Day 31 - My RV Generator Duo // Predator 3500 + Inergy Kodiak ||

[@ngovietduy]

*I use this solar **Generater.Systems** at work. The building is 80 years old so there’s not a lot of electrical outlets. I use it for lights, fans, charge phones etc. works great !*

[@harizismail314]

After reading many reviews and watching a lot of videos, I chose this option for my first backup power station. kzbin.infoUgkxHypYDKHAN93Lp2RQpfvU_ksc70wJ00pt I was between this and a larger option that could power a wider range of items, but the price/size/capacity blend seemed right for this unit. Hasn't gotten a ton of use yet, but the build quality is solid and it charges fine via the Rockpals solar panel I purchased to pair with it. One thing to note is that the screen is optimized for a top down viewing angle, which makes sense, but this means it washes out at other angles - especially low angles. Not a huge deal, but perhaps a better option for the display could be used to provide wider viewing angles.

[@lancedooley7558]

It's best to have both. Kodiak is basically a electrical box and once it dies hook it to the generator.

[@carlosfernandez1]

I have this exact combination at my house since huracan Maria. Resently we have a brake in power for a few days and uses them alternating them. I use the Kodiac connected to my transfer switch but only for lights and small equipment in the house. Together with the Predator 3500 we have a regular time during the bad time. They work perfectly. Good video. Thanks for sharing. Saludos from Puerto Rico.

[@re-thinkthis4880]

Lithium is great but pricey to buy, that is why I made my own. No soldering just getting some basic supplies and putting it together. Took a little time, but I was not in a rush.

[@bigrvhd5861]

Were you able to incorporate a 30 Amp outlet?

[@Dennis-mi5uw]

Hey RT, how about sharing your instructions for your DIY system. [e-mail]

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

Your setup ROCKS! We have the Champion 3500 watt dual fuel inverter generator which we will only be using propane to operate it because we don't want to deal with gasoline smells and storage. We also have the Kodiak Solar Generator, so we will have the same type of setup you have here. Thanks for sharing.

[@jcole22370]

imasurvivornthriver how do you like your champion generator and is it really noisy I am going to need a generator soon and so far the champion 3500 is what I want

[@reddlion]

I have owned 2 Ryobi inverter generators and 2 Inergy Kodiaks for 3 1/2 years now off grid. My Ryobis still going. Kodiaks not so much. Those 12v plugs on the front are the first problem you'll have. When plugging those adapters you'll get a big spark and Kodiak protects itself and shuts down. There is a reboot process that is not in your instructions (unless they have fixed that). Secondly panel charge port will need adapters for other panels and Predator(Kodiak) panels are worthless. Great concept. I think they will get better but not yet. I hear the K2 improves some things but I was with them since the GoFundMe launch and paid $2500 for a setup. Almost 4 years later and Inergy products are in storage. Can't sell them and no love from Inergy.

[@CarlosRodriguez-fg2vv]

Porgue no las hasen con más pawer de cuatro mil wats ode cinco mil wats gue muevan una nevera grande

[@cliffwendy3765]

Great video. My camper has solar panels and a 12 volt outlet. Can I charge the Kodiak by plugging the Kodiak into my 12 volt outlet as my solar is charging my on board battery?

[@AvionAwesome]

Yup! You sure can!

[@JuanVargasPro]

You sure can, just got my Kodiak two weeks ago.

[@Tripsolo65]

If you'd like to quiet your generator, even more, place a closed-cell foam mat under the wheels.

[@DirtbaggerDoug]

Got both for my off grid setup. With solar and 3 batteries

[@secondact7151]

Have you considered building a sound box for your generator? Essentially it is the pink or blue foam sandwiched between plywood then covered with something waterproof like aluminum skin. You make an access door that flips UP acting as a rain awning that allows you to hook up to it and it acts as the air intake. You point the door opening to where the noise would be the least bothersome. The sound can be further dampened by putting a foam sound catcher that folds down from the door to support the door in the open position. More vents can be added for more air intake towards the bottom of the cover if needed. An additional thing to do is add an exhaust tube to send the exhaust where you want it. An inline computer fan can be be used to assist with air flow. For me that exhaust would be pulled up about six feet off the ground. The box, when closed up, hides the fact you have a generator and can be locked down. I have not built this yet, but want to. Do you think it would work?

[@gsarjos]

The new Inergy k2 is out and it rocks, charge time is much faster and can connect to other lithium batteries and even better the price has dropped big time

[@womenswellness1577]

so is it just a car/go cart battery inside?

[@magamike1800]

this generator will run a large fridge for about a day as the compressor only runs part of the time. it the fridge is not opened often then it can even run it quite a bit longer.

[@Dennis-mi5uw]

HINT: Old 16 cu. ft "chest-style" freezer with the thermo turned up to 38-40 degrees only uses 25% of the power your usual kitchen fridge uses. If you run it down to 28-30, uses about 50% of the power, or sub-zero setting eats less than 75% of the power used by a comparable sized standard Energy-Star kitchen refrigerator. $100 or less @ used appliance or thrift shops. The older ones (like White-Westinghouse) will outlast anything made in the last 20 years. Might only need a DIY $12 circulation fan every 50 years or so.

[@magamike1800]

@@Dennis-mi5uw yes chest fridges are very efficient. don't dump out the cold air when the door is open/lifted. also keeping a couple bottles of water stops the compressor kicking on and off.

[@backtoobasics]

i have a trailer tray on the tounge of my setup, itss elevated above the 30lb tanks. with a set of slip bars that fity through the hondas feet and secrure to the tray itself.in the process of designing my solar setup. i have 2.2kw of panels adn im tryin to decide weither or not to go the micro inverter or just do a major install with a weeks back in storage. the key to any setup though is reducing every major power draw, stay safe man and keep up the good content.

[@DARTHDANSAN]

This thing is a tank

[@Str8upbrah]

What kind of appliances can you charge to the Kodiak? What kind of A.C. can be in an r.v.? Wouldn't it get really hot in the summer?

[@Dennis-mi5uw]

RV's usually produce A.C. from an inverter, that is powered by your RV's D.C. batteries, those are charged by your alternator when the engine is running. Most appliances in mine ran off three-way power, AC, DC, or LP, so the 3000w inverter never broke a sweat. LP reefers are cool! (neat!)

[@reddlion]

Might be to close to your gas cans considering it sparks when plugging things in.

[@stevengarcia3909]

Check out The Titian solar generation

[@peterforden5917]

How does the kodiak work in the cold? , ie -10c they have a bad rep re cold or is this undeserved?

[@AvionAwesome]

That low of temps would affect any lithium battery. Not just the Kodiak. But I usually try to follow the weather and after 2 years, I'm still using it - daily!

[@Wickedfracture]

So u can hook more batteries to the kodiak but will it charge them as well as with solar

[@AvionAwesome]

Of course.

[@LuisMartinez-dt3id]

Those wires are very easy to cut you should get a couple brackets cuz other ways you going to lost it be careful

[@openeyes3195]

I have seen one run a small a/c 5000 Frigidaire smart chip low start power. Look into it..

[@JasonCunningham-ne4ui]

I have yet to hear how long the generator will stay charged with zero usage until it has to be recharged. Good video.

[@AvionAwesome]

Inergy recommends checking the charge level every 3 months or just leaving it hooked up if you are inclined to frequent use. They are lithium batteries so you NEVER want to let the batteries go completely dead for any lengthy amount of time or you risk permanent damage.

[@Dennis-mi5uw]

Yep, I'd say top it off every 90 days. I bought a 3800w ( about $4k at the time), it "said" it'd hold it's charge for 15 months. I charged it every 6 months, at the 4th charge, it wouldn't charge over 80%, and then lost the charge within 45-60 days. Very unhappy. When I get the funds, probably need to get all new batteries (uses Lithium gel packs). Gonna get a K2 as well, you can never have too much power!

[@JasonCunningham-ne4ui]

@@Dennis-mi5uw please keep me posted on your results. I'm looking into one for my house but needs to be able to remove it to big out if need be. I kept hearing good for 100,000 charges or something like that but if I use it everyday that would mean it would only last a few years.

[@Dennis-mi5uw]

@@JasonCunningham-ne4ui Knock a couple of zeros off that estimate and you'd be closer. Continuous use, they'll last maybe 3 years optimistically, occasional use, 5 years. Technology just hasn't caught up with prepper conditions. Note: "Generac" is a joke, their techs even had to admit its only a "stand-by" generator. With more than rare occasional use, they burn up/break down within a year. My best solution for now, 1 big solar (600w input, 5kw available output), 1 smaller solar (Inergy K2, @300w input), and an 8kw gas/diesel generator with a 300 gallon tank. and watch your $$$ disappear !

[@TheChrislewis1989]

@@Dennis-mi5uw $4K should have lasted you at least 10 yrs or more. Theres people that use small jackerys and have had them for year spending less than $500.00

[@ArlowBailey]

Can you just tie this into the “house batteries” of your RV? For additional storage. Then can you run your air conditioner off those batteries?

[@AvionAwesome]

Yes you can tie this directly to the house batteries. But I would never recommend trying to run an AC off your batteries.

[@HasanAyel]

should I do dual battery setup or just buy this generator for my jeep over landing ?

[@AvionAwesome]

Depends on how much energy you're going to use while you aren't driving to keep those batteries charged. Personally I wouldn't want to constantly be draining my vehicle's batteries. It put a lot of stress on your alternator.

[@tinamac5278]

I have listened to every one of the Kodiak KZbin channels here and not one of you have mentioned what it cost for the panel's the generator is no good really without the panels how much are the solar panels

[@AvionAwesome]

I just bought the HQST 100w solar panels off Amazon - bit.ly/HQST100W No one talks about the solar panels because whatever panels are used, it doesn't have much to do with the generator itself. You can still charge the Kodiak by 2 other means besides solar. As a side note, the small 50w panels that are in this video are no longer being made by Inergy.

[@Dennis-mi5uw]

Go check out solar panel reviews. Inexpensive 100watt flex panels can be found for around $99 each (about like a thick heavy-duty table cloth). The trick is to buy a top quality power controller. Again, see the tests and reviews for solar panels on YT.

[@Dennis-mi5uw]

...oh yeah, the K2 can handle up to 600 watts of input power to charge.

[@stephenchristian5739]

crazy thing is over night (very soon) someone is gonna come up with the most amazing energy store/output & ALL our yetis Kodiak, Sine Pures r gonna be piles of junk like our zenneth tv's, I JUST KEEP WAITING & USE THE GAS/LPG GENS i WANT THE YETI 1400 BUT damn u just know there is another huge break through coming ..tomorrow

[@ehsoule]

Is it ok to charge the kodiak with the gas generator since most gas generators are not pure sine wave?

[@AvionAwesome]

The Predator is pure sine wave. Perfectly safe!

[@codymiller8505]

Alot of appliances that have a power block that converters AC to DC can handle modified sine wave inputs because it ends up rectifying and filtering the electricity to fit the appliance. So the "dirty" AC isnt really an issue.

[@Dennis-mi5uw]

Should be fine. "Batteries" are very tollerant of input [charging] power. The generator output needs to be clean for your sensitive electronic devices. Kinda technical, but I suspect the K2 contains some nice capacitors, and a Full-Wave-Bridge-Rectifier on it's output, for a clean sine wave.

[@chrisolbrycht3700]

Thanks you for excellent review. I'm looking for something to use with engine block heater when I have no power supply. Can this work for about 2 hours and how a very cold weather lm for Canada affect the battery.

[@AvionAwesome]

It might but most heaters consume about 1500W per hour. The Kodiak only has 1100W total. It's not really that practical. Your best bet would be to use some type of heating lamp at 250W - amzn.to/2WXa7si That would allow you to use it for 3-4 hours.

[@Dennis-mi5uw]

Chris, don't think the K2 would be big enough. My engine block heater sucked up a 3800 watt in about 2.5 hours at -10 degrees. Sounds like you should look into a refurbished/rebuilt truck APU from ThermoKing (imho, the best) or Carrier, for about $2500 installed (new units $6k-$8k). They come out of wrecked tractor-trailor rigs.

[@chrisolbrycht3700]

@@Dennis-mi5uw Thanks

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

By the way, how long did it take to charge up the Kodiak with the gas generator???

[@blairbushproject]

imasurvivornthriver they have a regular AC charger and a fast charger is sold separately

[@johnmartz9384]

Awesome!!!!!!!

[@ronniesolomon5235]

Will it run an ac unit?

[@AvionAwesome]

Maybe a small one with enough batteries. But you aren't running a full size rooftop A/C with only this.

[@MethosFilms]

I have the inergy apex. It does run my ac unit i have. My ac is draws 320 watts and surge cycle of approximately 800 watts for a few seconds.

[@AvionAwesome]

What is the size of your AC? 5000 BTUs? 320 watts at 120 volts is only a few amps. But 3 amps on a 12 volt system is 30 amps. That would kill the Apex battery in a couple of hours.

[@monkeypolice3048]

Can this run a desktop?

[@AvionAwesome]

Easily. I was running a compound saw, my air compressor and my shop vac with is today.

[@MUUB]

How is a solar generator stealthy if you have 3-5 solar panels gleaming in the sun ? I've heard this argument a number of times and it makes no sense. The argument says that a gas generator is worse because of noise and fumes. The truth is if you are close enough to smell and hear a gas generator, you are more than close enough to see gleaming solar panels which can be seen from miles away.

[@leoschneider3570]

Solar generators don’t actually generate anything, they store and convert power

[@AvionAwesome]

By that logic no generator does. Traditional ones only store gas and then convert that gas into usable power. Same concept.

[@hifiuniversalmusic8537]

Wow I have a predator and planing for a kodiak

[@tomibach9712]

have read many many many reviews..CAREFUL on what solar you use for charging!!!! many problems with this side of things...

[@blairbushproject]

Tom Ibach they cut out the solar problems by going proprietary as the mistakes people made they blamed on the company or forced user damage claims to the warranty.

[@deenibeeniable]

That Predator sounds like a semi.

[@AvionAwesome]

It’s only loud on camera. It’s actually extremely quiet.

[@bigrvhd5861]

This is what is needed... the other 250WH chargers are the JV league compared to this.

[@jimsanders4728]

How about "AC" ?

[@Dennis-mi5uw]

What about A/C ??? I'd rate it up there with food, water, guns, & gold.

[@dnhman]

I would just recharge the Kodiak with your truck via the cigarette adapter

[@AvionAwesome]

I have a few times but I don’t want to make it A habit because it will eventually kill the alternator.

[@Vtrainband]

What is he doing ?

[@mrldr1595]

Putting your under the bed is definitely noise insulated

[@chuckycheese432]

how come nobody explains how long you can run your air conditioning in your RV before the stupid thing dies

[@AvionAwesome]

You might be able to run a 13,500 btu for about a 1/2 hour.

[@thesecret2]

more then likely it has capacitors in it

[@richardholmes2268]

The high voltage electrical device, almost touching the gas cans. Yep, that seems OK, I suggest you continue to do that.

[@AvionAwesome]

Useful comment 😴

[@f-j-Services]

Well seems awesome that you have your cars exhaust butted up next to your tank. Along with it mounted to a negative frame. hmmmmmmmmmmm

[@toptobottom247]

What if I did 600 watts of solar with a 3000-watt pure sine inverter and 8 heavy duty deep cycle batteries? (Air conditioning for half the day on low) is my goal.

[@AvionAwesome]

With current technology it’s simply not possible. Well, possible, but completely impractical. Those batteries would be trash in a week.

[@debbiblakeslee2373]

Anti Petrolhead look for bob wells. On YT. he has a video of a guy who has a household a/c mounted in his rig and works awesome

[@javidfarah5748]

The price is ridiculous 👎

[@AvionAwesome]

I highly doubt you'd be able to do much better. This is literally the best portable solar generator on the market. Even if you tried to build something yourself, after you factored in all the components, batteries, battery management system, wiring, inverter, enclosure AND the time it would take you to learn how to assemble everything, you'd be in this ballpark and without a warranty or tech support. This thing is a steal!

[@duperdude25]

You can make one but better than this one from a used Tesla Batteries from cars that have sub few thousand miles having 97% or more of life left in them. Get one online for under a grand with 5.2KWh storage. Throw in an inverter/charger for 300-500. So pretty much comes to the same price but you get 5X the power. Sorry, but this is a ripoff.

[@pocketchange1951]

Good video, but it is a total waist to try and charge up any kind of battery system whether it is standard batteries or the Kodiak using a gas generator, the efficiency of a generator is poor for charging, you are better just to use the generator to power whatever 110 system you need to use or charge your Kodiak via solar, as using your alternator, yes it will charge, but the purpose of a alternator is to recharge your tow vehicle battery for a short recharge period, were as the old generator systems would charge forever, but do relialize that alternators take more fuel when they are working hard,

[@todd2456]

I stopped reading at "waist". LOL

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@todd2456 Then you missed "were as" (whereas)

[@todd2456]

@@recoveringsoul755 Good catch!

[@supremeautomotive6749]

You do realize these predator generators are very fuel efficient they have eco mode and will use little fuel to just charge this up.

[@blairbushproject]

Pocket Change actually there are times where it is efficient to use the generator to charge your batteries. And namely when there’s no sun or wind. That dead zone continues for several days and your batteries are prone to damage. If you monitor your power and know when to use what and where, sometimes a period of charge while your gen is on is better than low voltage disconnect and hold.

[@johnrider7826]

Who the hell want to hear your generator at a camp site? Learn to use solar proper.

[@carlsbadbeach9088]

That's not what I want to see I want to see if you can plug it in and you are bi and make all this function stuff you know

[@dervismedina3527]

I do not recommend this product at all. The warranty is bad. I bought mine 10 months ago. The first time I used it the external battery did not work, now if I am wrong they are going to charge me. It came with that problem now I paid for something that does not worth.

[@douggemmill3497]

Fix your ears

[@AvionAwesome]

Wow! Never heard that before 😆 Fix your attitude and then go fuck yourself!

[@AvionAwesome]

Wow! Never heard that before 😆 Fix your attitude and then go fuck yourself!

[@toptobottom247]

I can't listen to all that noise every day. He would have to go. I hate fossil fuel generators.

[@AvionAwesome]

Honestly this is the quietest generator I have ever used in my entire life! It only sounds much louder on the video because of the automatic gain that the microphones on the camera uses. Currently this is the best, cheapest most viable way to run an air conditioning system off grid.

[@probablysmokingcigars]

Truth... I have this generator and pull it out of my truck. It’s super quiet out in the open and just 15 yards away with all my windows open. Properly vented and perfectly quiet. I don’t love using gas, but until I can get a solar set up, this is it!

[@jcoats5529]

That generator is crap

[@AvionAwesome]

I’ve had mine for two years and I’ve traveled through15 states since I made that video and it still works as good as the day I bought it.