What size generator?

[paluka44]

What size generator would I need to run my 2015 Columbus 320RS comfortably and what is the minimum size I could get away with? We don't dry camp very often, so I would only need it a few times a year. Can the 2000W honda run the microwave, TV's and AC? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by paluka44

What size generator would I need to run my 2015 Columbus 320RS comfortably and what is the minimum size I could get away with? We don't dry camp very often, so I would only need it a few times a year. Can the 2000W honda run the microwave, TV's and AC? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

One Honda 2000 cannot.
Two Hondas yes but not all the things you list at the same time.

Turbs

[rana]

"Comfortably" is fairly subjective. The 2000w Honda would be able to meet basic needs... microwave, TV's, recharge your batteries, lights, and the like, but NOT the AC (I'm thinking that rig has a 15k AC?). To run all of that you would probably need at least a 4000w genset, but I probably wouldn't try to run the AC and microwave at the same time.

I say subjective, because I have no idea what other peripherals you might use on a regular basis. Coffee maker, hair dryer, etc.

I prefer running 2 - 2000w portables running in parallel, but if your main concern is running the A/C with your genset more than 50% of time when drycamping, then a single 4000w genny might be a better fit.

[Prothos]

i run my everything in my TT with this one. I cant run the AC and microwave at the same time though and i have a 15k btu ac.
3100 Watt Inverter Generator - Champion Generators 75531I - Portable Generators - Camping World.
Not as quite as the Honda but still quite enough that i dont get any complaints. Much cheaper than the honda too.

[leland1950]

When I went from a motorhome with a 6.5 Onan to a 5th wheel with no generator, I knew I would need at least 3000 watts to run the 15K AC. Now comes the rub-Weight. That Champion says 88lbs, some were over 100 and I can't lift even the 88 into my truck, so I bit the bullet and went with the Honda 2000's, parallel cable and extend tank. Not easy but doable and very pricey, but has been a worthwhile investment. If no AC needed one in eco mode is very quiet and will pick up extra loads automatically. My wife can't help lifting so I'm on my own. Two years now and haven't missed a beat with close to 500hrs on them.

[TURBS]

This is a good guideline when choosing generator size.
Remember there is Normally always a constant amp draw from the Converter.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...aws-17300.html

Gennie watts to amps average.
2000 watts 16 amps
2500 watts 20 amps
3000 watts 25 amps
3500 watts 29 amps
4000 watts 33 amps

Also remember generators list surge amps as well as running amps make sure you look closely as you want the running amps in the range you need.



Turbs

[paluka44]

I appreciate the good info. I like the idea of the Hondas because of weight and noise, but the price just seems too high. That's about $2000.00 for two compared to a large noisey one for around $600.00. We are still going to look around and go and see if my wife and I will have issues lifting it in and out of the truck. Is there a better make of generator? Harbor freight or the ones at camping world. The one Prothos has looks good. More wattage on the ones at Harbor freight for about $550.00

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by paluka44

I appreciate the good info. I like the idea of the Hondas because of weight and noise, but the price just seems too high. That's about $2000.00 for two compared to a large noisey one for around $600.00. We are still going to look around and go and see if my wife and I will have issues lifting it in and out of the truck. Is there a better make of generator? Harbor freight or the ones at camping world. The one Prothos has looks good. More wattage on the ones at Harbor freight for about $550.00

Just make sure that the generator you buy has a 30 amp 110 outlet vs a 120 / 240 dual outlet.

I use a cheap engine hoist to life mine in the truck.
It stays there till I get home.

Turbs

[Ford Idaho]

I bought this one from Sears.

Sears.com

About 175 pounds but I use a ramp to get it in the bed before I put the hitch in.

Take the wheels off and tie it down on a rubber mat it does not move.

Runs the lite real good and if need be I can use it at home during a power outage.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

I bought this one from Sears.

Sears.com

About 175 pounds but I use a ramp to get it in the bed before I put the hitch in.

Take the wheels off and tie it down on a rubber mat it does not move.

Runs the lite real good and if need be I can use it at home during a power outage.

I'm surprised you get your a/c to run on hot humid days with that.

I assume you use the 120/240 receptacle which is only rated at 15 amps on the 120 volt side, the 240 volt side is rated at 30 amps.
What's your voltage with a/c running?

Turbs

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

I'm surprised you get your a/c to run on hot humid days with that.

I assume you use the 120/240 receptacle which is only rated at 15 amps on the 120 volt side, the 240 volt side is rated at 30 amps.
What's your voltage with a/c running?

Turbs

I think you may have ask me about this once before.
If not then do believe me when I say the A/C and television worked just fine at the same time but I did not need to use the microwave.

Never bother to check the voltage because there is no issue.

We were in Pahranagat National wildlife refuge on HWY 93 in NV. it was 98 in the shade next to the water under some cottonwood trees no clue about the humidity.

The FW is a 30 amp unit.


Gen worked fine with a dog bone adapter and Surge Guard.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

I think you may have ask me about this once before.
If not then do believe me when I say the A/C and television worked just fine at the same time but I did not need to use the microwave.

Never bother to check the voltage because there is no issue.

We were in Pahranagat National wildlife refuge on HWY 93 in NV. it was 98 in the shade next to the water under some cottonwood trees no clue about the humidity.

The FW is a 30 amp unit.


Gen worked fine with a dog bone adapter and Surge Guard.

Check next time I'd be interested.

Turbs

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Check next time I'd be interested.

Turbs

Interesting!

[kssportsman]

Mounted a 5500 Onan in the front of our 320rs. We have the residential refrigerator. Never have any issues

[RubyDually]

Originally Posted by paluka44

That's about $2000.00 for two compared to a large noisey one for around $600.00.

Do yourself and your camping neighbours a favour... DON'T get a noisy open framed contractors generator.

It's a good idea to get an Inverter Generator where Honda's, Yamaha's and even Champion has a cheap knock off that is an inverter for clean stable power for your sensitive electronics.

[ironj]

2000w inverters (regardless of brand) will run EITHER the micro or a coffee pot and the converter....and rarely a 13k ac with hard start ...my 2 2000i paralleled will run everything and OCCASIONALLY one of my 15k a/c units. ...my 6500i honda will run one ac and the micro and a coffee pot...they are all fairly quiet (the honda more so) ...

Honestly the genny is one of the reasons we are going to a th with built in onan....I hope its decently quiet. ...but honestly, we are rarely In a place where noise is a concern when we need it anyway....

[DKRITTER]

Originally Posted by paluka44

What size generator would I need to run my 2015 Columbus 320RS comfortably and what is the minimum size I could get away with? We don't dry camp very often, so I would only need it a few times a year. Can the 2000W honda run the microwave, TV's and AC? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

The best answer is "it depends".

Better question is what do I want to run off the generator at any given time.
It's really just math to start with, a generator will produce x watts/amps and the trailer needs x watts/amps to do x.

Like you we do not dry camp very often and we live in the Texas heat. We chose the Champion Gen that PROTHOS recommended in the 4th post.

Why? We did some research and chose an inverter style because the electricity is much less spikey than a conventional gen ( life of the appliances) uses a lot less gasoline and it is a billion times quieter. The Champion was also cost effective as compared to Honda and Yamaha, I think those are better systems but at 3-4 times the price I couldn't justify it only using it a few times a year.

We have a simple rule; 1 at a time. You can run the AC or the other AC or the microwave or the hair dryer or the coffee pot or the electric heater but just 1 at a time.

If you want to use both AC's, the microwave and the coffee pot at one time you'll need a BIG generator which is gonna be expensive.

[SKnight]

I have a Honda EX4500 that would run my 15K AC, the microwave, etc. all at the same time. Basically anything that you could do on a 30A plug. On a cold day it would run the 15K and the 13.5K but on a hot day it would start them, but kick the breaker after a few minutes.

In testing the microwave could be running and the 15K AC would turn on with very little in the way of voltage drop.

[paluka44]

Thanks for all the good info. I ended up getting a Durostar 4400. We will not need it very often and when we do it will be for short periods and battery charging, so i couldn't justify spending so much money on one that won't even run the AC. This one will also be good for emergencies at home.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by paluka44

Thanks for all the good info. I ended up getting a Durostar 4400. We will not need it very often and when we do it will be for short periods and battery charging, so i couldn't justify spending so much money on one that won't even run the AC. This one will also be good for emergencies at home.

I hate to break the news to you but it's very possible you won't be able to run your a/c with that generator either. [emoji19]

Turbs