Power Surge/Generator

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by ColdFeet

I'm not too concerned with charging the battery. We'll have it plugged in when we get to Wisconsin. Not to mention, the charge it gets as we drive.

I would not count on the charge you will get during driving unless you make some major mods to your charging circuit. The TV charging circuit will keep a charged battery topped up, but will not provide sufficient charge to recover a discharged battery especially with overnight furnace use.

[OYO]

If it were me I'd just map out a few state or federal parks along the way, pay my $20 and plug in.

[ColdFeet]

Originally Posted by Alleyantique

The downside to those small generators is that they tend to produce more of a square wave with lots of harmonics rather than a clean sign wave. This type output is called dirty power and may damage delicate electronics. I would have more concerns for the laptop than the other items but all items in your list are susceptible.

This is all stuff I need to read up on. Thanks for the info. I just don't really want to learn the "hard way". Lol

Originally Posted by Flybob

I would not count on the charge you will get during driving unless you make some major mods to your charging circuit. The TV charging circuit will keep a charged battery topped up, but will not provide sufficient charge to recover a discharged battery especially with overnight furnace use.

You don't think 7-8 hours will be enough to do it? I honestly don't know. This will be our first time using it with the little generator and/or just the battery.

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I figure after this trip, you will know why we all think a small contractor style generator is a waste of $$$, as you will want to trade up for a larger inverter type after actually using it. And with an inverter genny you don't have to worry about a surge.

For shore power, sure, save your $$$ and get an EMS.

As far as using a generator at Walmart, we have done it many times when necessary after asking the manager/security if it was ok. Never been told not to run one, or to keep our slides in. I think most folks that spout the 'rules' have never actually overnighted at Walmart. Just be courteous and use common sense, same as always.

Hopefully, the girlfriend will see that we need one after this trip. She's the boss. Lol. When we bought the trailer, we figured we'd use it at campgrounds that have hook-ups but I think we're going to be "boondocking" while on the road a lot more than planned. I think OYO had a good idea for this trip... see if we can find a couple state parks for $20. Even a little overnight RV park would be adequate. We're not too picky. I mean, we were planning on staying at Walmart. Lol