Generator To Power 25 Footer

[shipfitter]

Hi Folks,
I want to buy a gas generator to plug our 2003 Coachmen Cascade 25 RKS into when we are on the road and stop for a few hours to rest etc.
We will only be using Air Conditioner and a few lights.
What is smallest Gas Generator that will adequately do the job?
Thanks, Don and Joan.

[Need-A-Vacation]

For the limited use a Champion 3500w or so continuous rated model, the Brute 3500w from Menards, or the Ryobi 3500w (model for $400) from Home Depot should do job just fine.

I just picked up the Brute from Menards for just over $300 (once my rebate shows up) last month. Have only fired it up, but didn't have the trailer here to truly test it. But our neighbors bought the Brute also the same week and it ran their new 28 BHBE without any issues.

All depends on how much you want to spend.....

Good luck deciding!!!

[bobndot]

I may have missed the size of your a/c unit.
Verify the size of your A/C unit BTU's ?
15k unit requires more power than a Honda 2k can put out. You would need to pair them.

*** a single honda 2k might work IF.....
13,500 btu, might need the addition of a Hard Start Capacitor to start it with one single 2k genny.

If you only plan to use your genny on the side of the road with "no neighbors" an inexpensive large genny will work, they are loud and heavy to lift and that might NOT include the gasoline , check the tank size.

[TomG2]

The OP is wanting a generator for , "when we are on the road and stop for a few hours to rest etc."

While the $2,000 options are nice, my $300 Champion 3500/4000 performs the same function. The folks in the truck stops or Walmart parking lots never know the difference.

[aguablanco]

Honda EU 3000iS-- $2000
EU 2000i--- $1000

Champion 3100-- $800
2000-- $440

For my money the Honda 3000 is not 2.5 times better than the 3100 Champion and is not likely to last 2.5 times longer. I happen to own a Champion, and I have owned Honda's as well, and for my money the Champion is great. Maybe, and that's a big maybe, if you were full timing in boondock areas the Honda might be cost effective. I did save the money and used it for other mods on my trailer.
RichH

[krobbe]

2 - EU2000i's or 1 - EU3000iHandy or 1-EU3000iS depending on how many other loads you want to carry while running the A/C.
I have 1 EU2000 and it will run(barely) my 13.5K AC but I have to shut off all other loads including the converter/charger. I don't run the AC much if ever as I enjoy camping at higher altitudes or in the fall.

If I were to buy one today and didn't already have a EU2000, I might get the EU3000i at 80lbs just so I only have one to pack and store.

1-EU3000iHandy 21.7A rated and 25A peak. 80lbs. 57 dB(A) @ 1/4 load.
1-UE3000iS 23.3A rated and 25A peak. 130lbs. 49 dB(A) @ 1/4 load.
2-EU2000's in parallel would provide 26.6A rated and 33.4A peak. (46lbs ea. 53dB(A) @ 1/4 load.

For the longest running on a tank and quietest, get the EU3000iS. But lifting it in and out of the truck will get old very quickly.

Typical starting surge amps for 13.5K A/C units range from 24-32 amps. The constant running amperage drops to 13-17 amps immediately after this surge. So it’s the amount of surge amps the A/C unit draws and the duration of the surge that determines whether or not a generator will run it.

[rstanek]

Homda Eu3000i Handi, a little spendy but it only weighs 80 lbs

[Community Alumni]

If the generator is not going to see much more action beyond overnighting in parking lots or will spend most of the year idle, then you could get away with a good quality open frame generator like a Champion 3500/4000. It would be a much cheaper option than an inverter generator.

We have the slightly larger 3650/4250 that's served us well. The sound level isn't bad at all. We have electric at pretty much all of the campgrounds were we stay, so our generator is mostly used for power when stopping or as an emergency backup.

If you're more sensitive to sound or need to use the generator in more sensitive situations, then an inverter generator like the Champion 3100 or Honda 3000 would probably be a better fit. They are quieter, but cost a lot more.

[pianotuna]

Champion 3500 watt inverter genny with remote electric start would be my choice today.

[dieseltruckdriv]

trail-explorer wrote:

bgum wrote:
Or one Honda 3000.

That works, but two Honda EU2000s put out more continuous power than the continuous rating of the EU3000i
and the EU3000 is a beast to move around.

The 3000 costs more than two 2000s also. At least here it does.

[trail-explorer]

bgum wrote:
Or one Honda 3000.

That works, but two Honda EU2000s put out more continuous power than the continuous rating of the EU3000i
and the EU3000 is a beast to move around.

[TomG2]

I carry a 3500/4000 watt Champion in the bed of my pickup that provides about the same 30 amps as most RV parks. In other words, if it will run in the campground, it will run in the parking lot. Easy starting and economical with enough power to do the job. Not something I would run in my living room, but that is not what you are talking about.

[Sandia_Man]

Running a single AC unit reliably will generally require a 3000 watt or higher generator. Some have reported success using a 2000 watt genny, although powering an AC unit at higher elevations will usually cause an overload condition for these smaller units. Last thing you want when everybody is hot and looking for relief is your generator to be under-sized.

A 3000 watt unit can be too heavy or too large to store, a popular option is to get a pair of smaller 2000 watt units and run them in parallel to get nearly 4000 watts of available power. When AC usage is not anticipated on a particular trip they just bring a single unit, which can power he majority of items onboard including most microwave ovens.

[bgum]

Or one Honda 3000.

[Boon_Docker]

Or 2 Champion 2000s plus parallel cable.

[Trackrig]

Champion 2800W continuous invertor generator

Yamaha 3000W invertor generator

Or two Honda 2000s plus the connecting cable.

It's the air conditioner that requires the generators larger than a single Honda 2000 and making two Hondas necessary.

Bill