Forum Discussion

RooDude09's avatar
RooDude09
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015

Generator selection

We just completed our first dry camping trip of the year. I was very pleased that I did not need to run the generator at all with the two 6 volt batteries we put on the new trailer. Unfortunately on the last day we just wanted to microwave our breakfast from the morning before and found our 1000 watt Honda generator would go to overload protection if we used the microwave. I tried turning a few things off on the breakers including the converter. Are the new microwaves using that much juice? I'm now thinking of getting a bigger generator but am not sure of what size to get. Any thoughts on how to determine what size is best? This trailer has an outdoor kitchen and the outdoor fridge is connected to the GFI plug so it turns on when pluged in and has no off switch. I would like to just be able to plug the generator in and not have to flip a bunch of breakers off to use the microwave. Thanks for any help!
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Mar 23, 2015
    Hi,

    The outside refrigerator is probably going to use about 200 watts, and the microwave about 1,250 input watts. COnverter is probably running full bore after a few days not being on, and that can be 45 amps output at 15 volts or well over 700 watts input.

    A 2000 watt Honda is in your future. . .

    Mayberrys.com Call and ask the price. They are not allowed by Honda to publish a price on the internet.

    Good luck!

    Fred.
  • mtofell1's avatar
    mtofell1
    Explorer
    Mar 23, 2015
    I can't remember exactly but I think my microwave is 1200W. With my Honda 2000i it's fine as long as I remember to turn off my water heater. 800W leftover is more than enough for lights and refrigerator (although I always set mine to "gas only" when dry camping - you don't have that?).

    The microwave was the main thing that made me buy the 2000 over the 1000.

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