Generator Installed or Seperate

sayoung wrote:


I am adding a front 50amp to our rv,did you bother with the transfer switch?

we just need to run the gen when stopped for short periods as we have 2 small dogs that we now have to take with us due to meds they each have to have daily for siezures.
We had a built in on our class A but I am just going to set in truck for now.later maybe permenate.

you don't need an ATS if you will connect the gen to your normal shore line in connection. The ATS is so that you don't have two connected at once. We also had cat with need for insulin.

Built in is just way more convenient. Need to use genset just push a button. No cans,no cords,no security issues.
While I may occasionally boon dock. I am a convenience user.
Want to stop at Cracker Barrel on a hot day. Just put dog in the 5'er and turn on A/C no fuss no muss no preparation needed.
Want to stop in a rest area and make lunch vs. going to a restaurant. Just press the button microwave and A/C are on. Nothing to set up.
Decide to overnight at Wal mart during the summer. Instant A/C is available at the press of a button.
Truck breaks down or you're stranded for any reason. Electricity is available.

Having built in means RV is always self contained. Truck and trailer are separated A/C stays with RV where it is needed vs.riding off with truck if portable is mounted in truck bed.
For a full timer a built in genset is the way to go. It will allow you to be flexible with your schedule and roadside stops. Great for leaving pets in RV when necessary. Never any set up or security worries.

quinlanthomas wrote:
Thanks so much for all the great info. This has been a big help. we use to have an A, went to a B and now going back up to the 5th to be a full timer. I like the auto start feature cuz we do have a pet. Looking at Winn. and Grand Design both 36s and looking at the F350 DRW diesel. That truck seems to be the norm for 5th wheelers.

Onan Energy Command 30W is the wireless controller with autostart.

plug & play, add one wire to the hot lead to power up the controller.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
In bed of truck in it's own self contained enclosure with it's own 12 gallon gas tank.

Course I have a longbed truck PLUS my 5vr has dual 50A receptacles.
One front and one rear....can plug in shore power cord from either end.
Generator power cord has 50A plug so it can be plugged in either end also.

I also can use generator at home to power S&B during monsoon power outages (fridge/freezer/lights)

Just more versatile for me plus doesn't take up 5vr storage.



LINK

Personally, I'd look at putting a cargo rack on the rear of a non-genprepped FW. Enclosure like yours for security and, most likely, a removable exhaust stack to get fumes up and away from the windows. Had a small 1k watt unit on the end of my 50' 30a cord set the alarm off in my FW with the windows open. Surprised hell out of everyone there.

Lyle

Old-Biscuit wrote:
In bed of truck in it's own self contained enclosure with it's own 12 gallon gas tank.

Course I have a longbed truck PLUS my 5vr has dual 50A receptacles.
One front and one rear....can plug in shore power cord from either end.
Generator power cord has 50A plug so it can be plugged in either end also.

I also can use generator at home to power S&B during monsoon power outages (fridge/freezer/lights)

Just more versatile for me plus doesn't take up 5vr storage.



LINK

I am adding a front 50amp to our rv,did you bother with the transfer switch?

we just need to run the gen when stopped for short periods as we have 2 small dogs that we now have to take with us due to meds they each have to have daily for siezures.
We had a built in on our class A but I am just going to set in truck for now.later maybe permenate.

In bed of truck in it's own self contained enclosure with it's own 12 gallon gas tank.

Course I have a longbed truck PLUS my 5vr has dual 50A receptacles.
One front and one rear....can plug in shore power cord from either end.
Generator power cord has 50A plug so it can be plugged in either end also.

I also can use generator at home to power S&B during monsoon power outages (fridge/freezer/lights)

Just more versatile for me plus doesn't take up 5vr storage.



LINK

I have had both, portable & installed. Current rig has the installed and I won't go back to portable. Portable is loading and unloading it(mine was over 200 lbs to be able to run 2 AC's, Texas weather), keeping up with gas cans, having to hook it up to use it, worrying about it wandering off if you go into town, leave it in the bed of the truck and you have no AC when you go to town.

Installed is push the button. I do have a toy hauler which has a 30gal gas tank so I don't depend on propane. As for the noise level, it's directly under my bed and at night I will wake up and check the night light to make sure it's still running. It's that quiet in the RV. Outside is different, it's louder outside than inside, mainly cooling fan noise, the exhaust is drowned out by the fan. With the installed tank I have from ~30-50 hours run time depending on how many AC's I use.

Some talk about having the portable at the house for emergency power. My RV is less than 50' from the house and I keep the gas tank full.

Thanks so much for all the great info. This has been a big help. we use to have an A, went to a B and now going back up to the 5th to be a full timer. I like the auto start feature cuz we do have a pet. Looking at Winn. and Grand Design both 36s and looking at the F350 DRW diesel. That truck seems to be the norm for 5th wheelers.

I installed an onboard propane generator. (didn't want to carry gas can)

during one of our recent trips, it was 96 degrees (feels like 102) when we pulled into the campground at 9 pm. I fired up the gen (with managers approval) and turned on the A/C while we waited to register, pulled to our site, and got setup.. soon as the shore power was connected, I turned off the generator. A/C kept running.

thxs to Dbbls, I forgot that I started the gen to be able to use the microwave during a lunch break stop at a rest area.

I also have the wireless controller for autostart.. haven't used it for that yet.

My FW was not gen prepped, another reason I selected the wireless controller. I found a used, not working 7kw gas genset for $200, repaired it ($45), converted it to propane.

How often do you plan to boondock?

If you will be boondocking a lot, I would get a built in. I would go gasoline as it's easier to bring back a couple 5 gal jugs and get a few more days use. Propane is a lot less convienent to get refilled.

If you will be using it a few times a month, I would go with portable to keep the cost down.