Generators

[jbrack]

Please excuse me if this subject has been beat to death, but I am about to become a full-time RVer. I retire in 8 days and my wife and I purchased a new truck and 5th wheel and plan to roam around for awhile. My question is about generators. Do I want to incur the expense of a generator capable of running my 50 amp needs or should I get a 30 amp and only power the bare necessities? Do I want the dual fuel model? (seems like a grand idea to me). What about the "other" brands of generators? By this I mean, not a Honda. The 7000watt Honda is around $4k but I saw a nice looking Pulsar dual/fuel for half that. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

[we3]

I was about to purchase a Honda 3k to run my AC as my son has one and likes it. I told him and he replied that I should purchase two Honda 2k as the 3k is heavy to move around and cost is about the same. Good call. Most of the time I just run one when I don't need AC, I have an additional 1k watts, easy to move. The only downside I can see is that while they are easier for me to move they are also easier for others to "remove" as well.

[2oldman]

Have you thought about the likelihood you'll not be camping in an RV park? Buying one for 'just in case' is never a great idea, or to try to use in places like Walmart lots. It's a lot of work.

[dedmiston]

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
You also have the option of dual 2000 watt inverters, smaller, easier to handle, and can be paralleled to give a total of 3200-4000 watts, Generally one will not run an ac, 2 will run one and have some surplus for additional loads. Also there are 3000-3500 watt inverters from champion, predator, and others which are less than half the price of the Honda or Yammy's. Nobody will argue that the champs and others are quieter or longer lasting than the premium ones, but they do have a following and many will tell you that with the price point, they could afford to buy a new one every 4 years, and still come out ahead.
Lots of head scratching available on this one.
happy motorin

I camped with a guy this weekend who had two 2k generators. He had all the comforts he needed and only even fired up the second gen once.

[kerrlakeRoo]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi kerrlakeRoo,

Parallel is not recommended for different wattage of generators.

There is no need to parallel when you can use load support.

Thanks, I had thought it would be a nice option.

[pianotuna]

Hi kerrlakeRoo,

Parallel is not recommended for different wattage of generators.

There is no need to parallel when you can use load support.

[Lwiddis]

If you are plannng on staying in private RV parks no generator or solar system will be needed. If you gravitate to cooler areas where A/C won’t be needed and are dry/boondock camping a good solar system will be all you need even with limited microwave use.

[kerrlakeRoo]

pianotuna wrote:
There is more than one way to go.

I use a hybrid inverter/charger which is rated for 3000 watts. It has a load support feature which allows me to supplement the generator power if the supply is insufficient to my needs. That means I can run the roof air, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, and fridge all at the same time.

The load support also allows me full functionality when plugged into a 15 amp shore power supply, without blowing the shore power breaker.

In your case I'd get a 4000 watt hybrid inverter/charger and mate it with a 3500 watt Champion inverter generator. That generator comes with remote electric start--so for small loads, or short duration loads the hybrid inverter/charger can be used.

Don, glad you popped in, just a thought, could you parallel a 3500 and a 2000 inverter?
It seems like a heckuva flexible option, have the little 2K for when you dont need the AC, Run just the 3500 when you want AC, and if its really hot parallel the 2K to surpass 5K.
I know the predator 3500 inverters can be connected.
Any ideas?

[pianotuna]

There is more than one way to go.

I use a hybrid inverter/charger which is rated for 3000 watts. It has a load support feature which allows me to supplement the generator power if the supply is insufficient to my needs. That means I can run the roof air, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, and fridge all at the same time.

The load support also allows me full functionality when plugged into a 15 amp shore power supply, without blowing the shore power breaker.

In your case I'd get a 4000 watt hybrid inverter/charger and mate it with a 3500 watt Champion inverter generator. That generator comes with remote electric start--so for small loads, or short duration loads the hybrid inverter/charger can be used.

[kerrlakeRoo]

You also have the option of dual 2000 watt inverters, smaller, easier to handle, and can be paralleled to give a total of 3200-4000 watts, Generally one will not run an ac, 2 will run one and have some surplus for additional loads. Also there are 3000-3500 watt inverters from champion, predator, and others which are less than half the price of the Honda or Yammy's. Nobody will argue that the champs and others are quieter or longer lasting than the premium ones, but they do have a following and many will tell you that with the price point, they could afford to buy a new one every 4 years, and still come out ahead.
Lots of head scratching available on this one.
happy motorin

[laknox]

jbrack wrote:
Please excuse me if this subject has been beat to death, but I am about to become a full-time RVer. I retire in 8 days and my wife and I purchased a new truck and 5th wheel and plan to roam around for awhile. My question is about generators. Do I want to incur the expense of a generator capable of running my 50 amp needs or should I get a 30 amp and only power the bare necessities? Do I want the dual fuel model? (seems like a grand idea to me). What about the "other" brands of generators? By this I mean, not a Honda. The 7000watt Honda is around $4k but I saw a nice looking Pulsar dual/fuel for half that. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

A 30a will power ONE A/C and some lights, but not the microwave, hair dryer or coffee maker at the same time. Personally, I like to be where I don't need the A/C, so I'm a bit in the same boat. :B That said, I'd also love to be able to run the whole coach on a genny, if needed, but it's not likely to happen. I'm not a huge propane fan since I like to camp at altitude and you lose a =lot= more power running propane than on gas. There are advantages to both, so you have to choose which will fit you better.

The other concern is noise. Inverter-style gennys are quiet and there's nobody that can touch Honda for sound-damping, though Yamaha seems to come closest. Of course, they're the 2 most expensive, so, "pick yer pizzen". My dad's old Whisperwatt 25kw, with an Isuzu diesel is awful quiet, but I'd need a =real= hefty hitch to tow it. :B

Lyle

[ford_truck_guy]

IF your running full time , I am sure that you would not want to lug around a HUGE portable generator.. You will need to set it up, and fuel it up each time you use it..

If you hang it off the rear of your fiver, would you carry it fulltime with a full tank? what about security for it.?

It may be best to settle for the Onan 5500, or the 6500 version...

I know they are more than stated, but for the piece of mind, and ease of use... I added the Onan 6500 and love it...

[Pauljdav]

I have the honda 3000 watt and it works well for me.
The only reason you need a huge generator is if you need your air conditioner on.
My 3000 will power my ac so i dont need anything bigger.