Generators

[Ontario camper]

We looking for a generator for our mpg cruiser when we don’t have an electric site. Want something quiet and not sure what size to get ?

Any help would be appreciated

[BarabooBob]

What do you want the generator to power? Battery charging, one or two A/C units, lights and television? Many variables come into this discussion.

[Ontario camper]

Originally Posted by BarabooBob

What do you want the generator to power? Battery charging, one or two A/C units, lights and television? Many variables come into this discussion.

Looking for something for lights, and maybe ac just basic power really

[imabmwnut]

I’m looking at the new Cummins Onan 4500i. We have a 30 ft 5th wheel with 1 A/C unit. The Westinghouse r500i is supposedly the same generator inverter but it’s not parallel capable. The Cummings is 1050$. The Westinghouse is 950$. Should do everything we need to do.

[bikendan]

There are literally thousands of threads about generators here.
Synopsis:
Get an inverter generator.
To run the a/c, you need at least 3000w.
If you don't need to run the a/c, 2000w will work fine.
2000w inverter generators can be paralleled, giving 4000w.
3000w+ generators generally weigh 100lbs+.
2000w generators weigh around 50lbs.
Check decibel noise ratings on each.
Honda and Yamaha are the gold standard but more expensive.
Cheaper choices are numerous, with Champion the most popular.

[jrk341]

I have 2 cummins onan P2500i ordered and will parallel them together.

[DavidBo]

Originally Posted by bikendan

There are literally thousands of threads about generators here.

Yes, he said thousands. Search is your friend on this one, just like "How do I winterize in (insert geographical location here)?" and "Can my (random tow vehicle) pull this (even more random) trailer?"
Have fun!

[dbledan]

Originally Posted by bikendan

There are literally thousands of threads about generators here.
Synopsis:
Get an inverter generator.
To run the a/c, you need at least 3000w.
If you don't need to run the a/c, 2000w will work fine.
2000w inverter generators can be paralleled, giving 4000w.
3000w+ generators generally weigh 100lbs+.
2000w generators weigh around 50lbs.
Check decibel noise ratings on each.
Honda and Yamaha are the gold standard but more expensive.
Cheaper choices are numerous, with Champion the most popular.

That's a really good synopsis. Should add it to the top of every generator thread.

maybe add 2000w generator can run AC with micro air easy start and I think you have covered 99% of them all.

[NJKris]

Finally, understand decibel scale used to rate loudness. a +10.0 decibel difference is generally perceived to be twice as loud.

[ependydad]

I have an article that is about generators - it talks about sizing (though Dan did a great job above) and loudness. Might be helpful:
https://learntorv.com/generators/

[CentralMePistol]

I just sold my Champion RV ready 3800 Watt open frame gene. It was fine to run at rest stops but way too loud for overnights at Cabelas, etc.

Just bought a WEN 3800 inverter gene. ($733) Should be delivered today.

Not sure what size electrical system you have- a 30amp system requires 3600 watts (approximately). I usually size my generators (home, camping, work) based on the number of amps (and voltage) I am planning to run, not just wattage. Since I have a 30 amp/ 110v trailer I select a gene sized just above that amperage. This way, I should be able to provide power to anything in my camper as though I were connected to shore power.
Also, this method of sizing helps to prevent overloading your gene which can damage it. In theory (hopefully in practice too) the 30 amp breakers will trip prior to overloading the gene.

I have run a lot of things in the camper at one time and never overloaded a generator set up in this way.

(At my home I have a 7750 watt generator. This is also set up on 30 amps but through a 220v setup. 30 amps is approximately 7200 watts at 220v. So my breakers "should" trip before overloading the gene. There is always variation in exact voltage and "trip points" of breakers)

[jrk341]

Generators came today.

[NJKris]

Congrats! That's 4400 running watts between the two! POWER!!

[jrk341]

I don't know why they loaded sideways. The 4400 running watts is why I went with these.

[CentralMePistol]

Originally Posted by jrk341

I don't know why they loaded sideways. The 4400 running watts is why I went with these.

So can I ask why you decided to go with the two units in parallel as opposed to buying one unit that provides 3500-4000 watts?

I'm really just trying to understand what drives people to make that decision- by my math you are into the generators and parallel kit at least $1,500. AND have to deal with maintaining, starting, wiring up and carrying two units. Also, if your trailer is 30 amps, you will only get 3600 watts from the system regardless of how much "extra" you have. And a 50 amp setup requires 12,000watts.... so you aren't going to be able to run that either.

[NJKris]

I made the decision to parallel two, because only my summer travels may require two for air conditioning. Otherwise, the one suffices.

2nd reason would be weight. I would rather have to hoist 50 lb units. My old back is not what it used to be. Don't have a rear bumper or any place to attach a platform to hold gens, and not comfortable firing up gens anywhere in close proximity to trailer. So I"ll probably be hoisting into open bed of pickup. I only have the 2k watt Champions, I think I paid $750 for the whole setup.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by CentralMePistol

So can I ask why you decided to go with the two units in parallel as opposed to buying one unit that provides 3500-4000 watts?

I'm really just trying to understand what drives people to make that decision- by my math you are into the generators and parallel kit at least $1,500. AND have to deal with maintaining, starting, wiring up and carrying two units. Also, if your trailer is 30 amps, you will only get 3600 watts from the system regardless of how much "extra" you have. And a 50 amp setup requires 12,000watts.... so you aren't going to be able to run that either.

Echoing what NJKris said, many choose a pair of paralled 2000w inverter generators vs a larger one for these reasons:

WEIGHT- a 2000w inverter generator weighs 50lbs or less vs the 100lbs+ of the larger generators.
VERSATILITY- if you don't need to run the a/c, you only have take a single 50lb 2000w unit, while an owner of the larger units still has to lug the 100lbs+ generator when they won't be running the a/c.
MORE POWER- two paralleled 2000w inverter generators will provide more power than the single 3000w+ unit. There are only a handful of 4000w inverter generators out there.

And there are quite a few 2000w inverter generators out there that can cost under $800, for a paralleled pair with the parallel kit.

[jrk341]

As I get older it's easier to hoist one small gen in the back of my truck rather than one bigger one.

[NJKris]

I was curious about a pair of identical generators running simultaneously, how much noise they produce. My internet research shows that two running in tandem produce about 2.5 db more noise than either running solo, which is about a 25% increase in perceived noise. Champion claims 53db at 23 feet, so both running would be around 55.5db at same distance.

[lmiken]

I have 2 champion 2000 watt inverter generators. If no AC needed I can run only one. If AC is needed I can parallel them (not often do I need that). They were on sale for $800 for both (a cheap alternative.