Common on-board Generators Found on most newer Truck Campers

Onan 2500 watt in AF 1150

Not sure physical dimensions

I have Generac I think 3600W what is needed for AC.
Sometimes I take my inverter Honda for hot days and prefer to have it on front platform. Way better weight distribution.

Onan 2500 watt in Bigfoot.

Paul

Kayteg1 wrote:
I have Generac I think 3600W what is needed for AC.
Sometimes I take my inverter Honda for hot days and prefer to have it on front platform. Way better weight distribution.

We've already got a basket on the front for that, I'm stuck upgrading generators as the one I have is way too small to run any roof top A/C Unit.

So, I've been doing what I usually do, which is part hunt. In this case, I found a gasoline powered Onan Emerald Plus that's within my price range, that I may go take a look at.

IF it runs decently, I'll likely buy it.

From what I've read, the Microlite series and their propane line seems to have a fair number of complaints, but I haven't seen anything for the Emerald plus.

My Fleetwood has the Onan 2.5 kW. That's about all I've seen in modern TC. 10 years ago or more there were some Generac units. I've heard they gave lots of problems.

I'm only throwing this out there, but have you considered possibly an extra battery or two and an inverter? I'm a HUGE fan of inverters over generators. That and a couple solar panels and you'd be set.

The Generac's that used to be installed in TC's by Lance and others were 3600 watts. It looks like Generac has gotten out of the built-in RV generator business though. Honda also left that market a few years back. It looks like the only manufacturer of the smaller built-in RV gen-sets that you could use in a TC now is Cummins Onan.

2500 watt is probably about as small as I would go, but it's going to be dependent on what you expect to run on it. If you want to be able to turn the A/C and microwave on at the same time the reefer is running on AC power and the battery charger is pumping out max amps, 2.5K might not be big enough.

:):)

From what I've seen on newer campers including mine the Onan 2500 Camp Power is the model most are built with. Haven't seen a newer TC with anything bigger than that from the factory. Runs my 11.5btu AC just fine.

Boatycall wrote:
I'm only throwing this out there, but have you considered possibly an extra battery or two and an inverter? I'm a HUGE fan of inverters over generators. That and a couple solar panels and you'd be set.

I'd be very surprised if batteries, solar, and an inverter can power an AC, not matter how small.

Boatycall wrote:
I'm only throwing this out there, but have you considered possibly an extra battery or two and an inverter? I'm a HUGE fan of inverters over generators. That and a couple solar panels and you'd be set.

Inverters do not drive large roof top A/C units, and I already have three heavy deep cycles and an inverter.

With my original camper, I was able to get by on a 1500watt generator, but I had a little A/C unit. Now, I have a large A/C unit, one of the old Duo-Therm Quick cools, and am stuck looking for a 3200watt generator.

The Onan popped up for $500, so I figured I'd do a little investigating.

NRALIFR wrote:
The Generac's that used to be installed in TC's by Lance and others were 3600 watts. It looks like Generac has gotten out of the built-in RV generator business though. Honda also left that market a few years back. It looks like the only manufacturer of the smaller built-in RV gen-sets that you could use in a TC now is Cummins Onan.

2500 watt is probably about as small as I would go, but it's going to be dependent on what you expect to run on it. If you want to be able to turn the A/C and microwave on at the same time the reefer is running on AC power and the battery charger is pumping out max amps, 2.5K might not be big enough.

:):)

Aye, given I have the Duo-Therm, and it came off a fifth wheel, I'm looking at likely needing at least 3200watts, the unit in question is a 4000 watt unit, so its in the ball park of wattage needed.