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Will Any Generator Do?

allen8106
Explorer
Explorer
I have a Generac Wheelhouse 5500 generator I bought back in 2005 because of an ice storm that knocked power out to my mothers house. She used it for a week until the electric company restored power. I want to do some boon dock camping and wondered if the experts here could tell me if this generator will run my 2010 Jayco 5ver satisfactorily. Now I know the first thing someone might say whoa that's going to be too noisy. Now I understand this this is a beast and is down right noisy. That aside what I am really interested in knowing is will this generator function properly with my 5ver? I assume, and I could be wrong, that this generator is a good as any other for running my 5ver, other than the noise of course.
2010 Eagle Super Lite 315RLDS
2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD 6.6L Duramax

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33 REPLIES 33

carpetguy2
Explorer
Explorer
I have a generac 6500.I used for storm outages.
What pig tail do you use for rv.
Where can I get one ?
2007.5 chevy 3500 ltz CC LB Duramax
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Some other toys too

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Explorer II
So Allen, I hope your can still focus after all the noise police got done beating you up. :B

Who knows maybe you were gonna boon dock a mile or two from anybody.

Sprink-Fitter
Explorer
Explorer
tvman44 wrote:
A thread like this always brings out the "old wives tales" & the red / blue snobs.


We bought a Honda EU6500iS because we have a BBQ vending trailer and want a quiiet generator for us as well as the customers. We also put it in the toy hauler and take it to use while boondocking.

I don't think that makes me a snob.

If you want a loud generator, buy one.
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laknox
Nomad
Nomad
Knock together a 3-sided take-down box out of plywood with some eggshell foam inside to help kill the noise. Cut some 1/2" ply; use some 90d flat corner brackets with bolts and wing-nuts to hold them together. Glue some 2" foam inside. Leave a good 6-8" clearance all around, being very aware where the exhaust is and work around that. Put it together and face it away from your FW. I've seen (though not heard) several boxes like this over the years.

Lyle
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allen8106
Explorer
Explorer
smkettner wrote:
Does it have 120v 30 amp outlet or just split phase (120/240)?
Is your RV 30 amp or 50 amp?

Yes try to park 1,000 yards from anyone else. If just charging batteries it may help to upgrade your converter and add some battery capacity.

When you are out there enjoying the noise you may start to think SOLAR...


It has a 120/240 volt 4 wire receptacle. 120 volts to each outside prong and 240 across the two outside prongs according to the manual. the RV is 50 amp.
2010 Eagle Super Lite 315RLDS
2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD 6.6L Duramax

2010 Nights 45
2011 Nights 70
2012 Nights 144
2013 Nights 46
2014 Nights 49
2015 Nights 57
2016 Nights 73
2017 Nights 40
2018 Nights 56
2019 Nights 76
2020 Nights 68

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
tvman44 wrote:
A thread like this always brings out the "old wives tales" & the red / blue snobs.


Not from me. I am the king of red bashers! :B

allen8106
Explorer
Explorer
2oldman wrote:
Swamp Man wrote:
Depending on the electronics that you have in the trailer, this might be problematic in that the power from the generator does not have a good regulation..
True.

It's also very heavy, and as said, very loud.


I've already been thinking about solar!
2010 Eagle Super Lite 315RLDS
2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD 6.6L Duramax

2010 Nights 45
2011 Nights 70
2012 Nights 144
2013 Nights 46
2014 Nights 49
2015 Nights 57
2016 Nights 73
2017 Nights 40
2018 Nights 56
2019 Nights 76
2020 Nights 68

Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Explorer II
I don't see a reason why it wouldn't and since you said you would use it while boondocking (implying nobody else around) noise shouldn't be a factor of concern. Even the so called quiet gennies make quite a racket when having to supply any real power, just use a longer heavy duty extension cord with muffler facing opposite direction to help alleviate some of the noise and it will power virtually whatever your 5er has onboard. Generator probably needs some exercising anyway. Of course most public campgrounds have rules for generator use that all must adhere to regardless of brand.

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
ChooChooMan74 wrote:
2112 wrote:
It will work just fine. Your wheelhouse is no different than any other 3600 rpm machine out there. You can peak over 6kw so it will run both ACs as long as you don't have a lot of other heavy loads running. Why don't you plug it up and try it for a few hours? Then you will know for sure.

Mess up his electronics? Really? Did his mom's stuff mess up while using it that week or so? I bet not.

Give the guy a break. If you don't want to hear it while he's boondocking than either address it to him at that time or move on. But don't feed him a bunch of******because you don't like his genny.
Well said!!!

I will just add, as long as you're not using it next to anyone who wants peace and quiet, no problems using it.


Totally agree. It will do the job just fine and all your electronics could care less. They're just not that picky.

tvman44
Explorer
Explorer
A thread like this always brings out the "old wives tales" & the red / blue snobs.
Papa Bob
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ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Explorer
2112 wrote:
It will work just fine. Your wheelhouse is no different than any other 3600 rpm machine out there. You can peak over 6kw so it will run both ACs as long as you don't have a lot of other heavy loads running. Why don't you plug it up and try it for a few hours? Then you will know for sure.

Mess up his electronics? Really? Did his mom's stuff mess up while using it that week or so? I bet not.

Give the guy a break. If you don't want to hear it while he's boondocking than either address it to him at that time or move on. But don't feed him a bunch of******because you don't like his genny.
Well said!!!

I will just add, as long as you're not using it next to anyone who wants peace and quiet, no problems using it.
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2112
Explorer II
Explorer II
It will work just fine. Your wheelhouse is no different than any other 3600 rpm machine out there. You can peak over 6kw so it will run both ACs as long as you don't have a lot of other heavy loads running. Why don't you plug it up and try it for a few hours? Then you will know for sure.

Mess up his electronics? Really? Did his mom's stuff mess up while using it that week or so? I bet not.

Give the guy a break. If you don't want to hear it while he's boondocking than either address it to him at that time or move on. But don't feed him a bunch of******because you don't like his genny.
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost SuperCab Max Tow, 2084# Payload, 11,300# Tow,
Timbrens
2013 KZ Durango 2857

waltbennett
Explorer
Explorer
First off, I don't think it's a pure sine wave generator. Only a few things don't operate on anything but that, but this can be problematic. The BIGGER issue is anyone near you will get seriously upset if this thing make more than 58db noise at ten feet. Even if you're all by yourself, the drone will be very annoying. New gensets are usually at least close.
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2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Swamp Man wrote:
Depending on the electronics that you have in the trailer, this might be problematic in that the power from the generator does not have a good regulation..
True.

It's also very heavy, and as said, very loud.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
Does it have 120v 30 amp outlet or just split phase (120/240)?
Is your RV 30 amp or 50 amp?

Yes try to park 1,000 yards from anyone else. If just charging batteries it may help to upgrade your converter and add some battery capacity.

When you are out there enjoying the noise you may start to think SOLAR...