HF 900(800)w generator?

[DriverOne]

I have a coupon for a Harbor Freight generator that produces 800w of power with a maximum peak draw of 900w. The price with the coupon puts it at ~$90. Is it worth buying to power a teardrop? I have in mind to use mostly 12v items (LED lighting, a Coleman CoolMate40, vent fan), but there will be two laptops involved, and possibly a single eye 110 cook top, and I'd like to power a string of paper lanterns.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I have one. Not bad at all for the price! I dont use it much... only when I'm boondocking. I've powered stereos and recharged my laptop with it, and also recharge my deep cycle battery.

Its a 2-cycle engine, so it requires mixed fuel, and its not as quite as a Honda generator. But its also 1/10th of the price.

[Shadow Catcher]

It is what it is, a two cycle generator. If you buy it get an extra spark plug they tend to foul and get the extra warranty. I have a 2300W Kipor and quite frankly it may not be used as the solar fulfills the need and is silent, I love silent.

[DriverOne]

Silent is good. Where did you get your solar panels, and do they produce 800w?

[GerryS]

I have one of te 2 cycle generators....not HF, but same design. They are temperamental and don't start all that easy. I keep a van of ether around, that usually coaches it out of its slumber. We used it in our kettle corn concession when we didn't have electricity to run 2 blower style fans, and keep a couple light bulbs and string lights. It worked very well.

I could ran most of the day on 2 fill ups....but for all that good, they smell bad because of the 2 cycle, and they are VERY noisy...like a chainsaw noisy.

I have a yamaha 2400 silent now as well, a world of difference.

[the other side]

If you are running a computer off of the generator, doesn't it have to be pure sinewaves? Or is this generator you are talking about pure sinewaves? Or, does the surging not matter if you are only charging a computer?

[eamarquardt]

I am of the considered opinion that anything HF sells is disposable. If it needs any servicing, you'll never be able to get any parts for it.

Cheers,

Gus

[Shadow Catcher]

The 180W panel was sufficient for all of our needs including powering the lap top and TV. I have an additional 140W panel that can be rolled out, and it did not come out of the tongue box . Conservation is an important part of the energy equation and other than for AC I see no need for a noisy smelly generator. We have a 300W, 600W for up to ten minutes Morningstar Suresine inverter which has a very clean output and no fan (that quiet thing again).

[DriverOne]

I hadn't thought about being such a nuisance to those around me. I guess you get what you pay for! I may still get one, but I'll use it for emergency purposes instead. Thanks for the input, everyone!

I believe I'll look to the solar option, and incorporate it into the roof of my TD.

[GerryS]

Don't expect it to run a sump pump . That's why we bought it. Yeh, that was an exciting night.

[DriverOne]

Don't expect it to run a sump pump . That's why we bought it. Yeh, that was an exciting night.

Sounds like an interesting story, if you have the time or a link.

[DriverOne]

Don't expect it to run a sump pump . That's why we bought it. Yeh, that was an exciting night.

Sounds like an interesting story, if you have the time or a link.

[GerryS]

It begins with "uh oh..." it ends with splish splash....

[DriverOne]

It begins with "uh oh..." it ends with splish splash....

Riveting!

[DriverOne]

Somehow I keep posting twice??