So if winter or fall camping or when you are dry camping and just want to watch tv do you bring along a small Honda or whatever generator instead of using the onboard LOUDER generator ?I know some have said they use the small Honda’s to run their ac too with that Soft Start or whatever it’s called add in

Why do you need a generator to watch TV? Good solar system, adequate batteries...

I have used a Honda eu1000i for years to keep the lights on, TV, internet, etc. 5 plus hours on a tank of gas verses a 1/2 gph for the Onan.

Nope. Not sure I would want another gen when I have an onboard one that is fed from my gas tank.

yup use a Honda 1000. let it run until the gas runs out sometime around 2 or 3 AM. Have a pump hooked up to the gas line so I can fill it and the anything else that needs gas. Just flip the switch on the pump that is in the batt comparmenet and stick the fuel hose in the Honda tank.

“use a Honda 1000. let it run until the gas runs out sometime around 2 or 3 AM.“Please don’t camp near me.

Do any of you MH owners use a small invertor gen ?

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2018
luberhill wrote:
maybe what it has is a converter not an inverter ??? All I know is its just inside by the top step,,,looks like a plastic cover and I an hear like a fan running...what does this do then ??

We'll help you with that. Not all motor homes have an inverter. The inverter lets you run a 120 volt device like your TV off your batteries without needing a generator. You just need good batteries which you can charge up later.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 17, 2018
Hi luberhill,

Just think of that device with the fan as a (glorified) battery charger.

luberhill wrote:
maybe what it has is a converter not an inverter ??? All I know is its just inside by the top step,,,looks like a plastic cover and I an hear like a fan running...what does this do then ??
luberhill
Explorer
Sep 17, 2018
maybe what it has is a converter not an inverter ??? All I know is its just inside by the top step,,,looks like a plastic cover and I an hear like a fan running...what does this do then ??
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 17, 2018
luberhill,

Technically a "converter" (120 vol ac to 12 volt dc) is an "inverter". It is used to keep the "house" battery bank charged.

However what you want is a 12 volt dc to 120 volt AC inverter. The Victron is a "best buy" and is extremely high quality.
luberhill
Explorer
Sep 17, 2018
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Go buy a Victron 350 watt inverter. It will run the television, and all other entertainment items from the battery bank. It is about $100 on Amazon.

Does your MH have a converter and an inverter already?

luberhill wrote:
yes the MH we are looking at HAS an invertor but doesn't that just change ac to dc ?? Im thinking of the small generator to run the tv or charge batteries

I didn't buy the MH yet but its a Winnebago class A 26h...it does have an invertor but the owner said it doesn't run the flat screen...he said it came on the unit and changes the ac in to dc out ???
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 17, 2018
Hi,

Go buy a Victron 350 watt inverter. It will run the television, and all other entertainment items from the battery bank. It is about $100 on Amazon.

Does your MH have a converter and an inverter already?

luberhill wrote:
yes the MH we are looking at HAS an invertor but doesn't that just change ac to dc ?? Im thinking of the small generator to run the tv or charge batteries
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2018
luberhill wrote:
Ron3rd wrote:
luberhill wrote:
wildtoad wrote:
Nope. Not sure I would want another gen when I have an onboard one that is fed from my gas tank.

I’m just thinking when parked and I don’t need the ac it’s a LOT quieter

Do you have an inverter?

yes the MH we are looking at HAS an invertor but doesn't that just change ac to dc ?? Im thinking of the small generator to run the tv or charge batteries

Run the TV off the inverter. Charge your batteries when it doesn't matter. Generator won't help you during quiet hours when all generators must be off. That's where the inverter comes in
luberhill
Explorer
Sep 17, 2018
Ron3rd wrote:
luberhill wrote:
wildtoad wrote:
Nope. Not sure I would want another gen when I have an onboard one that is fed from my gas tank.

I’m just thinking when parked and I don’t need the ac it’s a LOT quieter

Do you have an inverter?

yes the MH we are looking at HAS an invertor but doesn't that just change ac to dc ?? Im thinking of the small generator to run the tv or charge batteries
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2018
luberhill wrote:
wildtoad wrote:
Nope. Not sure I would want another gen when I have an onboard one that is fed from my gas tank.

I’m just thinking when parked and I don’t need the ac it’s a LOT quieter

Do you have an inverter? That's all you need to watch TV
luberhill
Explorer
Sep 17, 2018
wa8yxm wrote:
Not an inverter Generator but when I first started I carried a Genrac 1000.. Noise wise this is about a Honda EU-2000i.. Weight is about the same 8 hours on a tank of gas.. That ran the Converter. Not the rest of the RV. but it ran the converter. Kept batteries up.

I would like to get it back (it grew legs)

And I do not find the Onan 5500 All that loud.. I've stood beside it hands on the Genturi pipe. talking in a NORMAL voice with others.

This is an Onan 4000 and its not as quiet as a 2200 Honda invertor, not even close...and its right under the bed in the rear corner...

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Do any of you MH owners use a small invertor gen ?

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