Community Forums

Sparky1951 · 06-27-2017, 07:14 AM

Hello. This discussion has probably happened a dozen times but let's do it again. We are new to the RV life. Just bought a Winnie Minnie 2401.. We will do some dry camping and as such may want to run the AC.

What is the consensus on the best value in generators for the RV?

Thanks

Big Bear Local · 06-27-2017, 08:28 AM

You can't go wrong with a Honda. I have a 2000i as well as a 3000i. They are several years old and work as good as the day I bought them. Both will run my AC.

Twilightzone · 06-27-2017, 08:34 AM

You need 3500 (+-) watts. Basically two ways to go about it

1) Buy a 3500 watt 'inverter' generator. (roughly $1K-$2K) Honda, Yamaha, Champion are popular choices. Don't buy an 'open' generator (no noise cladding). Too noisy. 3500 watt generator will probably weigh 120 (+-) lbs. Often carried in the back of the truck... or on the back of the trailer if you have a good hitch back there.

2) Buy (2) 2000 (+-) watt 'inverter' generators. Roughly ($500-$1K each) Honda, Yamaha, Predator (HF) are popular choices. Buy an inverter kit to run them together if you want the A/C. Each generator will weigh 50 lbs or so. Often carried in the 'basement storage' or on the back of the trailer if you have a hitch. Run 1 generator for charging batteries, lights etc. Run 2 for AC. They are very quiet generators.

Honda/Yamaha are 'proven' generators. Cost more money.
Champion/Predator (Chinese) cost 1/2 of the Honda/Yamaha.
Current debate on the current quality of the 'Chinese' generators.
There are other Chinese generators out there... maybe some good, maybe some bad.

Side note. There is an replacement capacitor for A/C. Some people say they can run the AC on 1600 watts if they do that (with no other load on the system). Dunno.

Cumminsfan · 06-27-2017, 08:37 AM

Nobody hardly ever brings up Yamaha's 2400W gen. It says it will run 13,500 BTU AC's
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AYUWDZG...a-308900885728

Another good option
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZQUSAC?psc=1

gbstewart · 06-27-2017, 08:45 AM

Echo / bearcat have a nice inverter about 1600$ Canadian

patriot07 · 06-27-2017, 09:06 AM

I have a Subara 3,500 watt generator that's been awesome. I bought it used on craigslist for $300 5 years ago and it still runs as good now as it did then. Starts on the first pull. It isn't quiet and I don't know if it'll run a trailer AC unit, but I use it for power outages at home all the time with my built-in transfer switch and it's great.

Sparky1951 · 06-27-2017, 10:56 AM

All....thanks. Good info.

I have a 15k BTU AC. Can install a soft start capacitor to lessen the start up load.

RPreeb · 06-27-2017, 01:00 PM

Northern Tool sells the Powerhorse 2000w inverter generator for $560 (52db to 61db). Mine runs great, and comes already equipped with the connectors for running 2 connected.

I think that going with two 2000 watt generators is a better solution than a single 3400w or higher, especially if you need to move them away from where you transport them. It's easier to move two 50 pound generators one at a time than one 100 pounder. And when you don't need AC, you can use just one, saving gas and minimizing noise.

crossup · 06-27-2017, 04:18 PM

My ex-boss(I'm retired now) was sure he'd run his 13.5 AC on his Honda 2k inverter gen. Hooked it up to my new Flagstaff with 13.5 Coleman and we were forced to conclude it wasn't not going to happen after many attempts. 15amp building circuit had no issue with AC even with H2O heater on. I should add, we had a very short 12ga pig tail so it was not the wires.
Conclusion: new, tight ACs require too much instantaneous juice for the 2k Honda. YMMV

JonInTucson · 06-27-2017, 04:42 PM

My son has used a Champion 4000/3500 watt for quite some time. Purchased used for less than $200, starts always on the the second pull. It is louder than a Honda, but that's why the travel trailer has a 20' cord. I have a Coleman 6kw generator that will rattle you teeth if youre within a quarter mile... Great for building a cabin in the woods, but not so welcome in a campground. God bless.
Jon In Tucson.

daka320 · 06-27-2017, 06:23 PM

Overstock.com currently has the Champion 3100 watt inverter generator on sale for $791. Sign up for emails from them and you will receive 10% off of that. One of the best deals around. It will run your tt and a/c with no problem and it is light enough to lift onto and off of your truck bed. About the same noise as Honda/Yamaha. Been using mine for over three years now with no problems. About 150 hours on it. Starts on the first or second pull every time.

Bigdogboogie · 06-28-2017, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daka320

Overstock.com currently has the Champion 3100 watt inverter generator on sale for $791. Sign up for emails from them and you will receive 10% off of that. One of the best deals around. It will run your tt and a/c with no problem and it is light enough to lift onto and off of your truck bed. About the same noise as Honda/Yamaha. Been using mine for over three years now with no problems. About 150 hours on it. Starts on the first or second pull every time.

Thank you for the tip daka!!

Perfect timing as I've been shopping for the best deal on a Champion 3100 remote start inverter generator for the past week.

With the coupon Overstock emailed I got the remote start Champion for $830.24 shipped!

That beat the best price I had found by a good bit. They also sent another 10% off coupon with the order invoice email.

After busting my shoulder up a few months ago and not being able to use a pull start generator I had decided that an electric or remote start generator was the only way to go.

I've owned one of the Champion 2000 watt inverter generators for about 3 years and it has given excellent quiet service and I expect to get the same from the new 3100.

During warm weather I plan to use the 3100 to run the AC and in cool times of the year I can still just use the smaller unit for charging batteries,lights etc.

cruzbill · 06-28-2017, 11:03 AM

83.3# (no fuel) for the Champion 3100 (2800 running watts).
40# (x2) for Honda 2000i (3200 running watts in parallel)

I'll take the Hondas any day; but my shoulders are still good.

Bigdogboogie · 06-28-2017, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzbill

83.3# (no fuel) for the Champion 3100 (2800 running watts).
40# (x2) for Honda 2000i (3200 running watts in parallel)

I'll take the Hondas any day; but my shoulders are still good.

I certainly agree that 2 lighter generators are easier to move around and I had been planning to buy a second Champion 2000 watt to parallel but the accident made me rethink that plan.

It also led to my decision to sell my Coleman popup camper and move up to a TT that doesn't require cranking to set up.