Generators

[rving4us]

I have the champion generator that camping world sales 4000/3500 watt. My question is this safe to run the electronics like the flat screen tv and refrigerator circuit, or do I really need to buy the inverter type generator?
Thanks for your thoughts.

Cary

[ScottG]

Gdetrailer wrote:

SaltiDawg wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Safe, yes. Efficient, no. Most of us use an inverter to watch tv.

Just out of curiosity, how is an inverter more efficient than a generator in powering a TV - or anything else?

No hassle intended.

It is an OPINION, not a fact.

You have to understand that there are MANY people on this forum who fully believe generators should be banned. They feel everyone with a supposed loud generator will park beside them and run it 24/7.

Inverter is a LOSS, batteries are a LOSS, generators are a LOSS, solar panels are a LOSS. But yet many people tend to feel that it is cheaper to park at a place with no commercial power.

If you are saving pennies, it IS far cheaper to park at a campsite WITH commercial power.

As far as generators being "safe", the good old fashion non inverter generators ARE SAFE for any load type including electronics, motors, lights, converters and so on.

No "need" for an expensive inverter type unless you are looking for a gen that is a bit quieter.. BUT keep in mind even inverter gens under full load BECOME just as loud as non inverter types.

Good info and the only part I would disagree with is that Inverter gens are just as noisy as non-inv. gens at full load.
That just isn't accurate and the specs don't bear it out either.

[mlts22]

Safe as in voltage regulated power, as far as I've read, yes. It will stay stable when you add/drop loads. It won't tear up devices like the small ET800 clones supposedly do.

[Gdetrailer]

SaltiDawg wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Safe, yes. Efficient, no. Most of us use an inverter to watch tv.

Just out of curiosity, how is an inverter more efficient than a generator in powering a TV - or anything else?

No hassle intended.

It is an OPINION, not a fact.

You have to understand that there are MANY people on this forum who fully believe generators should be banned. They feel everyone with a supposed loud generator will park beside them and run it 24/7.

Inverter is a LOSS, batteries are a LOSS, generators are a LOSS, solar panels are a LOSS. But yet many people tend to feel that it is cheaper to park at a place with no commercial power.

If you are saving pennies, it IS far cheaper to park at a campsite WITH commercial power.

As far as generators being "safe", the good old fashion non inverter generators ARE SAFE for any load type including electronics, motors, lights, converters and so on.

No "need" for an expensive inverter type unless you are looking for a gen that is a bit quieter.. BUT keep in mind even inverter gens under full load BECOME just as loud as non inverter types.

[JiminDenver]

SaltiDawg wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Safe, yes. Efficient, no. Most of us use an inverter to watch tv.

Just out of curiosity, how is an inverter more efficient than a generator in powering a TV - or anything else?

No hassle intended.

Since I use solar to recharge, a inverter is extremely efficient, quiet and it burns no fuel. Last year when we did use the Champ for charging, it charged a battery that ran everything the rest of the day. Running a 3500/4000 just to watch TV isn't all that efficient.

[ken07734]

What's good if you have solar panel(s) is truly free TV during the day!

[ken07734]

Depending on the current draw of the flat screen your invertor would be better if it is within the specs of the invertor and batteries ability to provide current at a constant level for a good amount of time. thus drawing from the battery only and not using fuel to power up the TV. The Deep cycle battery(ies) can always be recharged while you tow and or are connected to the shore power. Now, if you want the A/C to keep from sweating until you pass out the genny would provide the needed 30 amps to power up that A/C as long as it's a 13.5k BTU and not a 15k as you may get it to run for a little while but you may trip the fuse if it's pulling too much or if you use the microwave or a hair dryer. I myself haven't had success with a 4000 watt to power a 15k A/C but maybe others have?

[SaltiDawg]

2oldman wrote:
Safe, yes. Efficient, no. Most of us use an inverter to watch tv.

Just out of curiosity, how is an inverter more efficient than a generator in powering a TV - or anything else?

No hassle intended.

[JiminDenver]

I have the same generator and haven't had any issues with the general functions of the trailer. Those however run either off of the battery or the converter at 12v. I've never run the flat screen off of the generator itself and pure sine wave is suppose to be better for high end electronics.
I will be getting a small PSW inverter for running the TV and a satellite and use solar for charging so the Champ is pretty much limited to running the AC and microwave.

[2oldman]

Safe, yes. Efficient, no. Most of us use an inverter to watch tv.

[tvman44]

I run mine on my Champion 3500/4000 no problems. 🙂