I am working on a custom Kitchen/Storage/thing....I want a TINY generator, that will charge my 12V system and run small appliances. Need maybe 1800W (15A) to run a microwave directly. Most lights will be LED and everything else will be 12v, and I am going SMALL. Does anyone know of a SMALL RV type Propane generator? Don't want to carry Gas cans if I am already carrying Propane. Prefer something I can build in (RV style) rather than something that I have to unpack and run cords (and a fuel line) to...PS...is this the right section for people who camp Hybrid? Ie, tent plus a Travel box with a kitchen, storage, and stuff but no sleeping area?

How much will you be using the generator?1. Propane generators use a lot of propane. 2. When people ask about tiny generators the conversation normally goes to the honda eu2000, the small yamaha or similar. They use very little gas so you might not need to carry much with you. The honda is very quite. 3. I don't know of any tiny propane generators. I have seen people modify the honda EU2000 to run off propane, but it makes the unit bigger.4. Have you considered solar?5. How long will you be away from home for? Have you considered more batteries?

In the upper right there is a drop down list. Hybrid trailer forum is listed."PS...is this the right section for people who camp Hybrid? Ie, tent plus a Travel box "

For what it's worth, my Honda 2000is will run for over 10 hours on one tank of gas. Slightly over a gallon. It could be mounted permanently if you wanted to do it. Obviously it, like any gas generator would require a sealed compartment.

There are kits available to run a Honda on propane. Look online. It will be very difficult to t install something permanently. You will need to provide ventilation for cooling, an extended exhaust and the compartment must be sealed so the carbon monoxide doesn't kill you. You will also need access to get to the starter as none of the smallest gennies have electric start. All things considered this isn't a real viable project...JMHOB.O.

We are not planning on sleeping in the unit. It will be mostly Kitchen, storage, Water(for kitchen, Grey Holding, Big Ice Chest, etc... Idea is that we will sleep in the Van or Tent or hammocks depending on weather, but have a small utility trailer with a GOOD mobile kitchen, sink, storage for all the camp site junk, food, tables, etc...Trailer will also have small QUIET generator and battery inverter for camp lights, music, etc... Generator will be to charge battery and run things to big to run off Inverter (Microwave ?) Rest of kitchen will be propane.Give me good food and I can do almost anything...

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Redwall
Explorer
Nov 07, 2013
After some research, I think the Honda eu2000i looks the best. There are a couple of good propane conversions, even one with an INTERNAL regulator. 15A would run anything we want, and it is QUIET! (My wifes biggest complaint) Most of our stuff will be propane, but the things we want 117v for are bigger than the 1000 (Keurig is a must according to my wife) Running an inverter is a possibility, but you loose some when charging, and then some more when inverting...so...

Propane is a MUST. My wife really doesn't want gasoline in the trailer.

PS...thought about 2000W inverter and a small Generator, but the Charger is more $$, and an inverter/charger is even worse. Also looked at a 12V only generator for JUST charging, but that limits flexibility.
RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2013
Be sure to check the generator run time restrictions that might be in place where you camp. That was the main thing that made me go with more batteries and smart mode charging techniques so that we could do all the things we wanted to do camping off the power grid using INVERTERs and running directly off the batteries. Then we would use a 2KW Honda type generator the next morning when allowed to run one to recharge our battery bank back up to 90% charge state in the shortest time possible so that we could do all of those all over again for the next day/night run from the batteries.

Having been very successful doing this over the past few years I am just now thinking of adding solar panels to use for recharging the batteries when the sun is high.

Roy Ken
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
NinerBikes wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
SkiMore wrote:
I don't think the OP has said how many days of power is needed. How long will a single battery run simple 12V lighting, music and a little microwave use? What about two batteries? If it's enough to last the trip why go more complicated?
This may be a good point, but the OP wanted a generator to charge the battery... So maybe he/she knows that it will be needed.
At any rate, the microwave really seals the deal for a generator IMO. If cooking at night, and using lights, a large inverter will need every bit of the battery for the microwave... and the expense of a 2000 watt inverter along with associated wiring, installation.... And still may find times when the power just isn't there.

OP could charge any battery from his vehicle also, on the drive there, and on the drive home. A microwave is not, per say, cooking, it's reheating.

BTW, I have a Honda Eu1000i, two Eu2000i's and just bought a portable 120W folding solar panel a couple of weeks back. Each has their place. A solar panel is less likely to grow legs than a tasty red Honda Generator, in the eyes of a thief or a tweaker.
Having been a Chef and a restaurant manager, I have some background in "cooking"
Many fine establishments use microwaves as they do a better job at some things.... At any rate, this is not a cooking forum, and the OP didn't ask for cooking advice.
He/She wants to use a microwave. A generator is the simplest most reliable way to do that, along with fulfilling all the other requirements necessary. The OP knows this as they ASKED about generators in the title!:B
NinerBikes
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Huntindog wrote:
SkiMore wrote:
I don't think the OP has said how many days of power is needed. How long will a single battery run simple 12V lighting, music and a little microwave use? What about two batteries? If it's enough to last the trip why go more complicated?
This may be a good point, but the OP wanted a generator to charge the battery... So maybe he/she knows that it will be needed.
At any rate, the microwave really seals the deal for a generator IMO. If cooking at night, and using lights, a large inverter will need every bit of the battery for the microwave... and the expense of a 2000 watt inverter along with associated wiring, installation.... And still may find times when the power just isn't there.

OP could charge any battery from his vehicle also, on the drive there, and on the drive home. A microwave is not, per say, cooking, it's reheating.

BTW, I have a Honda Eu1000i, two Eu2000i's and just bought a portable 120W folding solar panel a couple of weeks back. Each has their place. A solar panel is less likely to grow legs than a tasty red Honda Generator, in the eyes of a thief or a tweaker.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 05, 2013
Hi Huntingdog,

My first generator was a Kipor and it lasted 9 years. It cost more than the solar system on my new to me RV. I used the Kipor less than 200 hours during that time frame and I existed mainly using a 30 watt solar system and inverters. I paid $5.50 per watt in matierals for the existing solar system. Prices now are less than $2 per watt.
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
SkiMore wrote:
I don't think the OP has said how many days of power is needed. How long will a single battery run simple 12V lighting, music and a little microwave use? What about two batteries? If it's enough to last the trip why go more complicated?
This may be a good point, but the OP wanted a generator to charge the battery... So maybe he/she knows that it will be needed.
At any rate, the microwave really seals the deal for a generator IMO. If cooking at night, and using lights, a large inverter will need every bit of the battery for the microwave... and the expense of a 2000 watt inverter along with associated wiring, installation.... And still may find times when the power just isn't there.
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
pianotuna wrote:
Hi Huntdog,

Describe your solar system?

When the sun is too hot, I get in the shade. If I can't do that, I wear a hat and sunscreen...

Seriously Don, what has that got to do with what the OP is trying to accomplish?

Solar would have another problem for the OP.
A fairly large inverter to run a microwave of decent power would be needed.... A 600 watt draw microwave would be about as effective as setting the food out in the sun to heat up...
With a generator, a good microwave can run directly from it... No battery or inverter required.

Solar has it's place... And I know you are a huge fan... But it's not the best solution for everyone or every situation.

BTW, If you had bought a quality generator instead of some cheap Chinese knock off, perhaps you would have had a better experience with it and have a different opinion.
SkiMore
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
I don't think the OP has said how many days of power is needed. How long will a single battery run simple 12V lighting, music and a little microwave use? What about two batteries? If it's enough to last the trip why go more complicated?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 04, 2013
Hi Huntdog,

Describe your solar system?
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
pianotuna wrote:
Hi Hunting Dog,

It is my opinion that solar is a far better way to spend money than on a generator. It is a one time cost whereas the generator wants to be fed daily. For $1000.00 one can get a large solar system.

I doubt it is the best for this application.
Solar won't work unless the sun is shining.. And I don't think a large battery bank for power storage will work here either.

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