How long does it take?

[larryo]

If your battery is low or completely drained how long would it take for a generator to charge it up? I'm thinking a 2000w honda. Possibly 2 of them hooked together if need be. Thanks.

[uhduh camping]

My yamaha EF2000ie says about 4 to 5 hrs.

[larryo]

Is that with the trailer plugged into the generator or charge cord from the gen to the battery?

[uhduh camping]

Charging cables from gennie to battery. I have not tried to charge thru the inverter with battery that low.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by uhduh camping

Charging cables from gennie to battery. I have not tried to charge thru the inverter with battery that low.

Converter not inverter.
How low is low?


TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[larryo]

Don't know? The places I like to camp at have limited number of serviced sites so will dry camp. I would like to run the furnace at night and recharge the battery the next day. I understand that the furnace will drain the battery in one night. Also, does your Yammi power your a/c?

[SKnight]

It's true heavy furnace use will kill a battery pretty flat. Depending on your converter size, it will charge up in a few hours of fun time.

If you do a lot of dry camping you'll likely end up converting to a multiple battery setup, dual 12v or 6v, ending up with 200ah or more.

I dry camped last fall, in sub 30* temps. I've got four 6v batteries in a split parallel arrangement giving me a total of 460ah. Furnace set to 50* and running my cpap, I would be down about 70-75% or 12.4v. It would take about two hours for my converter to reach float mode, on one Honda EU2000i.

You need two 2000w units to run your AC, but one will run everything else.

[larryo]

Thanks. The trailer is new to us so I can't say how much we will dry camp, but it's a great excuse to get a nice generator!

[oldtool2]

Originally Posted by SKnight

It's true heavy furnace use will kill a battery pretty flat. Depending on your converter size, it will charge up in a few hours of fun time.

If you do a lot of dry camping you'll likely end up converting to a multiple battery setup, dual 12v or 6v, ending up with 200ah or more.

I dry camped last fall, in sub 30* temps. I've got four 6v batteries in a split parallel arrangement giving me a total of 460ah. Furnace set to 50* and running my cpap, I would be down about 70-75% or 12.4v. It would take about two hours for my converter to reach float mode, on one Honda EU2000i.

You need two 2000w units to run your AC, but one will run everything else.

Instead of two 2000 watt generator get a Honda 3000 watt unit. It will run your air with no problems and is less expensive.

Jim

[NCBBA11043]

Not sure if a Honda 3000 will power a 15K BTU A/C unit. They (Honda) say it will work with 13,500 BTU A/C, but others here have stated that's not always true. A lot of discussions about (2)2K's vs 1 3K. (2)2K's cost about the same as (1)3K, and are a lot lighter. They have smaller gas tanks, so runtime is shorter (buy an external tank setup).

[Jim Killoran]

I carry one Yamaha gen set it works well but can`t run AC second gen is a good idea IF YOU HAVE EXTRA ROOM

[Jim Killoran]

IF U use a gen set to run AC just think of the noise a generator at full speed will make

[hbillsmith]

It's not the Champion 3500 Inverter that I use, I stand corrected it is the Champion 3100 Inverter that I use and it powers my 15k AC.

Champion Power Equipment No.75531i Inverter Generator, 3100-watt
by Champion Power Equipment

• Quiet - Only 58 Dba, great for campsites, RV’s, cabins and more
• Lightweight - Only 80 lbs. with built in wheels and fold away handle
• Inverter Technology - Economy Mode - Engine automatically idles lower when electrical load reduced, saving fuel and engine wear
• 2800 Watts Rated, 3100 Watts Maximum output is powerful enough to start a 15,000btu air conditioner.
• Powered by Champion 171cc OHV engine designed specifically for the 3100 Watt inverter generator will run 8 hours on a full tank of gas at 25% load.
• EPA/CARB approved for sale in 50 states.
• Features fully enclosed durable housing with easy carry handle, 1 - 120V Duplex outlet (5-20R), 1-12V DC Outlet w/cables included, and 1 - TT30 Receptacle - RV Ready.
• Includes: Overload Protection, Low Oil Sensor and Economy Mode Switch.
• Dimensions: 24.2" (L) x 18.5" (W) x 19.7" (H).
• 2 Year Limited Warranty and Lifetime Free Technical Support.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by hbillsmith

Champion 3500 Inverter is what I use and it powers my 15k AC.

The Champion 3500 is NOT an inverter generator.

It's a loud open framed contractor generator that doesn't belong in campgrounds.
UNLESS you meant a Champion 3100 inverter generator.

[hbillsmith]

Originally Posted by bikendan

The Champion 3500 is NOT an inverter generator.

It's a loud open framed contractor generator that doesn't belong in campgrounds.
UNLESS you meant a Champion 3100 inverter generator.

I did mean the 3100, thank you for catching that, I would hate to misguide anyone. I corrected my original post.

[CNYCamper]

The Honda 3000 is a little quieter than the 2000, but at a substantial increase in weight. I use a Honda 2000. If you are dry camping in a campground (which I do quite often) they will not let you run a generator in the later evening or overnight which is when I would most appreciate A/C so a larger gen. is a non-issue for me and another reason we have a hybrid. If you are boon docking in the middle of nowhere, run what you want. In choosing a gen., try to hear one actually run. Mfg. db claims are very deceptive.

[oldtool2]

Originally Posted by NCBBA11043

Not sure if a Honda 3000 will power a 15K BTU A/C unit. They (Honda) say it will work with 13,500 BTU A/C, but others here have stated that's not always true. A lot of discussions about (2)2K's vs 1 3K. (2)2K's cost about the same as (1)3K, and are a lot lighter. They have smaller gas tanks, so runtime is shorter (buy an external tank setup).

If you have the room to carry two 2000 units and the add on extra gas tank then I would go that route. Cost is about the same for two 2000 watt and gas tank and a 3000 watt generator. Weight is about the same. I don't have the room to mount two generators so went with the 3000.

I read about the problems some were having with the 3000. Seems the problems were all the same, didn't switch the w/h to gas, didn't switch refrigerator to gas, left batteries get too low so converter had a high draw. If you run the fridge and w/h over to gas you shouldn't have any problems. This is from what I have read sense I haven't had mine out yet. I am going to do a test run at the house to see if everything works ok. I will let you know how it goes.

The weight difference has a disadvantage. It I too easy to pick up a 2000 watt and walk off with it. Not likely to happen with my 3000, it weighs about 225 pounds when full.

Jim

[PopBeavers]

When I had my TT I was able to run the 13,500 btu a/c with my Honda 2000.

The trick was that I not only had to turn off all of the obvious things, I also had to turn the breaker off for the converter.

Apparently the Honda 2000 can run the a/c as long as that is the ONLY load.

This was true at sea level and at 5,000 feet elevation. At higher elevations it might not work, but you also probably do not need a/c.

I had 2 Interstate RV/Marine 12 volt batteries. I just ran the generator for about an hour during breakfast.

To fully charge the batteries will take many hours. It is not necessary to fully charge the batteries. It is only necessary to put back in what you used since the last charge.

[larryo]

Lots of good points and things to mull over. I'm kinda leaning towards the 2-2000's, but haven't ruled out the 3000. We have a Puma 295kbh and with the outside kitchen option there is no a lot of outside storage meaning anything I get has to be transported in the TV. Therefore I like the weight of the 2000's, plus you get a little extra power for around the same price as the 3000. But I like fact that the 3000 has electric start as the wife will be going by herself with the grandkids. I like the idea of the extra weight being a theft detureent. I will just have to look, lift and listen. Twice a week I am near Wanna RV in Shipshewana Indiana. Seems like they have about the best pricing around on Honda generators.

[LandJ]

I went with the 3000 for the run time, and electric start. I can run the generator through the night and leave it run for coffee in the morning. Mine is chained under the tonneau cover of my truck and I leave there, so the weight is a non issue for me.

Good luck with your decision.