what size generator do i need?

[pbrowne]

I own a 2010 Rockwood Freedom 1640LTD and would like to purchase an inverter generator to power lights, furnace fan, frig, tv and DVD player.

anyone have an idea what size i need?

also, does the amperage make a difference as long as the generator doesn't exceed the camper's spec?

thanks - as this is my first post, please let me know if there is a more appropriate forum for this post.

pat

[bob7794]

For your purpose you can't go wrong with he Honda 2000. It will power everything except the AC. They cost more but they are worth it due to their quietness and reliability. You didn't mention it but you will probably want to power your microwave, perhaps a coffee pot and your battery charger/inverter.

[pbrowne]

thx bob - yes, i have a coffee maker and forgot the battery but no microwave

i've never used a generator for this purpose - i presume i just plug in the AC out into the generator and let 'er rip just like i was plugged into normal A/C at a campground.

as you've probably already ascertained, i know pretty much next to nothing about generators.

i know the inverter generators are quieter and are more efficient - i also know that from what i've seen they cost @ three times as much as a regular generator.

is there really that much difference?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by pbrowne

i know the inverter generators are quieter and are more efficient - i also know that from what i've seen they cost @ three times as much as a regular generator.

is there really that much difference?

Yes. And I, and all your neighbors, will thank you.

We have a Yamaha 3000 for the camper since we dry camp all the time and run air conditioning when it gets hot while boondocking. The air conditioner is louder than our generator. I have to remember to shut it down when quiet hours come since I can't hear it from inside the camper.

We also have a 600 dollar 6500 watt contractor generator to power the house when the power goes out here as it does some times during ice storms. When THAT baby runs the folks in the next neighborhood over know we are on generator power.

[pbrowne]

herk7769,

message received, loud and clear.

pat

[ng2951]

Add up the wattages of the various devices and you wl have a good idea whether a 2000 will work or not.

But like Lou says with the AC running its hard to hear a 3000 or dual 2000s. I have the two gensets outside our bedroom window and you hardly know they are running.

One other tip. Learn how to position your exhaust so it does not blow back to where you are sleeping. CO can really sneak up on you, but I know from experience that the CO detectors work.

[rkswyo]

The Yamaha ef2400 is another good choice.

[TURBS]

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...aws-17300.html

Read this

[bikendan]

if you don't need to run the a/c, then a 2000w unit would be perfect. no much more than a 1000w unit and will run everything but the a/c.

a Honda, Yamaha or the new Champion inverter 2000w would work.
and you can parallel them if you buy a matching one in the future.

[quackor]

I've got a champion from costco and for the money I've been happy with. I believe the published decibels are the same as the Honda. There have been folks that say it runs closer to 1700w than 2000, but for less money than a one Honda you can get two to run in parallel if you needed more than 1700.

[brookside]

Honda 2000 runs ac in my 17rr.

[bean]

My Boliy PRO3600SIE runs the A/C (13,000BTU) in my 625D fine (with eco-mode off).
Good generator for the money.

Bean

[Taranwanderer]

Originally Posted by bean

My Boliy PRO3600SIE runs the A/C (13,000BTU) in my 625D fine (with eco-mode off).
Good generator for the money.

Bean

I was hoping someone would chime in about the Boliy and if it runs their AC. I was waiting for Iggy to give us his report... So no issues with the Boliy, you're happy with the loudness level and performance, etc?

[pbrowne]

thx everyone for your replies

[thehamguy1]

I looked up the specs on the Champion 73531i and the Honda eu2001i and they're nearly the same. The Champion at 1/4 load is said to run at 54 dB; the Honda at the same load is 53 dB. The Honda weighs 46.3 lbs; the Champion, 48lbs. The Champions have parallel kits available just as the Hondas do, plus they're stackable as Hondas aren't. And at least one buyer said he saw the Champion at Sam's Club in NH for US$499.

[ng2951]

To run a 13.5K BTU A/C takes at least a Yamaha 2400. On my old TM I did that for years.

Once you hit the 15K range you need at least 3000. The Yamahas have a pretty good surge capacity, and on my newer trailer the A/C ramps up the fan for a few seconds before slugging the genset with the compressor load.

[bean]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

I was hoping someone would chime in about the Boliy and if it runs their AC. I was waiting for Iggy to give us his report... So no issues with the Boliy, you're happy with the loudness level and performance, etc?

For the money, I don't think the boliy can be beat (if it is what you need).

I've heard the honda generators and I can say that they ARE quieter. It's just a matter of how quiet to you need, and how much are you willing to pay for it.

Honda's are a great generator, no doubt about it. But because they are so popular (and expensive), they are also the most likely to "grow legs". You pretty much need to keep them locked up all the time when you are not around.

Bean

[cre10]

I've had good luck with a cheap Cabela's special 3500 watt Champion generator, but it is not quiet. I also have had a Generac electric start 7500 watt generator for years.

I think if I were to buy one strictly for camping I like the Generac 2000 watt model. 2 of them for just over $1,000.

Amazon.com: Generac 5793 iX2000 2,000 Watt 126cc 4-Stroke OHV Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Although, the remote start and stop deal is enticing on the other models

[rkswyo]

I just ordered a eu3000is Honda. My Yamaha 2400 would not run the AC, probably due to my elevation. The Honda is rated at 49db at 1/4 load. The Yamaha is rated at 53db at 1/4 load. I will give some feedback when I get the Honda concerning "quietness" between the two.

[Herk7769]

I moved the posts explaining to me about DB and Loudness levels to its own thread.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ors-22650.html