I have a 19' Rockwood Eco Pro. I'd like to get a generator for camping off the grid. I want to run the A/C so solar is out as a solution. I'm looking at portable generators as a solution but I don't see any with a 30Amp outlet (even with 1800 watt output). Am I right to conclude that a portable generator is not a solution to run the A/C? The larger generators that do have 30Amp outlet are just too big for me.Am I reading this right? Or am I missing something?-Lou

You don't need a 30 amp receptacle on the genny. Get a 3000 watt Champion inverter genny and buy a 15 to 30 amp adapter from WangMart and you're good to go. That genny can be had for about $899.

You can get a power cord adapter but the ACs usually draw 13 amps plus starting current. I believe most folk go with 2500 to 3000 watts fir AC.I am sure the folk will tell you a few different approaches to AC boonedocking.

rbpru wrote:You can get a power cord adapter but the ACs usually draw 13 amps plus starting current. I believe most folk go with 2500 to 3000 watts fir AC.I am sure the folk will tell you a few different approaches to AC boonedocking.Correct; don't even think of running your AC with an 1800 watt genny.

We have the Champion 3100 inverter gen (non electric start version) and it works flawlessly on our Surveyor 245BHS. Runs the A/C with no issues, along with everything else we have thrown at it.

Take a look at a Kipor inverter generator. I have the 3000 that I bought in 2009, has worked good for me. I lock it in the bed of my truck at the tail gate. I also have a fiberglass bed lid that closes above it. I point the exhaust out and run it without removing it from the bed. I also have two co2(or whatever bad gas) detectors for safety.Kipor IG3000 3000-Watt Generator InverterThis runs my 13,00 btu ac, but only on high generator setting. The AC usually will not start if the generator is on ECO mode. I also had to add a hard start kit to my AC, to get it to start reliability. I very seldom run my AC with this setup, usually I just need to charge the batteries.These days, I have 300 watts of solar and do not even need it for charging. One day I might get one of those small 1,000 watt Honda generators also.Robert Wynkoop

Portable Generator Solutions | Good Sam Community

Atlee
Explorer II
May 17, 2018
I did answer the original question. He asked if he was correct in concluding a portable genny was not a solution to running an A/C.
My answer was it is a solution if one uses a Honda Companion EU2000i twinned to a regular EU2000i. The Companion provides a 30A outlet.

I further gave the OP a little perspective on how I use mine, and the supply of gas he might need. All this did was supply the OP one frame of reference should he want to power his A/C with a genny.

As for a "peeing contest", this thread quickly went from answering his question, to a generator brand war and a general questioning why anyone would ever want to use a generator.

SoundGuy wrote:
Atlee wrote:
Each person needs to determine their needs, and equip accordingly.

And my long post was not designed to denigrate any other's opinion. It was supposed to recenter a answer specificly for the OP's original question.

It certainly was not to keep the peeing contest on why or why not a person should carry generators and extra gas, alive. That wasn't the OP's original question.

No it wasn't the OP's original question - and that's just the point. ;) Many post here on the forums asking for generator advice, saying one of the reasons they want one is to be able to run A/C. Fair enough, EXCEPT it's also obvious from reading countless threads like this that many also really don't give much thought to how much fuel it takes to keep a genset running for extended periods of time. You do know that and take appropriate steps to ensure you have sufficient fuel on hand to make this happen - but the OP isn't you. :R He tows with an SUV in which he doesn't want to store a genset so it's unlikely he also won't want to keep cans of fuel in there either, especially large quantities as you do in your truck. As you said yourself - "Each person needs to determine their needs, and equip accordingly." In order to do that the OP needs to consider ALL factors, not just which make / model of genset to buy, and that's what this discussion is all about - or should be. In reality, it's you yourself who is denigrating this into a "peeing contest" when quantity of gas and how to transport it is a legitimate point to bring up, whether the OP originally asked the question or not. Hey, I don't care at all what the OP chooses to do, I only offer comment based on my own experience in owning 2 different Honda EU2000i gensets which I did use to run A/C ... and it ain't as simple as just picking a particular make / model of genset and calling it good. :R
Braces
Explorer
May 17, 2018
All Federal and many state cgs have a max db allowable for generators from what I understand. If the rangers choose to enforce it you would be shut down. I hear many of the "quiet" open frame generators while tailgating and from 50 yards away they are very irritating.
TomG2
Explorer
May 16, 2018
I have run my AC with a single Honda 2000 at one thousand feet elevation. I should say "Started it, but went into overload and disconnected after five minutes". 3,500 watt unit will run it all day and night.
dave54
Nomad
May 16, 2018
I have run my AC with a single Honda 2000 at 6k elevation. It was not happy but it did cool the rig.
Lantley
Nomad
May 16, 2018
TomG2 wrote:
Lantley wrote:
...snip.....
A dissenting opinion or an opposing thought is not a bad thing. Honestly it's what keeps these forums interesting.
.....snip.....

As long as it is not too dissenting. There are certain brands that are the best that ever was or ever will be. The garages and landfills of America are full of such wonderful things. Mostly, these forums consist of "Buy one like mine" comments.

I agree.
Dissenting does not have to be disrespectful.
"Buy one like mine" is not always a bad thing. Especially if it is an innovative outside of the box idea.
Lantley
Nomad
May 16, 2018
TomG2 wrote:
MisterCipher wrote:
Having measured my trailer and reviewed the dimensions of generators, I cannot fit a generator into my storage space. So I think that makes my decision for me.

Do like the rest of us. Buy a larger trailer. Then buy a larger pickup. Then get a fifth wheel trailer. Then get a dually to pull it. All to have a generator along for the ride. Or, enjoy your camping season. That would be my decision.

Or research mounting a off the shelf carrier on your tongue or having a custom genset platform fabricated for the rear of your trailer.
There are options available for your existing trailer.
TomG2
Explorer
May 16, 2018
Lantley wrote:
...snip.....
A dissenting opinion or an opposing thought is not a bad thing. Honestly it's what keeps these forums interesting.
.....snip.....

As long as it is not too dissenting. There are certain brands that are the best that ever was or ever will be. The garages and landfills of America are full of such wonderful things. Mostly, these forums consist of "Buy one like mine" comments.
TomG2
Explorer
May 16, 2018
MisterCipher wrote:
Having measured my trailer and reviewed the dimensions of generators, I cannot fit a generator into my storage space. So I think that makes my decision for me.

Do like the rest of us. Buy a larger trailer. Then buy a larger pickup. Then get a fifth wheel trailer. Then get a dually to pull it. All to have a generator along for the ride. Or, enjoy your camping season. That would be my decision.
MisterCipher
Explorer
May 16, 2018
Having measured my trailer and reviewed the dimensions of generators, I cannot fit a generator into my storage space. So I think that makes my decision for me.
_1nobby
Explorer
May 16, 2018
Just returned from a week in New York city.

All the street meat vendors....and I mean ALL....use a 2000W Honda generator.
16 hours a day. Every day.

I'm going to get rid of my Generac and get a Honda...you get what you pay for.