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Old 09-05-2016, 07:54 PM   #1
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Rv generator suggestions

Wondering if anyone has any recommendation on a decent Rv generator for dry camping. Looking for something small and not too loud that will power the microwave, the toaster, fresh water pump, and coffeemaker, not necessarily all at the same time. AC would be nice to run but I know that bumps up the wattage requirement by quite a bit.
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Old 09-05-2016, 08:47 PM   #2
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Boliy 3k watt generator for about $999 from bottomline trading will do it all for you and it weighs about 78 lbs.

A little cheaper and may or may not run your a/c http://www.costco.com/Champion-2800w...100302560.html

If you don't want to power a/c then HarborFreight has an inverter generator that puts out about 1600 watts for $349 on clearance.
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Old 09-05-2016, 08:50 PM   #3
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Google "2000 watt inverter generator" and you will have a week's worth of reading and info.

Be aware that these small units get stolen regularly.
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Old 09-05-2016, 09:14 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluepill View Post
Google "2000 watt inverter generator" and you will have a week's worth of reading and info.

Be aware that these small units get stolen regularly.
x2

Honda
Yamaha
Champion
Smarter Tools
Kipor
Ryobi
Generac
to name a few.
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Old 09-05-2016, 09:43 PM   #5
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Quote:
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Google "2000 watt inverter generator" and you will have a week's worth of reading and info.

Be aware that these small units get stolen regularly.
We usually put a cable/lock on ours for a slight deterrent. And I'm sure some get stolen, but I don't think it's a regular thing. At least I've never heard of any being stolen from campers we have met over the years.
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Old 09-06-2016, 12:21 AM   #6
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It just takes 30 seconds to run a cable around the handles and around a tree.

Most crime occurs as a crime of opportunity.
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Old 09-06-2016, 02:37 AM   #7
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Champion 3100w, light, quiet, and enough to run my 15k AC (also added a hard start capacitor to help).
3100 Watt Inverter Generator - Champion Generators 75531I - Portable Generators - Camping World
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Old 09-06-2016, 04:12 AM   #8
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Please get a nice, quite Honda, Yamaha or similar and not one of the obnoxious annoying cheap loud ones!
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Old 09-06-2016, 08:42 AM   #9
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Thanks for all the ideas. I never considered that these things can be easily stolen either - good idea to cable them up.
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Old 09-06-2016, 11:12 AM   #10
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Thanks for all the ideas. I never considered that these things can be easily stolen either - good idea to cable them up.
Yep, lots of threads on generators. Start at the top with Honda/Yamaha. If those are too pricey then go to the second tier of champion/boliy. All others are in the least desirable tier three in my opinion.
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Old 09-06-2016, 05:52 PM   #11
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Get a Champion 3100 with remote start.


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Old 09-08-2016, 08:08 PM   #12
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To my surprise the champion 3100 form Costco for $699 powered our 15000 btu AC without a problem. I wouldn't run anything else but AC at the same time.
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Old 09-08-2016, 08:12 PM   #13
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To my surprise the champion 3100 form Costco for $699 powered our 15000 btu AC without a problem. I wouldn't run anything else but AC at the same time.
I was at Costco yesterday and they had this on closeout at $499. Great price for a great unit!
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Old 09-08-2016, 08:44 PM   #14
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our Champion to be delivered Monday,........ Champion 3400 start/3100 run, model 100261, inverter, wireless remote elect. start, $997.77 full price, free shipping, no tax outside of TX,......the lowest price I found anywhere for that model,........when needed, it should be enough to handle 13,500 ac and enough other stuff to be comfortable,....... now, waiting for Monday is almost like waiting for Santa on Christmas,..... very anxious to open that new toy,......

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Old 09-08-2016, 08:59 PM   #15
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I was at Costco yesterday and they had this on closeout at $499. Great price for a great unit!

Nice about Costco if price drops they will refund $$$$.
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Old 09-09-2016, 06:44 AM   #16
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My TT is parked right next to my house and the only available outlet is a standard 120V 15A. I will sometimes hookup the generator to run the AC if its too hot I want to do something in there.
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Old 10-30-2016, 09:16 PM   #17
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I went with the Champion 3500/4000w generator. It is fast at recharging and it handles a full load. Chain and pad locks work great and spent shell casings sprinkled around the generator are added insurance.
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Old 10-30-2016, 10:13 PM   #18
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I went with the Champion 3500/4000w generator. It is fast at recharging and it handles a full load. Chain and pad locks work great and spent shell casings sprinkled around the generator are added insurance.
Are talking about the Champion non-inverter open-frame contractor style generator?

I own one and would NEVER use it in a campground. Way too loud!:
It also will exceed campground noise requirements.

I WOULD recommend it for non-campground usage, though. Such as deserts, auto races, hunting camps and home outages.
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Old 10-31-2016, 12:01 AM   #19
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Just for fun you can also check out Champions new 3100 Dual Fuel inverter. You can run it on gas or propane. It also can be configured to use the onboard propane outlet on your RV. Its going for $999 last time I checked Cosco.

If you have a power boat you can configure the Champion to use an external portable marine tank to give you longer run times. The Boilly has an external tank also.
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Old 02-26-2017, 09:37 AM   #20
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We usually put a cable/lock on ours for a slight deterrent. And I'm sure some get stolen, but I don't think it's a regular thing. At least I've never heard of any being stolen from campers we have met over the years.
If you go with the Honda 2000 be sure and buy the anti theft kit. We got a brand new one for work, ran a chain through the handle in the back of the crew pickup, came out of the hotel, nice hotel not a dump, and discovered the thieves had cut through the plastic handle and took out generator. The anti theft kit is a fairly heavy steel bracket that fits over the plastic handle and secures with special screws to prevent easily cutting through the handle.
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