35IK Silverback 5th wheel Generator

[Oneiron]

Researching what we would need for dry camping in warmer climates to run at least one A/C unit and some smaller appliances including LED TV. We could really use some guidance and experiences here as far as watts required and success stories with certain brand names.

[donniedu]

Twin Honda 2KW generators with parallel kit will do what you want.

[boondocking]

Or two Champion 2KW generators, very close to the price of one Honda.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by donniedu

Twin Honda 2KW generators with parallel kit will do what you want.

Thats exactly what I did. Super portable when you only need 1 and uses less gas than a bigger generator.

[Oneiron]

I have heard really good things about Champion. Can you provide some experience with the Champion Inverter Gens used in parallel? Honda has terrific reviews but damn they are costly..can anyone give me some reviews on Champion generators?? I laso need to get a clue as to how to use generators efficiently while dry camping or boondocking. Is there a class we can take to learn this stuff??

[donniedu]

Use a generator while boon docking training? Whats there to teach? You start them, warn them up, make sure to chock is off, plug it into your RV start the AC. Unless your living/camping someplace it is extremely hot I just dont see a need to run the AC whwn boondocking. Heck the entire purpose of boondocking is to get away from people and noise living off the grid. A single 2KW generator will charge the batteries as would a solar setup. There are only three things you really need for boondocking. Adequate potable water, a means to dispose of gray and black water, and a way to charge batteries. The rest, heck you might as well go visit full hookup parks.

[bikendan]

I agree, no need for a generator class.
Not much more complicated than starting and using a self propelled lawn mower.

As far as Champion reviews, a simple Google search will give you weeks of reading.
RV.net's Tech Issues forum has two different Champion threads that are the longest in their history.

I would think that a Cedar Creek would have a generator compartment for a built-in On an or Generac generator.
Have you explored that option? It's just a push of a button.

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by Oneiron

I have heard really good things about Champion. Can you provide some experience with the Champion Inverter Gens used in parallel? Honda has terrific reviews but damn they are costly..can anyone give me some reviews on Champion generators?? I laso need to get a clue as to how to use generators efficiently while dry camping or boondocking. Is there a class we can take to learn this stuff??

I have owned a pair of Champion 2000's for 5 years and highly recommend them. They start on first or second pull after sitting idle for 6 months through the winter.
Paired together they will run a 15K AC without a problem, one by itself in eco will run a 1000 watt microwave. You will need an adapter to plug in the shore cord if using just one gennie.
To charge the TT battery(s) just plug your shore cord in to the gennie with a 15 amp adapter and let the trailer converter charge the battery(s). How long you have to let the gennie run depends on how depleted the battery(s) are.

[Rich5117]

Agree with others on two companion units, used two Hondas for many years. but a Briggs and Stratton Q6500 5000 watt generator will do everything you said you need at half the price.

We now carry one in case of power outage. Have used it a few times. No problems running the primary AC and other small items together. We switch to gas for hot water and refrigerator when that happens.

Thought I might add this it does not have a 30 amp RV connection so you need to use an adapter.

[boondocking]

I would say two Champions is a better deal that the Briggs and Stratton.

2- Champs $950 (53 db)
1 - Briggs and Stratton $1400 (66 db)

Less weight, less noise, less fuel usage when high wattage is not needed.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Oneiron

I laso need to get a clue as to how to use generators efficiently while dry camping or boondocking. Is there a class we can take to learn this stuff??

I think the others missed the point. Getting started boondocking is intimidating! Starting and running the generator is the easy part.


For me, the generator performs 2 specific purposes:

1) primarily to recharge my batteries.

2) secondarily to run high use appliances (air conditioner, microwave, Instant Pot, etc).

For all other appliances/devices, I run off of native 12v or 120v via an inverter.

Things that run on 12v are lights, furnace (propane makes heat, 12v controls the brains and fan), refrigerator (on propane, the 12v controls the brains), and possibly devices you’ve converted to 12v (special TVs or CPAP machine, etc).

Everything else runs off of 120v using an inverter. The inverter takes 12v and makes 120v from it (its magic, I swear). We run everything else- computers, monitor, TVs, device charging, fans, etc.

You’re big limiter is your battery size. When boondocking, you primarily run off of it and periodically recharge it using the generator.

[68 Whiskey]

We use a single Champion 3400w gen for everything on our Chaparral. We can run one ac at a time. It has been a great unit for us.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I think the others missed the point. Getting started boondocking is intimidating! Starting and running the generator is the easy part.


For me, the generator performs 2 specific purposes:

1) primarily to recharge my batteries.

2) secondarily to run high use appliances (air conditioner, microwave, Instant Pot, etc).

For all other appliances/devices, I run off of native 12v or 120v via an inverter.

Things that run on 12v are lights, furnace (propane makes heat, 12v controls the brains and fan), refrigerator (on propane, the 12v controls the brains), and possibly devices you’ve converted to 12v (special TVs or CPAP machine, etc).

Everything else runs off of 120v using an inverter. The inverter takes 12v and makes 120v from it (its magic, I swear). We run everything else- computers, monitor, TVs, device charging, fans, etc.

You’re big limiter is your battery size. When boondocking, you primarily run off of it and periodically recharge it using the generator.

Been using my Honda’s for ten years now, I have a parallel kit the I brought off eBay, works great

[Oneiron]

You have all helped immensely in making our choice easier. Thanks everyone for helping this newbie 5'er. Looking forward to crossing the country a few times this year and having this generator knowledge will make the trips so much more enjoyable and less stressful. Happy camping!

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by Oneiron

You have all helped immensely in making our choice easier. Thanks everyone for helping this newbie 5'er. Looking forward to crossing the country a few times this year and having this generator knowledge will make the trips so much more enjoyable and less stressful. Happy camping!