Generator Recommendations

[Macdonald]

We have a 2017 832OKBS that we need a generator to support, occasionally. My wife's sister lives in East Texas, but does not have power available where we need to park. What would be the best generator purchase for the money to get us through a weekend visit. Preferably gasoline. Understanding that we would most likely be limited to the use of 1 a/c system.
We met a couple at the marina that has a 5th wheel and they use a small generator and claim they can get about an 8 hour run time between fill ups.
Suggestions?

[richp]

Hi,

As a practical matter, one air conditioner = 3000 watts working capacity. Some say they are able to get by with less by modifying their air conditioner. I went with two Honda 2000s parallelled for the situation you described.

You likely will get a vast array of varied input on this one...

Rich Phillips

[rsdata]

look at the Predator from HF...
certainly can run one AC and more, but NOT 2 AC's
sometimes HF coupons bring price down another $50 or so

[Thurman]

IF I could find the coupons to purchase two (2) of those Predator jenny's from HF for $50 each I would go get them now even though I have a good 5500 watt jenny.

[rsdata]

Thurman...

IF I could find the coupons to purchase two (2) of those Predator jenny's from HF for $50 each I would

what?

HF coupons bring price down another $50 or so

[formerFR]

I would rather consider trying to find a residential outlet to plug into, on or near the family's house. Even a very long extension cord, with an adapter for your 30 or 50amp coach shore cord, can certainly give you most of what you need, even on 15amps.

If you want more power, you can purchase a 15/15 dual dogbone adapter to give you 30amps from two different 15amp household circuits, with extension cords, etc.

Most of us have made use of these types of adapters in similar situations, some even on a regular basis.... we've even had churches and small businesses nicely allow us to use not only their power, but also many times water and even sewer!

If you're anywhere near your family's home, this seems to be a lot easier, quieter, and much cheaper than worrying about a generator simply for a few times you might think a generator is your only option.

[rsdata]

former FR...

15/15 dual dogbone adapter

Do you have a picture or link please?

[Jay2504]

I have to agree with FormerFR. If you could get power from 2 different circuits at their house would be best if possible.Especally if this is all you want the generator for. Use only 12 gauge extension cords as a MIN. Wire size. A question, how close is their circuit breaker panel to where you would park while visiting? If it’s near to where you park like maybe in their garage or basement, just run a cable from the breaker box to a outside plug, (30 or 50 amp depending on your rig) then just plug in. If that is not possible, or you think there might be other uses for the generator, look at the Harbor Freight product or a Champion Digatal Inverter Hybrid. With soft starts you MIGHT run both a/c. Jay

[formerFR]

these 50-15/15 dogbones are darn hard to find, but you can simply do another way by using the 50-30/15 dogbone, as shown here, and add the standard 30-15a adapter to the 30amp end... extension cords are used to reach from this dogbone to whatever residential outlets you can find close to your coach.

https://www.amazon.com/LeisureCords-...p+male+adapter

https://www.amazon.com/ALEKO-TRV15M3...p+male+adapter


I've used mine several times in a similar situation, or even campsites that only have 15a, believe it or not...

[CHICKDOE]

would a 50-15-15 adapter really run an a/c? wouldn't it have only 15 amps on each leg of the 50 amps legs? can you run an a/c on a 15 amp circuit without using famous hard start capacitors and/or easy start kits? if there is any distance involved it would only get less power delivered. plugging into a dedicated 20 amp circuit would be better which the adapter should do.

[dieseldodge]

We have been chewing on this generator thing as well. We tow with a diesel so a gas (only) generator would create another situation. We have been looking for/at dual fuel portable generators (gas/propane).