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01-19-2017, 10:33 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
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What size GENERATOR do I need???
My wife and I just bought our first Fifth Wheel...2013 Cedar Creek Silverback 33RE. It has ONE 15,000 Air Conditioner and all the other normal stuff. My wife and I want to do a fair share of BOONDOCKING/DRY CAMPING and will need to get a GERERATOR/INVERTER GENERATOR. We don't need one to power the Space Shuttle BUT would like one that's adequate to run AC if needed and TV possibly along with Charging 4 Golf Cart Batteries and my CPAP Battery. Would anyone have any recommendation(s) as to what we may need. I'd like to get one that I could get in/out of my Coach and/or Pickup without doing serious bodily injury to myself. Also, I don't believe our Fifth Wheel has an inverter (not sure) so wonder if I need one of those also??? Thank you all.........
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01-19-2017, 10:57 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,266
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I carried a 2000 watt, Honda , in my, 2005, 5er . It would power the, single 15,000, A/C and the converter charger .ONLY, while set to full throttle ; you can't use the auto idle function. . no other 120 volt loads, while the A/C was running; never tried the TV at the same time , most spots no reception. .
JMHO: You need 3,000 watts or if that unit's size is an issue , a pair of the 2,000 watts unit linked together.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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01-19-2017, 11:02 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
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Thanks...those new Champion Inverter Generators look pretty nice...I think they have one that's 3100 watts...not too bad a price either...
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01-19-2017, 11:08 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,194
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I had a champion 4000w start/3500w run ($300) and while it did start my 15k btu AC the growning sound the AC made when starting convinced me not to use the gen for AC.
Based on the link below, the 15k btu requires 3500w to start. My thinking is that 4000 starting watts was just not enough with all the other stuff (fridge, converter, lights, etc). running.
Just wanted to let you know what did not work.
https://www.steadypower.com/pages.php?pageid=133
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Brian
2016 RAM 3500 6.7L DRW
2018 Chaparral 360IBL, Andersen Ultimate II hitch
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01-19-2017, 11:12 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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I have the champion 3100 now for a few years. Works well, runs one air conditioner. 30a RV connection. Well made, starts easy. Wheels and handle make it easy to move around. Bought from Costco at a good price and easy return if it did not work out. Newer models - now some include electric start, dual fuel, etc. Would buy again.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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01-19-2017, 11:14 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,305
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I would suggest the Honda EU2000i. They are very quiet, something your neighbours will appreciate. Also nice and light to pack around (<50 pounds). If you need more power, they can be hooked in tandem, giving 1600 x 2 for 3200 watts or 2000 x 2 for 4000 watts for a short time (15 min.) JSTF.
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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01-19-2017, 11:17 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Jacksonville, Fl
Posts: 3,542
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I believe RVs with only one AC often have a 4000 watt generator.
I wouldn't expect the manufacturers to be putting in anything extra (because that would cost more) - so 4k is probably the baseline.
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2013 Winnebago Sightseer 36V
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01-19-2017, 11:18 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,663
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Another vote for the champion, Runs my A/C unit just fine.
As for the inverter, if you want your 120V items to work without the gennie running you will need an inverter.
__________________
2008 F450, 2016 Outdoors RV Glacier Peak 26 RKS
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01-19-2017, 11:21 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,305
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wundertaker
Thanks...those new Champion Inverter Generators look pretty nice...I think they have one that's 3100 watts...not too bad a price either...
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85 pounds, may be a fight getting into a storage compartment How's your back?
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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01-19-2017, 11:39 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
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Thanks Brian...It's nice to know what "doesn't work" also... At this point I'm thinking that between 4-5,000 watts should do me ok....thinking I should go with the Inverter type also...reviews on those are fairly good.
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01-19-2017, 11:42 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Alberta
Posts: 1,591
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I have run 3000EU and 2000EU Honda generators, as well had camping buddies with the Champion, Kipor, Yamaha inverter style generators. What ever you do - please do not buy a construction style generator (way too loud for camping near others). Stick with the inverter style units - usually quieter and better quality electrical output for sensitive electronic equipment in our RVs
By far the Honda and Yamaha are better build (quality) brands, where the inverter generator component is higher quality and can accept/sustain a higher inrush (starting) load than the Champion, Kipor. But price point can be a deciding factor for many and the Champion is a good price point.
If i was buying again to support a 5th wheel similar to yours, my preference would be a Honda 3000EUi (with wheel kit) and I would leave it in the back of the truck near the cab (chained down) and I would run the 30A extension cord to the generator. In the back of the truck you can electric start the Honda 3000, it idles lower than the 2-2000s ganged together for the same load, and has a longer run time with larger gas tank.
At idle charging the batteries the 3000 is very quiet. It will start a 15K A/C without a problem. My 2-2000s would scream at high load with the 15k.
My thoughts,
Brian
__________________
Towr: 2007 Country Coach Allure 470 - 37 Sunset Bay Cummins 400 ISL, Coach #31563
Toad: 2016 F150 King Ranch - 3.5L EcoBoost 4x4 Supercrew (curb weight 4,775 lbs)
Toad: SOLD 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee (yes, it has a Hemi) (curb weight 4,720 lbs)
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01-19-2017, 11:46 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
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Vince and Susan...That 3100 Champion is looking fairly good. At my age 63 (almost) my back is still able to lift 100 lbs without much trouble, but who knows for how long??? Only difference is we have a 50 amp connector...can we still hook into that 3100???
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01-19-2017, 11:48 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickeoni
Another vote for the champion, Runs my A/C unit just fine.
As for the inverter, if you want your 120V items to work without the gennie running you will need an inverter.
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Thanks for that confirmation..I was thinking that I'd need one anyway for when I'm running off of Bat Power...
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01-19-2017, 11:51 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SLC, UT
Posts: 1,172
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I have one of the champion inverter 2800/3100 units. Its the dual fuel model - Propane and Gas. It was $899 at Costco.
Its a heavy sucker, nearly ~100lbs - I'm a big guy and I mostly run it just....in the basement with the doors open cause I get sick of picking it up, lol. If we're boondocking for an extended time, I'll move it out side or just leave in the truck bed.
However, it will run a AC, charge the batteries, run the microwave etc just fine - depending on the load you may have to turn off the auto throttle.
It IS louder then a Honda Eu2000, but rated for nearly twice the power - I think they are 1600w each continious.
I like the fact I don't have to carry two generators, do two oil changes, keep track of 2 sets of hours, etc etc etc. Its still WAY QUIETER then a construction type generator, especially when its just idling along charging batteries. It was also considerably cheaper then 2 Hondas...
Finally - I like the option of running off propane , as we always carry plenty of propane and its much nicer to transport then gasoline, though it produces less power on Propane.
__________________
2017 F-350 6.7 Diesel, CCSB SRW - 2005 F350 6.0
2018 Alpine 3660FL - 2005 Alfa SYF30RLIK
--Full time 2016 to 2019-- Seasonal now
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