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09-01-2015, 07:29 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
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Generator Recommendations?
I have a Forest River Grey Wolf 26 BH and I am wondering what size generator (Operating Load / Surge Load) to purchase to operate my camper. It has one 13,500 Air conditioner and I would like to be able to run the AC and not have to worry about overloading the unit if I turn the TV or other appliance on at the same time? I emailed Forest River but could not get a response?
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09-01-2015, 07:35 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,607
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FR wouldn't be the resource for that info.
1. Do you plan on using it in a campground? Or will it be only for boondocking?
2. What other factors are important, noise/weight /price?
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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09-01-2015, 09:15 PM
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#3
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
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I use two Honda EU2000s for our 26DBH. You'll want at least the 3000 watter if you are looking to run the AC along with some key other things. I went with the two just because I realized there was not always a reason to need both going (do not always need the AC). One will run my whole trailer. Either way I would look at the Champions inverters, hondas or Yamahas. They do cost more but they run pretty silent which means you and your neighbors may actually enjoy the stay while they are running.
__________________
Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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09-01-2015, 09:23 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Northern KY
Posts: 5,724
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there are many to choose from with more coming out all the time...
usually the 3Kw have more then enough power, but sometimes two 2Kw are easier to store and handle
Champion 3100
Harbor Freight Predator 2500
new this month Generac IQ2000
Honda 2000, Yamaha 2000 have been around forever...
search this forum for many threads about who is using what genny
also do a youtube search for many comparisons from owners
I am looking to pull the trigger on one myself... but I am continuing to look.
__________________
"nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle."
Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell pg. 2, June 11, 1807
2014 Shamrock 183
2014 RAM 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab, HEMI, 3.21 gears, 8 Spd, 4X4 TST TPMS
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09-01-2015, 09:25 PM
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#5
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Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rsdata
there are many to choose from with more coming out all the time...
usually the 3Kw have more then enough power, but sometimes two 2Kw are easier to store and handle
Champion 3100
Harbor Freight Predator 2500
new this month Generac IQ2000
Honda 2000, Yamaha 2000 have been around forever...
search this forum for many threads about who is using what genny
also do a youtube search for many comparisons from owners
I am looking to pull the trigger on one myself... but I am continuing to look.
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That is another reason I did the two... 50lbs each vs 100lbs for the 3000.
__________________
Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
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09-01-2015, 09:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Where the stars at night are big and bright
Posts: 970
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I'm looking, too but will not be buying anything just yet. Good advice, though!
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2015 Palomino SolAire 20RBS
2022 Silverado 2500HD LT Duramax 4WD
2015: 18 days; 2016: 21 days; 2017: 19 days; 2018: 26 days; 2019: 8 days; 2020: 0; 2021: 10 days.
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09-01-2015, 09:27 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3
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Agree, min 3000Watt for that AC to operate. I had the Honda 3000is and was super quiet but awkward to load in/out of anywhere, I now have the Yamaha 3000 and it is holding up well into 3 rd season for it and easier to handle. my last big 37foot had a Onan 5500 which I can say enough good over just thirsty and permanent.
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09-01-2015, 09:42 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NEPA
Posts: 1,477
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+1 vote for the Champion 3100 Inverter. Big enough, but small enough, quiet and relatively affordable.
__________________
2015 XLR Hyperlite 30HFS5 (mods being performed regularly)
2009 Salem LA 292fkds (gone)
Nights- ('12)23 ('13)23 ('14)15 ('15)31 ('16)27 ('17) 20 (‘18)21 (‘19)23
2019 Honda CRV (camping support vehicle)
2014 Harley Davidson FLHX (XLR cargo)
2011 Ram 2500 CC 4X4 CTD, B&W Companion (toy hauler hauler)
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09-01-2015, 09:48 PM
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#9
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Right in the dometic user manual.
1 13.5k a/c requires a minimum of 3500 watts.
I'd stick to that.
TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "24 nights"
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09-01-2015, 10:15 PM
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#10
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Left Coast
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: vancouver,washington
Posts: 15,649
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Only things I've found with 2 2000 Hondas....A/C and micro-wave, or A/C and wifes hair dryer won't run at same time....easier to handle for her if something happens to me. For campground quiet time, I use an inverter to power tv and to keep coffee pot hot
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09-01-2015, 10:36 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 72
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I had a single Honda eu2000i that I sold for $800 and purchased a Champion 3100 watt inverter generator (no-electric start) and it runs my 13.5k btu AC no problem. If you are wanting to run the microwave and the AC at the same time, find some place to plug in the trailer, that's too much load for a generator (your microwave/hairdryer/waffle iron etc could draw 1500 watts by itself).
The Champion weighs 75 pounds I think, and has two big handles that make it easy to heft into the truck. It also has a handle and wheels for pulling it around (a paved) campsite with ease. Its clean SINE wave power, has auto throttle, and it will run the AC with the auto throttle on! Now my father in law purchased the same generator for his trailer but his will not run the AC unless he shuts off the breaker for his inverter/charger, but that could be because his batteries are bad and require a big influx of power when the inverter/charger is active. And you can buy the champion on Amazon for $840 delivered to your door.
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09-01-2015, 10:47 PM
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#12
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Left Coast
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: vancouver,washington
Posts: 15,649
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A hard start capacitor could help with his problem
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09-01-2015, 10:48 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 981
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I have a rack mounted 3500 honda that will supply 220 or 110.It will fit in my gen compartment too! I'm pretty sure where its gonnend up!
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09-01-2015, 11:12 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 89
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Check out Kipor quiet like a Honda and half the price.
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09-01-2015, 11:21 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: in my new 29hfsxlr
Posts: 1,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by captnemo
I have a Forest River Grey Wolf 26 BH and I am wondering what size generator (Operating Load / Surge Load) to purchase to operate my camper. It has one 13,500 Air conditioner and I would like to be able to run the AC and not have to worry about overloading the unit if I turn the TV or other appliance on at the same time? I emailed Forest River but could not get a response?
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I picked up the champion 3500w with remote start , have put about 100 hrs on it with out issue . it's a bit heavier but not hard to move around , quite for it's size and only $399.00 . the remote start is a great feature . not having to go out to start it up for coffee in the AM a big plus
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09-02-2015, 03:59 AM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,607
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Quote:
Originally Posted by northstar1960
I picked up the champion 3500w with remote start , have put about 100 hrs on it with out issue . it's a bit heavier but not hard to move around , quite for it's size and only $399.00 . the remote start is a great feature . not having to go out to start it up for coffee in the AM a big plus
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Great generator for boondocking, motor races and festivals.
but not for campgrounds, due to its noise level. it's still a open frame contractor-style non-inverter generator, which means LOUD for your neighbors in the next campsite.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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09-02-2015, 04:14 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Start with HONDA and work Down if Cost is a issue. Youroo!!
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09-02-2015, 10:01 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: in my new 29hfsxlr
Posts: 1,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
Great generator for boondocking, motor races and festivals.
but not for campgrounds, due to its noise level. it's still a open frame contractor-style non-inverter generator, which means LOUD for your neighbors in the next campsite.
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No not bad at all . not much worse then the others . if in a campground where no electric and gen use is allowed for certain time periods then it's fine .
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09-02-2015, 11:50 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 1,980
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A good choice is the Champion 2000, as quiet and reliable as a Honda and 1/2 the price. Two connected in parallel will run your AC and you can run just one for battery charging, microwave etc when not using the AC.
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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09-02-2015, 12:14 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 516
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I have a 2700w generator and have a hard start capacitor in my 13,500. It sometimes will run if nothing else is on but will blow the fuse at some point within an hour. I would think 3100w at the bare min.
2012 F150 FX4 Crew 5.0
2012 Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS (outdoor Kitchen)
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