Generators

Tsunami1 · 08-14-2010, 06:28 PM

We will be traveling from Florida to Arizona in a few months and plan to purchase a generator, but have no idea what will work best for our 25RL Wildcat fifth wheel. Any recommendations?

revrnd · 08-14-2010, 06:39 PM

I'm in the process of buying a 3000W Honda generator. It'll run my AC & that's all that matters. They make 2 3000W inverter models if you're running any electronics. One is larger but has electric start. The "Handi" model, is manual start, but lighter.

You'll get a lot of replies about buying the cheap (albeit noisy) Chinese generators, but your CG neighbours will be chasing you w/ pitchforks when fire it up.

NWJeeper · 08-14-2010, 06:49 PM

Be VERY careful to check the specs on anything you are looking at. The Honda 3000 generators will run an AC no problem but not all 3000w generators are created equal. The cheapo ones will state that they are 3000 or 3500w but that is usually "surge" and the actual continuous run rating is 2500w which won't run an AC. This is the trap people fall into with buying cheap, you get what you pay for. Just because it says "3000w" on the outside of the box doesn't mean it is. Spend the money up front for a unit that will last you years to come and as the previous poster stated won't get the " CG neighbours chasing you w/ pitchforks when fire it up."

Honda and Yamaha are two names you just cannot go wrong with and they are worth the price.

revrnd · 08-14-2010, 06:54 PM

X2 on what Jeeper said.

Also, when you buy a Honda or Yamaha, you have easy access to service should you need it. The "other" generators are basically disposable. Most are sold @ auto parts or hardware stores that have no service dept'. Try finding a service center for your $300 3000W Feng Shui generator.

NWJeeper · 08-14-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revrnd

Try finding a service center for your $300 3000W Feng Shui generator.

Feng Shui Generator

Now that's funny right there, I don't care who yar.....

SaskCampers · 08-14-2010, 09:12 PM

EU3000is Honda all the way. It has better specs than the ligtweight 3000 and costs less. It only weighs 132lbs Ha Ha which in a locked truck box makes it a multi person job to steal it, that is of course after they break the grade 8 inch and one half linked chain.

donn · 08-14-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWJeeper

Be VERY careful to check the specs on anything you are looking at. The Honda 3000 generators will run an AC no problem but not all 3000w generators are created equal. The cheapo ones will state that they are 3000 or 3500w but that is usually "surge" and the actual continuous run rating is 2500w which won't run an AC. This is the trap people fall into with buying cheap, you get what you pay for. Just because it says "3000w" on the outside of the box doesn't mean it is. Spend the money up front for a unit that will last you years to come and as the previous poster stated won't get the " CG neighbours chasing you w/ pitchforks when fire it up."

Honda and Yamaha are two names you just cannot go wrong with and they are worth the price.

UHHH it is not only the elcheapo generators that list their ratings unrealistically high. ALL generators are listed at the maximum or surge power, not the running watts. That includes Honda and Yamaha. BTY my Yamaha 2800I starts and runs my 15K BTU AC unit just fine. So it is not always a matter of size but how many amps can it produce and for how long when it comes to starting an AC unit. But the OP did not indicate what he wants to run with this generator. In the probably 20 years of RVing with a generator I have only used my generator to run the AC once. The rest of the time I use it to supplement charge my batteries and when DW washes her hair I will fire it up so she can use the hair dryer. So in reality the first question someone should ask is What? Not how big he must buy.

Iggy · 08-14-2010, 10:33 PM

First question I have is why do you think you really need a generator?
You plan on parking in the Walmart parking lots?

Second part is a 3,000 watt Honda will be what you want. Even though they are waaayyyy over priced.

Electrical 101

P = Watts
I= Electrical Amps
E= Voltage

P = I x E
Normal Power
15 amps x 120 volts = 1,800 watts
20 amps x 120 volts = 2,400 watts
25 amps x 120 volts = 3,000 watts

LOW VOLATAGE in campground
If voltage is low see what happens.
Wattage stays the same , voltage drops and amps increase in opposite proprtion to voltage
P/E =I

16.36 amps x 110 volts = 1,800 watts
21.81 amps x 110 volts = 2,400 watts
27.27 amps x 110 volts = 3,000 watts

This is the main reason many circuit breakers trip

Tsunami1 · 08-15-2010, 05:40 AM

Thank you all for your input! Who knows, we may end up in a Walmart parking lot or two along the way, we're just trying to be prepared for the long journey!

donn · 08-15-2010, 08:26 AM

Tsunami, You really need to determine what you actually want this generator to run. Figure that out and then go shopping. Unless of course you like spending money.

rdsknfn_57 · 08-15-2010, 10:51 AM

Honda 3000 with a wireless remote starter and live will be good

NWJeeper · 08-15-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donn

UHHH it is not only the elcheapo generators that list their ratings unrealistically high. ALL generators are listed at the maximum or surge power, not the running watts. That includes Honda and Yamaha. BTY my Yamaha 2800I starts and runs my 15K BTU AC unit just fine. So it is not always a matter of size but how many amps can it produce and for how long when it comes to starting an AC unit. But the OP did not indicate what he wants to run with this generator. In the probably 20 years of RVing with a generator I have only used my generator to run the AC once. The rest of the time I use it to supplement charge my batteries and when DW washes her hair I will fire it up so she can use the hair dryer. So in reality the first question someone should ask is What? Not how big he must buy.

The fact remains however that there are a lot of generators out there that claim to be "35000w" generators that actually only have a 2500W continuous run. The fact also remains that 100's if not 1000's of RVrs use the Honda 3000 to power thier AC.

No the OP didn't state he was running the AC with the generator but that was more or less implied by the fact that he stated he would be spending his time in Florida and Arizona, two places that get very very hot. If he had said he was going to spend all his time in International Falls MN then we would not have made that assumption.

It also comes down to the fact that despite the AC the converter/charger is always plugged in and depending on how far down the batteries are can draw quite a load to charge in the beginning. Using a generator that is too small will not only be bad for the generator but the AC unit as well. HVAC is very sensitive to low voltage/amperage issues. I would not want to take the chance of burning up either unit by going with less than a 3000w continuous generator and is also the reason why you will NEVER see less than a 3000W generator on motorhomes equipped with AC. Typically they are Onan 4KW gensets.

Mowat · 08-15-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donn

Tsunami, You really need to determine what you actually want this generator to run. Figure that out and then go shopping. Unless of course you like spending money.

We own rv's of course we like spending money. Some are sadistic enough to own rv's and boats !!

NWJeeper · 08-15-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mowat

We own rv's of course we like spending money. Some are sadistic enough to own rv's and boats !!

Make that two of us. And at least one of us here also has motorcycles and an airplane to boot. Well, to be honest I would have a plane too if I could justify it. That must make me really sadistic...

**Herk7769** · 08-15-2010, 12:02 PM

Yamaha EF30iSEB Propane Natural Gas Generators

I love mine. It lives in my pickup's bed. Runs on gas or propane.

Pricey, but I can start it without getting out of bed when quite hours are over and roll over.

**bikendan** · 08-15-2010, 12:06 PM

my vote is for a pair of Honda or Yamaha 2000 inverter models. with a parallel kit you can have 4000w available or just use the one for everything except the a/c. and they only weigh about 50lbs. each.

NWJeeper · 08-15-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

my vote is for a pair of Honda or Yamaha 2000 inverter models. with a parallel kit you can have 4000w available or just use the one for everything except the a/c. and they only weigh about 50lbs. each.

Great Plan!

**Herk7769** · 08-15-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

my vote is for a pair of Honda or Yamaha 2000 inverter models. with a parallel kit you can have 4000w available or just use the one for everything except the a/c. and they only weigh about 50lbs. each.

Last year at Sigsbee NAS, 98% of the campers used this arrangement. They were very happy campers.

An additional feature is two is better than one if your generator breaks down. There is a company that makes a fuel rig that will refuel both genterators from a single 5 gallon tank automatically.
I looked at that option as well.

cfsoistman · 08-15-2010, 02:09 PM

Whatever Generator you decide on I'd be sure to have the Maximum Wattage so if you want to run just about everything you'll be set. You never know when a storm may take out your home power and you'll take up residence in your RV until the power comes back on which may be days. Just another thing to consider.

acadianbob · 08-23-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

my vote is for a pair of Honda or Yamaha 2000 inverter models. with a parallel kit you can have 4000w available or just use the one for everything except the a/c. and they only weigh about 50lbs. each.

X2. Better to get two 2,000s than one 3,000. And for everyone's camping pleasure, make sure you get quiet generators instead of the cheap construction grade units that will wake the dead.

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