What size generator to run AC??

Hi,

I don't like the microair either.

Watching this thread. We have a large 6500w generator for the house and I toyed with the idea of using for the FW while boondocking. The obvious problems are it's HEAVY and LOUD.

Thinking of getting a smaller, quieter inverter generator but I would only want the minimum size to quietly run one ac. It's seems like 3000 is about as small as you want to go.

Hondas are expensive but I hear good things about predators and even champion. I don't want to spend a ton of money as we'd probably only use once or twice a year.

Saw a new one on CL locally - craftsman 3000 inverter generator for $650. Guy bought it and never used it.

valhalla360 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
Problem with a 2200W vs a 3500W is the 2200W will be wound out making gobs of noise while the 3500w will barely break idle running a 13,500ac.
I have both and much prefer the 3500w for running the AC and other stuff at the same time.

Yep, recently replaced our Yamaha 2400w (upper class brand similar to Honda) with a Champion 4500w with much worse dB rating.

I was playing around before I sold the Yamaha and running the air/con, the Champion was noticeably quieter as it never came off idle while the Yamaha was easily at half throttle.

Ditto for me. My Champion 4500/3500 runs much quieter than my Ryobi 2000/1600 with the same load, even though the gap is about 4 dBa between them.

The Champion is over 40lbs heavier at about 100 lbs full of gas but is still manageable for this old f-- t. It is my choice for the road.

theoldwizard1 wrote:

B-n-B wrote:
I run a Honda 2200 converted to LP. I also installed a Micro Air on the Coleman Mach.

IMHO, Micro Air is a MUST HAVE !

IMHO you,re better off putting the money into a bigger generator. The micro air is a one trick pony, the bigger generator is useful every where you take it.

We've been running the same dual 2000 watt Hondas since 2011 with no complaints. Pretty easy to move around and with the boat tank conversion kit they will run for days.

goducks10 wrote:
Problem with a 2200W vs a 3500W is the 2200W will be wound out making gobs of noise while the 3500w will barely break idle running a 13,500ac.
I have both and much prefer the 3500w for running the AC and other stuff at the same time.

Yep, recently replaced our Yamaha 2400w (upper class brand similar to Honda) with a Champion 4500w with much worse dB rating.

I was playing around before I sold the Yamaha and running the air/con, the Champion was noticeably quieter as it never came off idle while the Yamaha was easily at half throttle.

Problem with a 2200W vs a 3500W is the 2200W will be wound out making gobs of noise while the 3500w will barely break idle running a 13,500ac.
I have both and much prefer the 3500w for running the AC and other stuff at the same time.

B-n-B wrote:
I run a Honda 2200 converted to LP. I also installed a Micro Air on the Coleman Mach.

IMHO, Micro Air is a MUST HAVE !

valhalla360 wrote:
Assuming you are reasonably healthy, the bigger unit is my preference.

Only lifting is in or out of the truck ...

I can lift, just not on to the tailgate. Pull start is not an issue.

valhalla360 wrote:

theoldwizard1 wrote:
You can't not argue with the durability of any of the Honda generators, but there are other good units on the market.

Not claiming Honda's have poor durability but you don't have an equal samples across brands.

Honda inverter generators have been around for around 20-25yrs, so having the stray story about one that's been kicking around for 15yrs is not surprising.

Many of the other brands haven't been around for 10yrs, so of course, there are no stories of them lasting for 15yrs.

I doo.
In my line of work, we use generators almost exclusively for jobsite power. And generally they are Hondas with the odd Yamaha here n there if it's a little 1k or 2k.
And invariably, box store genny get purchased from time to time. Generally an immediate need has someone running to Homie Deport to get whatever will get them by. And they never last near as long (anecdotally as we don't catalog the lifespan of small tools), not even close.

For occasional and recreational use, I'm sue there are plenty that "work", but there is no comparison.
And power output to rated capacity. Had a job where we needed a bunch of little 1k-2k gennys. And being cost conscious, went and got some Costco "Yamahar" units. They worked fine for the little jobs powering flagger station lights. They wouldn't put out full power though when used to a high % of their rating.
But I've probably bought, used, wore out or destroyed more portable generators than most people have actually touched. So not the avg weekend warrior experience.

I believe this is a get what you pay for scenario. And your needs may not support spending the extra money.
For the camper genny when we got our first camper almost 10 years ago, I had the same dilemma. Spend almost $1000 on a Honda/Yami 2k or less than half on an off brand. Instead I bought a used Honda with under 100hrs on it for about $100 more than a china bomb genny.
Hasn't been used in 2 years now, that I remember. Had it stored with AV gas in it. Son used it this week to run the lights at the mtn bike track. 1 squirt of ether to light 'er up and off to the races.
AND if I don't want it, I got $400 into it and probably sell it for $500 tomorrow.

JMO