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.

[Gulfcoast]

Mine started with a dead battery, just pulled the rope twice.

[Huntindog]

GravelRider wrote:
Turns out all it needed was a charged battery. It started by pull, electric starter, and remote very easily. Woohoo

Oil level was good! Lol

That sounds sort of messed up.

If it requires a fully charged battery to start with the pull start.... What is the point of having a pull start?

[Gulfcoast]

I just bought a new battery for mine last week. I found one on eBay for $25, it has to be a short one with the big posts on top.

I need to use my trickle charger when the gen is in storage.

[Boon_Docker]

Good to hear you solved the problem. Be sure to press the battery switch to off when not using the genny, save the battery from discharging.

[GravelRider]

Turns out all it needed was a charged battery. It started by pull, electric starter, and remote very easily. Woohoo

Oil level was good! Lol

[Gdetrailer]

GravelRider wrote:
Thanks for the detailed reply. I tried starting it in my driveway, which is very flat. I'll try again tonight when I get home from work to get it started and report back. Thanks again.

Per Champion website..

HERE

"Champion Power Equipment engines come equipped with a low oil sensor that prevents the engine from running when too little oil is in the crankcase. The sensor may stick on engines that have not been run since the initial quality assurance testing (oil is added at the end of the manufacturing process in order to test each unit before it is packed and shipped.)."

The link above while it is for NON INVERTER models does spell out some of the troubleshooting ideas I have mentioned.

Seen a post that some engines are sensitive to oil levels, they have had issues when the oil level was three threads below the top of the filler.. Make sure your oil is at the top of the max fill line. Oil gets splashed around which depletes some the oil in the crankcase, not having on the full line can result in the low oil switch to trigger.

[Gulfcoast]

Call tech support.... they will help.

I learned 50-years ago, a positive attitude goes a long way with a generator.

[GravelRider]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I tried starting it in my driveway, which is very flat. I'll try again tonight when I get home from work to get it started and report back. Thanks again.

[Gdetrailer]

GravelRider wrote:
The correct amount of oil was added prior to attempting to start the engine.

Level ground?

Must be sat on fairly level ground for the oil sensor to work correctly.

Not sure if you can get to the oil sensor, if you can, you can temporarily disconnect the wire and try to start it.. If it runs then the sensor is bad..

Many of these small engines are run extremely lean, makes cold starting a bit of a hassle even with choke on.

For that issue a quick blast of CARB CLEANER (not engine Ether, it is hard on engines) across the air filter then pull once or twice to see if it hits..

If hits, the spark is good the problem is fuel..

If fuel, check to make sure you have the fuel shut off set to on and on these small gens there may be a little flip valve on the fuel cap that needs opened while running.

You can also pull the plug and see if it is wet with fuel, if wet, you have flooded the engine. To clear the flooded engine, turn off the ignition and manually pull the start rope a few times WITH THE PLUG OUT then dry the plug and try again with plug in the engine.

While plug is out and as long as the plug is dry you can connect plug to the plug wire, ground the plug to engine and turn on the ignition and pull the start cord to see if you have spark.

If plug was flooded, you may need a new plug to get it to fire correctly, I have had some plugs foul out and not work right after being flooded with modern gas.

On edit..

Forgot to mention, seen more than once on RV.net that some folks who had issues with the low oil sensor false error had to add a VERY SMALL amount of oil above what was recommended. Happens with the other name brands also, just the nature of the beast.

[GravelRider]

The correct amount of oil was added prior to attempting to start the engine.

[Boon_Docker]

Gulfcoast wrote:
If the oil level is not correct, it will not start.

The Champion is a fine generator... call tech support.

That sounds like it could be the problem. They are shipped with no oil in them.

[Gulfcoast]

If the oil level is not correct, it will not start.

The Champion is a fine generator... call tech support.

[ppine]

Go pick up some 3000 watt generators. They are heavy. You may be able to run a long cord from your rig to the back of your truck and leave it in the truck bed.

Forget about microwaves while boondocking.
I like Generac generators, Chinese knockoffs of Hondas.
I like solar systems even more.

[GravelRider]

Well, I ended up not getting the RV as quickly as I had hoped. The local dealers are overwhelmed with orders and taking 2-3 weeks to get new RVs processed. I'll be taking delivery of my new RV the Saturday after next. I also decided on the Forest River 22MKSE instead of the 16BHS after seeing them both in person.

Anyhow, I got a chance to try out the Champion 3100 watt generator today... And no bueno. Neither the remote nor the electric start worked. Nothing. No turning over. No indication that anything was happening. I checked the battery voltage with my multimeter and it was 5.5 volts! Ugh. Okay, that sucks, but at least it has a pull start. I pulled it probably 50 times with no luck. Choke on, off, you name it. I went through the directions a ton of times to make sure everything was set correctly, and it was. Not a happy camper, but it was purchased through Walmart, and they're very good with returns if need be. I put it on my motorcycle battery tender and will try it again tomorrow with a charged battery. Hopefully I won't have any issues. If it still doesn't start, I'll return it and buy a Honda and consider it a lesson learned.

[72cougarxr7]

GravelRider wrote:
Thanks for all the above everyone. I purchased the Champion 3100 watt with remote start. It'll arrive Thursday, just in time for the trailer's maiden boondocking voyage next weekend.

You will love the Champion! I have the Champion 3400 remote start model. It starts my ac in eco mode no problem, and once the ac is running, it only sounds like it is running at half throttle. Pretty quiet as well.
If you ever need parts, you can call Champions 1800 number and they will ship them straight to you from their warehouse in California.