How often do you use your portable generator?

Wanderin fool wrote:
As I read your question,,, you cant run much of anything without a generator, as in Micro wave , AC. Are you going to have 120 volt plug in or not?

Actually you can run quite a bit with a good set of batteries, solar, and a good inverter. You can't run an AC and would not want to run a refrigerator on it, but you definitely could run a microwave, coffee pot, hair dryer and even a TV. Two group 27 batteries, a 200 watt solar system, and a 1500 to 2000 watt inverter would probably work very well. From what I've seen in TCs, the biggest problem might be where to place the inverter. I've done all the above and the TV was even a old cathode ray tube TV. The new LED lighting helps a lot in making this work. When I was using it on our 5th wheel, we had all the old incandescent bulbs. The 5th wheels lifts and slid out used a lot more energy the our Adventurer does now.

So you can live with out a generator if you don't need air. We decided against air and a microwave when we bought the TC because in our previous 20+ years of RVing we rarely used them. We have solar on the TC, but right now no inverter. The only real use for an inverter would be for a hair dryer for the DW.

Figure out what your really need and then go from there.

Jim

Very rarely, I went solar and haven't needed it.

We use ours quite a bit when traveling as in the south, you need a/c. Runs all night to power that. Also, use it when i fly my radio control planes to power the battery chargers and if really hot, a fan to keep the pilot and wife cool.

As noted above, comes in handy around the house also, when power goes out or need to have electricity and do not want to string a couple hundred feet of extension cord.

Our busy campgrounds generally have power. That includes the state parks.

As I read your question,,, you cant run much of anything without a generator, as in Micro wave , AC. Are you going to have 120 volt plug in or not?

korbe wrote:
I would hope the users of generators that have posted above are out in the wilderness all by them selves. I would hope that if you do get a generator, you are not parked right next to some campers sitting outside trying to enjoy the great outdoors. Generators can be very annoying in an otherwise quiet campground.

x2 Thanks for reminding them.

We have an Eu2000i with an extended run tank, and I wouldn't travel without it. DW makes and freezes most of our meals before we leave, so the microwave becomes a necessity. Ditto with a hair drier and curling iron. We are able to run the air conditioner whenever needed. If our 20 lb propane bottle runs dry, we have a backup power source to run the refrigerator, and if needed, a space heater. We have one 12v battery and an 80 watt solar panel, but with a generator, sunlight is not critical. We Walmart a lot and rarely stay where there are hookups. For us, the peace of mind of having a generator is worth any downside it may have.

I would hope the users of generators that have posted above are out in the wilderness all by them selves. I would hope that if you do get a generator, you are not parked right next to some campers sitting outside trying to enjoy the great outdoors. Generators can be very annoying in an otherwise quiet campground.

Every morning at around 8AM when allowed to by the camp ground when camping off the power grid. I only use my 2KW generator to re-charge my battery bank. Usually takes around three hours to get from 50% charge state to 90% charge state using smart mode charging techniques...



Roy Ken

It all depends on if you are going to dry camp a lot. You can charge your camper batteries from your truck if you are rarely dry camping. If you plan to dry camp a LOT you will want a gen.