What brand and power size of generator do I need ?

lol

2oldman wrote:
Time for some input from OP.

Who cares about the OP? They just gave us the opportunity to share our prejudices and preferences, brag about what we have, and knock whatever anyone else has.

Time for some input from OP.

TomM is correct, there is no quiet generator though some are much more quiet than others.

RVing is not camping, when I sit in my TT listening to the morning news while my coffee warms in the microwave, it is a fact cry from sipping coffee in front of my tent, from a thermos, that I brewed the night before after a half days canoe paddle in the North Country.

Everyone's camping style is different, boondockers have perhaps managed to capture the best of both.

TT campgrounds do not lend themselves to the peace and solitude some folks seek but will say I enjoy both my RV and canoe camping adventurers.

Now back too the OPs question, it appears he will need the aforementioned 3500 watts.

It's an expensive little box has capacitance to handle the surge, but also controls the timing of the other stuff starting. Very impressive. You can run an A/C (alone) with a 2000 watt generator. $300+,but a good investment. Check it out on YouTube.

mobeewan wrote:

rbpru wrote:
If I am understanding the thread correctly, to start an AC that draws 12 amps takes more than a 2,000 watt generator because of the starting current surge.

That would mean a 3,000 watt unit.

Also, what is a soft start kit?

The kit contains a capacitor that is installed internally in the air conditioner. It stores energy like a battery. That energy is released when you turn the air conditioner on. It adds to the incoming power for boost starting the air conditioner.

There is an item referred to as a "hard start" capacitor which does just that. However, there is something else called a "soft start".

PDX.Zs wrote:
We have a couple of the Yamaha 2000s. Fred and Ethel.

Fred wouldn't kick the AC over by himself, so we needed Ethel. They run linked in tandem with a little cord kit.

These things are amazing. So quiet, light, fuel efficient, and clean. They basically idle to run the AC after start up.

On a side note, if anybody reading this is that guy who runs one of those cheap, loud, obnoxious contractor generators at a campsite... You are an incredible d!ck.

Can I say that here? I know this is a very polite forum, but geez...

Fred and Ethel are not quiet, they are "quieter" than some other options. Running any generator breaks up the stillness of a quiet evening. Not as bad as a chain saw but more than the sound of a mountain breeze. On the other hand, while parked in a parking lot for lunch, I don't care what color your generator is. Passing judgment and calling people with other brands names does little to help the OP figure out how many watts he needs.

corvettekent wrote:

MarkTwain wrote:
I have a Lance 20' TT and want a generator that will run both my AC and Microwave at the same time????

So you don't want to shut off the AC for a few minutes when you are using the microwave? You could save some big $$.

how long are you microwaving something to have the RV get too hot if AC isn't on? Just turn the AC on max for a few minutes before shutting it down.
bumpy

I offered to lend a guy one of honda 2000. He was he was running one of those obnoxious construction gens. He declined my offer and the whole neighborhood suffered. Finally after numerous complaints to management he bought a Yamaha.

Understanding some nomenclature; if you have a 30 amp electrical system - it is equivalent to 3,600 watts. To replicate being plugged into shore power thus requires a 3,600 watt generator. You might be able to get away with a slightly smaller generator.