generator

[trackman]

What would the best small generator for backup when camping without hookups? I have one air conditioner so that would pull the most amps.

[chaunclm]

How large is your A/C? Do you want a generator that can run electronics?

The best brands are Honda and Yamaha.

We use a Yamaha 6500 true sign wave generator. It supplies a full fifty amp service. So we can run everything. We use between 4 and 5 gallons of gasoline a day when we run it all the time.

[menoble]

Originally Posted by trackman

What would the best small generator for backup when camping without hookups? I have one air conditioner so that would pull the most amps.

Everybody has their favorites, so far I'm happy with my Honda EU2000s. It takes a pair of them to run my air conditioner, and I can't run them on Eco mode because of the compressor start up surge, so I'm looking into a soft start kit. Even pulling hard they are much quieter than the hardware store Briggs. One is enough to keep the batteries up and the lights on.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by chaunclm

How large is your A/C? Do you want a generator that can run electronics?

The best brands are Honda and Yamaha.

We use a Yamaha 6500 true sign wave generator. It supplies a full fifty amp service. So we can run everything. We use between 4 and 5 gallons of gasoline a day when we run it all the time.

Full 50 amp service is 12,000 watts, a 6500 can not possibly supply 12,000 watts.

[trackman]

Air conditioner is a 15,000 btu. Thanks for the replies

[chaunclm]

Mr. D.

Your are mistaken friend. Amps times volts equals watts.

6500 watts divided by 120 volts equals 54.16 amps.

Standard 50 amp RV service is two 120 volt 25 amp lines.

I'm not sure where you came up with 12,000 watts, but it is wrong.

[chaunclm]

You will really need a 4,000 plus watt unit to satisfactorily run a 15,000 BTU A/C unit.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by trackman

Air conditioner is a 15,000 btu. Thanks for the replies

Used a Honda EU2000 for three years to power a 15000 btu A/C ; , you can't have ANYTHING else on, but the gen set survived. Price and economy, storage space required, great little unit .
NOTE; when I bought, the salesman told me that gen sets are the #1 item stolen from RV'ers.

[EMD_Driver]

Originally Posted by chaunclm

Mr. D.

Your are mistaken friend. Amps times volts equals watts.

6500 watts divided by 120 volts equals 54.16 amps.

Standard 50 amp RV service is two 120 volt 25 amp lines.

I'm not sure where you came up with 12,000 watts, but it is wrong.

That goes against what I was taught. Several people have referred me to THIS site. It explains things very clearly.

"
This 50-amp service has 4 wires with two 120-volt HOT feeds. It is a misconception that this 50-amp RV service is something special. This service is a STANDARD 120/240 50-amp 3 pole with 4 prongs used for numerous applications.
From this common service we can draw 120 or 240 volts. Each leg is 50 amps @ 120 volts. 50-amp X 120-volt = 6000 watts. But since there are 2 HOT 120-volt legs at 6000 + 6000 = 12,000 watts to use in the RV or 50-amp X 240-volt = 12,000 watts when used as a 240-volt service."

[trackman]

Did not mean to start a dispute. Just wanted a little backup

[TxRVMan]

I liked my Champion 5000W unit. Ran great for six years, supported my 28" single A/C (15000BTU) travel trailer and didn't break the bank when bought it...sold it for $200 a couple of months ago when we went to a motorhome...wish I had it back, but sold it to a friend.

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by trackman

What would the best small generator for backup when camping without hookups? I have one air conditioner so that would pull the most amps.

Just wanted to add a warning (I'm not gonna tell how I know this)...knowledge is power

DO NOT buy one of those less expensive HomeDepot/HarborFreight construction site generators and expect it to run an A/C or Microwave. There's a big difference in the way they "pick-up" the load when you turn something on.

I'm no expert on these things but found that it doesn't matter how many Watts the contractors generator is rated to produce, it will not provide the peak load needed for these kind of appliances. The electonics in the A/C or Micro will think you're having a brown-out and shut-down to protect itself.

[wa8yxm]

Some generators such as the Honda EU-2000i can be hooked in parallel,

Side note: There are two reaons for useing paired six volt batteries in RV's. one (The big one) is cost, the other is .. Ever try to pick up an 8-D? I can do it,, but I don't like it.
Two sixes are way easier to wrangle.. and total to an 8D when in series.

Same with the Honda's... You have two generators, (Make one a Companion if you do this) by themselves they produce about 1760 watts or something like that. But in parallel it's all your 30 amp rig can eat Way easier to wrangle than a single 30 amp generator.

Yahama makes some n ice inverter generators too, I don't know if you can put 'em in tandum like the Honda's

I know some other companies make nice parallel-able generators as well, but I don't know who they are.

The reason you can parallel the EU-2000i has to do with its inverter technology, however JUST because a generator is an inverter type, does NOT mean it can work in tandum with another.

One other note: Why "Make one a companion?" (Honda EU-2000i Companion) because it has a 30 amp outlet on it.

[steeleshark2]

Best for the money the 3600 Boily