This Friday I take ownership of a new 2014 Forest River Silverback 33RL. My wife and I plan to go off grid for most vacations to get away. The 33RL has two AC units, a 15,000 BTU in the main room and a 13,500 in bedroom. I am trying to find a solution to running only ONE generator at a time at night but not have to carry or manhandle a 150 to 200 lb generator.Wow, I would have thought that finding a small portable generator to run a 13,500 BTU AC generator at bedtime and that could be combined to run in parallel with another for running a 15,000 BTU AC during the day would be simple. Wrong. The best would be to have two generators so one can be backup at night. I can live with more heat during the day but I have to have a cool room to sleep.After searching the web, I don’t seem to be able to find a solution with all inverter generators on the market. When will someone design a 2500-2800 to run a 13,500 and then combine another 2500-2800 to run a 15,000 RV AC?Am I missing something

We use two Honda EU2000i generators with Companion Kit with Parallel Cables. They run our 15000 BTU AC unit (Coleman unit) in the living room of our 5er.

hmmm - I guess there is no kit to combine the 3000K Hondas?

You can make your own 'kit' for about $24.Yamaha EF2400iS--will it run a 13.5 air? Honda EU3000 or Yamaha EF2400is? (2007)

Hi,You could get a 4500 watt yamaha or honda

We've two Yamaha 2400is generators that can be hooked together (their older models), but I usually just run one. It'll power the AC, big TV (40") and some lights all at once. If we're going to be boondocking for a while in heat, I'll bring the second and have 30 amp capability. Each weighs about 80 lbs so I can move them about without a lot of hassle.

Generator to run AC | Good Sam Community

39 Replies

jmac2009
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
FlGaCpl wrote:
jmac, I have the exact same fifth wheel as you and I am trying to answer the same question. My previous fifth wheel was a toyhauler and had an Onan 5500 in it. I did not use it much but when I did it was nice to have it built in. The trouble I had with it was I had to clean the carb a number of times due to lack of use, my fault. With the unit being a toyhauler I was not concerned with the loss of storage.
Now that I have a unit just like yours, a built in is not possible without loss of storage. Here are a couple options I am looking at.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/onan-generators/2000w-yamaha-gen-kit.htm

Two Rybois with parallel kit
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-2200-Watt-Gasoline-Powered-Digital-Inverter-Generator-RYI2200/203617901?N=bx9n

http://www.homedepot.com/p/LIFAN-3-600-Watt-Energy-Storm-9-HP-270cc-Inverter-Gasoline-Powered-Generator-ESI3600iER/203369836?MERCH=RV-_-RV_gm_pip_rr-1-_-NA-_-203369836-_-N

As you can see the prices vary. Either option will handle on AC unit. Quietness is a big factor. I do not see myself using a generator often or for extended periods of time. That is why I am leaning toward the less expensive models. Another consideration is, can I turn off the fuel and let the unit run out of gas so there would be no residual gas in the carb?

FlGaCpl

I have researched the same ones too. Since we plan to Dry Camp in areas where we are mostly alone and probably hot, I would like to have two generators, each one capable of running the 15k AC but together running in parallel could run the entire RV if I choose too. The Boliy is less that 80 lbs, advertises it can run a 15k AC but doesn't parallel with another. It still seems to best
cpet
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
I suggest you take a look at Boily generators, they are a true sine wave, very light (I put mine in the truck tool box) and are quiet. It will run either of my A/C's without any problem and I have the extended run option which uses a boat gas tank to not have a re-fueling problem.
SailingOn
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
Comments:
- I cannot remember staying in a campground that did not restrict generator hours. Unless you count those that forbid generators.
- Not unreasonably, many people including DW consider a generator too loud if it is audible. Wind in the trees, bubbling brooks, gentle rain are okay. Formula 1 cars in the background get a pass, sometimes even children can be tolerable. Generators and barking dogs no.
That said, when it's hot we need shore power. Happens lots around here.
When we don't need air conditioning, a small portable 2kw generator run 1-2 hrs once or twice a day will do everything else just fine.
FlGaCpl
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
jmac, I have the exact same fifth wheel as you and I am trying to answer the same question. My previous fifth wheel was a toyhauler and had an Onan 5500 in it. I did not use it much but when I did it was nice to have it built in. The trouble I had with it was I had to clean the carb a number of times due to lack of use, my fault. With the unit being a toyhauler I was not concerned with the loss of storage.
Now that I have a unit just like yours, a built in is not possible without loss of storage. Here are a couple options I am looking at.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/onan-generators/2000w-yamaha-gen-kit.htm

Two Rybois with parallel kit
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-2200-Watt-Gasoline-Powered-Digital-Inverter-Generator-RYI2200/203617901?N=bx9n

http://www.homedepot.com/p/LIFAN-3-600-Watt-Energy-Storm-9-HP-270cc-Inverter-Gasoline-Powered-Generator-ESI3600iER/203369836?MERCH=RV-_-RV_gm_pip_rr-1-_-NA-_-203369836-_-N

As you can see the prices vary. Either option will handle on AC unit. Quietness is a big factor. I do not see myself using a generator often or for extended periods of time. That is why I am leaning toward the less expensive models. Another consideration is, can I turn off the fuel and let the unit run out of gas so there would be no residual gas in the carb?
Leland1950
Explorer
Feb 07, 2014
I have 2 Honda 2000i in paralell and the 6 gal. extend tank. Runs my 15000btu AC and the refrigerator fine. A little bother to set up, but just use one in the AM before the heat comes. They're chained to the landing legs and had no problems last season.

Have since added a 7000watt in the truck bed that has a 30 amp cord from the 5er to keep things cool before we stop. About 4hrs will do it. At the small race tracks we go to around the country, noise is not a problem, so just use that one. Have a homemade genturi exhaust and that helps a lot with the noise but will try the plywood baffles mentioned earlier.

This will be our second season and last year went great, put about 6000 miles on the trailer with my F550 CC LB DW. That disastoris 6.0 has given me 0 problems, all you have to do is service on a regular basis. (and make a few sneaky mods)
driveandfish
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
If there are any other campers in the vicinity I think you will have problems. Even a quiet Honda is irritating to fellow campers in the middle of the night. State and National Forest campgrounds usually have 10pm limitations on generators. Perhaps you have some of your own acreage you plan on being at but if you are sharing the great outdoors be aware you will be the pariah.
Winged_One
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
My Yamaha EF3000ISEB runs my 15k just fine. Bought it just for that reason (for the battery boost).

However, in my case, my gen never leaves the truck and is stored inside all the time and/or under the roll up bed topper. YMMV
DrBlackrose
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/Marine-News/SmartStart-Reduces-Startup-Surge/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2wEEqEjrv8
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 06, 2014
Hi DrBlackrose,

Do you have a link?
DrBlackrose
Explorer
Feb 05, 2014
My Yamaha 2400ishc would start my 13500 AC but it was hard on it during start up. It did have a hard start kit on it also. I was told about the Dometic Smart start that is mainly used on boat AC's and decided to try it. It makes a ton of difference! It ramps up the AC using hertz control. The genny doesn't even struggle on start up.