Generator Help - need to buy in next week...

[3mtnlabbie]

So - we aren't too savvy with understanding how to measure what kind of generator power we need to get when we buy one within the next week. We know it will be an investment.

Here are the details:

We have a 2013 Palomino Banshee B3: http://www.windishrv.com/inventory/362584/Used-2013-Palomino-Banshee-B-3.aspx (that's our baby - and NO we did NOT pay that much!)

Why we want a generator:
1. We can kill a battery running our furnace in one night if it is in the 40s.
2. It takes hours to hand crank the lift system without a batter (not kidding)
3. We are bringing an extra battery with us with is a total PITA - and would prefer to travel with one.
4. When running off a battery - we can't use the A/C, or run anything that relies off of plugging into the regular outlets inside the camper (ie: heated beds, charging camera batteries, etc.

What items we would like our generator to allow us to do:
1. NOT have to bring a second battery
2. Run the furnace all night if necessary if below 50 degrees
3. Allow us to charge: laptop, camera batteries, cell phones, iPad, etc.
4. Allow us to USE: heated beds, my HAIR DRYER, my flatiron, our A/C if necessary (it is a Coleman Mach - I don't know beyond that), etc.

Things we want:
1. Not to be noisy
2. Hopefully easy to move around
3. Fuel efficient
4. Reliable

Special thing to consider (we live at 5,400' in elevation. We camp usually above 8,000'...

Thank you for all your insight in advance!

[mlts22]

I'm wondering about either a set of 2000 watt generators, or perhaps something larger that can handle the power loss at higher altitudes.

It depends on what you want. A single Honda 6500 watt inverter model has the same noise rating as the 2000 watt models, but would easily cover any need you have (especially the inrush current from the A/C), even with 30%+ power loss. Three Honda eu2000i models with a Wise Sales generator parallel kit can get you 4500 watts or so as well, good enough even with the power derating.

The smaller Hondas, you can buy the LowPro Lockdown kit to bolt them to a fixed surface so they stay put, and are more portable. The larger one has remote start, and is fairly fuel efficient.

[Drew_K]

A Honda 2K will run a blowdryer or flat iron, but it will not run an A/C, at least not very well and probably not at all at high altitude.

Sounds to me like a single Honda 2K would take care of all of your needs except A/C. You'll have to decide for yourself whether the cost of a second Honda is justified.

[3mtnlabbie]

JiminDenver wrote:
As mentioned running generators at night in campgrounds is a no no so lets talk about your current situation. How is your battery being charged before you go? You really need to make sure you are starting off on the right foot with a well charged battery. I take our batteries out of the trailer and use stand alone chargers at home. As soon as we get home I recharge the batteries, then again once a month when not in use and I charge them for 3 days before we leave again.

How old is your battery and what size is it?

What are your other loads? One thing to consider is cutting back the use without sacrificing like with inexpensive LED replacements for the incandescent bulbs. There also insulated covers for the bunk ends that will help keep your furnace from running so much.

Great questions - we are in Denver also (well a burb)...
We have two BRAND NEW batteries that we charge OUT of the camper on their own chargers. The trickle charge that "happens" while we drive basically does ZERO. So we have been charging them for 3 days each in the garage on their own chargers... They fit in the box in front of our propane tanks, so I don't know the size...? We really don't run all the "nice" things at all. I'll flick on a light if I can't find something in the dark, we may have the radio on for an hour a day. We DO use the water pump and how water heater the entire time we are set up... And the frig but we have that on propane... So it is really just the furnace at night that we have set to 55 and that cycles off when we reach that temp... Oh and wanting to use our "modern" devices I guess...

[3mtnlabbie]

Thanks everybody!
All this helps!

We are pretty confident that our furnace won't drain our battery overnight but it can take probably 60% of a fully charged battery. The furnace will run until the camper reaches the heat we set it to and then cycle off until the temp drops so it isn't running all the time during the night.

Our camper has a 4'x8' deck that you can put a full sized ATV on. We use it for storage as we are using an SUV to tow and need that deck space for bicycles, firewood, lawn chairs, etc. So chances are while we are set up, the generator would be housed on that deck as it is fully covered by one of the bed slideouts. We would also lock it there. We have NO intention of running a generator at night. We just returned from camping and some idiots had theirs running at 10:40pm - SO not cool. We don't plan to be "those" people. 🙂

The generator would travel most likely IN the camper to keep it safe. The spare fuel tank we would have on the deck for ventilation and safety.

1. Where the heck would we mount our second battery? We are just switching them when one is dead.
2. Would a Honda or Yamaha 2K generator be able to power my hairdryer or flatiron?
3. Chances are SLIM we would even ever need our A/C but most places we have gone thus far do not have electricity so IF we did ever want it... It would be nice to be able to use a feature we do have. Right?

wcjeep - you mentioned a cellphone booster - what is that? We have Verizon.

[JiminDenver]

I camp above 8000 ft and can tell you that a generator can loose quite a bit of power up there. A 2800 watt generator of any type will run your air up to around 8-8500 ft, at 10,000 ft I use a Champion 3500/4000 and even then it helps to keep the converter off.

Depending on temperature you can take as much as 4% out of the rated watts per 1000 ft of elevation. A 2000w (1600 watt running)inverter generator where I camp drops 640 watts on a hot day. It wouldn't stand a chance of running our 900 watt microwave that pulls 1375w. At 8000 feet it would loose 512 watts and still wouldn't so it.

As mentioned running generators at night in campgrounds is a no no so lets talk about your current situation. How is your battery being charged before you go? You really need to make sure you are starting off on the right foot with a well charged battery. I take our batteries out of the trailer and use stand alone chargers at home. As soon as we get home I recharge the batteries, then again once a month when not in use and I charge them for 3 days before we leave again.

How old is your battery and what size is it?

What are your other loads? One thing to consider is cutting back the use without sacrificing like with inexpensive LED replacements for the incandescent bulbs. There also insulated covers for the bunk ends that will help keep your furnace from running so much.

[suprz]

Also remember that at high altitudes an engine might not put out the same power it would at sea level... So a 2000 watt gen might be fine at sea level,.that same gen might not put out the same power at high altitude.

[darsben]

You are headed to Yellowstone. The rule there is NO GENERATOR 8 PM to 8 AM

[SWD]

The portable generator of choice is either Honda or Yamaha, due to their reliability and quietness.

[coolbreeze01]

Two 12V batteries are better than one and a Honda 2000 will do what you want at 8,000', at least mine does. Have fun.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

For peace and quiet go to an inverter generator.

If you wish to run the air conditioner in the mountains, I'd recommend the Yamaha sIEB which is a 2800 VA generator with 500 watts of boost for ten seconds. Honda makes a similar model--but it does not do the boost. These are electric start and can be equipped with a remote starter.

Twin Yamaha 1600 watt, twin Honda 1600 watt, and twin Champion 1600 watt would also work. These require a connector kit which is illegal in Canada and are NOT electric start.

The next step up from 2800 is a 4500 VA unit. They are considerably heavier and lots more money. They are electric start and a serious piece of kit.

In theory, a 2000 watt (really 1600) could run the air conditioner if it were used with a hybrid boost inverter.

If you are unwilling to run a generator at night, then more battery capacity needs to be added. In addition change all the lighting to led.

[hmknightnc]

Install a permanent 2nd battery (would recommend 2 6v in series). For the generator you need some power for that AC. IMHO you got 2 choices:
- Twin Honda 2k units. Quiet, powerful and fuel efficient but expensive. About $2k for the setup
- Champion 3500/4000. Not as quiet, plenty of power, little more thirsty. About $400.

Your choice

[MrWizard]

Unless you are alone in the woods on your own property
You are not going to be allowed to run a generator all night, you need two batteries out reduce your heating load
To power an A/C at 8000 ft you will need at least 3kw and maybe more, because the generator will lose power as altitude increases
One big appliance at a time a/C or flat iron, or hair dryer
If you want multiple big items at same time, get some one to install a 6000w our larger RV genny in your RV

[mtofell1]

Sounds like the Honda 2000 is what you need. To run the furnace fan overnight you'll still need some good batteries but can charge them during the day with the generator (unless you're boondocking and don't mind listening to the generator while you sleep).

The only thing on your list that might be out is running the A/C. I just tested mine over the weekend and I can't run the A/C but my A/C is on a 20A breaker so it's close. 120V X 20A = 2400 watts and the generator is 2000 watts.

Anyway, the Honda is very quiet and very reliable but a bit pricey at around $1000. I saw similar unit at Costco made by Yamaha that might worth a look.

The Honda is an amazing piece of equipment. The $1000 stings but that's the last thing even close to negative you'll ever experience with it.

[wcjeep]

It sounds like you need a minimum 2k watt. Not sure how much power you lose due to altitude. Are you planning to store the gen in the tow vehicle? Where do you plan to haul the spare fuel tank? Does your popup have the storage area on the tongue? Does it have a rear hitch connection? Does your tow rig have a front hitch? Torklift sells a hitch basket for generators. It's lockable. If placed on the forward vehicle hitch it would be locked and quieter while in the RV. Check Craigslist for the gen. You might get lucky.

Edit: I use portable Anker batteries to recharge gadgets. Then recharge the Anker while driving. They vary in cost. They also go on sale. Next portable battery I might get can jump start a car then recharge gadgets. They do work.

I noticed another post your going to Yellowstone. We were there two years ago. With my cellphone booster I had Verizon cell service in most of the park. There were some dead zone with the booster, but, not many.

http://northridge4x4.com/shop/fuseled-pod-jump-start-fl-pod-x3

[Fishinghat]

Since you won't (or can't) run your generator at night, and you want your furnace to run all night, I'd suggest installing a second battery. Two 6 volt batteries should give you sufficient amperage to run all night.

The portable generator of choice is Honda due to reliability and quietness. I'm sure there are other manufacturers who offer competitive generators.