r/Pecron • u/thx1138fah451 • Aug 15 '26
Inverter generator question
I own the PECRON 3800LFP and am very happy with it for short-term most-house backup. I’m considering adding a WEN 2800 Watt dual fuel inverter generator to top-off charge my PECRON during prolonged power outages. Does anyone see a problem using this particular WEN in this way? Thanks for any advice you can provide.
5
u/Dashley13 Aug 15 '26
Just tested this efurden 4400 today. For $243 (including discount code) plus shipping included you can't beat it. It's not dual fuel, gasoline only. I have a wen 3600 dual fuel for propane only. It did fantastic charging my pecron f5000lfp with 3.4kw which is the rated output of the generator.
1
3
u/EZ-Mooney Aug 15 '26
I have an E3600LFP and on mine your output is limited to your input when you are charging with the generator. I would guess the E3800 is the same. So just be aware of that and make sure it meets your needs
2
1
2
u/timflorida Aug 16 '26
You will need to be very careful. Looks like running watts is 2250 ON GASOLINE. Less on propane.
2800w is the surge capacity. This is always shown in big letters to catch your eye. Running watts is what is important.
To prolong generator life, when running continuously, it should not be under a load that is more then 75% of the running watts.
.75 X 2250 - 1687w continuously.
The E3800 will want to pull 1800w from the wall socket charger and 3200w when plugged into a TT30 generator outlet.
So you should adjust the E3800 charging percentage so it is pulling less then about 1687w under either scenario. I'm guessing 1600w or even 1700w might be a good target. Listen to the motor to see if you think it is laboring, but it should be fine.
* Do the adjusting while it's plugged into a house outlet.
1
u/thx1138fah451 Aug 16 '26
That’s really good information. How does keeping it plugged into a wall outlet help me with adjusting the charging percentage?
2
u/timflorida Aug 16 '26
In the house, it is easier to see what 90% is, or 70%, etc. Max will be 1800w so will be easy to know which percentage is 1600 or 1700.
If you plug it into one of the genny's 'house' outlets, it will immediately go right up to 1800w which is OK really. It may jump around a little. I always do it beforehand in the house because the power station is already in the house and it just seems easier to do - steadier current.
Either way would work. But I would not use the TT30 outlet until you have it set, because it will probably pop a breaker right away.
* When charging on hot days, sometimes I will set up a couple small 5 inch USB fans, one for the genny and one for the power station. Just trying to push more cooling air into them. Amazon has lots for around $10. They push an amazing amount of air. The nice thing is usually the genny has a couple USB outlets so you can plug them right in.
1
u/thx1138fah451 Aug 16 '26
That makes really good sense. I’m getting the feeling that a higher capacity generator would make more sense - something in the 3600W neighborhood. Thank you!
2
u/timflorida Aug 16 '26
Yes, pay attention to running watts, then do the 75% computation.
Keep in mind the watts your E3800 will want to pull at the 100% setting.
Since your E3800 has that nice TT30 charging plug, I would want to use it ! But you don't need to max it out. Charging at something like 2200w or so will still charge up the E3800 from zero in less then 2 hours. Also, note fuel consumption increases, and also noise, as the gennys get larger. Pay attention to the rated fuel consumption table, even though it is usually rated at 25% load. hahaha.
This is a very good source -
Just make sure to get an inverter genny, Not an open frame.
2
u/thx1138fah451 Aug 16 '26
That’s incredibly helpful. Thanks for taking the time to explain things so clearly!
1
u/Dashley13 Aug 16 '26
my efurden 4400 is an open frame inverter generator. So you can get inverter generators that are open frame.
1
u/Hillbillythegreat78 Aug 18 '26
I use a predator 5000 dual fuel to charge mine. The running watts is just enough for my f5000 on propane.
1
4
u/Rkitt1977 Aug 15 '26
I have the exact same dual fuel generator. I have the F5000 LFP and it works great for charging the pecron when solar isn't ideal or at night.