Need Generator Advice

If your trailer is a 30 amp unit a pair of Honda Inverter 2000s should do. However if its a 50 amp you are going to need at least a 3000 or better.

The Hondas are hard starters since they have a fuel pump. Unlike other gensets that are gravity fed, the fuel pump needs to be primed before the Honda fires off. I usually find this takes about 6 good pulls before it fires off.

Yamaha makes a 2400watt unit that can be paralleled. The downside is that is heavier but can be handled if you have a good back.

The problem with all gravity fed units is they are difficult to adapt to add extended run fuel tanks. Hondas, with their fuel pumps are able to suck fuel from a boat tank.

Adding a boat tank will cost you over a $100 unless you fabricate all the parts yourself but they are handy.

If all you want to run in the microwave and some fans, any of the 2000 watt inverter styles will do.

That is one of the reasons why the 2000 watt gensets are popular. Use 2 2Ks when you need ac, and one when you do not. That also means if one flakes out you can run fans and such in the RV while the other is being mended. Additionally, the 2Ks are reasonably portable and one person can move them. It also means you can use both generators two different tasks when needed. I was able to drag one with me to use a pole saw to clear a path for the RVs.

One of the other gensets to look at are the Boilys. They are very popular and cheaper than Hondas and Yamahas. The 3000 watt series have remote start which means if you do wire in your 3000 you can remote start your genset allowing you to cool down the trailer before pulling in for a lunch stop.

ONAN generator are nice but Propane Generators suck a lot of propane. And they are often bigger than you truly need.. My ONAN has, on occasion, powered not only MY RV, but my next door neighbor's as well, (And even my sticks and bricks though not fully) Now there is an advantage to more generator than you need, but still, costs more money too. And ONANs are not inexpensive either.

For JUST the TV's you can likely get by with a Honda EU-1000i, this gasoline sipper puts out around 800 watts full time (1000 peak and yes I am seriously rounding) but for TV only you can likely get by with half that. IT IS NOT big enough to power a converter over 45 amps though.

A Yahama EF-1200I, will power a 60 amp converter with power left over.

What I would recommend is a Honda EU-2000i Companion, the Companion is easier to connect up to an RV, and.. If you find you need more power still, You park a standard EU-2000i beside it and you now have 2x the power, a full 30 amps in fact.

Sprink-Fitter wrote:

D & M wrote:

Markiemark32 wrote:
Hard to beat the Honda 2000, one for the basics, two run together will run a AC.

Semi quiet, light, easily portable & storable.

We do sporting events, and many times need the generator power.

Markiemark:C

x2.

But before you buy, check you rig to see if a generator harness is not already in place and the optional generator was just never purchased. If so, then consider an on-board unit.

he said it is not prewired. I would look into a inverter for just a tv though.

Our used toy hauler we bought is generator ready, pre wired, gas line in compartment, on board gas tanks, and push button start in camper, but our Honda eu6500is is to big to put in there, luckily it is a toy hauler.

Excuse me for miss-reading

I like my 2K Honda and love my 4K Onan.....Have fun.

I have a Honda 3000 so I can run the AC and it is GREAT. You might do well with a 2000 series if you do not need AC.

D & M wrote:

Markiemark32 wrote:
Hard to beat the Honda 2000, one for the basics, two run together will run a AC.

Semi quiet, light, easily portable & storable.

We do sporting events, and many times need the generator power.

Markiemark:C

x2.

But before you buy, check you rig to see if a generator harness is not already in place and the optional generator was just never purchased. If so, then consider an on-board unit.

he said it is not prewired. I would look into a inverter for just a tv though.

Our used toy hauler we bought is generator ready, pre wired, gas line in compartment, on board gas tanks, and push button start in camper, but our Honda eu6500is is to big to put in there, luckily it is a toy hauler.

For television while stopped at Wal-Mart or a rest area
A 300 watt inverter is all that is, needed to power them
However if you want to cook with the mw or brew coffee etc,
A generator comes in very handy

I have been using the same 250 watt inverter with a cigarette lighter plug since 1994. It will run the TV and DVD player and keeps all of our electronic toys charged. Buying a generator, any generator just to run a TV is simply unnecessary. Unless air conditioning is needed (almost never), we rarely even run the built in 4,000 watt genny. :C

Honda or Yamaha, in the 2000 watt range. A pair of them if you think you may run an AC sometime.

Markiemark32 wrote:
Hard to beat the Honda 2000, one for the basics, two run together will run a AC.

Semi quiet, light, easily portable & storable.

We do sporting events, and many times need the generator power.

Markiemark:C

x2.

But before you buy, check you rig to see if a generator harness is not already in place and the optional generator was just never purchased. If so, then consider an on-board unit.