Generator Checklist

[5er707]

I am new to RV'ing and have a couple of generators coming my way. We already have our 5er pretty well stocked with the essentials. We are going dry camping next week and I don't really know what I should have for the generators. Any extra tools, gas cans, how much gas, etc?

Thanks

[greenrvgreen]

Oh, and +1 on the Seafoam ("fuel treatment of choice").

[greenrvgreen]

I have the Powerhouse 2700 and I love it (I also have the GREAT Champion these good folks are bashing). I have been so pleasantly surprised at the performance of this unit that I am considering buying a second one and the parallel kit--even though I don't really need that much power!

I have found that the Powerhouse 2700 performs as advertised all the way up to the stated 2600 max streaming watts. The sound is a low throatty rumble, probably close to the SPL of a Honda, but nobody is going to give you credit for having a Honda.

I've read positive online reviews of the parallel kit, but I haven't seen one in action. Can you keep us posted on your results? Good luck!

[xaugievike]

not very familiar with those generators, but make sure you have any needed pigtails/adapters for your shore power cord (I have a 50 amp rig, but my honda twins have a 30 amp plug, so i need that 50 to 30 adapter).

throw in any tools needed to attach paralleling cords (i.e. phillips driver).

keep a bottle of your fuel treatment of choice handy - and NEVER - put gas through them that hasnt been treated unless you are 100% positive it will be burned on that trip.

i also keep a quart of the needed oil and a couple extra plugs (and wrench to change them) in the rig as well.

[Almot]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
Last year I went to the neighbor and asked him why he was running his generator. He was charging a cell phone. I showed him my 75 watt inverter, and said it would charge cell phones quietly from the battery.

Yes. Level of ignorance can be amazing. Simple MSW inverter 150-170W, powerful enough to charge not just a cell phone, but a laptop, or run a small TV set, will cost $20-25 on Amazon. There is no excuse not to carry one.

If you use propane stove for all those things that you would use a microwave at home, generator will only be needed to run A/C when you need A/C (in addition to a daily hour run to top up the battery).

[popeyemth]

I can absolutely guarantee no matter how much just in case "stuff " you bring you will never use 99% of it and will wish you had_____ .
Go camping,have fun
WalMart is everywhere 🙂

[Artum_Snowbird]

If you plan to run air conditioning well then all bets are out the window. If not, your converter will put a charge into the battery from only one of those generators at a time.

[5er707]

I am getting two Powerhouse 2100's with the parallel kit. They are just as quiet as the Hondas. I have a 50 amp trailer. Unfortunately I only have one 12 volt battery at this time. This is only our trip with this trailer. It is definitely in the plans to upgrade to a couple of 6 volt batteries.

[Artum_Snowbird]

How much gas depends on how you use your generator, and whether it is a sipper like a Honda 2k, or a guzzler like a Champion.

Keeping a record of your battery voltage will determine how much you need to replace with your generator. Ideally, you will use the middle portion of your battery capacity, and replace only that part on a daily basis. That might take an hour of generator, or maybe two on a daily basis.

Last year I went to the neighbor and asked him why he was running his generator. He was charging a cell phone. I showed him my 75 watt inverter, and said it would charge cell phones quietly from the battery.

I might use a gallon of gas in a week of dry camping, maybe only half that, but I am vey conscious of what my batteries need.