Generator advice

Nothing like firing up the nuclear aircraft carrier to pull out tent stakes, eh?

Indeed, JUST to charge up the battery (and sounds like in your case you should have a couple, not just one), even a 2,000 watt generator is more than plenty. To run the microwave (when, it should be noted, your converter is trying to ALSO charge up the battery) does require a 3,000 watt class generator, which is vast overkill JUST to charge up the battery.

A 2K PSW inverter such as this one, if either wired to just power the microwave, or with the converter circuit breaker shut off when the RV power cord was plugged into the inverter, would do the job for only about $400.

And I would like to suggest you look into battery charging via a solar array. The upfront costs are about what a low-end generator would cost, and the 25-30 year useful life with nary a drop of gasoline required, nor a single oil change actually make solar much cheaper than that generator in the long run. If you are at all handy, this guy's web site and his book can be invaluable.

BFL13 wrote:
The 2000w will run the microwave (1500w) if that is the only thing on. It seems you were also running the battery charger/converter (1000w) at the same time, which would overload the 2000w gen.

"Power management" is the answer.

Agreed.

BFL13 wrote:
The 2000w will run the microwave (1500w) if that is the only thing on. It seems you were also running the battery charger/converter (1000w) at the same time, which would overload the 2000w gen.

"Power management" is the answer.

+1

Verify the fridge and water are set to propane only. Turn the breaker to the converter off if you just need the MW for a few minutes. I would go with 2200 watts max generator rating to save weight and space.

Eventually you will want to review the converter charging system that you are getting 14.2+ volts on the battery.

Two generators with parallel kit is your best option if you are using the generator 95% of the time to charge batteries.
Do you have econo off when using the microwave?
My Champ 2000 has no issue running the microwave except when it is in econo mode.

The 2000w will run the microwave (1500w) if that is the only thing on. It seems you were also running the battery charger/converter (1000w) at the same time, which would overload the 2000w gen.

"Power management" is the answer.

For your described use I would suggest 4 batteries and a 2kw pure sine inverter. That should run the MW much easier than a generator, and you can recharge at your leisure. Heck, you can be charging at the same time.

You need more than one battery for dry camping anyway but you don't need a huge or 2 generators to charge batteries.

3400 Champion with remote start. It will do it all. The remote works from inside camper.