Struggling with generator size

Nothing. You have we weigh the necessity of having the AC running versus the weight penalty. You might consider starting out with a 2KW Honda. If that is not enough buy online a 2KW companion and the correct parallel kit and within a week you will have plenty of power.

donn0128 wrote:
Nothing. You have we weigh the necessity of having the AC running versus the weight penalty. You might consider starting out with a 2KW Honda. If that is not enough buy online a 2KW companion and the correct parallel kit and within a week you will have plenty of power.

I agree with this.

You have it figured out and that's about all there is to it. It's all about the ac. If you just want to charge the batteries, maybe you could use a 1000 watt Honda. Uses about half the fuel of a 2000 and only weighs 29 pounds. If its big enough to do it.

Get the EU2000, then if you decide you need AC get a companion model and a parallel kit. For me this is the best of both worlds.

If I had the cash right now, I'd do exactly what has been suggested. I'd buy the two smaller ones and the connection kit. It's not fun dealing with one single unit weighing in at about 150 lbs fueled up. Having the option of using one or both units as needed seems like the better idea, though they're not cheaper by my count. I haven't heard them run. Anybody know if they're quieter at full load?

What are your generator run time restrictions going to be at the host camp site. You may have to beef-up your battery systems to run the things you want to run from an INVERTER and then re-charge your batteries using a smaller 2KW generator once a day running for about three hours using smart mode charging technology. Having SOLAR PANELS will help with this as well...

Roy Ken

What are the historic daily temps at Sequoia during your stay?

jmcgsd wrote:
, or a 3kw unit. As I see it the advantage of the 3kw would be that it would run the AC, the disadvantage is weight and cost.What am I missing in my logic?

There's no guarantee 3kw will *start* the air. Even with 2-2kws it's a struggle.

jmcgsd,

My thoughts:
- I doubt that you will NEED the AC. It might be nice for a couple hours in the afternoon, but you can always just sit outside.
- I suspect that you will get more solar gain than you think.
- Replace all your light bulbs with LED bulbs.
- If your season will start in early June or extend into late August, you may want to consider alternative heating sources (i.e.; Mr. Heater Portable Buddy heater....carefully used only when awake)
- If you do bring a generator, you might also want to make sure your charging system can rapidly put the power your generator is making into the batteries. No point running a generator for a long time only to have your charging limited by a poorly performing converter/charger and/or because the wire diameter between the charger and battery is too small (small wire = high resistance = voltage drop = poor battery charging).
- Unless your foresee yourself needing AC in the future, I would also just start with one Honda or Yamaha ~2000 watt generator and see how it goes. You can always add the companion later if you decide you need it. Maybe make note of the locations nearby (Porterville, Visalia, etc..) where you can just pick one up on a grocery run.
- Keep in mind that generator output goes down as elevation increases, so don't size your generator too small.

Hope this helps and have fun.
Steve

Could you use portable solar panels?