Best Portable Generator

[Boatdude62]

Looking to purchase a portable generator for our CC 36ckts. Anyone have recommendations on brand and size? Save unit for electronics and It will run the air conditioners in an emergency.

[Flybob]

You need to provide some more info. What are you looking to run? ie One AC or two, microwave, coffee maker etc. Where are you planning to carry it. Lots of choices, but to make a recommendation, more info would help.

[5picker]

Here is a site search of generator threads, an often discussed topic with even more opinions.
Plenty of reading.

Generators

[Boatdude62]

Going on our first trip out of state. I’m thinking inverter type, something light weight, one air conditioner at the most. Mostly small items like air compressor or charging equipment.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Boatdude62

Going on our first trip out of state. I’m thinking inverter type, something light weight, one air conditioner at the most. Mostly small items like air compressor or charging equipment.

Again, without more specific information such as A/C size (13.5k - 15k) and what else you might run, we can't give you recommendations.

Here's a chart that might help you decide how much generator you might need.

[wmbuttion]

We have a 4000 watt gen. Fits between hitch and aux. tank. Works great

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Boatdude62

Going on our first trip out of state. I’m thinking inverter type, something light weight, one air conditioner at the most. Mostly small items like air compressor or charging equipment.

I carry two 2000W Honda generators (EU2000i) - one regular, one companion. They're light enough that I can carry them easily and put them up into my truck bed for travel.

One will just barely run my 15k A/C but I have to have every other breaker off. The generator shows its overload light when the A/C compressor kicks on, but it is usually quick enough that it doesn't kick the generator's output off. But, I don't like that I'm shortening its life by overloading it so regularly and that's why I got a second one.

I've added a MicroAir EasyStart to soften the starting amps. It seems to help, but I honestly haven't tried running off of a single generator to check the difference.

Combined, the two generators will run the A/C and has enough amps left over to run something else (aka the battery charger).

[ependydad]

But, sadly- get the popcorn as the Honda/Yamaha vs. other brands (Harbor Freight, Champion, etc.) fight should ramp up shortly. You'd be amazed at how heated people get over something as dumb as a generator.

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by ependydad

But, sadly- get the popcorn as the Honda/Yamaha vs. other brands (Harbor Freight, Champion, etc.) fight should ramp up shortly. You'd be amazed at how heated people get over something as dumb as a generator.

X2^^^

[dcheatwood]

I can share my recent experience. Used an open-frame Honda clone 3000w for 12 years. It did all I needed it to and was quiet for an open frame.
While on a 2 week trip In July I bought a Champion 3000w inverter with remote start on sale at Cabela's for $699.
Didn't use it until Thanksgiving week. Several family members and DW and I camped in the national Forest all week. Only water hookups. Two had open frame gens from 3500-6500w. LOUD!
One had a champion 3500 w inverter which was much quieter but no electric start. I had my champion. I gave it a good test all week. At night is was in 30s & 40s. Days up to 60-70 so didn't need AC much. But I ran the 15000 and the 13500 ac's one at a time for an hour or so each. No problem.
Also used coffee maker and electric fireplace heater together.
But the most impressive thing was the remote. Crank on Command from anywhere in the campsite. It has a time delay of about 30 seconds after starting so you can crank it with RV plugged in and the inverter will level out before sending power to the RV. Really nice. Especially watching a movie in bed and turning gen off from the bed afterwards. And starting it from the bed to get up and make coffee.
My brother, brother in-law and nephew are all committed to getting the champion 3000 remote now. Wish I had stock. Lol
Sorry so long but I learn from other's experiences and wanted to share mine.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I carry two 2000W Honda generators (EU2000i) - one regular, one companion. They're light enough that I can carry them easily and put them up into my truck bed for travel.



One will just barely run my 15k A/C but I have to have every other breaker off. The generator shows its overload light when the A/C compressor kicks on, but it is usually quick enough that it doesn't kick the generator's output off. But, I don't like that I'm shortening its life by overloading it so regularly and that's why I got a second one.



I've added a MicroAir EasyStart to soften the starting amps. It seems to help, but I honestly haven't tried running off of a single generator to check the difference.



Combined, the two generators will run the A/C and has enough amps left over to run something else (aka the battery charger).

Do you leave your Honda’s out in the weather when traveling? My front a/c is a 13.5, I’ll have to try one Honda sometime

[cbvp]

I carry 2 Honda-2000's in the back of my pickup. They work fine running in parallel to run 1- 15K A/C and everything else. If extreme temps are forecast I then carry my Honda 6500 in the "Little Creeker".



Which I pull behind the 5er.






C.B.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by spock123

Do you leave your Honda’s out in the weather when traveling? My front a/c is a 13.5, I’ll have to try one Honda sometime

No, I have a hard rolltop truck bed cover. They live under that (which is generally dry) and have covers on them individually.

[Houston Remodeler]

Our 3000 honda genny is bolted through the bed of the truck inside its waterproof, vented, quiet box. We can run the genny while rolling down the highway. Sometimes we stop an hour before we reach camp to start the AC. We spoil ourselves that way.

[Evo2700]

I literally just ordered the Champion 3400 inverter generator on Amazon. Did some research and Champion seems to be good bang for your buck. Not the quietest, but good for the money.

[Rest and Relax]

Originally Posted by Boatdude62

Going on our first trip out of state. I’m thinking inverter type, something light weight, one air conditioner at the most. Mostly small items like air compressor or charging equipment.

Briggs and Stratton p3000 great machine and much more affordable than the other two ( Honda and Yamaha)

[bikendan]

OP,

Since an inverter generator is the best choice for usage in a campground, you have two common paths to choose from.

1. Two paralleled 2000w inverter generators. They are usually around 50lbs each and if you won't need to run the a/c, one will run everything else.
So they are easier to carry and deal with.

2. A single 3000w or bigger inverter generator. They will weigh 100lbs or more. They will be more difficult to load and unload but you only have maintain one.

If you want best and quietest, Honda and Yamaha are the gold standard but cost way more.

There are numerous much cheaper options now, with Champion being the clear leader. They have great customer service and continue to add models that have RVers in mind.

[DavidBo]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

I can share my recent experience. Used an open-frame Honda clone 3000w for 12 years. It did all I needed it to and was quiet for an open frame.
While on a 2 week trip In July I bought a Champion 3000w inverter with remote start on sale at Cabela's for $699.
Didn't use it until Thanksgiving week. Several family members and DW and I camped in the national Forest all week. Only water hookups. Two had open frame gens from 3500-6500w. LOUD!
One had a champion 3500 w inverter which was much quieter but no electric start. I had my champion. I gave it a good test all week. At night is was in 30s & 40s. Days up to 60-70 so didn't need AC much. But I ran the 15000 and the 13500 ac's one at a time for an hour or so each. No problem.
Also used coffee maker and electric fireplace heater together.
But the most impressive thing was the remote. Crank on Command from anywhere in the campsite. It has a time delay of about 30 seconds after starting so you can crank it with RV plugged in and the inverter will level out before sending power to the RV. Really nice. Especially watching a movie in bed and turning gen off from the bed afterwards. And starting it from the bed to get up and make coffee.
My brother, brother in-law and nephew are all committed to getting the champion 3000 remote now. Wish I had stock. Lol
Sorry so long but I learn from other's experiences and wanted to share mine.

I bought a Champion 3100, no electric or remote start because I wanted to keep the cost and weight down. I like it very much, but that remote start sure would be pretty sweet to have. The next step for Champion would be the ability to use the remote to switch to econo-mode, that way at night you can easily power the genny back after shutting off the lights, TV and other power draws.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by DavidBo

I bought a Champion 3100, no electric or remote start because I wanted to keep the cost and weight down. I like it very much, but that remote start sure would be pretty sweet to have. The next step for Champion would be the ability to use the remote to switch to econo-mode, that way at night you can easily power the genny back after shutting off the lights, TV and other power draws.

I thought about that too but kept it on econo-mode the entire week.

[Boatdude62]

I looking at the duel fuel model, that looks like a good option... but it is heavy. Still reading and thinking.