My new class C unit has a very loud generator (Onan 4000) and I don't want to run it every evening to watch Dish TV when I'm dry camping. But, short of replacing the Onan with a new unit, I figure I have two options:First, buy an 1000W or 2000W inverter system which would drain my two batteries in nothing flat. (Class Cs don't have space for more than two batteries)Second, use an external generator like the Honda EU2000i. But, from what I see, it alone won't allow you to hook up the RV electric cord without buying a second EU2000i compatible unit and running both. The compatible unit has the 30A connector. The single EU2000i only has the standard 15A connector. Running the single unit alone would provide enough power, but would require running an extension cord through a window, use a power strip, unplug the Dish controller, the Cable Box, and the TV and run extension cords from each to the power strip.How in the world does everyone else do this without wires running everywhere?

I have seen guys have Class C's converted to hold four 6v batteries. They take space from one of the storage bins underneath.I camp all the time on just 110v. It will run my fridge (residential), water heater, and all my lights and TVs. If I turn off the water heater, I can run a small heater so I don't have to use propane. I have a dog bone to take me from 50A to 30A, then I have one of these to step down to 15A 110V.30A to 15A adapterAnother option is solar panels on the roof.

It depends somewhat on your television. I have a Samsung 22" (give or take an inch) that draws watts in the low 20s. The Dish receiver draws another 20-some watts. They can be powered by a small inverter, obviously. We had a 150w Samlex which was big enough but it ran from a plug in 12v lighter style outlet. The voltage drop on the 12v side was a continual problem. I switched to a hard wired 300W inverter now.I bought a power strip that has a switch on each individual outlet. It is plugged into an outlet that is dedicated from the inverter. So no messing around with moving cords and such. When we are on shore power, it works the same as when we are dry camped.For extra battery savings, you can find TVs that have a 12v brick in the power line, then eliminate that and run it direct off 12v. Actually our Samsung is that way, so I only have to run the Dish receiver off the inverter. But that is not essential; you can invert and run your TV.With two batteries (I have the same) you won't want to run the TV for hours and hours. But you can certainly watch it for a couple of hours or so. I am assuming you have LED lights in your MH. If not, do that too, it will give you more watts to play with. Get cheap warm white LEDs on ebay if you need LEDs.

There is no reason why you can't run off of a single Honda Portable generator. The unit with the 30 amp twist plug runs just fine on it's own, the same as the other model with the 20 amp outlet. Neither Honda puts out 30 amps. You probably can't run air conditioning, but it will run the rest of your coach with no problem. Our Class A has a three prong plug so it would need an adapter, no matter which on was used. We used the 2000 to run our boats systems for a few years before we installed a permanent generator.

One suggestion, you can install an inverter sized to run the TV and sat receiver and permanently wire it to the outlet for those only. It will run them all the time, even when plugged in. It will not run any other systems. These smaller units will not be as hard on your batteries as installing an inverter in the whole coach and if the power goes out, you won't miss part of your program. I have done this on may occasions in larger boats, including our own boat over the years. Chuck

I use a 350 watt psw inverter to power our 40" HDTV, HD satellite, sound bar or Bose, Blu-ray and game players. A 1K or 2K watt inverter is overkill for these entertainment items. Adapters can be used for any size portable generator to provide power to a 30amp or 50amp rig, available at Walmarts, Camping World and most any RV dealer. The also come in handy for deteriorated shore power pedestals. We have two 6 volt GC2 batteries from Samsclub and they will run our entertainment center for several hours daily, changing interior lights to LED allows for increased 12 volt usage before reaching 50% SOC.Weather permitting our solar will usually charge them back up, roughly an hour of generator time quickly replenishes consumed amphours utilizing our rig's Iota IQ4 converter.Running any generator for the sole purpose of tv watching is, as you stated, noisy and simply inefficient. We use our genny for high current draw items such as microwave, AC, heated hair appliances and so forth.

Powering Just TV and Cable | Good Sam Community

cgmartine
Explorer
Aug 30, 2015
sdwisguy, although most people use inverters, in my case, I wanted to do away with using an inverter, and went out and bought a 12 volt DVD player to work with my 12 volt Jensen tv. The reason I did this is because I wanted to remove another piece of equipment out of the equation. I have two 6 volt batteries which I can run over two hours to watch a movie. I have never depleted their loads and could probably run them about four hours.
Dakzuki
Explorer
Aug 30, 2015
2oldman wrote:
sdwisguy wrote:
. it alone won't allow you to hook up the RV electric cord without buying a second EU2000i compatible unit and running both.
No.. just use a 15a male -> 30a female on the genny and plug in your rig.

No extention cords, no mess.

Just be sure to buy a quality adapter. Most of those hockey puck looking ones are junk. Most of the "pigtail" type ones are better quality.

I run a Honda 1000 (or 2000) when dry camping in the winter. If I want to charge batteries for a protracted period of time I don't want to listen to my on board unit.

If you want to lighten the electrical load when running off a small generator, switch your fridge to LP.
tpi
Explorer
Aug 28, 2015
What works for me is a small sine wave inverter 150-300 watts. There isn't as much overhead with that for powering small loads like TV, DVD and dish system.

I highly recommend checking your entertainment equip power consumption using a Kil A Watt device. The newest generation of LED TVs are very efficient-lowest consumption in 30 inches or less. You may be able to power the whole deal on less than 50 watts.

I have no problem with powering it by solar-300 watts on roof and 300 AH batteries in factory compartment. YMMV depending on hours watched. I also have very low consumption laptop (10-15 watts typically) and LED lighting. If you rein in some of the other loads you'll have more left for the TV equipment.

At least in my case I'd try to steer TV equip consumption off a generator as much as possible. I think it's doable a majority of the time.
goreds2
Explorer
Aug 28, 2015
jaycocreek wrote:
How long does that last running the TV and dish?
My battery pack is not exactly like that. I ran a TUBE tv and cable box for about 3 to 4 hours when I tested at my house. Your results may vary. :)
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Aug 28, 2015
How long does that last running the TV and dish?
goreds2
Explorer
Aug 28, 2015
For just watching TV in my Class B, I just use one of these. This would not suffice?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-Instant-Power-with-18-Ah-Battery-and-400W-Inverter/20851262
chuckbear
Explorer
Aug 28, 2015
For any Honda portable users, here is a how to we posted on our blog for an extended run tank, http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/2011/04/extended-use-tank-for-honda-generator.html . Chuck
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Aug 28, 2015
I use the Honda 2K for my Class C rather than the Onan 4K because of noise and gas consumption.I use the Onan only for air conditioning other than the weekly run.

The Honda 2K will run everything in my motorhome or travel trailer except the air and is much more of a gas saver than the Onan,and did I say quieter,much much quieter!Use the 3-2 adapter and there is know need for extension cords.

The Honda generator last for thousands of hours and much more trouble free than the Onan.I wish they had installed a Honda 3K instead of an Onan.Quieter and much more trouble free than the Onan's.I wouldn't trade my Honda 3K for two Onans.
chuckbear
Explorer
Aug 28, 2015
dbbls wrote:
A 1000 watt Honda will run a TV and satellite receiver. It weights 30 pounds compared to 47 for a 2000 watt. Use an adapter and the 30 amp power cord plugs into the generator.

True, but with the 2000, you can also run your battery charger and other small appliances, lights, etc. if needed. Chuck
dbbls
Explorer
Aug 28, 2015
A 1000 watt Honda will run a TV and satellite receiver. It weights 30 pounds compared to 47 for a 2000 watt. Use an adapter and the 30 amp power cord plugs into the generator.

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