I'm still debating between a class "C" or a "B", but one of the things I want to bring along is a small in size, inverter generator, even though the motorhome will have an Onan onboard. A few reasons why:I can locate the generator physically away from my vehicle, so it doesn't feel like a Magic Fingers bed.I really don't need 2800 or 4000 watts when just powering up a converter, so being able to save fuel is nice.If the house batteries are too low, the Onan won't power on, so having a "black start" ability with a recoil start generator can't hurt.For tasks like running a generator for battery charging, I'd rather put it on a less expensive unit for long run time.What would people recommend for a small inverter generator for low wattage applications too small to bother firing up the onboard Onan? The Powerhouse 500 watt one looks OK at $350. For what I would be using it for, the capacity is a bit puny, but enough to charge batteries and run basic stuff. Next step up is a Honda EU2000i Companion which would handle virtually everything but the A/C.

What is the model of your converter? It is all about the input watts required to run that, with the PF applied to get the VA spec needed for the gen.After that it is all about how loud is the small gen.

I had a 1000w Honda that I had bought in the 70's we used it to power the TV, Lights, and other small draw appliances. It would charge the batteries in our TT in about 8 hours. Very quiet and fuel efficient. I now have a 1500w unknown brand I got at Walmart for a really cheap price a few years ago because the box was damaged badly in transport. I carry it as a spare for battery charging if my Honda 2000i die.

ctilsie242 wrote:I'm still debating between a class "C" or a "B", but one of the things I want to bring along is a small in size, inverter generator, even though the motorhome will have an Onan onboard.The Powerhouse 500 watt one looks OK at $350. For what I would be using it for, the capacity is a bit puny, but enough to charge batteries and run basic stuff. Next step up is a Honda EU2000i Companion which would handle virtually everything but the A/C.$350 US? No way it's worth that, read this. FWIW, you won't be running much of a charger with just a 500 watt genset unless you can manually restrict it's charging rate, which your MH is sure not to have. And obviously, an EU2000i is hardly the "next step up", even Honda's own EU1000i may suffice for what you have in mind. Depends on the intended load, how much you're willing to spend, and how much you're willing to lift. :)

I wouldn't go with anything smaller than the 1000W Honda. A 500W or 650W generator isn't going to put out enough power for decent charging.I'd go someplace and try a C with the on-board generator to see if the noise and vibration is really that much of a problem. I'd be more concerned with the space the generator and a five gal can of gas are going to take up. And I've never really liked storing gas in small closed storage spaces. When the sun hits that storage compartment for several hours the gas jug is probably going to start leaking gas fumes.If you watch your batteries at all, and keep them maintained, then you'll never get close to the point of not being able to start the Onan.I'm not sure if you'll really save any fuel cost. Where's the cost savings of running a small generator for a more hours than a larger generator for a less hours?Bill

Need to look at your converter/charger specs and see what the 120VAC AMPS is required to operate it.My PD9260C requires right at 1000WATTs to operate it. I use my 2kW EU2000i Honda generator to run when we are off-grid. It revs up pretty high when just powering up the Converter/charger... This will get my batteries from their 50% charge state to their 90% charge state in about a three hour generator run time...This is what works for me when off grid recharging my POPUP trailer battery bank each morning...Roy Ken

A small in size generator to carry along in a class "C"?

Jbrowland
Explorer
Feb 12, 2017
When I read, "we want to put the generator farther away from us so it is not as loud" what I am really reading is, "you want to put your generator closer to me so I hear it more." ;). I recall the guy who had his Honda running about 50 yards away from his trailer and about 10 Yards away from my RV all night long. It worked well for him.

As was stated, for light loads, just add a cheap solar system and save yourself some money and me (and you) the noise when I'm parked next to you. Even just 200w may do the trick and save you time, money, noise levels, and will also be safer without all that extra gas to carry. This advice applies to using either the portable or the onboard generator. Solar is always better for noise reduction and eventually cost as well.

On a side note, keeping a $1000+ portable generator behind a one dollar lock with a key that 90% of us have worries me a little bit.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Feb 11, 2017
road-runner wrote:
Sam Spade wrote:
road-runner wrote:
and is significantly quieter inside the rig.

That's an assumption that may not be true.
If the statement I made sounds like a sweeping generalization, I made a mistake. I'm meant to comment only on my "noisy as heck" Onan setup. I've read plenty of posts about the built-in gens being pretty quiet inside some motorhomes.

Thank you for understanding that the difference in the way something is stated usually is important.

And for realizing that every difference of opinion is NOT an invitation for a fight !!!

Cheers.
road-runner
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2017
Sam Spade wrote:
road-runner wrote:
and is significantly quieter inside the rig.

That's an assumption that may not be true.
If the statement I made sounds like a sweeping generalization, I made a mistake. I'm meant to comment only on my "noisy as heck" Onan setup. I've read plenty of posts about the built-in gens being pretty quiet inside some motorhomes.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 10, 2017
Hi,

Unfortunately load support is not voltage support--so the Magnum will NOT protect the air conditioner from brown outs. For that an autoformer is needed.

ctilsie242 wrote:
When I'm boondocking and running the A/C, the Onan does the heavy lifting, powering the inverter/converter (which I will be replacing with a Magnum Energy MSH-3012M model, so a Texas brownout doesn't fry my A/C unit.)
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2017
Sam Spade wrote:
road-runner wrote:
and is significantly quieter inside the rig.

That's an assumption that may not be true.
And I bet that it is almost never true for ALL of your neighbors.

Everyone will do what they want to do......regardless of the facts

I have to agree with road-runner and dis-agree with Sam.

I did a little test on my Generac IQ2000with a sound meter, First running the ONAN,outside at about 2FT then inside both with the microwave on.

I found that inside the RV it was only 5 db less than outside,my ONAN sits under the dinette and there is some vibration too.
Then with the Generac at 2 ft the Generac was 10db quieter outside and inside it was only 2-3 db higher that the ambient noise and no vibration.

I then went to the empty neighboring campsite and did the same test.

With the ONAN on it measured 10 db higher than the ambient noise level and with the Generac only 2-3 db above ambient.

I think my neighbors would prefer the Generac when I have to charge my batteries or run the microwave for a short time,I know I like it much better.
ctilsie242
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2017
OP here:

When not in use, the small generator will have its main home in a plastic tub in the basement storage compartment.

When I'm boondocking and running the A/C, the Onan does the heavy lifting, powering the inverter/converter (which I will be replacing with a Magnum Energy MSH-3012M model, so a Texas brownout doesn't fry my A/C unit.)

However, come winter, where I'm not needing 2017 watts being pumped from the genset to the A/C so my rig is habitable in the Texas summer, the Onan is a relatively thirsty beast, using 0.3 gallons an hour just to spin its crankshaft at 3600 RPM. I can run a Honda eu1000i for 2-4 hours on that much fuel, and a smaller generator even longer, especially if it is an inverter model that can run at lower RPMs. I also can use a separate battery charger to reduce the amount of amperage required.

Definitely, solar will help. However, it doesn't hurt to have a spare, small generator, just so the generator can be placed well away from the campsite when boondocking.
wnjj
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2017
SoundGuy wrote:
3oaks wrote:
It amazes me how many people misunderstood (perhaps) the original poster's question. :S

What would people recommend for a small inverter generator for low wattage applications too small to bother firing up the onboard Onan?

He wasn't asking if he should carry along a small generator, nor was he asking for alternatives. :R

I would recommend a Honda 1000 or a Honda 2000 generator. Definitely nothing smaller than a 1000 watt generator.

HUH? :h Your post makes NO sense :R - first you're claiming the OP "wasn't asking if he should carry along a small generator, nor was he asking for alternatives" when in fact he was, THEN you yourself go on to "recommend a Honda 1000 or a Honda 2000 generator" which are of course "small generators". HUH?!!! :h

His post made perfect sense to me. The OP wasn't asking IF, just WHAT. He was looking for generator suggestions, not non-generator alternatives.

A 1k unit is a good choice for battery charging.
eric1514
Explorer
Feb 10, 2017
ctilsie242 wrote:
I'm still debating between a class "C" or a "B", but one of the things I want to bring along is a small in size, inverter generator, even though the motorhome will have an Onan onboard...

IMHO, there's not enough room in a "B" to consider taking along a spare stand-alone generator and the fuel it will require.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Feb 08, 2017
road-runner wrote:
and is significantly quieter inside the rig.

That's an assumption that may not be true.
And I bet that it is almost never true for ALL of your neighbors.

I never run my Onan JUST to charge the batteries.
It is needed to run the microwave for a meal......and for AC when it's hot.

Everyone will do what they want to do......regardless of the facts of the matter. Some have NO generator; others, it seems, have TWO.

No method is "wrong" because it's a matter personal preference.
Some just make better logical sense than others.
road-runner
Explorer III
Feb 08, 2017
I fail to see the logic to have an onboard gen set and carry an additional noisy one, especially in a Class C with limited storage.
bumpy
And I fail to see the logic in running the onboard gen for hours to bring the battery to ~90% when the portable gen uses a lot less fuel and is significantly quieter inside the rig. If the onboard generator is fueled with propane, that's an additional reason to avoid using it. If I need the power for a short time I hit the built-in for convenience. When charging the battery for an hour or more, I use an 800 VA inverter gen. The charge rate is limited, but the total charge time isn't a whole lot longer. With unlimited current available the battery pull drops under 30 amps within 20 minutes or so anyway.