how big of a generator is needed
so the wife and i are going to bite the bullet and get our first travel trailer. i am curious as to how big of a generator we will need to buy for when we are not hooked up to elec power. i have...
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More than around 3500w is wasted as the RV can't use the power, since the system isn't designed to handle more anyway.
If the air/con is NOT run, you can get away with a pretty small generator as most of the other electrical appliances don't use a lot of watts. (even the fridge shouldn't draw that much).
If you want to run the air/con, you have an issue. The problem is most units pull 9-12amps while running. In theory a little 2000w Honda will do the job. The problem is starting the compressor draws 2-3 times the wattage for a second or so to get it turning. There are some things you can do to reduce that but 2000w generators (usually rated for 1600w continuous load) will be pushed to their limits.
We have a 2400w generator that will run the air/con with no special adaptation but it's still pushing it a bit on start up (once the air/con is going it's fine). Bumping up to something around 3000w would be better.
If the air/con is NOT run, you can get away with a pretty small generator as most of the other electrical appliances don't use a lot of watts. (even the fridge shouldn't draw that much).
If you want to run the air/con, you have an issue. The problem is most units pull 9-12amps while running. In theory a little 2000w Honda will do the job. The problem is starting the compressor draws 2-3 times the wattage for a second or so to get it turning. There are some things you can do to reduce that but 2000w generators (usually rated for 1600w continuous load) will be pushed to their limits.
We have a 2400w generator that will run the air/con with no special adaptation but it's still pushing it a bit on start up (once the air/con is going it's fine). Bumping up to something around 3000w would be better.
