I am considering building my own rig (a 10-16 foot box van)and just trying to factor some costs.I see highly rated generators on Amazon, etc... for a few/several hundred dollars.I am going to be running the AC frequently in the summer, and I assume the generator will be off and on many times during the day. I assume likely multiple times per hour? I assume most RV's have the generator kick on and off with the AC. So I am wondering if something like this Amazon Link will suffice.If not, is my only option to shell out thousands for an Onan? The AC unit I am considering is 8K BTU, maybe more depending on size of box van I choose. The only thing the gen will be running will be AC, heat, and for charging battery.Is there a cheaper option? I know I could go used, but those Onans are still well over a grand used and I would prefer new.Also, I have been researching battery charging times, etc... I assume most rigs are set up to charge the battery every time the gen kicks on. Will these short duration times (while powering AC multiple times an hour) be harmful to my batteries?Additional question if anyone is up for it: I am looking to just get an A/C AC wall unit. Is that recommended or should I be looking for something specifically for an RV as well?Thank you very much in advance for any help.

You say: I assume most RV's have the generator kick on and off with the AC. Wrong, the generator will have to be manually started by you each time it is needed, it will not start automatically!

How many A/C's will you have? How big is your box van? Most RV's with one A/C as the biggest consumer of power the rest of the appliances gas will use a 4kw and 30 amp service. An 8kw might be over doing it a bit.

If you plan on camping around other people then you better get a quiet generator. You can be sure that a loud construction generator like the one you linked to on Amazon will draw the ire of campers around you. Plus you will have to listen to it too. I doubt that you'll be able to find a quiet inverter type generator of that size for less than a thousand bucks, even that seems to be low. What you need to do is find out how many watts that air conditioner draws plus the other devices you'll be running, and get a generator sized to run that plus some buffer. BK

Guysakar wrote:The AC unit I am considering is 8K BTU,. Will these short duration times (while powering AC multiple times an hour) be harmful to my batteries?A Honda 2k should power that small air con. Your linked generator is a construction model and not suitable for being in close proximity to other campers. It's loud.What's harmful to batteries is remaining in a low state of charge. (soc)

The 8K BTU model I am looking at on Amazon Link is about 800 watts.My main concern is, what the differences in an RV generator and regular generator are. I am assuming that noise is a large part.I assume you mean this one? LinkThat is excellent. I can do a grand for brand new. Heat, AC, and battery charging are the only things it will be powering.OK, so will powering up and shutting off the generator multiple times an hour hurt it? I assume most RV's don't just leave their gens running constantly while using AC. Or do they?Again, thank you all for all the help. I am really liking that Honda. it says it is as quiet as a normal conversation.

Do I need an RV specific generator? | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

FrantzFam
Explorer
Jan 08, 2014
I haven't seen anyone else ask, so I will... What are your plans for camping? At a campground? or boon-docking? If at a campground, you won't need the generator. If you are boon-docking, then the most quietest genset would be preferred by other campers around you and the wildlife you are wanting to see.
Guysakar
Explorer
Jan 08, 2014
The 8K BTU model I am looking at on Amazon Link is about 800 watts.

My main concern is, what the differences in an RV generator and regular generator are. I am assuming that noise is a large part.

I assume you mean this one? Link

That is excellent. I can do a grand for brand new. Heat, AC, and battery charging are the only things it will be powering.

OK, so will powering up and shutting off the generator multiple times an hour hurt it? I assume most RV's don't just leave their gens running constantly while using AC. Or do they?

Again, thank you all for all the help. I am really liking that Honda. it says it is as quiet as a normal conversation.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2014
Guysakar wrote:
The AC unit I am considering is 8K BTU,

. Will these short duration times (while powering AC multiple times an hour) be harmful to my batteries?
A Honda 2k should power that small air con. Your linked generator is a construction model and not suitable for being in close proximity to other campers. It's loud.

What's harmful to batteries is remaining in a low state of charge. (soc)
agesilaus
Explorer III
Jan 08, 2014
If you plan on camping around other people then you better get a quiet generator. You can be sure that a loud construction generator like the one you linked to on Amazon will draw the ire of campers around you. Plus you will have to listen to it too. I doubt that you'll be able to find a quiet inverter type generator of that size for less than a thousand bucks, even that seems to be low. What you need to do is find out how many watts that air conditioner draws plus the other devices you'll be running, and get a generator sized to run that plus some buffer.

BK
workhardplayha1
Explorer
Jan 08, 2014
How many A/C's will you have? How big is your box van? Most RV's with one A/C as the biggest consumer of power the rest of the appliances gas will use a 4kw and 30 amp service. An 8kw might be over doing it a bit.
garyindaupeh
Explorer
Jan 08, 2014
You say: I assume most RV's have the generator kick on and off with the AC.
Wrong, the generator will have to be manually started by you each time it is needed, it will not start automatically!

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Do I need an RV specific generator?

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