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jdmountains's avatar
jdmountains
Explorer
Mar 22, 2017

Yes Another Generator Question

I know I know another generator question and also my first post. I have a 2006 Pioneer Fleetwood 180-CK travel trailer. We have had this for three years now and love it and 90% of the time we dry camp with it. I also have a 100 watt renogy portable solar panel that does the trick of keeping the batteries topped off before the night 90% of the time. Batteries are two Super Start group of 27 12 wired in parallel. I have only run the AC once when at full hookups and that was also the only time we have run the microwave. We won't ever run AC or microwave when not on full hookups. No TV, fridge runs on propane and we use lights occasionally (kids actually have AA battery LED lights they prefer as they are kids) so we don't even run the lights all that often. We have occasionally charged iPhone or iPad off of 12 volt plug in. We are low power people when camping.

However, I am considering getting a very small generator as I have had issues a few times at high elevations where when running the furnace at night and then a streak of cold cloudy (sometimes rainy) days (two or three in a row) where the solar panels don't get the chance top off the batteries to get through the night with the furnace running. Over these periods I have twice had to plug into and run the truck, which sucks as it doesn't charge well and just stinks overall. So basically all I am looking for is a small generator that would top off the batteries in the above described situation? Would a little 800 run watt generator work?

I know the honda 2000 would be great, but don't have that kind of cash right now. Would love something in the $250 range. Also, my other huge question is what what if any other equipment do I need exactly to make this happen? Can I just plug a solid extension cord in to the generator and then plug that into my 30amp trailer cord with the rubber yellow 30 amp to 120v converter I use when plugged in at home to gear up?

Thank you thank you for any advice or suggestions.
  • Thank you road runner that was helpful. I doubt my converter is able to manage the different charge levels so I think I would be looking at having to change the converter out? Or can I by something as easy as the charge wizard to plug into my existing converter? I have no idea what my existing converter is and won't until I can get to storage on Saturday
  • Here is what I see for generator price ranges:

    $80-140 -- the Yamaha ET-800 clone. This is a two stroke buzzsaw engineered in the 1970s that requires oil in the fuel, requires a fairly elaborate break-in routine, likely needs a new spark plug, and puts out very dirty power (as in spikes when a load is put on or off.)

    $200-400 -- an open-framed, four-stroke generator. It will have at least some voltage regulation, but likely still dirty... but it will be fairly reliable. Of course, it will be loud. Don't bother trying to go fancy with boxes and such... these give noise through vibration and exhaust. I am currently using one of these, but so are all my neighbors at the weekend festival.

    $500-600 -- you can get a Champion or comparable 2000 watt inverter model. A tad louder than a Honda, but puts out stable power, and is relatively quiet.

    $1000 -- you can buy a Honda eu2000i, or a Champion 3500 watt inverter model. The CPE model is a little bit louder, but still a lot quieter than open-framed models.

    $1200 -- you can buy a dual-fuel 3500 watt Champion inverter model.

    $2200 -- you can buy two Honda eu2000i models and pair them, or one 3000 watt red/blue.

    $4000 -- you can buy a 4000-7000 watt inverter model from red/blue.

    I would say the most popular way to go are two paralled eu2000i generators. However, for a 30A circuit, the 3000-3500 watt Champion inverters are a nice alternative, cheaper, and won't peeve your neighbors.
  • jdmountains wrote:
    I put in the $250 range. As for the on board charging system, I have no idea what that is. How would I find out what the on board charging system is? Why would a converter determine my power requirements.
    Need to locate and post the model number of the breaker/fuse panel would probably do it.
    Some may need 800 watts, some may need 1800.
    If you are buying a 3000 watt champion generator then you are right that it does not matter.
  • Would an 800 watt generator work? It depends on whether or not you can control how much power your converter draws. If the battery is discharged even moderately and you can't control the converter, it will try to draw more than the generator can handle. If you have a Progressive Dynamics converter with the optional Charge Wizard (or just the Pendant with the newer ones), you can force the converter into a lower voltage mode before powering it from the generator, then switch to a higher voltage mode as the battery charges. The PD converters are very sensitive to peak voltage of the AC power. This cuts two ways: On one hand you'll get the maximum charging current from an inverter generator. On the other hand, there's a lot less risk of the generator shutting down from overload if it's non-inverter. I use a little 800 watt inverter generator that works well, but I'm also able to control the converter. Without the control ability, the generator would most times trip out from overload. I've had very good luck with this generator. The same one is sold under several different brand names and which one costs the least varies from time-to-time. Here are some links:
    https://www.amazon.com/Earthquake-11613-Starting-Portable-Compliant/dp/B00FL89I2W
    https://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Hand-Tools-Inverter-Generator/dp/B01CVOVLGE
    https://www.amazon.com/Porta-Source-Portable-Invertor-Generator/dp/B00P2FOX4C
    There's also a blue-cased version somebody sells that's sometimes the best deal.
  • Keep an eye on Craigslist or some of the new local classifieds that are popping up online.

    You can often find great buys on larger wattage generators in good condition.
  • I put in the $250 range. As for the on board charging system, I have no idea what that is. How would I find out what the on board charging system is? Why would a converter determine my power requirements.
  • Whatever brand you get do yourself a favor and get an inverter generator. The Champion 2000 watt would be a good choice.
    RichH
  • First you need to review the on-board charging system if that is what you expect to use. A few converters are good, most are pathetic. The converter will also determine your power requirements.
  • how much do you want to spend?
    harbor freight has 2000 watt for $429

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