This past year I have found myself enjoying our earth away from campgrounds. I’m not ready to go full-bore with no power. What is a decently priced generator that balances cost with power with low noise? How many KWs will I need to run my “necessities” such as fridge, air/furnace, and other items?Thanks for your help. VERY green to this part of camping. Brian

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,

Researching Generators | Good Sam Community

colliehauler
Explorer III
Jul 06, 2019
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.
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 06, 2019
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
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2019
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.

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