap. You can get them in 2.5 gallons or 5 gallon sizes. It’s easy to pour from the 5 if you don’t fill it clear full. Or you can put Gas from the big can into a smaller one for accurate pouring when you fill the generator.
Iowa Dave

[Formula1]

Great information! Where do you usually get your gas cans? Walmart?

[Iowa Dave]

When I bought three generators in Fort
Wayne at Mutt’s I had my son in law pick up 6 gas cans too. Mutts sells landscape and turf care equipment. We all agreed that the no spill cans were the way to go. I was intent on getting my freezer and refrigerator going so I didn’t shop around cause I had a lot more than a few bucks riding on the contents of the refrigerated food.

I could have claimed $400 in food loss on my insurance but didn’t because we didn’t lose anything and the insurance didn’t cover purchasing a generator by the insurance company ( State Farm) treated us fairly on damage to the property and I was good with that.

With the news comments about the possibility of blackouts possible this summer
I filled my cans with 93 octane unleaded today 17 gallons was $66.84. I’ll always have 12 gallons on hand if I put 5 in the mower. With as dry as it is and full cans and the mower is full now, I won’t need much mower gas till after Labor Day. I only buy tractor diesel in the late fall after the blended becomes available and I’m good till then with what I have.
Iowa Dave

[Formula1]

Thanks

[Scotty2]

I like the metal 1 L gas bottles.

I keep two on hand for my Honda 2200 SI.

No mess, no over fills, no worries.

Also, I only use treated gasoline.

[Formula1]

Are you referring to alcohol free gasoline?

[Iowa Dave]

I run alcohol free in all my small 4 Cycles and use it as my gasoline in the two
cycles also including the outboards All we have here is 93 octane and it’s about 80 cents a gallon more than the 10 percent ethanol which is 87 octane in Iowa.
Iowa Dave

[Formula1]

Ok thanks, that is what I do also.

[Grasshog]

How can you tell if your generator has an open ground or floating ground I guess? Mine is a champion duel fuel and does have the 30 amp receptacle. I’m guessing if I plug it in and then check my EMS? Thanks in advance.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Grasshog

How can you tell if your generator has an open ground or floating ground I guess? Mine is a champion duel fuel and does have the 30 amp receptacle. I’m guessing if I plug it in and then check my EMS? Thanks in advance.

With the generator not running (just to insure a mistake on your connections doesn't fry the multimeter) set it on the Ohms setting & a low scale.

Connect between the neutral (the wide opening on the standard receptacle) & the ground (the round hole). If it shows 0 ohms or a low reading, the ground is tied to the neutral. If open, you have a floating ground and will need to tie the neutral to ground to use your EMS in the operating position. Either

make a bonding plug

or purchase one.

[iamunique127]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

I run alcohol free in all my small 4 Cycles and use it as my gasoline in the two
cycles also including the outboards All we have here is 93 octane and it’s about 80 cents a gallon more than the 10 percent ethanol which is 87 octane in Iowa.
Iowa Dave

You're lucky to still get ethanol-free gas. In Canada we could get 93 octane ethanol-free at Shell up until a couple years ago. Now their pumps say their fuels may contain up to 10% ethanol.

[Camp@Home]

I have a Champion 2200. Carry 2.5gal non-spill can full in case of emergency/no gas station & empty TV, all fit in front trunk well and no issues so far.

[brjohnso]

By far, the best gas can is the authentic NATO military can made by Wavian or Valpro. It is based on the WWII German gas can, which has never been surpassed IMHO. They are expensive (nearly $100 each), but they will never leak or smell, are much stronger than any plastic can, and they will last a lifetime. Every plastic can I have ever seen eventually leaks, degrades, and often the light elements of the fuel can evaporate right through the plastic. The fiddly little plastic "no spill" spouts usually cause more spills than they prevent. NATO cans come with a simple spout that clamps on, and the can itself is internally vented through the spout. They pour fast.