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twins89's avatar
twins89
Explorer
Jan 05, 2014

Need Generator Advice

We went to an RV show with friends today who are looking and we ended up buying. However the fiver we are trading has a propane Onan on board and this one (used 2010) does not. We haven't used the Onan a lot but would like something to power perhaps the television when we are without power (we take long trips and stop at Lowes or Walmart). I know that to power the Ac we would need 4000 but what would you buy. Thanks in advance. Our new to us is a Jayco i2010 37rlqs has everything we wanted but the generator. It isn't generator ready either.

15 Replies

  • Most AC units will run from a 3,000 watt gen. 4,000 wouldn't be necessary. If you do want to be able to power the AC unit I would use a Honda or Yamaha 3,000 watt inverter generator. They are quiet, fuel efficient, and produce excellent power quality.
    If your main use is powering a TV I would also have to say that an inverter is probably a simpler, less expensive, quieter, and all around better choice than a generator.
  • If one doesn't mind a heavier generator, the Honda and Yamaha 3000 watt models have remote start as an option. Mine never leaves my pickup truck's bed.
  • Honda's are nice but if there is one thing I don't like about them is they are so darn hard to start sometimes. I had one that was a hard starter and I loaned it out to a guy during elk season and he pulled til his arm came out of the socket. he drove to town to a honda dealer and for $20 had it fixed. so far so good. I'm getting older and some of my small engine things are getting hard to start. I can't pull hard enough to get them to fire. I was having a time with my pressure washer ( it's a honda motor)and my son came over to visit and I had him pull on it and he had it running in two pulls. so now I know it's me.
  • It is really to bad that the new trailer is not prewired. Now your options depend on your needs, and your health and strength. Do you have one AC unit or two. Are you physically strong enough to handle a single generator weighing better than 100 lbs or will you need two smaller paralleled units. I have two Hondas mainly because I wasn't willing and in a few short years won't be physically capable of handling a single unit.
  • 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