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Pawpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 10 Jan 2011
Location: Regina Sask
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Posts: 137 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Generator question
    Posted: 22 Mar 2011 at 9:49pm
We just bought a HY2000si portable generator. Never had used one before I've been reading the manual. It mentions a ground wire. It says contact a qualified electrician to connect this. If i was hooking this up to our house i would hire a electrician to do it. Now this raises a few questions when we're using it for dry camping with our travel trailer. Do you just place the unit on the ground and start it (grounded through the case somehow) or just drive a copper rod into the ground, attach a wire to the rod and to the generator? And if you use a wire, what gauge?
Max wattage output is 2200 watts.
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Joined: 13 Jan 2010
Location: Alberta Canada
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Posts: 80 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Mar 2011 at 10:06pm
We have used various generators over the past 25 years or so and never used a ground wire. We usually run it in the afternoon for a few hours to charge the trailer battery as well as laptop and camera batteries.
 
At present we use a CHAMPION 2000 watt inverter generator.
Heinrich and Elly
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Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Location: Saint Augustine
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Posts: 1950 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2011 at 4:10am
I think they are just using legal talk.

Terry
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Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565
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Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Location: Reading, Pa
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Posts: 3990 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2011 at 10:44am
When I run mine I try to run a ground using a 2' Copper pole and have a 6 gauge wire with clips on both ends (old set of Jumper cables).  But when I'm using it I'm also powering Laptops and Ham Radio Equipment.  Sometimes it is hard to get it into the ground due to rocks or we may be setup on a parking lot.
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2011 at 4:33pm
I also have a HY2000si and have never grounded it.  I've only once seen someone ground their generator for use while camping.


Under the following conditions, OSHA directs (29 CFR 1926.404(f)(3)(i)) that the frame of a portable generator need not be grounded (connected to earth) and that the frame may serve as the ground (in place of the earth):
• The generator supplies only equipment mounted on the generator and/or cord- and plug-connected equipment through receptacles mounted on the generator,  § 1926.404(f)(3)(i)(A), and
• The noncurrent-carrying metal parts of equipment (such as the fuel tank, the internal combustion engine, and the generator’s housing) are bonded to the generator frame, and the equipment grounding conductor terminals (of the power receptacles that are a part of [mounted on] the generator) are bonded to the generator frame, § 1926.404(f)(3)(i)(B).

Good enough for me!
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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Joined: 25 May 2010
Location: Gatlinburg Tenn
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2011 at 3:59pm
I have been looking at a ETQTG 1200. 1200 watt,2cycle gas, generator.
Comes off of Amazon
 
Will this little one be able to do anything but power a light blub!
I don't want to have a pricey one, AND one any heavier than this one.
 
Has a lot of ratings, some good, some not good. But LOTS of them.
 
However, I don't get information on how useful it would be when out without hook ups.
 
Any insight into this will be most appreciated.
 
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change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley
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Joined: 25 May 2010
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2011 at 4:07pm
A little more information on the generator I am looking at.
 
1000 running watts
1200 max watts
ETQ 2 stoke air cooled OHV engine
less than 65 db
47 lb.
$139.99
free shipping
 
I am looking for something that a fan can be powered, just for circulation on the hot Summer nights.
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2011 at 6:35pm
That little 2-stroke will be quite noisy.  My 2400 watt generator peaks at 58 db and is generally 56 db while running the A/C - almost 10x quieter than the 2-stroke you're looking at.  Your ear next to a hair dryer is about 65 db - thats how loud this generator would be when you're standing 15 feet away.

Also, the power produced by this little 2-stroke is not electronics-friendly and you certainly wouldn't want to connect your R-POD to it.  You'll need an inverter-generator for that.

If you're looking for a fan, may I suggest the Endless Breeze?  If runs off of 12v and is really fantastic.  It also draws 1.18 amps/hr on the low setting, and the low setting produces a significant breeze (all you'll need in an R-POD).  Otherwise, if you want a generator, you'll have to look to a 4-stroke inverter generator; preferably of the insulated variety.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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Joined: 25 May 2010
Location: Gatlinburg Tenn
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2011 at 8:09pm
Where do you get the 12 volt power to run the fan? I am completely clueless on this. I don't want to run the car battery down.
Thanks for the heads up on the generator. Sure helps to ask
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Joined: 25 May 2010
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Posts: 426 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2011 at 8:22pm
I looked into 12 volt batteries, like the OPTIMA Blue Top. Is this the kind you need to run the fan?
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