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!

[BB_TX]

Bobbo wrote:
50 amp unit is 12kw.
30 amp unit is 3.6kw.

So two 50 amp units plus one 30 amp unit is 27.6kw. Divide that by 0.8 to get the power needed to allow the generator to run at 80% capacity for longevity and you get 34.5kw. Note that this is maximum. You probably can get by with significantly less.

A single 34.5kw generator will probably be more expensive that having 3 smaller generators, one for each RV. Also, having the 3 smaller generators means you are not totally without power to all 3 RVs if the generator conks out.

My vote is a smaller generator for each RV.

^^^^^ This ^^^^^
Although it is unlikely you would ever need the full power unless all were high end units needing lots of power, you would need that full number to match two 50 amp and one 30 amp hookup.

[AllegroD]

A separate genny for each also makes sense so that independent trips could also be taken and the genny's would then be portable for that purpose.

[Bobbo]

50 amp unit is 12kw.
30 amp unit is 3.6kw.

So two 50 amp units plus one 30 amp unit is 27.6kw. Divide that by 0.8 to get the power needed to allow the generator to run at 80% capacity for longevity and you get 34.5kw. Note that this is maximum. You probably can get by with significantly less.

A single 34.5kw generator will probably be more expensive that having 3 smaller generators, one for each RV. Also, having the 3 smaller generators means you are not totally without power to all 3 RVs if the generator conks out.

My vote is a smaller generator for each RV.

[pianotuna]

Having done lots of power measurements during outages at my house, I found I could run all the important circuits from a 2800 watt kipor generator.

We tend to think of maximum loads--but really I could do fridge, freezer, furnace, most of the lights, router (for wobbly wide web) computers, laptop, garage door openner and block heater for the car. I used a manual transfer switch with six circuits. the Kipor did not overload even once.

[KD4UPL]

I agree 6 kw is too small for 3 AC units running, particularly since 50A units tend to have 2 AC units in them. I would estimate somewhere around 10 kW would do it. You can probably rent a tow-able diesel unit that would serve the purpose well. They have some that are incredibly quiet for their size.
I believe you would also save fuel; 1 generator running under varying load is likely far more fuel efficient than 3 or more generators running.

I disagree that you would need a 30 kW generator as there is no way your going to have all 3 RVs pulling the maximum their service will allow all at the same time. Most RV parks couldn't even support this type of scenario.
However, likely, when you start looking at rental diesel generators they will be in the 20 kW to 30 kW size range.

[LouLawrence]

50 amp service equals 12,000 watts (2 legs of 50 amp = 100 amps @ 120V) x 2 vehicles equals 24,000 watts. Add in the 30 amp coach at 3600 watts and you need 27,600 watts to properly service all 3 RV's. You would need a substantial generator to supply the power to all 3 and that would be done by feeding the service from this 30,000+ watt generator to a sub-panel from which you could run 3 proper circuits to 3 independent plugs that the RV's could plug into.

[Michelle_S]

If the area is at all remote, I doubt the Generator would be there long before it developed legs and wandered off the property.
I tend to agree with a generator for each unit, could be sized for each power requirement.

[Matt_Colie]

TFin,

After you get through getting to understand the local codes. (Be sure to state that this will all be a temporary arrangement.) You could talk to the power company be it Consumers, ITC or whoever, it may be feasible to run power to a pole on the property.

Just watch out then, because if you put in a drain field and drill a well, they may get touchy....

Once you get away from the south-east corner of the state, things change a lot.

Matt

[corvettekent]

Before you buy property be sure to check the local codes to see if you can have one or more RV's on the property.

As for the generators I would have one for each RV.

[pianotuna]

I was working on the premise that there were 3 air conditioners, and that start up surge would come from the battery bank(s). If there are more--then yes a third Predator would be needed.

[Gdetrailer]

TFin04 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Equip all three rv's with hybrid load support inverter/chargers.

Acquire a 6000 watt inverter generator.

I would pick a champion.

Alternately get two Predator 3500 watt generators. They can be combined together to provide power to the RV's.

6000w is enough to power all three? Interesting, I was thinking it would take more than that.

6Kw across 3 RVs (two which have 50A capability) is not going to cut it in the middle of summer with A/Cs running full tilt.

Would need closer to 9Kw minimum to be able to support all three with only one A/C running per RV.

Rather than attempting to pool power from one super large gen you will be better off with each RV bringing and using their own gen.

The larger gen you are running, the more fuel you will use under light loads. Larger gens are much more louder than the smaller compact inverter style gens. Not to mention everyone will be depending on one single gen, when it runs out of fuel, shuts down or fails the entire group is affected.

[TFin04]

pianotuna wrote:
Equip all three rv's with hybrid load support inverter/chargers.

Acquire a 6000 watt inverter generator.

I would pick a champion.

Alternately get two Predator 3500 watt generators. They can be combined together to provide power to the RV's.

6000w is enough to power all three? Interesting, I was thinking it would take more than that.

[pianotuna]

Equip all three rv's with hybrid load support inverter/chargers.

Acquire a 6000 watt inverter generator.

I would pick a champion.

Alternately get two Predator 3500 watt generators. They can be combined together to provide power to the RV's.