Daveevans
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Re: Do we need a generator?
A generator is one of those accessories that once purchased you will wonder how you ever lived without it. As stated by some others it allows for complete freedom from designated RV parks and enables you to get lost in nature without having to sacrifice luxuries such as fresh brewed coffee and AC on a hot night. It also offers piece of mind by knowing you have an emergency backup source of power. That said; Generators are not for everyone and if your camping style is a little more rough and ready you can definitely get away with omitting the generator. If you do decide that a generator is a purchase you would like to invest in I would highly recommend checking out http://www.quietpowergenerators.com/ to find the right generator for your specific needs. They have a usages chart page that allows you to calculate what size generator would best suit your needs. It also has a bunch of helpful general info as well as some very detailed reviews. Hope this helps in deciding if a generator is right for you! All the best, Dave1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: How do you run your generator?
Hey Rovito, First and foremost; do not run your generator in an enclosed space. If you are to run in a sound dampening box of some kind you want to make sure it is well ventilated. you can search how to build sound dampening enclosures on youtube and similar products can be purchased. For those looking to buy I would simply recommend purchasing an INVERTER generator which going to be much quieter than a conventional generator. In addition to being quieter, inverter generators are also compatible with sensitive electronics and will not damage the microprocessors found within. Rovito since you have already bought the inverter and are looking to run it as quietly as possible I would just run an extension cord away from your trailer. Hope this helps somewhat. All the best, Dave http://www.quietpowergenerators.com/592Views0likes0CommentsRe: PORTABLE GENERATOR QUESTION
Hey Marv! I know I am a little late to the conversation but hopefully this helps someone out there. As far as purchasing a generator for camping is concerned, there are two main factors to consider. The first is how much power you will require and the second is noise emissions. POWER: If you do not require your generator to power a 13,500 BTU AC unit then something around the 2000W range should power most of your appliances without worry (coffee makers, hair dryers, CD players, laptop/phone charging etc). If you do require something that can power an AC unit on an RV you should be looking in the 3000W and above range for a 13,500 BTU unit. You can check out this usage chart that lists a number of common appliances and their power requirements. Add the totals of the appliances you plan on running in conjunction with one another and you will have your power requirement. NOISE: No one wants their campsite to sound like a construction zone. If you are looking for quiet portable power you are in the market for an INVERTER generator (as opposed to a conventional generator). Inverters also produce a "cleaner" power source that is suitable for sensitive electronics such as laptops and smartphones. The inverting process produces a smoother sine wave that will not damage the microprocessors within these electronics. Many people swear by Honda's and Yamaha's and they are the industry leaders when it comes to inverter generators BUT there are many alternative companies (ie Champion, WEN, Briggs and Stratton) putting forth very competitive products at a lesser price that merit consideration when shopping around for a generator. I found this website to be extremely helpful when deciding which generator best suits your needs; http://www.quietpowergenerators.com/ The "inverters vs generators" page is very insightful and arms you with the knowledge necessary to make an educated purchase. They also have detailed reviews of the latest and best selling inverter generators on the market. I hope this helps Marv! Happy camping and all the best, Dave310Views0likes0CommentsRe: Opinions on 3400 champion inverter generator.
Hey epbigfoot, I have found Champion Power Equipment to be really durable and a great, less expensive alternative to the traditional Honda's. I don't have personal experience with the 3400 but I do have experience with the 3100w and would definitely recommend it if you can do with a few less watts. It has a wireless startup option which is nice but is more of a luxury than a necessity. If you're looking for more info I found a great review on the web; Champion 75537i Inverter Generator Review It covers pretty much everything you need to know about the unit and there are some other units reviewed on the site as well if you want to compare. Hope this helps! All the best, Dave691Views0likes0CommentsRe: Do I need a generator?
Hey Steve, first off I'm sorry to hear of your loss but the outdoors will do you well. As far as the generator goes, it sounds like your camping style doesn't require much electricity which puts you in the market for maybe a 1000 or 2000 Watt generator. That should be plenty of power for what you need. Two major things to consider; 1) I would recommend a QUIET power generator thus you would want to look at inverter generators. It makes a world of difference when you are out in the wilderness. 2) If you plan on charging your trailer battery with the inverter generator I would strongly recommend purchasing a proper 12v battery charger and running it off the AC outlet of your inverter generator as opposed to charging the battery DIRECTLY off the generator. This is because generators typically do not have a shut off sensor when the battery is fully charged and you risk overcharging and thus damaging the battery. I found this site to be really helpful when it came to finding the right inverter generator for my needs; https://www.quietpowergenerators.com/generators-vs-inverters/ The "inverters vs generators" page is very insightful and arms you with the knowledge necessary to make an educated purchase. They also have detailed reviews of the latest and best selling inverter generators on the market. Hope this helps Steve. Safe travels!659Views0likes0CommentsRe: Generator Recommendations
Hey guys! I know I am a little late to the conversation but hopefully this helps someone out there. If you require a generator that can run a 13,500 BTU AC unit you will need to look in the 3000W range. An inverter generator such as the Briggs and Stratton 30545 has 3000 surge/starting watts and 2600 rated/running watts and would be able to run a 13,500 BTU AC unit. It also has a display screen which tells you what percentage of the overall output is being consumed. In addition to power output you should also consider noise emissions. No one wants their campsite to sound like a construction zone. If you are looking for quiet portable power you are in the market for an INVERTER generator (as opposed to a conventional generator). Inverters also produce a "cleaner" power source that is suitable for sensitive electronics such as laptops and smartphones. The inverting process produces a smoother sine wave that will not damage the microprocessors within these electronics. Many people swear by Honda's and Yamaha's and they are the industry leaders when it comes to inverter generators BUT there are many alternative companies (ie Champion, WEN, Westinghouse) putting forth very competitive products at a lesser price that merit consideration when shopping around for a generator. I found this website to be extremely helpful when deciding which generator best suits your needs; quietpowergenerators.com The "inverters vs generators" page is very insightful and arms you with the knowledge necessary to make an educated purchase. They also have detailed reviews of the latest and best selling inverter generators on the market. The units that would be capable of powering a 13,500 BTU AC unit are the Briggs and Stratton 30545, the WEN 56310i and the Champion 75537i - all of which are reviewed in detail on the site. I hope this helps! Happy RVing/camping and all the best, Dave568Views0likes0CommentsRe: Opinions on 2800w Champion Generator
I agree with Sandia Man. Champion Power Equipment is great value for money. They are sound alternatives to the Honda's and Yamaha's. As for the 2800 I am unable to speak from experience on that model but if it is anything like the 3100w then the kids will have no problems with it. I have also found Champion has excellent customer service. I would recommend looking into the 3100W unit. They have the wireless startup option that Sandia mentioned as well as a manual recoil start for a lesser price. I must say though the wireless startup is quite the luxury and it is equipped with (I believe) a 15 second delay with enables you to leave your electronics plugged in during startup and shutdown. Here's a link to a review I found really helpful; Champion 75537i 3100W Inverter Review The website also has an info page on inverters that I found useful Hope this helps and all the best! Dave367Views0likes0Comments
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