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Old 08-22-2016, 09:25 AM   #1
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Generator Choice

I just purchased a 17' Rockwood Signature Series 8328BS Travel Trailer and am looking to get a generator but not sure what size I will need wattage wise. I know the a/c, fridge and tv will pull a lot. I figure I should try and get a quiet one also to respect the neighbors.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick
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Old 08-22-2016, 09:38 AM   #2
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Brownie, welcome to the forum!

This question comes up a LOT here and there are many, many discussions about this very question.

Please use the search function.
You will find many threads and many opinions about what is...'best'.
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Old 08-22-2016, 09:39 AM   #3
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Need little more info on size of AC. You can spend a lot depending on type and size Gen or spend about half if b you shop around and not buy big brand names., Personally I use a Boliy 3600Si will run a 15000 btu ac of course you won't run anything else if you have a 13500 ac you can run a few other things. Go here to review http://bottomlinetrading.com/BOLIY.html Later RJD
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Old 08-22-2016, 09:40 AM   #4
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ok thanks
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Old 08-22-2016, 09:45 AM   #5
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is yours the red or blue one? Im looking a them on amazon.
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Old 08-22-2016, 01:39 PM   #6
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There are thousands of generator threads here.

The quiet ones are INVERTER generators.
The gold standard are Honda and Yamaha.
In the past decade, new brands have appeared to challenge them.
Champion has become the most popular of the group.
There's also Boliy, Generac, Kipor, Powerhouse and others.

IMHO, the best choice is two 2000w inverter generators with parallel kit.
That way you only need one if you aren't going to need a/c. One will run everything else.
And one will only weigh around 50lbs.
But if you need the a/c, the parallel set will give you up to 4000w of power.
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Old 08-22-2016, 03:56 PM   #7
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I will be dry camping and cant determine how much wattage ill be using for fridge, tv, lights, a/c. I was looking at the Generac 7500.
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Old 08-22-2016, 04:28 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Brownie View Post
I will be dry camping and cant determine how much wattage ill be using for fridge, tv, lights, a/c. I was looking at the Generac 7500.
The noise from that generator will ruin any camping trip you will ever attempt to bring it on.
That is a construction site generator, where noise is not an issue.
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Old 08-22-2016, 04:32 PM   #9
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Start reading........

https://www.google.ca/search?q=inver...KvO4Wte-msg7gI
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Old 08-22-2016, 04:35 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Brownie View Post
is yours the red or blue one? Im looking a them on amazon.
Red one. Just remember you can run frig and water heater on gas. Later RJD
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Old 08-22-2016, 06:43 PM   #11
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Bought a champion 4000/3500 watt unit. This is an open frame type of generator. It's louder than a Honda BUT not that much when under a heavy load. We use the generator at the racetrack where noise is not a concern,actually it's one of the quieter ones at the track. Great customer support which sold me. It is rather heavy at about 98 pounds. With the water heater and fridge on proproane, we can run the A/C full blast and cook on an electric flat grill and have a coffee maker going at the same time. It starts my 13.5 A/C like you are plugged into shore power. I actually tried a friends Honda 2k to run my A/C it BARLEY started it, but once running it did ok. I set up the thermostat so the compressor would not cycle while running the Honda. I DO NOT recommend trying to run a13.5 A/C with a 2k Honda. Based on my test even with a hard start kit it is not enough. When running my a/c uses about 1400 watts, starting it is another matter. When doing research, I found out 2 things. 1. Most inverter generators are much quieter than open frame ones but only when lightly loaded. 2. Every inverter I looked at would require me to get up in the middle of the night and put gas in it or rig up a bigger tank. Sorry for the long post, just trying to share. Jay
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Old 08-24-2016, 10:49 AM   #12
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We bought a Champion 3100 invertor generator, it is a little louder than my friends Honda 3000 at idle but both are about the same running with the A/C on inside the trailers. He paid about $2800 for his, I paid less than $800 from Amazon with free shipping.
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Old 08-28-2016, 07:03 PM   #13
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Will that Champion run a 13500 AC without problem as well as the fridge, microwave and water heater on electric? In theory everything in our TT will run w/30 amps but don't think that genny will produce that? Thanks.


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Old 08-29-2016, 10:47 PM   #14
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30 amps is 3600 watts. I only have 3500 running watts. However at the next race comming up in Sept. I will try this out and report what happens. We put the fridge and water heater on gas instead of electric so that the generator gas will last longer. I will report back what the results are even though it will take a few weeks. Jay
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Old 08-29-2016, 11:08 PM   #15
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Look forward to it! Thanks a lot, it's one I've been considering as it definitely satisfies my bang for the buck requirements!


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Old 08-29-2016, 11:38 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Brownie View Post
I will be dry camping and cant determine how much wattage ill be using for fridge, tv, lights, a/c. I was looking at the Generac 7500.
I can't emphasize enough to NOT buy a contractor style. I don't care what others say, they are far noisier than any inverter generator at any load. You will NOT be popular when you crank it up. Plus inverters give you clean power which you will find is important when doing your research.

As mentioned earlier in the thread... lots of threads on this exact subject. I would say the same thing as Bikendan. I have had 2 Honda EU2000i generators for 10 years. My brother has had Yamahas for 6 years. No problems with either. Paralleled they run everything easily and I have the 30 amp RV plug adapter as mine are the older ones that didn't come with one. I usually only run one at a time unless I need the ac. I also have a 6 gallon extender fuel tank so I rarely have to refuel. I usually use about 8 gallons of fuel per week of dry camping unless it's really hot.

I travel with a fairly large group of RVers and we attend several NASCAR races a year. One member of the group always buys the cheapest generator he can find. He also shows up with a new one about every year due to failure. His latest was a Generac. Generacs would be my last choice.

Others in the group have gone with Champions. After about 2 years of age we seem to always be working on at least one of them each trip. Usually the carb. One fellow even carries an extra carburetor so he can just switch it out. Also Champions put out less amps than they advertise. Read the reviews. These are my real life experiences with them, I'm sure the Champion contingent will cry foul and gnash their teeth

If you can't afford Honda or Yamaha then Champion/Boliy is probably the next best.

Do your research on the real cost of cheaper generators and
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Old 08-30-2016, 04:33 AM   #17
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I don't wanna camp near anyone with an open frame generator.

If you're gonna use the genny a lot, go with Honda or Yamaha. If just occasionally, go with a Champion. Or run two in parallel as mentioned. Though I believe 2 of the 2000 watt gennies give 3000 watt in parallel, not 4000.

I have a Champion 2000 watt unit; my buddy has two of them. No issues with them solo or in parallel.

In your shoes, I'd be looking hard at the Champion 3500 inverter genny.

Good luck.
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Old 08-30-2016, 06:01 AM   #18
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NMWildcat has a lot of very good points. The inverter type of generator has a much higher quality of electrical output. Much smoother and more stable than the open frame type even with AVR. My friends Honda that I borrowed for the test is over 5 years old with no trouble at all other than normal maintianance. The concept of 2 inverter gennys together is interesting. In the spring or fall when a/c is not needed just use one and save a lot of gas and operate very quietly. I think a lot depends on the intended use. I would not use what I have in a campground unless I built some sort of "quiet box" for it. Even my friends Honda seems very loud when sitting on the back of his boat in the middle of the lake to make coffee in the morning. We plan on attending NASCAR races but have not done so as of yet,my understanding is that there are a lot of generators running at the camping area. The races that we have been to so far are motorcycle drag races. We camp in the pits where it's very loud with a lot of generators and bikes running with open exhaust. What I have noticed at the races is the bigger 7k or so generators are very loud compared to mine. Jay
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Old 08-31-2016, 01:30 AM   #19
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Dry campers use propane for their fridge and water heater. They do not run the generator to power these items.

Dry camping is all about maximizing resources to extend camping time and that includes balancing resources. A generator while dry camping is used minimally to recharge batteries, occasional microwave use, and air conditioning if needed.

How much gasoline do you intend to carry? A fridge uses about 1.5 lbs propane a day. A hot water heater doesn't use much either if you are serious about conserving water which the resource that often limits camping duration.

You also have to consider that a reasonably priced, $1,000 or less inverter generator generator typically maxxes out at 3,000 watts continuous.

Microwave Oven: 1000 to 1200 watts
Hot water heater on electric: 1000 to 1200 watts
Air Conditoning: 1800 watts continuous 3000 to 3300 watts surge to start it.
TV/DVD Player: 100 watts combined if newer tech
Fridge on generator: 300 watts

Its all about energy/resource management. Don't expect to use your microwave if you want to power your heater on generator power.
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Old 08-31-2016, 08:25 PM   #20
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We have yet to try "dry camping" but it is in our future. To get ready for that so far I have upgraded to 3 group 31 batteries and am working on a small inverter project to run a few things on 120 A/C when needed. I even thought about adding an extra battery charger to reduce generator run time. Solar is a possibility also. All of us have Houseboated in the past and are used to stretching out a tank of water pretty far. At the track we ran the generator 24/7 except to put gas in and check the oil. I try to be very conscious of the people around me so as not to disturb their camping experience. Jay
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