Generator question

[Campinfan]

I am thinking of getting a generator for my fifth wheel. Not sure which route I should go and why. Do I go for an onboard generator or a portable and how big for either? I want to primarily use it for traveling to distant locations (the trip there) and not for when I get there. In other words, I will not be boondocking other than stopping for the night (or when tired) and catching some shut eye for a few hours or overnight. Any help would be appreciated. I have 2 AC's but not sure if I would be using both of them on the trip to lets say Florida for example.

[enblethen]

Think hard about location and where your living space is. Gensets even quieter ones can be a pain!

[Learjet]

StirCrazy wrote:

Lantley wrote:
This is how I travel occasionally as well. The built in allows you to be fully self contained with ease.
Pin Box mount is not a bad idea, but not quite push button convenience. You have to protect the genset from the elements somehow? You have to get out the cord, put it away, start the genset outside....maybe you have remote start? Hopefully you have electric start and not pulling a cord!

Im not sure if I like the pin box mount idea. nice out of the way to carry it but if you had to run the ac in a truck stop or road side pull out that would make a awful rumble in the bedroom haha.

Adding fuel when the truck is disconnected? Maybe a carrying place...but seems to be a pain in the arse! Back rack or in front of the hitch like I use to do is better.

[StirCrazy]

Lantley wrote:
This is how I travel occasionally as well. The built in allows you to be fully self contained with ease.
Pin Box mount is not a bad idea, but not quite push button convenience. You have to protect the genset from the elements somehow? You have to get out the cord, put it away, start the genset outside....maybe you have remote start? Hopefully you have electric start and not pulling a cord!

Im not sure if I like the pin box mount idea. nice out of the way to carry it but if you had to run the ac in a truck stop or road side pull out that would make a awful rumble in the bedroom haha.

[valhalla360]

And my point was...it depends on how the manufacturer sets up the spec. You have peak instantaneous/short term output (like the old hondas) vs continuous rating (like my old yamaha).

If the generator is rated on continuous output, a 3000w generator will outdo a 30amp pedestal because the peak rating is typically 20-30% higher.

Reality is this is mostly nitpicking because if it can kick the compressor over, you are generally good to go as no one is or should be pulling 3600w continuously with a 30amp rig (30amp outlet is only rated for 80% continuous). If you are lucky, it will just pop a breaker trying to pull 3600w but it's easy to burn things up in the process.

[Lantley]

valhalla360 wrote:

Lantley wrote:
For the record a 3000 watt genset does not have the same power as a 30 amp pedestal. A pedestal has 120 volts x 30 amps = 3600 watts vs. 3000 for the genset.
Not a huge difference and not a deal breaker, but a not quite equal either.

Depends how the generator is spec'd...and that's all over the place.

Had a Yamaha 2400 that could spike to over 3000w for startup loads. The aircon typically pulled 1200-1500w, so it worked fine with enough for other light loads (fridge, tv, lights, etc...)

The tried and true Honda 2000w units peak at 2000w with a continuous output of 1600w.

A 30amp campground pedestal is only rated for 24amps (2800w) continuous load.

In terms of generators, 3000w is typically suggested as the minimum size where it can reliably kick over the air/con compressor without modifications to the air/con unit and you aren't running the generator at max rating all the time.

My only point is that none of the 3000 watt gensets are not putting out the power equivalent of a 30 amp pedestal which is 3600 watts.

[valhalla360]

Lantley wrote:
For the record a 3000 watt genset does not have the same power as a 30 amp pedestal. A pedestal has 120 volts x 30 amps = 3600 watts vs. 3000 for the genset.
Not a huge difference and not a deal breaker, but a not quite equal either.

Depends how the generator is spec'd...and that's all over the place.

Had a Yamaha 2400 that could spike to over 3000w for startup loads. The aircon typically pulled 1200-1500w, so it worked fine with enough for other light loads (fridge, tv, lights, etc...)

The tried and true Honda 2000w units peak at 2000w with a continuous output of 1600w.

A 30amp campground pedestal is only rated for 24amps (2800w) continuous load.

In terms of generators, 3000w is typically suggested as the minimum size where it can reliably kick over the air/con compressor without modifications to the air/con unit and you aren't running the generator at max rating all the time.

[Campinfan]

You folks are giving me great ideas and things to think about. Thank you so much.I am just glad this is not a purchase I have to make real soon, lots of things to consider.

[Campinfan]

I was looking at a 3800 watt (peak) and I think it is a 3000 or up to 3400 (cannot recall right at this moment)..Are the Harbor Freight ones quiet? I have heard mixed things about them (the generators) and some of their stuff is not the highest quality but I still buy a few things from them.

[Learjet]

I ordered my Pinnacle with the Onan 5500 propane and 3 x 40 lbs. tanks. Love it and works perfect what I needed. That 5500 gen is very quite and smooth.

[Cptnvideo]

Another option that I am looking at is a generator slide out tray.
I could put my portable in the compartment intended for a generator, out of sight and locked up. Then slide out the tray to run (for ventilation purposes).

[Lantley]

The photo I posted of the pin box mount is not my rig. I posted a generic photo I found on the internet to give the OP an idea of what a pin Box mount looked like.
But as some have pointed out all portables are not created equal.
Potables come in all sizes, weights, noise levels and price points.
Choosing the right RV portable generator is all part of the process.

[Veebyes]

Lantley wrote:
pin box mounted genset

Your neighbours must love you with that thing. I would not want to be within 100yds of it. Don't care where it is mounted.

Moderator edit to re-size image to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

[Learjet]

muffler is close to front cap ??

[Lantley]

I believe they are generally home made

[Cptnvideo]

Thanks, Lantley. I don't see an issue with that with my 8' bed. Who sells them? Or is it home made?