Best Inverter generator for 30 amp service

[Cary649]

I'm looking for suggestions/ testimonials for a generator/ inverter to buy to power our travel trailer (30 amp service). I'd like a quiet generator without overspending. Gasoline only is fine (isn't it?). Not too heavy. If you are not happy with one you've used (or know fellow campers who've used) I'd like to hear about that, too.

[CC75]

Do a search for Honda or Yamaha on this site. You will get lot of opinions. Decide if you are quality or price driven.

[5picker]

I see you have 2 posts... Welcome!

Lots of opinions and thousands of posts about which is "best."
A search of this site will give you unlimited opinions.

Keep in mind, a 30a service is 3600w total.
That's about as big an inverter type generator you'll find.

Also... you did mention generator/inverter... were you referring to an inverter generator or a generator and a stand alone inverter?

[67L48]

Originally Posted by CC75

[...] Decide if you are quality or price driven.

You also should decide if you think quality and price are mutually exclusive features, as the above post would seem to imply.

I don't own a generator. If I buy, it will be Champion. I can't find any contemporary reviews that would suggest there's a significant quality difference. At the very least, the gap has closed so far that the 2x price premium of red and blue exclude them from my consideration (awesome units, though).

Good luck.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Cary649

I'm looking for suggestions/ testimonials for a generator/ inverter to buy to power our travel trailer (30 amp service). I'd like a quiet generator without overspending. Gasoline only is fine (isn't it?). Not too heavy. If you are not happy with one you've used (or know fellow campers who've used) I'd like to hear about that, too.

Need to know more about what you want to use it for.

If you don't need to run the a/c, any 2000w inverter generator will run everything else.

If you want to run the a/c, is it a 13.5k or 15k a/c?
That will help with how much wattage you'll need.

Of course, Honda and Yamaha are the gold standard.
But, over the past decade, many other choices have come on the market.

Champion is the top challenger to H&Y. They have responded to the RV market better than any other generator manufacturer.
There are many other brands out there now, that offer a good generator, at a much lower price than H&Y.

[Witch Doctor]

There was just a thread of this, people are saying for the money, a ginny at harbour freight on sale now for 449.00 2000 watt, they said it's equal to Honda. It begins with a P don't remember the name
Gas and it is a invertor type that you want. You can get two to run everything for under 1000.00 the price you pay for a 2000 watt Honda, reviews I have read are good. Members who also have them say the same thing, hope that helps[emoji848][emoji196]

[NCBBA11043]

Good information here . . . Another thing to consider, as Bikendan mentioned, you might be able to get by with a 2000W generator. If that is an option, I'd make sure you'd be able to parallel it with another identical generator for those rare times you might want/need more power (A/C). I know Honda and Yamaha offer this, I'm not sure about the others. The other advantage to this is the smaller generators usually weigh less than half of what a 3500W generator weighs.

[Qbud]

I have the Champion 3400 watt Inverter Generator. Have had no issues with it and it's reasonably light and quiet. It cost me only $849 through wal-mart and is currently $920.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by NCBBA11043

Good information here . . . Another thing to consider, as Bikendan mentioned, you might be able to get by with a 2000W generator. If that is an option, I'd make sure you'd be able to parallel it with another identical generator for those rare times you might want/need more power (A/C). I know Honda and Yamaha offer this, I'm not sure about the others. The other advantage to this is the smaller generators usually weigh less than half of what a 3500W generator weighs.

The one I'm talking about can be paired together from Harbor Freight, I'm going down this week to check them out, you will never beat the price on sale right now, it's like 40 percent off, members should check them out who want or need a generator

Sent from my SM-N920V using Forest River Forums mobile app

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Witch Doctor

The one I'm talking about can be paired together from Harbor Freight, I'm going down this week to check them out, you will never beat the price on sale right now, it's like 40 percent off, members should check them out who want or need a generator

Sent from my SM-N920V using Forest River Forums mobile app

Here's what was in my latest (yesterday) sale booklet.
Note: not my photos, snagged from the internet but same prices.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Qbud

I have the Champion 3400 watt Inverter Generator. Have had no issues with it and it's reasonably light and quiet. It cost me only $849 through wal-mart and is currently $920.

I just recently purchased my second Champion. First one was a 3500 watt model that had the 30 Amp Receptacle built in and didn't require a lot of monkeying around. A brand new feature at the time.

Last one is a 3500 Watt Generator/Inverter with Dual Fuel capability and electric start. Really quiet and built rock solid (at half the price of the "Red One" that doesn't also burn LPG..

The LPG (Propane) feature is a big benefit if one travels to high altitudes. No need to change a main jet in the gasoline carburetor, the fuel regulator for the LPG mode takes care of adjusting for altitude.

My single 3500 watt Inverter can carry the entire load of my trailer although it won't run microwave and A/C at the same time (unless the compressor in the AC is cycled off at the moment). If that is really important one can "parallel" two of the 3500 watt units and double the output.

There's nothing wrong with the "Red Generators" but over the last 13 years I've owned Champion Generators I can't see anything added by doubling the price.

BTW, when I bought my 3500 Watt Champion Dual Fuel, Electric Start, it was a model exclusive to Cabela's and Camping World.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Here's what was in my latest (yesterday) sale booklet.
Note: not my photos, snagged from the internet but same prices.

Thanks, that is the one I have been talking about, members have said it is quieter then a Honda, but it only has 5.5 hrs run time is what I thought I read, but this is really a steel IMO.[emoji196]

[Jay2504]

With a soft start it is possible to run a 13.5k on 1 Honda 2000. I would recommend a bigger generator than 2000 watt or 2 of them paired together. IMHO the only reason to go with paired units would be because it’s easier to lift 45 pounds twice than 100 pounds once. I currently own a Champion 4000/3500 watt open frame model 46596. Champion support is simply the best I have experienced from any company. Ever. My generator runs the same speed all the time regardless of load, which makes it a little louder under heavy load and quite a bit louder under light load as the inverter models slow down and get quieter when lightly loaded. (Where I use it noise is not a factor). If I didn’t want a duel fuel unit I would consider the Harbor Freight 3500 inverter and would probably buy the Champion model 100302 digital inverter because of its longer run time and my very positive experience with Champion. Jay

[Super 8]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Keep in mind, a 30a service is 3600w total.
That's about as big an inverter type generator you'll find.

No, there is double that available.
https://powerequipment.honda.com/gen...odels/eu7000is

[youroo]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Need to know more about what you want to use it for.

If you don't need to run the a/c, any 2000w inverter generator will run everything else.

If you want to run the a/c, is it a 13.5k or 15k a/c?
That will help with how much wattage you'll need.

Of course, Honda and Yamaha are the gold standard.
But, over the past decade, many other choices have come on the market.

Champion is the top challenger to H&Y. They have responded to the RV market better than any other generator manufacturer.
There are many other brands out there now, that offer a good generator, at a much lower price than H&Y.

Agree with this 100%! Youroo!!

[Tankmaster]

What size A/C do you have in your RV?
Thanks

Tank

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Super 8

No, there is double that available.
https://powerequipment.honda.com/gen...odels/eu7000is

You are right, sorry.

I usually don't include that one when talking 'portable' camping gennys as 270# is a lot to lug around and costs about $5k.

It is a nice unit though.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by Witch Doctor

Thanks, that is the one I have been talking about, members have said it is quieter then a Honda, but it only has 5.5 hrs run time is what I thought I read, but this is really a steel IMO.[emoji196]

The Harbor Fright may be a good deal but before you buy go to a repair shop and ask if they will work on it. A lot of Harbor Freight stuff is throwaway.

[Steeljag]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Need to know more about what you want to use it for.

If you don't need to run the a/c, any 2000w inverter generator will run everything else.

If you want to run the a/c, is it a 13.5k or 15k a/c?
That will help with how much wattage you'll need.

Of course, Honda and Yamaha are the gold standard.
But, over the past decade, many other choices have come on the market.

Champion is the top challenger to H&Y. They have responded to the RV market better than any other generator manufacturer.
There are many other brands out there now, that offer a good generator, at a much lower price than H&Y.

X 3 !

Just depends on your needs / wants ! Also, that HF Predator 2000W that is also mentioned on this thread does seem to get good reviews !

[67L48]

Originally Posted by 5picker

You are right, sorry.

I usually don't include that one when talking 'portable' camping gennys as 270# is a lot to lug around and costs about $5k.

It is a nice unit though.

I'd say you're both right.

Ohm's Law tells us that a 120 VAC system that can pull a max of 30 A will only be able to handle 3,600 W. P = VA = 30 * 120 = 3,600.

You may want a higher rated generator to overcome the various efficiency losses, such that the trailer really receives a full 3,600 W. But, at some point, the trailer can't pull any more. If it tries, it will either blow fuses, trip breakers, or damage wiring/fixtures.

So, a 3,600 W inverter is about the biggest generator that makes sense for a 30A RV. But, to the other post, larger ones do, in fact, exist.

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