Forum Discussion

Dog_Trainer's avatar
Dog_Trainer
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014

Portable Generator size

I know the brand a vs b vs c debate has been beat to death I do not want to start that here.
What I am wondering is the diff between 2000 & 3000 watt inverter style and what they will power
I have had a Onan 6500 on the road with me for the last 10+ years so never any question as to whether I had enough.
Now as we start our new adventure with the TT I am kind of leaning toward a 2000 watt portable we do not do much boondocking and mostly when we ran the air in our MH it was going down the road to keep the coach cool. So how much wattage do you require. As I get a little older I like to keep the weight down on the genny as well.
Seeking Advice
  • Dog_Trainer's avatar
    Dog_Trainer
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2014
    I will go with the 2000 watt model.I really do not want to wrestle with the larger model and don't need the extra weight in the truck bed. I do not think the lack of being able to run the air is an issue. If the air is a future need I am buying the model that has the stack feature so I can add the another 2000 watt piggy back.
  • Milt's avatar
    Milt
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2014
    We have a 2000/2200 watt which will run two at a time ,refer, coffee maker or microwave, all three at once will overload. Never have tried the air.
    milt
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2014
    We have a 2100 and it will run the AC with everything else off but we almost ever need the AC. That is all I can pick up and if we needed AC we wouldn't want to be there anyway, we would move.
  • Veebyes's avatar
    Veebyes
    Explorer II
    Nov 25, 2014
    The Honda 2000 works fine for us, but it is rare that we wish that we have AC when dry camping. We are seldom desert campers.
  • Sandia_Man's avatar
    Sandia_Man
    Explorer II
    Nov 25, 2014
    A 2K watt unit will handle everything and will power most microwaves. Running AC will require a 3K watt or higher genny. Many buy a 2K watt unit and just add another in parallel if they find themselves using the AC unit more than they intended while camping without hookups. Just bring one if not using AC.
  • Bob_Olallawa's avatar
    Bob_Olallawa
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2014
    If you have help loading it one thing if not how much can you handle alone? Do you need to run the air or not?
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Nov 25, 2014
    It comes down to this:

    If you may need the a/c, then 3000 or more would be needed.

    If you won't be needing the a/c, then the 2000 will run everything else.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Nov 25, 2014
    A 3K is required for air but a 2K will work fine otherwise.
    I would NOT get anything smaller. You will often find the 2k working hard - a 1K won't even power some converters if the battery is low.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Nov 25, 2014
    No boon docking, at least not much? AC when parked? If yes, then a 3KW. If no, then for battery charging a 1KW is sufficient and way lighter than bigger ones.

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