Community Forums

YZF571 · 02-01-2013, 03:21 PM

Just wondering if many of you have used, or use a second, smaller generator on trips and outings when you don't need all that the bigger on board puts out. As gas surged above the 3.00 mark again here in the OKC, Ok. area last week I decided that I would buy a smaller (1800 Watt) generator to run my operation when boondocking and at race tracks that have no power available. It seems like a waste of fuel at a gallon plus per hour if all I'm running is lights, televisions and fans and such. I am hoping to get 5 or 6 hours per gallon out of this smaller one. Since I almost always have my trailer and motorcycles with me, there is no space issue, nor is there an additional fuel requirement as I always have to have fuel for the bikes anyway. Just wondering if others do this, and if it has panned out or not, and why did it take me so long to come to this realization?

lenkerb · 02-01-2013, 03:25 PM

We carry a Honda 2000 just in case.....

RV Wizard · 02-02-2013, 02:16 AM

We will use a Honda 2000 to charge battery bank instead of running the diesel just to do the same. Much less expensive fuel cost. It will push the charging section of the inverter , the TV's and satellite receiver.

bruceisla · 02-02-2013, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Wizard

We will use a Honda 2000 to charge battery bank instead of running the diesel just to do the same. Much less expensive fuel cost. It will push the charging section of the inverter , the TV's and satellite receiver.

Mike, what is your physical/electrical connection point for above? Thanks, Bruce.

JayGee · 02-02-2013, 05:55 AM

We use a Honda 2000 most of the time. It is quieter than our on-board for both us and our neighbors. And it uses very little fuel. But, if we need more power I plug back into the on-board and run it until power need goes back down.

Roger G · 02-02-2013, 07:24 AM

Ditto on the Honda 2000. It runs about 8 hours on a tank of gas. It won't run the AC and doesn't like the microwave and coffee maker. I usually crank the big gen for breakfast and run the Honda the rest of the time.

gbstewart · 02-02-2013, 07:48 AM

I am looking at getting a second generator as well, I dont like running my big gen just for lights and tv, Im thinking of a honda 1000, I like the size and weight compared to the 2000, but with that being said the 2000 is not that much for money ($300more cdn) but I think the 1000 would be just fine and sip gas and light I compared them side by side.

gbstewart

Roger G · 02-02-2013, 08:02 AM

My neighbor has a 1000 and it is compact and light. But the fuel tank is smaller so run time is similar between the two. I think you would be very limited in what it would power. You need to account for everything that it will have to power, inverter, house battery charger, lights, tv, sat receiver, alarm clock, phone charger, fan??? Do the math on amperage and you have your answer. I first purchased a Generac 2000i but it's not nearly as quite as the Honda but they weigh the same and very close in size. I still have the Genarac to use around the house but the Honda goes with the MH. I offered to trade the Generac 2000 for my neighbors Honda 1000 but he wouldn't bite!

Gadget63 · 02-02-2013, 08:24 AM

wouldn't the added cost of buying an extra generator negate any gasoline savings?

wa8yxm · 02-02-2013, 09:32 AM

I used to carry a smaller generator, but .. Well I had 2 of 'em.. One the one I'd really like back, grew legs and walked off, I know who the legs belonged to but knowing and proving, Not the same thing.

The other one got smashed in an accident.

They were very handy, Just enough to keep battery charger working. I like the idea of burining say a gallon of gas (or less) to re-charge v/s several gallons.

vsheetz · 02-02-2013, 02:43 PM

For ham radio events we will use a Honda 2000, so we can set it a distance away to keep the noise level low in the MH. Works fine.

rgvtexan · 02-02-2013, 03:03 PM

My responce was # 4 in this thread
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f87/inver...rs-147325.html

I have a 1KW that I use when dry camping (like at the Alq. Balloon Fiesta) It was left over from our 5th wheel days. I carry it in a rubbermade tote in the basement. It is all the power I need to top up the batteries and watch a little TV. We spend 14 day in Alq and only use a few gal of gas. The 7.5KW is not as thriffty and is a little louder.
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Gary RVRoamer · 02-02-2013, 07:28 PM

What kind of generator do you have that uses 1+ gal/hour with a light load? Fuel consumption is proportional to the watts being consumed. My big Onan QD 7500 uses only 0.5 gal/hr at 50% load, which is still a LOT of power. 50% = 3750 watts, which would run both a/c as well as tvs and computers.

Without the a/c, I'm down to around 12% load (900 watts), which drops my fuel consumption down to about 0.2 gal/hr, about the same as a Honda 1000

Arch Hoagland · 02-02-2013, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Mike, what is your physical/electrical connection point for above? Thanks, Bruce.

I'm curious too how you tie into the power grid without damaging anything.

And I'd really like to see some solid numbers on how long you would have to run it to pay for the initial investment, not to mention the hassle of packing it along on a trip.