Generators and more

browntljm wrote:
We are considering a small generator, as we are planning on camping in Federal and state parks that have no electrical hookups. We have a Heartland Bighorn Fifth wheel 3070rl, we don't run the air conditioner. The main 120v electrical uses would be, the TV for area weather, blow dryer, toaster, hot water heater just to heat up occasionally, refrig, recharge the phones. Would the 2000 watt work for our needs? we would not be using everything at the same time.

There isn't and exact answer to your question because of your DC converter. My bighorn has a PD9280 DC converter, capable of putting out 80 amps DC. It actually has a 20 amp ac cord/plug rather than a 15 amp. While mine rarely puts out a full 80 amps DC to the batteries, depending on state of charge of the batteries, it can easily be drawing 500 watts. Most 2000 watt inverter generators are only rated for 1600 watts continuous, and you will probably find you can't even pull that much at altitude. My Microwave draws right at 1500 watts, and most hairdryers are 1600 watts, although I managed to find a 1200 watt unit for the wife she is happy with.

Bottom line, unless you're batteries are pretty much already fully charged, a 2000 watt generator might not run your microwave if it's a high power draw unit or a hairdryer unless you turn off the DC converter/charger, and possibly other AC items. Even then, you might have issues at altitude. Non Ethanol gas will gain you a little extra power, equivalent to maybe 1,500 feet of altitude or so as will an altitude jet for the carb if you're at high altitude.