New and looking for a generator

[GravelRider]

Hello everyone. I'm buying my first travel trailer, a Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 16BHS. I am planning to do a lot of boondocking, and I want a generator. I want a small portable generator, but I don't want to go too small. I'm thinking I can comfortably do a 3000 watt generator, but I'd like to get some opinions of experienced RVers.

The travel trailer has a 13,500 BTU AC unit, a microwave, and I think everything else will be DC. We'll be running the normal lights, water pumps, etc., charging a couple phones and tablets, and may add a DC television as well. That's about it. I'm completely fine with shutting off the AC while using the microwave.

What size generator do I need?

And any suggestions on quiet cheap generators? (quiet being more important than cheap, but I'd prefer not to spend a ton)

Thanks everyone.

[valhalla360]

2oldman wrote:

As far as running air, in my 15 years of boondocking I rarely see anyone running air with a portable generator. I don't know why, they just don't. You'll get tired of the gas and noise.

Depends, we use ours most often in RV parks. When it gets really hot, the park electrical systems tend to start going out because everyone is running the air/con. Even if it doesn't go out, you can get damaging low voltage.

If the power goes out, crank up the genset and you still have air/con.

[RobWNY]

cliffy49 wrote:

RobWNY wrote:

GravelRider wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I've been looking at the Honda generators, which are nice, but PRICEY. I'm not saying they're out of the question, but how does this Champion match up? https://www.amazon.com/Champion-3100-Watt-Portable-Inverter-Generator/dp/B00JZQUSAC/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=champion+portable+generator&qid=1589425137&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-10

I have this generator and love it! Not loud at all. A little on the heavy side but manageable. Although I have no experience with them, I hear the Harborfreight Predator generators are ok as well. You don't need to spend a fortune just to have the Honda name on the side. Any generator with decent reviews will do the job nicely.

How well does this genny run everything you need it to run? I realize that it wont run the a/c and the microwave at the same time but other than that how is it? I have the 13.5 a/c and wondered if it will struggle at all.

It runs everything fine for us. I can't run the A/C and another big power user at the same time. It's 3100 watts start up but 2800 running watts. I really like having the 30A plug built in to it. It's not a substitute for shore power but keeps batteries charged and runs what it needs to

[2oldman]

GravelRider wrote:
and may add a DC television as well. That's about it. I'm completely fine with shutting off the AC while using the microwave.

A DC television? Sounds like you need an inverter for nighttime use. I would put solar, inverter and more battery at the top of the list before a generator. Yes, there are times you'll need one, but as your sole source of Ac power, not my style.

As far as running air, in my 15 years of boondocking I rarely see anyone running air with a portable generator. I don't know why, they just don't. You'll get tired of the gas and noise.

I do, but I have 3 Honda 2ks. Keeps the noise down. 6000 watts is killer!

[GravelRider]

Thanks for the welcome and replies everyone!

Regarding the quiet and nature... I completely agree with this sentiment. I'm an avid backpacker and tent camper and generally a bit of a minimalist, and I also do a lot of motorcycle travel/camping, so having a noisy generator is definitely something new for me. HOWEVER, now that I'm moving from taking what I can carry or fit on my bike to a travel trailer, I want the creature comforts. I also have a wife who is not a tent camper, and she wants a microwave and AC, whether we're in a campground with shore power, or off the grid... So a generator is a must for me. But I do appreciate the advice of enjoying the quiet nature. I also don't plan on running it 24 hours a day; just long enough to do what we need.

I do eventually plan to get solar, but it's lower on my priority list than a generator. I am going to be purchasing the rig with two batteries and two propane tanks.

I'm definitely leaning toward the Champion 3100 watt inverter generator. I do want to check out that Northern Tools one though too.

[cliffy49]

RobWNY wrote:

GravelRider wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I've been looking at the Honda generators, which are nice, but PRICEY. I'm not saying they're out of the question, but how does this Champion match up? https://www.amazon.com/Champion-3100-Watt-Portable-Inverter-Generator/dp/B00JZQUSAC/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=champion+portable+generator&qid=1589425137&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-10

I have this generator and love it! Not loud at all. A little on the heavy side but manageable. Although I have no experience with them, I hear the Harborfreight Predator generators are ok as well. You don't need to spend a fortune just to have the Honda name on the side. Any generator with decent reviews will do the job nicely.

How well does this genny run everything you need it to run? I realize that it wont run the a/c and the microwave at the same time but other than that how is it? I have the 13.5 a/c and wondered if it will struggle at all.

[RobWNY]

GravelRider wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I've been looking at the Honda generators, which are nice, but PRICEY. I'm not saying they're out of the question, but how does this Champion match up? https://www.amazon.com/Champion-3100-Watt-Portable-Inverter-Generator/dp/B00JZQUSAC/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=champion+portable+generator&qid=1589425137&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-10

I have this generator and love it! Not loud at all. A little on the heavy side but manageable. Although I have no experience with them, I hear the Harborfreight Predator generators are ok as well. You don't need to spend a fortune just to have the Honda name on the side. Any generator with decent reviews will do the job nicely.

[jdc1]

This is the one you want. Run it on propane and you won't have carb gumming issues, or have to catty gasoline cans. It's just as quiet as a Honda. I have both the Honda 2000 and this Champion.

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-3100-Watt-Portable-Inverter-Generator/dp/B00JZQUSAC/ref=sr_1_15?crid=1F8EOIGYW8568&dchild=1&keywords=champion+generator&qid=1589465850&sprefix=champion+generator%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-15

[happy2rv]

Look for inverter generators. I've made several posts about why I chose Northern Tools PowerHorse inverter generator. Honda is considered the "gold" standard. Operative word being gold. Predator by Harbor Freight is basically the same generator as the PowerHorse, but without the in store service availability. Champion makes several models that have good reviews and choices between gas only and gas/propane. There are several other brands to choose from. Inverter generators should be quiet.

With respect to size, as others have already said, you will need around 3KW to start and run the A/C. This can be achieved in a couple of ways. The least expensive is a single 3KW inverter generator. Inverter generators of that size usually weigh somewhere between 100 and 130 pounds. You can also get 2 smaller generators that support parallel operation (most of the inverter models do). Most of the 1.6 - 2KW inverter generators weigh between 50 and 60 pounds. This has the benefits of not having to heft the single heavy generator around and only running one of them when you don't need the A/C. One of the smaller generators will be quieter and use less fuel than the larger one. The obvious downside is twice the maintenance, more stuff to keep up with, slightly more complicated to set up, and two smaller units will likely be (slightly?) more expensive than one larger one. The smaller units also tend not to have electric start while the larger ones do.

[theoldwizard1]

ktmrfs wrote:
3000 watt likely will do what you want, but may be heavier than you want to handle.

Concur !

Watch this video Westinghouse iGen2500 Vs Predator 3500

[valhalla360]

3000w (or slightly higher) is a good choice.

2000-2200w is marginal. Sometimes they work...sometimes they don't.

Solar can be nice but not if you want to run anything substantial (like air/con). We had solar on our boat and it was a helper but not a replacement for a generator.

We have a Yamaha 2400. It works well and does run the aircon...but at times, it struggles. When it get's replaced, we are moving up to a 3000w unit.

Do get an INVERTER GENERATOR these are much quieter than the open frame contractors generators also, they are able to adjust engine power to electric demand, so they use far less fuel. Honda & Yamaha are the gold standard but they come with gold plated prices. 10-15yrs ago, they were the only game in town for inverter generators. Now there are lots of inverter generators, so you aren't stuck with them. Check the ratings but lots of much less expensive options.

[pianotuna]

I'd go with the champion 3400 with remote electric start. I'd use the savings on the difference in cost for Honda or Yamaha to fund a solar panel system.

[colliehauler]

GravelRider wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I've been looking at the Honda generators, which are nice, but PRICEY. I'm not saying they're out of the question, but how does this Champion match up? https://www.amazon.com/Champion-3100-Watt-Portable-Inverter-Generator/dp/B00JZQUSAC/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=champion+portable+generator&qid=1589425137&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-10

The champion is a good generator with parts availability if it does break at a substantial savings over a Honda or Yamaha. The inverter champion is quiet and dependable and a lot of people on the forum use them.

Welcome to the forum, sometimes you have to sort through (questionable answers) from uninformed people that mean well, bless their heart.

The Champion should be able to run the microwave and A/C at the same time as long as your not using any other high amp draws such as, hairdrier, electric element in water heater, coffee maker and you get the idea. They make a Champion with 3400 watt model with remote start that's a good unit as well. Some people get two of the lighter weight 2k Champion inverter and bridge them together with a parallel adapter giving you 4k watts.

[OleManOleCan]

What ever you do, get a enclosed generator.
The old open side Construction generators work, but you can hardly hear yourself think.
They aren't very welcome in most spots.

[Grit_dog]

time2roll wrote:
OK and if I am out off grid to catch up with nature the last thing I want is a generator running 24/7 to run the air and be stuck inside. About anything warmed in the microwave can be heated with propane.

I recommend getting a second battery and get out for a few one or two night trips and see what you really want to do as far as a generator.

So whadaya do? Pretty sure most people who are pumping gas in a little generator don't run the AC when it's cool enough not to...

[time2roll]

OK and if I am out off grid to catch up with nature the last thing I want is a generator running 24/7 to run the air and be stuck inside. About anything warmed in the microwave can be heated with propane.

I recommend getting a second battery and get out for a few one or two night trips and see what you really want to do as far as a generator.