Portable Generator Solutions

Sounds Guy brings up a good point. People often post ideas that are not totally thought out. Or they will post looking for agreement.
A dissenting opinion or an opposing thought is not a bad thing. Honestly it's what keeps these forums interesting.
If we just agreed that the Honda twins were the greatest gensets ever made because they were the lightest and quietest this forum would be a dull boring place.
But we know there are other factors to consider so others will chime in with differnt thoughts which keeps in interesting.

GOSH!

Oh, how childish this place can be at times. :B

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

Maybe it depends on where you go. I stayed at a RV park (full hookups) this weekend that was bumped right next to a city park (no hookups). A guy ran an open contractor style generator the whole time about a 100 yards from me. Inside, I couldn't hear it over my a/c's. Even when outdoors, I didn't find it loud enough to be annoying. With the hum of a/c's, boats passing by, people blasting music, talking loudly, kids playing, etc...I don't know what peace and quiet they could possibly interrupt.

MisterCipher wrote:
Otherwise, I'll just do without.

Good idea. If you ever get bored, simply include generator in your topic title for a guaranteed eighty predictable responses from the same dozen people on the subject.

TomG2 wrote:

Lantley wrote:
You guys are not making a case for no genset. Your just pointing out why I prefer a built in genset vs. portable.
No gas cans, nothing to set up..ever, nothing to carry or haul.
Just push button convenience.

Where would you have the OP install a built in genset like yours? In his SUV or travel trailer? Cost?

My prior rig was a TT that I pulled with a SUV. I had a custom genset platform fabricated and welded to the rear of the TT. It was very similar to my current setup except I did have to carry a gas can.
Cost was in the $3.5 K range when all was said and done.

Each person needs to determine their needs, and equip accordingly.

It's obvious the type of camping you do does not require the generators and gas that I do. Which is fine. That's why we have lots of choices. And why trailers run the gauntlet from small pop ups to 35-40 foot fifth wheels.

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. I just wanted to give the OP an answer to his question about 30A outlets on portable generators, and give him background on why I chose the generators I did, and why I have generators.

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.

SoundGuy wrote:

Atlee wrote:
My experience is with Honda's.

Next, I needed to get a second 2k generator to run the AC on my TT. Since I already had one Honda, I got a second Honda to twin with the first one.

I also got a 7 gal extended run tank so I have a pretty long run time. Depending on whether I need AC or not, I can almost get through the weekend with only the extended run tank. However, I also carry 3 2.5 gal and 1 2 gal gas cans.

Just an observation that highlights one of many reasons I personally found having a genset more trouble than it was worth. Based on the above information it would seem you carry a considerable amount of gas in order to keep your gensets running for the duration you anticipate ...

7 gals in an extended run tank
9.5 gals in portable gas cans

Total 16.5 US gals or ~ 62.5 litres. :E

If each tank on each of EU2000i genset was also filled that would add an additional .95 gals x 2 = 1.9 gals or 7 litres.

Total 18.4 US gals or nearly 70 litres.

In comparison, my Silverado's gas tank only holds 26 US gals or ~ 98 litres.

Wow, that's a LOT of gas to be dragging around just for running a genset. :E

To the OP ... are you really prepared to drag around quantities of gas like this in your SUV just so you can run A/C in your camper for extended periods of time? :@

These are all good points to consider. At this point in my life I don't think I'd need to run the generator more than a couple of days. Obviously I'd prefer hookups but I know from time to time I'll be boondocking and want the option to run a generator. I just need to figure out if I have the space. Otherwise, I'll just do without.

It may be more trouble than it is worth but I'll probably take the plunge. Worst case there might be a craigslist ad to sell it in the future.

As for a built-in generator, I'm all for that. I rented a Class C with one last year and that was perfect.

SoundGuy wrote:

Atlee wrote:
My experience is with Honda's.

Next, I needed to get a second 2k generator to run the AC on my TT. Since I already had one Honda, I got a second Honda to twin with the first one.

I also got a 7 gal extended run tank so I have a pretty long run time. Depending on whether I need AC or not, I can almost get through the weekend with only the extended run tank. However, I also carry 3 2.5 gal and 1 2 gal gas cans.

Just an observation that highlights one of many reasons I personally found having a genset more trouble than it was worth. Based on the above information it would seem you carry a considerable amount of gas in order to keep your gensets running for the duration you anticipate ...

7 gals in an extended run tank
9.5 gals in portable gas cans

Total 16.5 US gals or ~ 62.5 litres. :E

If each tank on each of EU2000i genset was also filled that would add an additional .95 gals x 2 = 1.9 gals or 7 litres.

Total 18.4 US gals or nearly 70 litres.

In comparison, my Silverado's gas tank only holds 26 US gals or ~ 98 litres.

Wow, that's a LOT of gas to be dragging around just for running a genset. :E

To the OP ... are you really prepared to drag around quantities of gas like this in your SUV just so you can run A/C in your camper for extended periods of time? :@

I agree that is a lot of fuel to drag around but not sure if the poster has other uses (ie: if they go out dirt biking, they might need it anyway).

We just have a single 5 gal jug and that typically will last a couple days if running continuously but I don't think we've ever ran that long. As long as you aren't in a really remote area, we usually go out in the truck at some point every couple days, so no biggie to refill the jug.