Old man and a generator

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

You can't hear it inside the trailer but can the same be said for your neighbors outside their trailers?

Our experience was that it was at least as quiet as the quietest generators out there.

I’m sure it bothered the tent campers that were still sleeping at 8 am in Frisco, but they were up late playing music louder than our generator...

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

As the Gen-Turi redirects the exhaust upward, does it result in any further noise reduction?

It does reduce noise somewhat. Biggest benefit is that there is no more exhaust "smell" at ground level. When I quit smoking back in 1979 my nose has become very sensitive to smells/odors and for some reason, exhaust smells stand out to me like an old lady's perfume in a casino.

As for the noise reduction it is noticable, especially when running in Eco mode.

I can sit under the awning and read with the generator running and it doesn't sound any louder than if my neighbor at the other end of the block was mowing his lawn.

Side note: Since I installed the Battleborn batteries I don't need to run the generator more than a few minutes for the microwave and max three hours to FULLY recharge if it's been cloudy and Solar wasn't working. I avoid areas where A/C is required all day and into the night.

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I avoid areas where A/C is required all day and into the night.

This was the problem we encountered this summer. We thought things would cool down by the beach at night like at home, and we would be fine after the 10 p.m. quiet time with no generator and consequently no AC. We were SO wrong! We chose a generator based upon running our AC, and were not allowed to run them when needed. After suffering through some hot sticky nights, we’ve decided we go without electric hookup in the heat ONLY if boondocking so we can run the generator and AC all night! If in a CG and it’s hot, there will be electric and AC all night long!

[Brian59]

Originally Posted by dalford

An option may be to mount a generator on your RV bumper. I know there is a lot of folks who recommend against that and I used to be one. I read on this forum about others using a mount-n-go shelf mounted to the bumper and reinforcing the bumper with mount-n-lock saftey struts. See below…

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

https://smile.amazon.com/Mount-n-Loc...1GPK2FZC508J4T

Many leave the generator on the shelf and build an exhaust system and others don’t. You can be the judge of that. I lifted mine off (100 lbs).

Here is a thread I started about that. Read thru it and you will see example of bumper mounts and exhaust systems and many options

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...fe-181142.html

I mounted one and did an 8000 mile trip. Nary an issue. Bought the cover for the generator and used 2 ratchet straps along with a locking device to secure in place. It never moved and the bumper did not show any stress issues.

So, if you want to put it on the bumper and build an exhaust, or not, you could just leave it there and use it from there..

What is the max a bumper can hold? I’ve got a 2016 Puma 24 FBS.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Brian59

What is the max a bumper can hold? I’ve got a 2016 Puma 24 FBS.

If you add the Safe-T-Struts the company that makes them claims it will allow up to 200 FOOT POUNDS of load on the rear bumper of most trailers.

This means a 100# generator with it's center of mass about one foot away from the center of the bumper is half the load they suggest.

The Safe-T-Struts are bolted to the actual frame and provide support that keeps the square bumper from "racking" or trying to turn into a parallelogram which is usually the force that breaks the welds.

I put these on my TT and then the generator platform from Amazon. I weigh 200 lbs and I can stand on the back rim of the generator platform and get NO noticeable flex in the bumper.

Sure is nice being able to just start the generator when I stop for lunch and use the microwave. Heaviest thing I have to unload and "set up" is the power cord. Also don't have to connect two generators in order to run A/C and microwave at the same time if I want.

BTW, mounting the Generator on the rear bumper only removed 30# from my tongue weight as measured by my Sherline tongue weight scale. That was OK as my tongue was a little heavy to begin with.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Brian59

What is the max a bumper can hold? I’ve got a 2016 Puma 24 FBS.

You would need to ask this question, in the Palomino sub-forum. There is no standard bumper capacity between types of RVs or brands.

Usually ultralight trailers require additional welding and bracing between the bumper and frame. But this kind of mod will possibly void the frame warranty.

[Brian59]

So, would I be good transporting a 192# generator plus fuel? ��

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Brian59

So, would I be good transporting a 192# generator plus fuel? ��

A 192# generator is HEAVY!
Add fuel and you will be even heavier.
That is a lot for just a stock bumper.

It is going to depend on YOUR bumper.
Every make/model is different.

I'd have no issues with that on the rack I built on top of my bumper that is also attached to the frame but I'm not (and I doubt any of us will) going to say it is OK for you to do so without knowing EXACTLY what your situation is.

[Brian59]

Originally Posted by 5picker

A 192# generator is HEAVY!
Add fuel and you will be even heavier.
That is a lot for just a stock bumper.

It is going to depend on YOUR bumper.
Every make/model is different.

I'd have no issues with that on the rack I built on top of my bumper that is also attached to the frame but I'm not (and I doubt any of us will) going to say it is OK for you to do so without knowing EXACTLY what your situation is.

Yeah. I think I overdid it on the generator. Got a good deal though.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Brian59

So, would I be good transporting a 192# generator plus fuel? ��

With the reinforcing Safe-t-Struts you'd be at the limit. Might want to carry extra fuel up front on the tongue.

Maybe even consider re-locating spare to an underneath rack ahead of axle if possible.

I'd really want to see all parts, existing frame/bumper, generator, etc. before making any final recommendation.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Brian59

Yeah. I think I overdid it on the generator. Got a good deal though.

Good deals are always... well... good!

What kind of generator did you get?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Good deals are always... well... good!

What kind of generator did you get?

I'm wondering too. Is there such a thing as a 192lb inverter generator?

[clcornell]

A good friend of mine, has been using one of the Harbor Freight generators and he loves it and it is very quiet. He carries it on a small carrier attached to the back of his RV TT.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I'm wondering too. Is there such a thing as a 192lb inverter generator?

The Honda EU3000is Inverter is 132 LBS.
The Honda EU7000is Inverter is 262 LBS.

[RECONUSMC]

A good welder and using the frame & existing bumper as a starting point will give you a great rack system. By using 1/4 angle and tie in existing bumper you gain a lot of strength and tie in from side to side with cross member L brackets you should have no issues with bikes/generators/towing trailers or lugging more gear

[RECONUSMC]

A few more shots of install. Here I show a 4500 Inverter under blue cover/Honda 1000 for Fridge when Towing and Black storage box for hoses & wiring.

[rickndebi]

Originally Posted by MarkPW

Greetings all!

New to RVing (tent camped 37 years ago, but the similarities are few). Just too delivery on a 2020 Rockwood MiniLite 2109S. Thinking ahead to the time I may camp without an electrical hookup and thus I'm shopping generators. I have to have AC due to health conditions.

I like the Champion line, especially the 3400 watt dual fuel model but there's no way I can lift a 90 pound generator in and out of the pickup bed. Anyone have suggestions? A bed mounted hoist isn't possible since my Tacoma has a composite bed.

A possible solution is a pair of 2000 watt units which are much lighter. Then my concern is sound level. If I remember decibels correctly, a 6 dB increase in level is double the volume so a pair of 53 dB generators would be 59 dB. Any thoughts on the noise level of dual generators?

Finally, has anyone used the Harbor Freight Predator line? The reviews are middle of the road but the price point is very attractive.

Thanks for the time to read my post and for any replies!

I am using the 2 Champion 2000 watt generators because of the weight of the larger ones. They are quite enough and have worked well.

[Brian59]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Good deals are always... well... good!

What kind of generator did you get?

Ryobi 5500 for $400. Practically brand new.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Brian59

Ryobi 5500 for $400. Practically brand new.

At a noise level rating of 78db, it'll be banned from every public campgrounds I know of.
It's a basic open-frame contractor-style generator noisemaker.
Fine if you're camping in the desert or at the motor races though.

[JKCamper]

I have a micro-lite 21 FBRS which is the same as Mini-lite 2109S. I have the champion dual fuel 3400 watt generator you mentioned.

It has been a great generator. It is not a problem moving it around on the ground because of the handle and wheels, but as you mentioned it is heavy to get in and out of the truck bed. I usually have someone help me load and unload it.