Generators

Duplicate Post.

Thanks Saltidawg, You had my question correct. To the rest, I didn't mean to stir up such a mess. After 37 yrs as an rv'er I have never boondocked in the Wal-mart. I merely ask a specific question as to the difference of a regular generator to an inverter type.
We live near the coast of SC and years ago we had to use a rv to get by after Hugo. I was just preparing in case another hurricane hit us I would be prepared. And yes I can afford the higher priced inverter generators, but chose to buy what was needed to get by I promise not to pull into the rv park beside you and fire up the construction type rv and ruin you stay.
Cary

What we need is better customer made boxes by the manufacturer of the generators for the particular model that reduces the dB level to a quiet whisper without causing a fire hazard or reducing the power output of the generator. I CAN'T imagine a quieter generator that doesn't break your bank cannot be built. I'm sure if you insulate and properly vent the box you will not annoy or infringe on anyone else's vacation.

rving4us wrote:
...I merely ask a specific question as to the difference of a regular generator to an inverter type. ...

Cary,

This past winter I purchased a Smarter Tools 7500 Watt portable gasoline generator from Costco. It's purpose is to provide backup power for my home in the MD suburbs of DC when we inevitably lose local electric power. I am not an RVer and live on a relatively large wooded lot so noise is not a major consideration.

I have received an immense amount of help in optimizing my generator's performance and reliability by reading and recently participating in this thread: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info

I have not connected my generator to a whole house transfer switch, but rather use 50 foot 12 Ga extension cords for my refrigerators, freezers, audio video equipment, and fans. I plan to install a transfer switch for my oil furnace later this Fall. Whole house heat pump is out of the question due to generator capacity.

Oh, I forgot. My generator provides 20 Amps at 110V to my next door neighbor when it is operating.

We lost power this past weekend for nearly 24 hours after a motorist took out a telephone pole Friday afternoon. The generator started up and operated with no problems whatsoever. We probably prevented losing maybe $150 in food and my neighbor says he also prevented a like loss.

The first thing I did when I purchased my generator was to install a kit From USCarb to permit Tri-fuel operation. I now operation on LPG - I own four extra 20# propane bottles. Propane is relatively safe to store, will not go bad in storage, and is readily available at my local Rental Center during extended power outages. Also, the generator carb is always clean as a whistle.

As to needing an inverter/generator to handle expensive electronics? My experinece this past weekend suggests I don't need one. I powered my audio video equipment without any difficulties... and my gear would be considered high-end. (A Pioneer Elite 60" Plasma is the backbone - cost $7500 new a few years ago.)

I have no regrets whatsoever for my non-RV application. I added a valve to facilitate oil changes and also added a plug-in High Voltage protection module.