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Old 07-20-2016, 02:16 PM   #21
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The best most versatile purchase is a pair of 2000w inverter generators with parallel kit.
All weigh around 50lbs each empty.
If you don't need a/c, then you only need one to run everything else.

Honda and Yamaha are the gold standard but are pricy.
Champion has become the most popular economical alternative to the H&Y units.

There are others out there but haven't been around long enough to be a proven product.
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Old 07-20-2016, 02:24 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karrun View Post
I'm smiling at how everyone assumed in the OP's post that the word "gender" meant generator. I, on the other hand, thought plug adapters, especially when they were asking about 30 amp vs 50 amp. Was I the only one?
Most likely, since their actual thread title states:

Just bought our first TT. Now what generator do we buy?

and then their post says the same in the first two sentences, I would think it's a pretty safe assumption the OP is asking about generators:
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Originally Posted by miagigirl View Post
We just bought our first TT. What gender should we buy and why? Also when looking a campgrounds, they say 30 or 50 amp. What the heck does that mean?
so you possibly may have been the only one....or not.
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Old 07-20-2016, 03:18 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by miagigirl View Post
We just bought our first TT. What gender should we buy and why? Also when looking a campgrounds, they say 30 or 50 amp. What the heck does that mean?
We just returned from a 4 day dry camping trip, used a RAVEN 4000 generator I ordered from Home Depot. The generator cost just under $300.00 and has 120/20 amp duplex, 120/30 amp RV ready connection and a 12 volt supply connector. Unit came with a wheel kit and fold down handles. Not only did it power everything in our 26RR Toy Hauler using the 30 amp plug, it supplied power to a fellow campers needs using the 20 amp duplex for the entire time. Noise level wasn't too bad and gas consumption was extremely low (about 5 gallons total). Not as pricey as some models and I really didn't expect such a good unit for the cost ~ but honestly, it performed absolutely great! Weight factor is just over 100 lbs.
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Old 07-20-2016, 03:30 PM   #24
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I am going to purchase 2 of the nothern tool powerhorse 2000 watt inverter generators. They come with the cable to connect them together and create 30amp service. It is a Honda clone. Check them out.

http://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_200623983_200623983.
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Old 07-20-2016, 04:35 PM   #25
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Figure out how many watts you need and buy the appropriate sized Honda. Definitely not the least expensive way to go, but Honda quality and features are the best of any portable generator available.
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Old 07-20-2016, 04:42 PM   #26
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Unless your not going to boon dock forget the generator. Later RJD
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Old 07-20-2016, 04:51 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by extxn View Post
We just returned from a 4 day dry camping trip, used a RAVEN 4000 generator I ordered from Home Depot. The generator cost just under $300.00 and has 120/20 amp duplex, 120/30 amp RV ready connection and a 12 volt supply connector. Unit came with a wheel kit and fold down handles. Not only did it power everything in our 26RR Toy Hauler using the 30 amp plug, it supplied power to a fellow campers needs using the 20 amp duplex for the entire time. Noise level wasn't too bad and gas consumption was extremely low (about 5 gallons total). Not as pricey as some models and I really didn't expect such a good unit for the cost ~ but honestly, it performed absolutely great! Weight factor is just over 100 lbs.
NOT appropriated for any campground and its noise level exceeds most parks noise limits for generators.
any generator that doesn't have its noise level rating, means it's LOUD and they don't want you to know.

you could've bought a quieter open frame Champion 3500/4000 for less money and gotten a proven well-supported generator that is quieter.
i got mine from Cabelas for $269.
BUT i would still NOT use it in any campground.
that's why i have a Honda 2000i.
the Champion is for home use and power outages and the Honda is for camping.
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Old 07-20-2016, 04:56 PM   #28
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We purchased a Boley 3600si inverter generator which can run everything including a/c weighs 72lbs dry has handle and wheels. Good in all state and national parks pretty quiet 54 dbs We have used ours for almost 4 years and have not had any problems. Check it out at bottom line trading company.com was a great price for what you get.
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Old 07-20-2016, 05:43 PM   #29
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I have 2 honda 2000's. One is a companion generator. When connected together they put out 30 amps and have a 30 amp plug in. Unless I'm running the AC, I just run one. They are very quiet compared to some others. Basically as loud as a normal conversation.
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Old 07-20-2016, 05:57 PM   #30
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I did something similar with the Champion 3500/4000. I don't have the wheel kit, so it is a bit lighter to move around. I am 71 and don't have any trouble lifting it in an out of our F250. The 30A cord from our trailer reaches to the truck bed with no issue. I built my "box" using carpet and the deadener/liner. We have used the pair together for five years with no issues. We just completed an eight week trip cover 12 state parks and several nights of highway boondocking using it to power our rig and our friends 50 Amp 40 foot 5th wheel. Everything was fine as long as we didn't try to run the ACs. This wasn't an issue as we were mainly in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. No one mentioned "noise" anywhere and we were in Yellowstone and Glacier where the campsites are very close to each other.
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Old 07-20-2016, 05:58 PM   #31
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I am going to take a "WAG" that you mean "Generator"? Start at the Top with a HONDA and work down to your price level,results and NOISE will follow the Price point! Like W/D says you will need Elect adapters! If your unit is 30A you could/will need "At Times" a 50 to 30,a 30 to 20, if 50A you will also need "At Times" a 30 to 50! And you will always need a Extension Power Cord, most of the Time a 30' 30A Cord will suffice with the proper adapters! Youroo!! PS and always have a Tester for the Power Supply that you are going to Plug into! Better "Safe than Sorry"!
X2. Can't go wrong with Honda or Yamaha. Quiet, start instantly every time.
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Old 07-20-2016, 08:38 PM   #32
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I currently have a Honda EU2000I that I converted to run on Propane. I just plug in the quick connect gas on the TT and off it goes. I don't have to worry about carrying gasoline or spilling it. It is also cleaner burning and the Generator will/should last literally forever. Because I can't run my air conditioner on 1600 watts, I need to purchase a 2nd EU2000I, convert it to propane and use the companion cable to get the power I need. If it isn't too hot I will just us one. MW and I like wooded sites at state campgrounds and we have found that many don't have power or water. So, I believe this will be a very workable solution. I haven't yet purchased the second Honda. JMTC!
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Old 07-20-2016, 08:44 PM   #33
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I would be careful about heat build up. That must be one heavy generator. My two Honda's weigh 47 lb apiece. You buy what you like. I have had my Honda's for eight years. I use them at my house some.


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I agree with Spock and youroo, start with Honda inverter generators and if you can't afford that work your way down to the cheaper inverters like champion. Do NOT buy a contractor type, you will regret it for reasons of noise, weight, gas consumption, and lack of clean power. Do your homework and research what the cheaper inverter gennies will cost in the long run. We have had our 2 Honda eu2000i for 10 years with no problems. Our friends who go the cheaper route buy new generators every couple of years. Good luck!!
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Old 07-20-2016, 08:45 PM   #34
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Originally Posted by Havasu Bill View Post
I have the twin Honda 2000 package. I can run an AC with both running or just run one for basic utilities.
Same for me

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Old 07-20-2016, 09:29 PM   #35
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Yamaha or Honda inverter generators. They cost a bit more than the Chinese made ones but they last forever. Regardless of what brand you buy stay away from gas with ethanol. One thing I've learned in my long life is that ethanol is poison to a small engine.
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Old 07-21-2016, 11:05 AM   #36
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The Honda and Yamaha are definitely at the top but for the 2000 models I give the nod to the Honda only because the Yamaha is not compatible with PI EMS.
If you ever get an EMS (PMI is very popular) you will want the Honda.

I bought the Yamaha's before I knew this. Not a big deal but would have selected the Honda's if I knew better.

I thought we would be boon-dockin it and need them right away, but they've been sitting in the box in my garage for 8 months. So far, we've only stayed at campsites w/full hookups.
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Old 07-21-2016, 11:14 AM   #37
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This post is a bit off subject, however, there's a lot of great info here.

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Old 07-21-2016, 11:32 AM   #38
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Generators- something I know a little about (I have 4 of them)

I have a built in generator in the RV which is 4000 watt and it powers everything in the RV if you want to use it. The drawbacks are that it is noisy inside and occasionally you can smell gas fumes (after all it is gas and runs right there by the window). We don't like to use the generator in the RV. 5 years owned and like 50 hours on it.

If you do much dry camping, beware that where you are going even allows generators. And if they do, what hours they allow them. Most do not allow running them at night which is when you might need some AC at about this time of year. Even some KOA's are restrictive about generator use (because they want you to upgrade your site naturally).

My brand of preference is the Powerhorse sold by Northern tool. On sale it is a real buy and the bigger ones have 220V plugs. Their smaller one- the inverter/generator- sells for like half what the similar Honda sells for and several hundred less than Generac. It will not power the AC but is the only small generator of its size that I have seen that accepts a 30 amp plug and can be hooked together with a twin easily to power all your needs. My wife and I camped the Smoky Mts. this spring for over a week, no electrical anywhere in the park, and the small one was fine. It recharged the batteries of the RV, operated the fridge, HW heater, and other stuff while it was running. It is very quiet and a real gas miser. It is no bigger than a small cooler and is about that heavy.

I do recommend getting a 30 amp extension cord (sold at Wal-Mart and Amazon) and you have to get an RV adapter. If you need 50 amp, you need to get a bigger generator and the Powerhorse 9000 is a beast. But it is not quiet. None are at that output level.

All the best of luck to you!
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Old 07-21-2016, 12:04 PM   #39
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And...they are gone

Has anyone else noticed the OP has left the building? We are entertaining ourselves per normal anyway!

I bought two of the Ryobi i2200 inverter generators and the cable to connect them for full 30 Amps. They are about 1-2 db louder than the gold-standard Hondas but saved me $1,000. I find they do fine with the Wind Jammer, as long as you don't turn on the main 15K AC unit and run with the 13.5K.
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Old 07-21-2016, 01:28 PM   #40
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I have a 2000W Powerhorse from Northern Tool. It is as quiet as a Honda and half the price. I only use it to charge my battery when I'm off grid for a few days. Look one up and read the reviews.
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