Generator Options for Boondocking

A pair of these http://www.championpowerequipment.com/category-5/73537i/ run our 13.5k A/C. They have the same noise rating as the Hondas; quiet at idle, but do make noise at full throttle. I got the kit (two gens, 30 amp plug kit, two covers) for under $1100 delivered and that made it a worthy purchase. I like Honda, but like a $1k savings even more. They seem to work well so far...

firefightersink wrote:
Thank you all for the info. I am cautious about non name brands. Is a 3100 watt enough to power my 13500 ac unit?

There was a recent thread about 3500w Champion inverter generators running the AC at altitude.
RV.NET Thread

A summary of experience from above was that a 2800w (rated) genset runs a 13.5 btu AC unless at significant elevation. My genset is 2800w rated / 3500w 10 sec surge to ensure it runs my AC. The downside is the weight.... 150+ pounds, which is why many folks do the dual 2k Honda tied together..
If you are hesitant about non name brands I would quickly rule out the "Sportsman". I have a cheap Honda knock off 1600w genset in my garage that has been nothing but trouble after the first 50 hrs.
Quoting Bob_b in Souderton, PA in the above thread :
"...Quality is painful only once...Cheap is painful all the time"
Sooooo true! YMMV, IMHO, etc.

While riding the bike through the state park a few days ago in the non electric section I heard several generators running. One in particular was a yellow Champion that I noticed right away as not only being louder than the others, but it had a very annoying sharp high pitch sound. Sorry I didn't see what model it was. Maybe a walk through an area like that and talking with some people who own and use them would be helpful. Sometime it's not just the amount of noise, but the pitch that it's most troublesome. JMO

I boondock about 4 times a year.

When we bought ours many years ago for camping, then a couple years later we moved to a class C that had gen built in. Didn't use that gen or even start it for maybe 6 years. Put some gas in it and it fired right off. (Which is not recommended maint, but that's how it turned out and I was lucky it started.)

Being you are not going use it much, consider other uses when buying. Elec at our house has only gone out 3 times in over 20 years but when elec does go out, takes long time to get back on. Gen has came in handy for wood stove fan, frig/freezer and a few lights. Most of my tools are gas, But find it so much more easier to use elec tools sometimes. So I use gen to power elec tools.

What ever you buy... follow directions of exercising it. The gas you get today starts to degrade in about a month. Which brings up maint and service after you buy. And that is one reason I like the major brands mentioned in above posts. Yes price is more in the beginning but you'll get your $$$ back in long run. I have a small 2500 watt Honda built in the early 90's and it has always fired up 2nd or 3rd pull. It is a few generations older than the whisper quiets. Parts and service are no problem. Only thing I have put into it has been a pull rope and air filters, plugs.

And I have a couple of gas chain saws but find it easier to trim my long driveway trees every couple of years with light weight elec chain saw. I just put picnic table and gen in pick up and cut. Branches fall right into bed of truck when cutting them when I standing on top of picnic table. Don't have to pick braches up (they fell into bed of truck when cut) and I have so much more control of lighter weight saw compared to gas.

Just other things to consider and think about other than using gen camping. Another hint is if you start thinking about all the things you can run with it and you find yourself looking at big and bigger models, remember somebody has to move it around, watch weight.

sounds like the cooling fan for the converter that he is having a problem with…

I point the exhaust of mine toward the neighbor so I don’t have to hear it much… makes a huge difference… :) :(

Be sure to test the genset at the dealership to see if it is quiet enough. I don't like listening to other people's generators, and I really don't like listening to mine when we boondock. Yes, it is a Honda. Yes, it is quiet. But it is not silent.

2400 watts is just enough to run a 13.5K BTU at sea level. You'll need more power at higher elevations. So 3100 watts will give you a little extra cushion, keeping in mind that you'll obviously need to run other things while the A/C is running.

Hi,

I hope to be able to run my air conditioner on solar next summer. If I factor in the cost of campgrounds it will pay for itself in under 100 days.

Thank you all for the info. I am cautious about non name brands. Is a 3100 watt enough to power my 13500 ac unit?

I second the Yamaha or Honda. Money well spent. Reliable & quiet.