Generator to run three RV's?

[TFin04]

My family is considering buying some property to use as a place to bring our RV's and do some ATV riding on local trails. The properties we are finding do not have power. Some have power at the road and some do not.

This got me thinking into the logistics of buying a large generator to leave at the property. The likely RV's that would be there are two 50amp 5th wheels and one 30amp travel trailer. We would visit in the summer and need to run our air conditioning units.

I am not well versed in electrical power. What kind of output would I need to run three campers, and does anyone have experience with something like that? Maybe a tow-able diesel generator we could leave there? Or some other system entirely? Just spitballing ideas here, any input is welcome.

Thanks!

[valhalla360]

pianotuna wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Yes, a grid connection would be far more convenient and likely cheaper but...

30,000.00 buys a heck of a lot of solar.

I'm sure it does...not sure how this is relevant to the conversation though.

Some one in the thread suggested having a "drop" from a power company. That costs bunches of money--so why not get your own renewable resource instead?

If you have a 1/2 mile driveway, maybe but assuming a reasonable distance to the road and power lines, you aren't likely to pay anything close to $30k.

I get power drops as part of work in Michigan and $30k would be crazy expensive unless you need to carry a really high power line a good distance.

[pianotuna]

valhalla360 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Yes, a grid connection would be far more convenient and likely cheaper but...

30,000.00 buys a heck of a lot of solar.

I'm sure it does...not sure how this is relevant to the conversation though.

Some one in the thread suggested having a "drop" from a power company. That costs bunches of money--so why not get your own renewable resource instead?

[valhalla360]

Dave H M wrote:
val, :h

Note my first two sentences. Ya never know until the company is contacted.

Around here, a local drop can be put in and then there is a minimum fee per month just to keep power to the drop. As far as the cost for a drop it varies as to the distance from the main line. Mine was 200 and some change foe the hardware since I was close enough to the juice line that there was no additional charge for running line.

As mentioned, if they allow it, great, but it's the odd man out that lets you get a drop without having a building permit in hand.

This was different 40-50yrs ago. In fact my parents did it in northern Michigan (similar to the OP's plan)...but that was then.

Yes, assuming they don't have to pull a line 1/2 mile to the site, a power drop isn't crazy expensive and likely will be cheaper than buying and operating a generator...certainly it will be more convenient.

[valhalla360]

frankwp wrote:
Be aware that many diesel generators do not like to run for an extended time on light loads. The exhaust system will clog up in a surprisingly short time.

This is another reason to be silly and buy a 30kw generator when loads are unlikely to ever get anywhere close to those levels.

[valhalla360]

pianotuna wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Yes, a grid connection would be far more convenient and likely cheaper but...

30,000.00 buys a heck of a lot of solar.

I'm sure it does...not sure how this is relevant to the conversation though.

[Dave_H_M]

pianotuna wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Yes, a grid connection would be far more convenient and likely cheaper but...

30,000.00 buys a heck of a lot of solar.

can you clarify what you are referring to. 30K for what.

My drop was less than 300 back when and like stated, if I would not have built, there would have been a monthly charge to keep the drop alive/turned on.


I am gone and will not come back to this thread since we have long gone into the ozone layer. :R

[frankwp]

Be aware that many diesel generators do not like to run for an extended time on light loads. The exhaust system will clog up in a surprisingly short time.

[pianotuna]

valhalla360 wrote:

Yes, a grid connection would be far more convenient and likely cheaper but...

30,000.00 buys a heck of a lot of solar.

[Dave_H_M]

val, :h

Note my first two sentences. Ya never know until the company is contacted.

Around here, a local drop can be put in and then there is a minimum fee per month just to keep power to the drop. As far as the cost for a drop it varies as to the distance from the main line. Mine was 200 and some change foe the hardware since I was close enough to the juice line that there was no additional charge for running line.

[valhalla360]

Dave H M wrote:
I think we are getting the cart before the horse here.

If and after you find a property, then look at having an electrical drop put in by the local power company.

Then go from there.

The possibly exist thth you can just drive in and flip a switch.

Is what I did for my sticks and bricks home and pole barn. 😉

Yes, a grid connection would be far more convenient and likely cheaper but...

In a lot of areas, they won't provide a power drop unless you are actively pursuing the building of a house or business.

[Dave_H_M]

I think we are getting the cart before the horse here.

If and after you find a property, then look at having an electrical drop put in by the local power company.

Then go from there.

The possibly exist thth you can just drive in and flip a switch.

Is what I did for my sticks and bricks home and pole barn. 😉

[LouLawrence]

Flooding is not an issue, you just continue a channel through your neighbors site and let the water drain out over there! :S

[valhalla360]

Skibane wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
Plus without a platoon of healthy strong 18yr olds to do the digging, that's a lot of work.

In soft soil, it's 20 minutes for a tractor with a backhoe.

In rocky soil, add another couple hours.

Same difference...most RV'ers I know don't have a backhoe as part of their rig and you didn't address flooding in the pit.

[Skibane]

valhalla360 wrote:
Plus without a platoon of healthy strong 18yr olds to do the digging, that's a lot of work.

In soft soil, it's 20 minutes for a tractor with a backhoe.

In rocky soil, add another couple hours.