Which generator do you recommend?

[DutchmenSport]

I have a King Kraft generator that has (and still is) running very well with absolutely no issues. It came when I purchased my Keystone Springdale TT around 2006 or so. I've not used it with the camper very much, but it has come in very handy around the house for winter and extremely stormy days at home when the power goes out.

I did try it with the Springdale and it ran the air conditioner successfully, but like I said, never really had a need to use it camping as we've always had electric hook-ups.

Fast forward.

About a month ago we traded the Springdale for our new Outback. So, like we all do, I'm still experimenting with "this and that" and tonight I tried the generator. I also now have a surge protector for the camper that reads the volts and amp load and will kick off with high or low voltage.

The situation has come up where I'd like to be able to set-up using the generator, but the generator spits out 16 amps and the camper load with the air on is around 19. The surge protector shut the trailer down. So, I don't think the generator is adequate for our need (good for the house to keep the freezer running and our satellite TV operational and blower in our fireplace though).

We've decided we're going to get another generator we can satisfactorily use with the Outback, but need something that will spit out at least 20 amps, and more is better. But we also don't want something so gigantic it's impossible to move. We'd like it to run quiet, but most important is the output.

So my question? Does such a generator exist that won't break the financial camel's back? We'll have all winter to save our pennies and (most likely) in April 2014 will purchase a new one (my birthday).

I would kindly appreciate your recommendations (starting points) I can further research.

[2oldman]

Thanks for responding. So many time OP's will just disappear.

[DutchmenSport]

Yamaha, Honda, Champion and Powerhouse are thte 4 contenders here. This gives me a good starting point, and can immediately rull out the construction type generators sold at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. This in itself is GREAT help.

I'm finally at the age where I've learned being cheap is .. well .. a cheap way to go and I usually end up getting what I pay for. I don't mind paying the price, as long as the price is really worth it and I'm really getting what I expect.

My Outback is brand new. I have it for 1 month now. This is a 5 day week-end for us, and this is also our 4th trip. We camp primarily at State Parks so always have shore power, which is never an issue.

But just like flashlight tucked away in the glove box of your car, you may never need it, but the one time you do, you're sure glad you kept fresh batteries in it! That's how I feel about the camper. Chances are we may never use a generator with the camper, but the one time we will HAVE to, every penny spent for a quality power source will be money well spent.

FYI, when I ran my King Kraft generator with my camper, yes... the refrigerator was on electric, I'm sure the power converter is running, and the Air Conditioner is running. When the Air is off, the trailer is pulling a constant 3 amps (I figure it's the refrigerator. When I put the refrigerator on "gas" only, my Surge-Guard surge protector says zero amps. So it is possible, if I ran the refrigerator on gas, my King Kraft (loud as it is ... it's just a lawnmower engine with generator on it) ... would power the air conditoner.

Still, would like to invest in something that would service the camper 100%, and for those times we looses power at the house (which happens a few times a year, considering we live in the country), a second generator would come in real handy too.

So,I'd like to thank everyone (so far) on all your responses. As said in my original post, I'm looking to purchase in April 2014, which will give me all winter to save up a couple thousand $$$ for this ... Like I said, I don't mind paying the price .. as long as it does what I'm expecting. Like my truck, the generator services more than just the trailer.

[Bumpyroad]

Vapor_Trails wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
I still don't quite understand the use of two 2,000s. one yamaha EF2400iS should run the AC, is lighter than 2/2000s, cheaper, etc.
bumpy

EF2400 is just BARELY enough to efficiently run everything. However, I may have bought one had it been available at the time I bought my first EU2000.

that's exactly what I want. something that will run my stuff, and it is OK if the water heater is not in use with my AC.
bumpy

[Vapor_Trails]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I still don't quite understand the use of two 2,000s. one yamaha EF2400iS should run the AC, is lighter than 2/2000s, cheaper, etc.
bumpy

EF2400 is just BARELY enough to efficiently run everything. However, I may have bought one had it been available at the time I bought my first EU2000.

[mlts22]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I still don't quite understand the use of two 2,000s. one yamaha EF2400iS should run the AC, is lighter than 2/2000s, cheaper, etc.
bumpy

There are a lot of threads about the 2400 watt Yamaha and A/Cs. It can be a lucky throw of the dice if it works or not, mainly due to the inrush current, then the inrush current from a compressor with full head pressure. Even 3000 watt generators can be dicey with some 15k A/C units.

The two 2000 watt Honda generators run at 3500 watts, which is enough headroom to handle all the locked rotor amps most RV A/C units can throw at it. If one needs more wattage, Wise Sales sells a three-way parallel kit. If one needs even more wattage, YouTube has people running four or more Hondas in parallel.

One fact I remember from a friend of mine who does marine generator service (Kohlers mainly) -- a generator runs best at around half load. So, after an A/C starts, a 3000 watt generator is at a good point to be at, similar with two 2000 watt generators.

[2oldman]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I still don't quite understand the use of two 2,000s. one yamaha EF2400iS should run the AC

Not the OP's. IMHO no generator should be run near its max output for too long.

[69_Avion]

There are times of the year where a RV user may only need one 2000 watt generator. Example, the winter time when no AC is needed, the odds of needing more than one 2000 watt generator is slim. When you need AC, you may need a second generator. Besides, each one is much lighter than a 2400 watt generator. As some of us get older, we may not be able to lift and move the larger generator.

[Bumpyroad]

I still don't quite understand the use of two 2,000s. one yamaha EF2400iS should run the AC, is lighter than 2/2000s, cheaper, etc.
bumpy

[Vapor_Trails]

Atlee wrote:
I also bought an extended run fuel tank. With the extended run tank, I can run both gennys at max output for about 8 hours before refueling.

Your aux tank must be pretty small. I bought the 6-gallon one from Wise Sales and I've gotten nearly 30 hours running both EU2000's and the AC out in the desert.

[opnspaces]

smkettner wrote:
There must be something else on besides the air. Low batteries? Water heater? Fridge?

I agree with smkkettner but would add one more check for the battery charger. On my trailer I have to open the breaker box and turn off the breaker for the charger before I can run something like the microwave. So it stands to reason that the same thing might be affecting your attempt to run the AC.

[shortbus_driver]

camperdave wrote:

shortbus_driver wrote:
I've never understood people that spend $20K on a nice trailer, but want to skimp on a 'contractor' type generator. Not only are they loud, the power they put out can burn up your tv's / radios / AC units pretty quick, or at the very least shorten their life spans.

So since I only spent $7k on my trailer, am I allowed to use my Champion? I'm not sure on the rules these days...

Its kind of like tongue weight.... 10%, but different.

I can't say anything about Champions, their inverter gens seem to be pretty nice units. I'm more talking about the 15 year old gens that are louder than a freight train.

[MontanaCamper]

We picked up a Yamaha 3000iSEB generator. On econo setting its quieter than my friends 2 honda 2000s....but when he changes to 1 2000 his is quieter, but not by much. You can hear mine still with his one....when both of his are running you can bearly hear mine...and this is right next to each other...we tested this to see. Max amps is around 23, running is approx 20, and runs my air and popcorn maker at the same time no problems.

[camperdave]

shortbus_driver wrote:
I've never understood people that spend $20K on a nice trailer, but want to skimp on a 'contractor' type generator. Not only are they loud, the power they put out can burn up your tv's / radios / AC units pretty quick, or at the very least shorten their life spans.

So since I only spent $7k on my trailer, am I allowed to use my Champion? I'm not sure on the rules these days...

[2oldman]

I would have recommended a Honda 3k, but if your load is a *constant* 20a you'll be working it to death. Hence the 2-2ks.

Your air should be around 13a when running.