Generator
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9579
Printed Date: 28 Jun 2025 at 2:23pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Generator
Posted By: rawest50
Subject: Generator
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 5:50pm
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You folks keep following my post you will see I am clueless on electrical stuff. Question. I have a small 2K watt generator that has a 120v 20 amp outlet. Can I use my electrical apapter and plus my electrical cord into that outlet. I know the Pod is rated at 30 amps so I could not have a lot of 120v stuff running. S that possible if I need my generator? ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Replies:
Posted By: Our pod
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 7:47pm
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If I remember from earlier postings, it should run your AC only, or about everything else except AC. ------------- Life is good. |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 8:25pm
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Yeah. Not an electricical expert but I know my gen only produces 20 vs 30 so certain things would have to be off. Thanks. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 8:32pm
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EDIT: Changed 20 amp to 30 Amp..The Pods have a 30 amp shore power cord. All you need is an adapter 30 amp to 120V. Plug the R-Pod electrical cord into the generator.
It will try and charge you batteries through the Pod converter. If you have a disconnect switch, cut them out with the disconnect. This will allow your generator to put out all it's wattage to running the A/C. If you don't need A/C, you can leave the batteries "on", and run all the other appliances. The microwave is 1000 watts I think, maybe 1500, never really used mine. Nothing else uses much power at all. One quirk is that the furnace, although it runs on 12VDC and the converter puts out 13 volts or so, needs a battery installed anyway usually, or the furnace mainboard has a fit, because the converter DC output is ugly. Found this out and it took a couple days to figure out nothing was wrong with my furnace. Installed a battery and the problems went away. Just weird.
------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: densmorema
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2017 at 8:41am
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My 2000w barely runs the microwave,would not advise running the AC ,it will
Run the fan on the AC though.You can do damage to your AC if you are not running it off a 30 amp circuit. ------------- Mike and Cherie Michigan 2015 R179 2016 silverado |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2017 at 9:15am
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Consider that most "2000 watt" generators are actually 1600 watt generators with a 2000 watt surge capability. The Generac iX2000 is different. It is 2000 watts with 2200 watt surge capability. It will run the AC if nothing else is running. It would not run the original convection-microwave, but it will run the one that was put in when the first was replaced for being defective. It would be better though to have either two of the "2000 watt" generators run in parallel or a single, larger generator to supply 30 ampere current.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2017 at 6:30pm
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What is needed to run generators in parallel? Mine can. I remember that when I bought it. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2017 at 7:07pm
I bought this 3000w watt pure sine wave digital inverter generator online for $479. I've been really happy with it and it's real quiet. Runs everything at once with no problem and just idles when I'm only charging the pod. Got it from https://scooterwholesales.com/product/dg-3000-digital-generator-inverter/ - scooter wholesale.com Better than paying for a new generator and a parallel kit... But then again you already have 2000w genny. ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2017 at 8:21pm
Depending on brand, it may be purchasing a second, identical generator and a paralleling kit to connect them. Specifics depend on what generator you already have though. Check your owner's manual. It should give you the full information. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2017 at 8:38pm
Please check the generator and list the specifications. The web site has two different specifications in the product description. The first set says 2600 rated, 3000 peak. Below that it lists 3000 rated, 3200 peak. I sent a suggestion that they correct the web site to list which set contains the proper specifications. If I did not already have the Generac iX2000, I would definitely look at the DG-3000 even though its output is about 25 amperes (2600/110). That is still better than the 18 amperes (2000/110) of the Generac. If the DG3000 is truly rated at 3000 watts, then it is still about 27 amperes. That still would be more than enough to run the AC, but I don't know if it would run the AC and microwave simultaneously, especially if the converter is also charging the battery and other things were running. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2017 at 12:34am
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Stephan, My DG-3000 is last years model, and the manual says 2600-3000. There is nothing on the unit that lists specs. It will be interesting to see what they say about the discrepancy on the website. If the 2017 model really has more horsepower it may be that it has a higher rating, I'm going to contact them also and find out. I ran the A/C while camping last weekend on the generator, and then made popcorn in the microwave as a test and it ran both no problem, I didn't try it the other way around though, I'll do that test next time I have the chance. But I don't for-see that I would really ever need both at the same time as I've only used the oven a few times in the 9 months I've had the pod. It is a standard Chinese made knock off and I think at this price point,( $479 all in), even if it only lasts a few years I'm still miles ahead of buying 2 honda's (or similar) and the parallel kit, or a larger unit that will run everything. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-3-000-Watt-Gasoline-Powered-Digital-Inverter-Generator-802078/300792171?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|google|&mid=s8iorOW7v|dc_mtid_890338a25189_pcrid_147663990605_pkw__pmt__product_300792171_slid_&gclid=Cj0KEQjw2fLGBRDopP-vg7PLgvsBEiQAUOnIXAI3Cexj47IOwcBhzNFy4mpboEiZ8HtcWdkYdKwlgt0aAioK8P8HAQ - Here's a 3000 watt inverter/generator on sale until 4/9 at Home Depot $499 I had a bunch of questions about inverter generators and found this website with all the answers to the questions I had, Good reading. http://www.yamahaef2000is.com/conventional_generator_vs_inverter_generator.html - http://www.yamahaef2000is.com/conventional_generator_vs_inverter_generator.html Cheers, John
------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2017 at 9:46am
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I received a reply which was a rather terse "3000 and 2600." I looked at the Home Depot link. I like that one since it has a 30A outlet. The downside is that it states in the description that it is not meant for use above 3000 ft. It is also a 2800/3000 watt generator, which is not a full 30A. The outlet makes it convenient though. If I did not already have the Generac, I would certainly be looking to buy this one as opposed to the DG-3000. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2017 at 7:06pm
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I've never heard of a warning to not run a generator higher than a certain altitude. You will lose power the higher you go, but it will still run just a bit rich. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2017 at 7:38pm
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I was surprised to see that also. Generac states, "Please know that maximum power decreases about 3.5% for each 1,000 feet
above sea level and will also decrease about 1% for each 6°C (10°F)
above 16°C (60°F) ambient temperature." They do not state an altitude limit. However, I can understand one since the generators do not self-adjust for altitude changes like fuel-injected automobiles do.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2017 at 8:30pm
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Different brand, but for what it's worth my Yamaha 2400ishc ran fine at 9000 ft. I think we even ran it at 10k. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2017 at 6:32am
| I have two Honda generators. One is the "Companion" and they run parallel with just a wire connection. Each one can be manuevered easily, like the weight of a full suitcase. Reliability and respect for neighbors were big decisions when I sprang for the $l000 each cost. No regrets, even came in handy when the last hurricane knocked out the power. |