I am going to live in my destination trailer full time (3-6 months) while my house is built. What type of generator should I use? Does not need to be "portable". I will be using a lot of power as I have computers, gaming systems, extra freezer and refrigerator for outside (chest type). Need to be able to run some home grade power tools at same time as everything else. Must be able to run non stop for 6 months +. I would rather go slightly overkill on this because it's pretty important that I have enough power and it be reliable.50 amp trailer.Will have a large new shed next to the trailer, so I can store it out of the weather if necessary. I have never lived in a trailer or owned any type of generator.

Will your house have electric service? Assuming so, get a temporary construction drop/panel and use that to power your trailer, etc. while building.If you absolutely must run a generator (nearly) constantly for six months, give careful consideration to what fuel is available and least expensive where you are. You'll use a considerable amount, probably a few thousand gallons if gasoline or diesel, or the equivalent in propane or natural gas. Installing a solar setup may well be less expensive and definitely would be less noisy and smelly; and with that you'd probably just need a small backup generator (maybe 2000 watts or so) to keep the fridge and freezer going in case there are several cloudy days in a row.

I would give serious consideration to a SOLAR system as well as a good generator. NO it does not need to be a portable. Most houses (Absent air conditioner) can get by on 5,000 watts of power for Furnace, lights, electronics and kitchen (The services you need) You might consider having an "Whole house" emergence generator Generac or Onan installed in the say 10,000 watt range (this will run most A/C's too)then when the house is wired you put in two breaker panels. One is "Mains only" and the other.. is the "E" panel (Emergency) that way when (not if) the power company lets you down the back up kicks in

For what you are talking about, I would go along with what Drew said about the temp electric at the build site. That for many reasons makes more sense.If a generator is a must, for that long of a period of time, I would call the "Generic" folks. You might as well go big and get something to use as back up for the house. Will your house have propane or natural gas? See if either company can run a temp line for the Generic while you are building. With that said I would try and do the temp electric service. Much easier and maybe safer.

Will your house have electric service? Assuming so, get a temporary construction drop/panel and use that to power your trailer, etc. while building.Drew has the answer. That is exactly what I did from 15 March until just before turkey day.

IIRC in VA if you get a builder's permit, the electric co will wire the lot up?bumpy

Generator for full time use in destination trailer.

DrewE
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2020
Will your house have electric service? Assuming so, get a temporary construction drop/panel and use that to power your trailer, etc. while building.

If you absolutely must run a generator (nearly) constantly for six months, give careful consideration to what fuel is available and least expensive where you are. You'll use a considerable amount, probably a few thousand gallons if gasoline or diesel, or the equivalent in propane or natural gas. Installing a solar setup may well be less expensive and definitely would be less noisy and smelly; and with that you'd probably just need a small backup generator (maybe 2000 watts or so) to keep the fridge and freezer going in case there are several cloudy days in a row.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Nov 11, 2020
I would give serious consideration to a SOLAR system as well as a good generator. NO it does not need to be a portable.

Most houses (Absent air conditioner) can get by on 5,000 watts of power for Furnace, lights, electronics and kitchen (The services you need) You might consider having an "Whole house" emergence generator Generac or Onan installed in the say 10,000 watt range (this will run most A/C's too)
then when the house is wired you put in two breaker panels. One is "Mains only" and the other.. is the "E" panel (Emergency) that way when (not if) the power company lets you down the back up kicks in
craig7h
Nomad II
Nov 11, 2020
For what you are talking about, I would go along with what Drew said about the temp electric at the build site. That for many reasons makes more sense.

If a generator is a must, for that long of a period of time, I would call the "Generic" folks. You might as well go big and get something to use as back up for the house. Will your house have propane or natural gas? See if either company can run a temp line for the Generic while you are building. With that said I would try and do the temp electric service. Much easier and maybe safer.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2020
Will your house have electric service? Assuming so, get a temporary construction drop/panel and use that to power your trailer, etc. while building.

Drew has the answer. That is exactly what I did from 15 March until just before turkey day.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 11, 2020
IIRC in VA if you get a builder's permit, the electric co will wire the lot up?
bumpy
deltabravo
Nomad
Nov 11, 2020
DrewE wrote:
Will your house have electric service? Assuming so, get a temporary construction drop/panel and use that to power your trailer, etc. while building.

Ditto.

When new houses are being built, this is how the construction crew gets power.

A temporary power service will be far cheaper in the long run.
A good generator for running full time and not be noisy as heck would be a Honda EU7000is.
For full time usage, I wouldn't want anything other than an inverter style gen.

I love my Honda EU6500is which was the predecessor to the 7000
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2020
DrewE wrote:
Will your house have electric service? Assuming so, get a temporary construction drop/panel and use that to power your trailer, etc. while building.

By far the best solution !

DrewE wrote:
If you absolutely must run a generator (nearly) constantly for six months, give careful consideration to what fuel is available and least expensive where you are.

This is a HUGE issue !
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 11, 2020
Another vote for a temporary electric drop.
- Most retail generators are not rated for full time continuous use to start with. Plus they typically call for oil changes every 50-100hrs, which means you will have to do 2-4 oil changes per week and constantly be keeping it fueled up (at significant cost).
- A solar system that can run all the stuff you are talking about will be very large and very expensive (think 5 figures). It will also need a battery backup system capable of carrying you through the night.

PS: check with local zoning laws to make sure you can "live" in your RV while building. Many areas do not approve.
bgum
Explorer
Nov 11, 2020
If you must run a generator look into a military surplus generator skid mounted or trailer mounted. It will be diesel powered. Fuel will be expensive.
mr_andyj
Explorer
Nov 11, 2020
It makes zero cents, err sense to run a generator. Gens are the least efficient at producing electricity. You will pay a fortune in fuel. You will need multiple oil changes over those months.

Yes, to do this you need those diesel trailer mounted rental generators. Diesel will produce more power per dollar wasted, I mean spent, for power.
You need a big generator as the little Rv ones are not really made to run for months non-stop, they are made to run for days, or just during peak times during hot afternoons. Yes, RV gens will run for thousands of hours over their life, but will not handle the power loads you want (domestic refridge, Ac, power tools, TVs etc.).

Then you will be smelling exhaust and breathing carbon monoxide for months on end.

Whatever power your eventual house will get is what you need to set up first. If city power then get that done, if solar, then get that in place, or buy stock in an oil company...