2018 R pod 189 Generator needs

[Johnthomas]

Hey, need help with the size of the generator I need to run a 2018 R pod 189… my son just got this and I’m trying to help him and have no clue.. He is gonna use this at a race soon and they don’t have any power there so he needs a generator.. Help is appreciated.. Need help soon! Thanks in advance.

[bikendan]

If he doesn't need to run the a/c, any 2000w inverter generator is fine.
If he wants to run the a/c, 2800w inverter generator or higher.

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[Reverse_snowbird]

You might want to consider an inverter/generator which would be better for the electronics. Consider a 'dual fuel' generator that will run on propane. Propane is easier to transport, usually runs for a longer time and is easier on the carburator. However, it usually puts out lower watts. We like the luxury of an 'electric start'.

Make certain that you get a generator that is 'rv ready' and has a 30 amp rv plug. He obviously needs to put it some distance from the rig and he's going to need some way to secure it so that it doesn't 'walk off'.

Some generators allow you to connect them to increase the output without buying one extremely heavy generator. Here's an example from Champion, but other manufacturers have similar features. https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Powe...63b24bcb5&th=1

[NavyLCDR]

I agree with bikendan in post #2 much more than Reverse_snowbird post #3.

If you don't want to run the A/C, 2,000 watt inverter generator is great. You are looking at about a 50 lb "suitcase" genny. If you want to run the A/C, then 2,800 watt or above, and you are talking about 100 lbs. weight.

However, there is also the alternative of having two lighter, quieter suitcase type around 2,000 watt generators that you can parallel together. You only need to run one unless you do want A/C, then you can parallel two together.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

I agree with bikendan in post #2 much more than Reverse_snowbird post #3.



If you don't want to run the A/C, 2,000 watt inverter generator is great. You are looking at about a 50 lb "suitcase" genny. If you want to run the A/C, then 2,800 watt or above, and you are talking about 100 lbs. weight.



However, there is also the alternative of having two lighter, quieter suitcase type around 2,000 watt generators that you can parallel together. You only need to run one unless you do want A/C, then you can parallel two together.

The Champion 2500W Inverter Generators now only weigh 39#. Mine will run the 13,500 btu A/C on the roof.

As for the earlier suggestion a stand alone inverter is better for electronics, "Inverter Generators" just incorporate an inverter into the same package as the "generator". Maybe there was a difference back in the "dark ages" but generators produced in the last couple decades aren't the problem they once might have been, even non-inverter types (except for noise).

[JimM2109S]

Food for thought. My camper has a 15K BTU a/c with a soft start installed. I can run it using a Westinghouse iGen2500w inverter generator. Per the generator's display, the a/c draws 1800w after it settles down. The generator is rated 2500w peak, 2200 continuous run.

[Chuck_S]

All depends on what "needs" a generator to run. And does he need generator power 24/7.

Moving up the power need scale the vital power need is probably the refrigerator unless he was smart enough to get a propane version. Even a little 1000w genset can keep the battery charged enough to run the 12v refrigerators. But mine wouldn't run my microwave nor the coffee pot so now we're at the 2000w level which is unlikely to run the AC... See where this is going?

All starts with "What needs to run."

-- Chuck

[LRCrabtree]

Originally Posted by Johnthomas

Hey, need help with the size of the generator I need to run a 2018 R pod 189… my son just got this and I’m trying to help him and have no clue.. He is gonna use this at a race soon and they don’t have any power there so he needs a generator.. Help is appreciated.. Need help soon! Thanks in advance.

I purchased a Durostar DS4000S about 4 years ago and have used it on several occassions with a 19' bumper pull and a 25' bumper pull.

It is inexpensive, provides 4000W surge / startup and 3300W continuous (about 27.5A). It has worked flawlessly for our needs. The downside is that it is heavy (about 90 pounds w/o fuel), while meeting NP noise limits it is louder than the expensive Honda generators, starts with pull rope (never had to pull more than three times). It worked great running the AC in Death Valley in the summer of 2018.

https://www.amazon.com/DuroStar-DS40...27&sr=8-2&th=1

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by LRCrabtree

I purchased a Durostar DS4000S about 4 years ago and have used it on several occassions with a 19' bumper pull and a 25' bumper pull.



It is inexpensive, provides 4000W surge / startup and 3300W continuous (about 27.5A). It has worked flawlessly for our needs. The downside is that it is heavy (about 90 pounds w/o fuel), while meeting NP noise limits it is louder than the expensive Honda generators, starts with pull rope (never had to pull more than three times). It worked great running the AC in Death Valley in the summer of 2018.



https://www.amazon.com/DuroStar-DS40...27&sr=8-2&th=1

That generator is NOT appropriate for campground usage. Its decibel rating of 69db exceeds National Park's max noise requirement of 60db at 50ft.


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[Chuck_S]

Are there decibel limits on generators in the infield at a racetrack which is implied in post #1? A couple hundred generators running all night long to power ACs doesn't make for restful sleep.

My "near silent" Honda EU3000is generator is annoying even when run at the opposite end of my house during power outages. So much so that I shut it down at night and power it back on to power the furnace again in the morning. Won't run either AC at home but handles one furnace and, almost more importantly, Internet just fine.

Anyway we're back to "What needs to run?" which remains a mystery.

-- Chuck

[Johnthomas]

Thanks for the replies they Definitely help.. we will be at the track for the whole weekend so I know for sure the A/C will be a must.. As for the rest I would think the hot water to shower would be a must as well.. cooking needs will be done via propane for the grills.. Also, we will have the beds of two trucks to haul the generator….

[Chuck_S]

Water heaters are typically propane.

Will this be on an actual campsite? Just wondering where the water for the shower will come from and where it will be going. Don't get many showers from a 30 gallon fresh water tank and it all goes into a 30 gallon waste tank.

No need to run the AC if no one is in the camper. Need spare fuel for the generator.

-- Chuck

[Johnthomas]

No, we will not be at an actual campsite that has camper amenities the track has limited camping spots and they were fill.

This will be his first time traveling and using the camper so we’re trying to get it prepped since he has not used it on Generator power but has used 110 power.

[Chuck_S]

No "prep" needed with the proper generator which should have a connector for the shorepower cord that came with the camper. Consider renting a generator not buying one and getting a feel of the noise and fuel use. Some (many?) generators like my Honda will run at almost an idle unless a demand is placed on them and then ramp up speed. Non inverter generators must always run at 3600rpm to produce 120v 60Hz current. The inverter types don't need to run at a specific speed but are more expensive hence the rent recommendation for this initial experience.

There may be restrictions on generator use so running it for AC all night long may not be possible but I'm thinking a race track won't have that restriction. Maybe.

-- Chuck

[Johnthomas]

That is a great suggestion.. It may be smarter to rent one for this occasion and then buy one when he decides what he wants..

Thank you.