Westinghouse iGen2500 Vs Predator 3500 (Which To Buy) 

We have used the ru-vid.comUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!

Another excellent video, Mike and Lynn! Nice work, and thank you again for all of your support of our EasyStart product and your review of the Westinghouse iGen2500. I've read through almost all of the comments so far, and there are lot of similar questions. Rather than attempt to answer them all individually, I thought I would instead elaborate on our own and our extensive customer-provided experiences running two A/C units on generators, with or without EasyStarts, and what the limitations actually are. First of all, ignoring the starting amps for a moment, your 13.5kBTU Dometic Penguin II A/C will draw about 13A steady-state running amps on a 90°F day like you were enduring in your video. Your 15kBTU Dometic Penguin II will draw about 14.5A on a similar day. Together, they are drawing a total of about 3300W of steady-State power (120V x 27.5A = 3300VA = ~3000W). Now, according to the manual for your Predator 3500, it is capable of supporting 3500 *starting* amps, but only 3000W of *running* amps. Not all generators are created equal, and exactly where the generator will declare it overload fault (and light its associated fault LED) depends on how it was designed. According to the Predator's manual, on page 14, it explicitely states that overload will occur if you exceed the *running* amps specification. So, this means that your two A/Cs, even if you were able to get them started with an EasyStart in each of them, there is _no way_ that your Predator could *sustain* their combined operation thereafter, and it would quickly overload and shut down its AC output. Hopefully it now makes sense as to why it would not work, and how it actually has nothing to do with EasyStart. Typically, our customers that have Airstreams with two A/Cs like yours, with EasyStart installed into each of them, can start and run BOTH on a 30A utility cord (3600W minimum steady-state power available), or on two 2000W generators running in parallel (4000W). Ironically, most Airstreams fitted with two A/C units have 50A hookup connectors and capacity. But as you well know, 50A hook-ups at campgrounds are harder to come by, are usually more expensive to rent, and sometimes don't exist at all! As a result, many of our customers who only boondock 10-20% of the time tell us that being able to start and run both A/Cs on a 30A cord actually is more important to them than the fact that they can run one A/C on a single 2000W generator, or both A/Cs on two 2000W generators in parallel. I hope everyone finds this information helpful.

Remember we’re looking at amps...... The Harbor Freight 3500 - 25 amp generator...... 15,000 BTU AC = 14 amps. // inverter = 6 amps. // water heater = 3 amp... it makes 23 Amps,,,,, 2 amps to spare........Excellent generator for the money....This summer will be 4 years pushing 2000 hours. .. It would be nice to see them make a bigger one or diesel version ..... running that NGK-BPR7ES.... Royal purple 10-30 synthetic / HPS with SYNERLEC

Great video Mike! I have the Honda EU3000is to run an 11,500 btu a/c we also run our vitamix, TV, lights and other items simultaneously without an issue. My wife wanted me to get the 2000 but I didn’t want to be under powered. I do have wheels on it and a folding aluminum ramp so the 134 pound Honda is not an issue to put in the truck. We love your videos and look forward to many move!

The one thing you have to consider as well is longevity and how hard the generator has to work. Because the Predator is larger and has a larger engine it doesn't have to work as hard to produce the same power.

We have the Generac ix2000 that I bought at Costco 2 summers ago for around $425. It runs the AC in our teardrop trailer. It's not as quiet as the Honda but it's not terribly loud either. We very rarely use it but its nice to have in case we need to cool the trailer down on a miserable hot day.

You could use a Westinghouse parallel cord to parallel the Predator with the Westinghouse. I've used that parallel cord to connect my Westinghouse iGen2500 to my Aldi Workzone 2000. They share the load while connected together with the parallel cord.

The predator will run an A/C unit at idle or slight rev and burn less fuel than the Igen 2500 at full revs trying to keep up with the A/C demand amps.Also you will have to shut off the Igen to run Microwave or perhaps the on board 12 v converter . Better to have a generator run easy than stressing it at full capacity .Predator is heavy but you have a wife to help.

Mike, How about starting with the 13.5 on both then turn on the 15.5 with the easy start to see how they handle the load. Startup is the hardest part of operation.

Great video and thanks for the support!

Great video to find. Love that you picked each one up. I'm debating on one or the other. It's just the weight incise thing because of storage. thing. I want. I'm going to use it for a shed house. I only have a 5000 AC. And a 700 Watt microwave. Trying to get all low-wattage things. LED TVs are like a hundred, and then LED lights are nothing. Ceramic heater 1500 / 7:50. And of course, a two or three big items won't be running at the same time. I'm thinking / hoping smaller generator will do. Love your video. Compared to others. Very practical..

I have the Westinghouse IGen2200. It runs my campers AC, it's a side mounted residential AC unit along with everything else. It will also when hooked up to my house for backup power my gas furnace, lights, refrigerator and tv and internet. It's for sure a winner. I did add a hour meter to it and use only corn free fuel.

I just purchased a used motorhome with an Onan 5500 generator. I have been thru the paces with my Kholer Geny on my previous motorhome. After spending hours tinkering with the Onan and watching vids on how to drain 1 pint of oil and all your problems will be solved and burning up a starter cranking to high heaven... I bought the Predator 3500 and was able to run both my A/C's out of the box... I noted that I was pulling 19 amps of the available 25 amps with the fans set on HIGH.... outside temp 76F.... have yet check the BTU's but if I had to guess they are 13.5. Would like to have seen in the vid the amps (1) unit was drawing and what the fan speed was.... realistically in my MH (1) A/C with an oscillating fan would keep it comfy... for those of you who want to dry age beef in your R/V then I guess you would have to jump through all these hoops to get it down to 48F... but hey that's why we love the RV experience...An don't forget that roll of aluminum roof patch and a (2) tubes of Lap Sealant (self Leveling)

Very informative video! Thanks for the info! New Subscriber!

I love my Predator! It runs my 15,000 BTU AC with no problems! I don't mind the weight.. Great video Mike.

thanks, you just made my day !

I put an Micro Air EasyStart in my 13,500 BTU A/C unit and now I can run all day on my 2000watt Predator.

That is a good assessment, but you may also want to run a toaster, microwave, water pump, etc. It comes down to your needs, coupled with the other factors you brought up in your video.

Start the non easy start A/C then the easy start, that should work!

YOU ~ ROCK ! !

That is a nice little generator. I checked out its specs, and it has an engine with less than half the displacement as the Predator 3500. The fuel tank is also just 1 gallon vs. 2.6 on the Predator. I really do like that it's half the weight though.

Throw a parallel kit on them combining the power of both, fire up both A/C's and call it done. But in all honesty, I have a 32' fiver and a single 15,000BTU unit and it keeps my unit nice and comfy. You could cool 1000SF with the combined total of those two rooftops.

Good vid guys, we always enjoy your take on things. Just think some day you'll be as good as RV Daydream lolol. BURRRRRNnnnn. lol

For the rv’ers that don’t have the easy start, on either the 13500 or the 15000 air conditioners, only the Predator will start them. We do a lot of boondocking, and I also have a 2300watt Generator along with the Predator. The Predator is for the warmer camping when I need a air conditioner, and can also run the microwave without shutting the air off. In cooler weather I mainly run the 2300 watt for charging the batteries, microwave, tv’s etc. They both have there pros and cons. I mounted the Predator over the propane tanks, batteries, with a generator rack to eliminate awkward lifting. Cut a hole in the shelf of the rack to eliminate removing for maintenance and oil changes. Predators design for oil changes is much better than the smaller generators. Had to switch from the standard hard propane tank covers to a soft cover to remove tanks for refilling without removing generator and rack. Predator basically stays mounted 24/7 on the trailer, locked and covered for traveling.

A major consideration that most don't consider when sizing a generator for camping or RV use is ALTITUDE. The higher you camp the less power your generator will produce. The vast majority of these type generators have carburetors that are not adjustable for mixture. I have a 2200/2000 watt inverter generator that when used under 2,000 feet elevation will power multiple appliances at the same time (not a/c) but at 6800-7000 feet won't even run a convection oven.

Good video. Would like to see you get the 2nd easy start and try this. Btw, it's time to redo the intro, out with the Jay bird and in with the silver bullet.

Good video always enjoy y’all oh by the way it was 107 degrees last Saturday in Fort Worth Texas

Great video.

Something to consider. The Westinghouse does not have a 30 Amp outlet but can be paralleled to run more than one together. However, at 120 v x 20 amp means it's max is 2400 watts. I hope you don't have a 30 amp plug? Since a 13,500 btu AC can draw up to 2750 watts to start, I'm not surprised that neither generator would run both.

Would a Predator 2000 watt generator with the soft start run a Dometic 13500 BTU ac?

I bought the easy start for my 13.5 k btu AC and in AZ heat it would run when temps are under 92* but when above that it could not do it. I was using my Honda EU2000i gen. SO I tried the predator and fired up all day everyday. So if you want to get rid of your predator Send it my way . :)

Great videos. You two are funny.

Yes it's Lighter , easier to run with !

I just ordered a Microair Easy Start and the Westinghouse generator based on your reviews. I plan on doing quite a bit of boon docking out west along with a trip to Alaska next year and wanted a generator for the times when it may be too hot for me and/or the dog and to recharge the batteries if solar won't keep up. I can't lower the tailgate on my truck if I'm still connected to the trailer so I needed a smaller "luggable" generator. I considered a Honda, but for the price of it versus the Westinghouse I figured I'd keep $400 to spend on something else, especially when I'm not sure how much it'll get used.

Talk about timing - I literally just bought a westinghouse Igen4500 with remote start from home depot to recharge my batteries and run my dual AC. Have you thought about getting a 15 amp / 30 amp -> 50 amp adapter and run both generators simultaneously?

Luv that micro air. Don’t think many people know about it. More do now though. Now get the one installed in the bedroom. Happy wife happy life. Luved your trailer backup video. Take a refresher course every every now n then since u published it. Thank You n Your Bride.

consider what else you will be running besides the ac the predator is quieter and has more power it would be my over all choice

I wish the Westinghouse 2500 had been available when I bought a SmarterTools iQ2000 three years ago as it will not start my Brisk II 15k. I haven't installed my EasyStart yet, but MicroAir indicated that the iQ2000 may not run the AC once it starts.

Predator 3500 with the big wheel kit and don't look back. Change the oil the first 8, 30 and 100 hours, then every 100 hours their after and clean the spark arrester. The stock Bosch sparkplug is fine. Change it once a year.

I also have the Predator 3500 and really like it. I recently bought an A-iPower SUA2000i, 2000W/1600W inverter from Amazon. I have successfully run them both in parallel with the front panel plugs on each and the parallel cables that were supplied with the SUA2000i. I ran two 1500W space heaters, and an 1850 hand held hair dryer with the parallel setup. The heaters actually read 1400W while running, and the hair dryer, 1650W. Why not try this to see if you can run both air conditioners and also increase your power flexibility? If the schematic shows the parallel ports wired in parallel with the 15 amp panel plugs, (The Predator Does) then it is exactly the same as running a "Suicide" cord without the danger. You'll be able to fuel without losing power whenever one unit goes dry, and both units together will still be quieter than one at maximum output. It also should make an interesting video for your viewers. BTW, I really enjoy your videos, keep up the good work!

Could hear the Westinghouse rev up when the air conditioner compressor was running. Quite noticeable and your neighbors will notice as well. Also, the Westinghouse was probably maxxed with the air conditioner and could not run anything else such as the refrigerator or something else. For me, Predator wins as I will not be moving it around much once I place it where I want it when camping and it will run multiple things without revving like there is no tomorrow. And running 2 Westinghouse generators would just be stupid in the long run.

Would the Whouse by itself start and keep the 13.5 AC running ? Pls advise, thanks.

Whats the fuel capacity difference between the two? That plus the extra 1k watts the predator provides could be the reason for the added weight. Hard to see but does the predator stay below the bed rails in the truck?

You should take both and use the Westinghouse, and it is nice to have the predator as a backup. Who wants to take a chance on 90 degree weather, better safe then sorry

Just so you know, an underpowered ac will burn out the compressor motor twice as fast with or without your soft start!

Am I missing something. In order to run the second air conditioner you need 240v or the 50 amp plug. I thought when running 110v or 30 amps only one A/C will work and only the fan will work on the second A/C.

Does that Westinghouse start your AC without the capacitor? I know for a fact that the Predator 2000 Inverter generator cannot start a 12,000 BTU window AC because I tried.

Predator ran two 5000 btu AC's, 18 cubic ft. fridge, LED tv's and lights in my house for 5 days when we lost power. Better to have more than less...I also can lift 80 lbs easily so no problem there.

Hey Mike. With the Predator, did you try to start the non-Easy Start ac first... get it running... then add the the Easy Start ac unit. I wonder if that might actually give you the ability to run both at once.

Why do you keep the eco mode on with ac units? I have three different inverter generators & all three inverters tell you to not run in the eco mode on ac units. They know the surge is significant & want the engine at the full rpm at start up.

Would it make sense to run just the br A/C at night, and the cabin A/C during the day?

Lots of good 7000 watt electric start generators for about $999. That will run your RV including A/C, refrigerator and TV.

Wonder how the Predator 2000 would run compared to the Westinghouse, I think they are around the same price or close in price, so it would be a no brainer to go Westinghouse 2500 instead of Predator 2000....another great informational video MIke and Lynn

Having worked shift work all my life, I’m always interested in what others do. I’m now retired.

How did you have them plugged into the RV it can affect the useable amps?

Did you end up selling the predator and get another westinghouse and a parallel kit???

Cool

I just recently purchased a Champion 3500. I also have a westernhouse 2000 the problem that I was having with the Westernhouse is that I couldn't run my air conditioner, TV and microwave at the same time. I would have to turn something off to prevent overload. I notice with the champion gen I can run everything at once which is a plus. Even though the champion gen is much heavier but now I don't have the worries of overload. Great Video!

Can you run 2 Westinghouse in unison to achieve your voltage goals

But I like the predator because it comes down for me anyway to how long I can run my air conditioner out of 30% induction as opposed to the smaller generator running at 75% predator will chew through much less fuel and last much longer.

Did you try the preditor with the oil door off? They are very air starved and won't handle a load without allowing more air in. Give it a try.

Great video: Everyone has different needs and options. I noticed several replies that say they would prefer the predator for travel. Something you didn’t mention is electric start on predator. I’m thinking that some folks with a pickup truck pulling a travel trailer might just leave it in the truck saving their backs (again electric start is a nice touch) plus the quieter more powerful gen preferred by some. But again to each his own. Thanks for sharing!

Also, Westinghouse can be paired together for far more power.

can you run the AC and the refrigerator on the Westinghouse?

Nice

Yes but what about when your fridge your lights then what it won't cut it

Was the predator able to run your ac and fridge? I’m stuck between generators. I have a 40ft fiver

I did some looking around and found that a Dometic 13500BTU AC unit draws 1670W running. I'd expect the 15k BTU unit is a bit more than that, so with an Easy Start on both AC units, the Predator might be able to run both, but it would likely be near max output.

I see you have an air stream rv. Just asking what is it about the air stream that people love. Only been in one time short look. thanks

What if you started with the one without Easy Start, then trying the one with Easy Start.

I wish the Westinghouse could run my A/C and microwave and TV.

Has anyone been able to compare noise level of the Westinghouse 2500 to a Yamaha or Honda 2000?

Have you thought about paralleling the 2 generators? That would give you the power you need to run both air conditioners.

I literally have both also.

I know they don't allow gen's after hrs in campgrounds but you'd think with how quiet the new inv-gen's are, they'd change that rule. Whaddaya think?

Is the iGen2500 quieter at idle and under load compared to the 3500? Thanks.

Nice video! The Westinghouse website doesn't say anything about a parallel kit for the 2500. Just wonder if that would be an option. Together, they would have more power than the Predator and could possibly run both conditioners.

I know this an older video and a good one but was wandering about run time / fuel capacity comparison . Getting up in the night to refuel could be a negative for sure.

Just Saying, If you care Generac is the only one made in USA, they make some serious Generators, some really great pressure washers also, They are made in Wisconsin.

You should have ran the 13500 BTU without the soft start, with the Westinghouse to see if it could do it

Can that Westinghouse run wth ac without the softstart ?

Is that Westinghouse capable of being run in parallel with another? If so, that could be a good solution.

Will the iGen2500 start and run the 13,500 BTU AC without the EasyStart? Good videos. Thanks!

Great video. Are you still planning on doing the meet up at Edge Odells campground?

Why would it be harder to run or start the A/C when it's hotter outside?

What most people don't have is 2 air conditioners... On there rv... Many of us run 30 amp... The predator is much better in this scenario... We can run air, fridge, TV. lights and still have power to spare.. Try that with a Westinghouse...

How many hours do you have on the Westinghouse now? Is it holding up good still?

Mike is that two dents on the back right side corner

Parallel the Westinghouse with another iGen2500 after you sell the Predator for the cost of the second iGen. All problems solved and you have a higher level of redundancy if one fails with a healthier back and more amps than either in a solo condition.

New intro should feature the airstream

I went with the Predator, I'd rather have too much generator than not enough.

When they're sitting side-by-side, the Westinghouse looks like a gas can you would use to fill the Predator with. Lol.

I was curious if you have a 27’ travel trailer with a 1300 btu air conditioner do you need just 1 or do you need 2 Westinghouse igen2500’s ?? Say to stay cool on a hot summer day in Texas on a beach??? Lol Thanks an Great Video!! You sold me!!

Any longer term feedback ?

And you can get another westinghouse and parallel the that will give you more watts

Hiya - Some questions, Pls... *Can you run the Westinghouse gen in parallel with another Westinghouse gen, should you need more power? *If yes, is this something you would do? *Will the WH 2500 run anything else while powering the a/c? *If no, will using another Gen in parallel allow you to power the a/c and other items like appliances at the same time? I probably have more questions, but this is all that comes to mind right now... Thx in advance for replying to my questions. Cyn PS - as always - great video!!

I'd use two 2x6's...and merely push up the 100 pound Predator...into the bed of the truck, or in the taking from the bed, to the ground..no back strain...and higher capacity.

Something else about the comparison... the Westinghouse would fit under a tonneau cover if you had one on your truck bed. Doesn't look like the Predator would fit.

Why didnt you just get the predator 2000? Im confident its just as powerful as the westinghouse while being quieter, AND you can link it in unison with the 3500

Use it or loose it. Keep picking up the predator. It will keep you young. Pick it up every day ten times a day . All of a sudden you’ll find yourself buying a 10 KW and then you can run your two air conditioners and the neighbors.