Researching Generators

Get a small generator and an adequate solar system. No noise, no fuel, no 3 or 4 hour charging session, no happy neighbors with solar system fully recharging your batteries almost every day.

Best bang for the buck would be the Predator gensets from Harbor Freight. Running everything including air conditioning would be the 3500. Not running air would be the 2000.
3500 comes with electric start. They are both very quiet.
Some say the 2000 will run one air conditioner. That is possible but the other items such as microwave will not run at same time.
Predator gensets

Harbor freight makes a inverter generator that is actually large enough to run the A/C 3500 watts 57 db on sale for 699. For just small loads you can get a 2000 watt inverter generator for around 450. Champion makes a 3400 watt inverter generator for a little more money. Honda, Yamaha, inverter generators are more money but better quality.

easiest way is to mimic your RV's system. do you have a 15-amp (1800-watts), 20-amp (2400-watts), 30-amp (3600-watts) or 50-amp (6000-watts) system? amps x voltage = watts. this assumes nominal voltage of 129VAC. but you will likely never draw more than ~80% of available amps. and a 50-amp RV system is actually two legs of 50-amps or 12,000-watts (2-legs of 35-amps & 8400-watts). if you plan to use your A/C be sure to account for the ramp up voltage.

otherwise add up the required voltage of whatever you plan to use (assume simultaneous use for a worst case number), add 20% and go from there.

Here are a couple of thoughts.
- Honda has a great reputation and high price. I chose Champion...good reputation and lower price. I have had good success so far!
- 2000W vs. 3500W Consider moving it around. The 3500 is big and heavy. Where do you carry it? I chose 2 2000W linked together. I can pretty easily carry a 2000W invertor/generator. I can easily put them in a variety of places for transportation. Carry 1 2000W if you do not anticipate needing the AC. Carry 2 if you do. 1 2000W will run virtually any other appliance...1 at a time. Yes, even the small microwave.

Lots of choices and options.
Cheers,

Champion 3400 with remote electric start. Or if price is a concern, the 3500 Harbor Freight unit.

My opinion- there are only two reasons I would run a generator, to run the air conditioner or to recharge batteries. Everything else I would run off 12 volt or inverter. The running the a/c would mean 3kw + for reliable starting and running at altitude, though many have run on smaller.

For limited use solar with additional batteries can be another option. I have gone a week on two six volt GC batteries with limited use without running a generator. I do not have solar panels but many on the forum do and could explain more. My RV has a built in Onan that I have run while boondocking for the A/C.

pianotuna wrote:
Champion 3400 with remote electric start. Or if price is a concern, the 3500 Harbor Freight unit.

Good point and Champion has good customer support. Don't know about Harbor freight.

Harbor Freight's Predator generator is the most generator for the cheapest price. However, they carry only a 90 day warranty and you will not find any repair shop that will work on one or even repair parts available. Therefore, consider them disposable.

Champion generators have a solid reputation with a support network of repair facilities and available parts. They are very favorably priced, and probably the best bang for your buck.

Honda and Yamaha are premium generators with a price to match. Either would probably last a lifetime, but pricewise do not deliver a value.

The previous suggestion of buying two inverter generators in the 2000 watt range and tieing them together when needed to run the A/C is a good one. That way, you can use just one generator if needed, but two when the extra wattage is required. Also the two generators delivers managable weight, and you can purchase one a time making it easier on the budget.