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04-21-2019, 08:52 AM
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#1
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Registered User
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 809
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Extra Generator in addition to on board generator
How many people have a spare generator in addition to their on board generator.
Is there an advantage to it for boondocking.
I bought a 3200 Firman and it takes up a whole compartment Im wondering if I really need it.
Thanks
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04-21-2019, 09:02 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Forest River Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner Georgie Boy Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Utah
Posts: 657
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jarata
How many people have a spare generator in addition to their on board generator.
Is there an advantage to it for boondocking.
I bought a 3200 Firman and it takes up a whole compartment Im wondering if I really need it.
Thanks
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I really can't see an advantage to having a spare or extra generator. If your RV already has one there should be no need for a second one. I have one that I bought for a 5th wheel and when I traded for a motor home it already had a generator. The generator that I had in the 5th wheel sits in the garage un-used. Guess I will sell it. Just my 02 cents worth.
Mel
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04-21-2019, 09:11 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,718
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The only case I would make for having a second generator is if you do a lot of boondocking and dont have solar, so you buy a 1000 watt generator and use it instead of the onboard generator as the 1000 watt unit would be a lot more economical than the onboard generator.
__________________
Paul J Stough Iowa
2005 Winnebago Voyage 38J
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04-21-2019, 09:46 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Western Wa.
Posts: 273
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We have a 6500 watt PROPANE fueled gen. we did some extensive boondocking this past winter in Az. and found running the gen mainly to charge batts. to be extremely wasteful/expensive (and noisy) and we actually hit "empty" after 9 days. for this reason we are looking at Champions new 2000 watt dual fuel unit. plumb that into the big tank and we will be set.
__________________
TAND
2002 40' Holiday Rambler Endeavor
2008 Ford Edge TOAD
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04-21-2019, 10:46 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Muskoka Ontario Canada
Posts: 3,142
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PJStough
The only case I would make for having a second generator is if you do a lot of boondocking and dont have solar, so you buy a 1000 watt generator and use it instead of the onboard generator as the 1000 watt unit would be a lot more economical than the onboard generator.
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I have a 1200 watt genny that I take for boondocking. It works ok to keep up with small loads, and it saves lots of gas over using the big genny. I find it is a bit small, and doesn't charge the batteries very quickly. I would recommend one slightly larger. 2000 watts seems to be the sweetspot. They are manageable, but provide enough power to do what you need to. Unless you boondock regularly, I wouldn't think hauling an extra generator would be of any use to the average rver.
__________________
2000 coachmen santara 370 5.9 cummins isb
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04-21-2019, 11:20 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,494
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We don't have an additional generator but have been boon docking ans have seen others use. They use them to charge the batteries when it is cool enough not to have to run the main generator for AC.
The cost of the additional generator plus fuel would require quite a bit of use to make it economic. I doubt I could ever justify but I am sure there are circumstances where it is worthwhile.
__________________
Jim J
2002 Monaco Windsor 38 PKD Cummins ISC 350 8.3L
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/5.7 Hemi
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04-21-2019, 11:52 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Moline, IL
Posts: 752
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If you are using the generator mainly to charge batteries, I'd recommend instead considering one or more lithium batteries and a high current charger for them.
In our last motorhome, I was used to how long it takes to recharge flooded batteries. On our last trip in our new coach, (first trip with 2 100 AH Battle Borns, and a Xantrex 2 kW inverter/charger), I was pleasantly surprised to see how fast the batteries charged.
...100 AH, in one hour. The Xantrex was squirting 103 amps into the bank.
__________________
2014 Itasca Sunstar 31KE
1988 Itasca Suncruiser 31RQ
1968 Travco 21'
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04-21-2019, 11:52 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 9,896
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jarata
How many people have a spare generator in addition to their on board generator.
Is there an advantage to it for boondocking.
I bought a 3200 Firman and it takes up a whole compartment Im wondering if I really need it.
Thanks
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jarata,
Well, as you can see and read, some can't see the need for an "extra" gen and some might have a need. Our coach is a diesel coach and therefore, has the normal diesel "Quiet" QD 7.5 version. Well, it's not all that quiet. At least not to my Websters dictionary version of QUIET means. Heck, I've been next to giant Kolhar 20,000 watt "Whisper watt" versions that are quieter than ours. And, as bas been stated by one or two so far, to run that rather large, diesel generator JUST FOR RECHARGING BATTERIES, seems a bit on the OVER KILL SIDE.
So, I got lucky and purchased an almost brand new, Yamaha 2000i inverter/gen. It's got the low idle no power needed setting and yet, when it detects a load, it ramps up. But, even at full power output, it's probably around 1/4 as noisy as out QD 7.5. Yes, it's one more thing to load and find storage for in our basement and, you need GAS for it too.
But, on those trips that we're gonna do a fair amount of boon docking, I think it's a valuable little tool that makes for quieter camping, keeping neighbors at bay, and you can actually sit not that far from it operation and still hold a low level voice conversation. As for fuel consumption, it's negligent. I think that little tank on it which, is about a 1/2 gallon or less, will let that little 2000i run for about 8 hours or so.
Yeah, I myself think its a pretty good solution in keeping the batts charged, keeping the campground quieter and keeping the neighbors happy.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Heidi character, (mini Schnauzer)!
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04-21-2019, 12:18 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: E WA or S TX
Posts: 4,049
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I can almost quote what Scott said
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We have a 1kw inverter gen, left from the 5er days.
We have boondocked at the Balloon Fiesta for 2 weeks at a time. The little Gen. would charge the batteries and run the Frig, while watching TV during free time.
Placed behind the MH it was real quit and no vibration.
Works great at Rallies also. The Gen. the required Fiesta stand (must be 2' off ground), all fit in a Rubbermaid.
I don't know if I would go out and buy one, but I had it, and use it.
__________________
04 Horizon QD, 12 Ford Flex, Excalibar, Brakemaster, Winter Texan, RVin! since 1974
Norm, Donna & Tinker Kat(RIP) 01 Z3
Life is a Timed Event, you only get One Go Around!
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04-21-2019, 03:57 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Palm Beach Gardens FL
Posts: 601
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First I am not really certain about FIREUP comment on the noise of the QD7500. I think mine is pretty quiet. At the 12 hour races at Sebring FL a couple of months ago I had two people in a tent next to me -- maybe 15 feet away. They said my generator was not an issue at all, and that other RV's 75 feet away were louder. I did have the Genturi in place as I always do when campers are near.
Next -- I carry a Honda 2000. A habit from when I had issues with the big gen and was concerned with reliability before our trip to Alaska. We do a decent amount of boondocking and I do not have much solar. Therefore the backup generator was there. I have never used it in the last two years and have considered pulling it out several times. I do always have gasoline on hand as my cartop boat has a 9.9OB --- so that is not a consideration.
seems like varying opinions dependent upon different situations.
__________________
2007 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40QSP
2010 Ford Explorer 4WD -Toad
carrying 14 ft. alum boat with boat loader
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04-21-2019, 04:49 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 5,228
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I think my 7500 QD is pretty quiet and other people have told me so also. Those people are in 5vrs and using big noisy portables. I have a Honda Eu2000i and it is pretty quiet. I don't carry it in the coach. Use it when camping in the boat.
When boon docking (rv,tent,boat) the true definition of quiet becomes clear. You want to hear the crackling of the bear/deer sneaking around and the sound of the stream babbling. So a real quiet small genny is nice but you can still hear it.... barely over the radio playing
The only way to have quiet AND batteries is a lot of solar set up correctly. I haven't boondocked enough to warrant that expense.
__________________
Rick and Larrie Dee
1997 40' Newmar London Aire DP CTA 8.3 (Mechanical) 325 Spartan MM
Bringing her back to her glory.
'08 Jeep GC Overland.
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04-21-2019, 08:01 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 9,896
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dale70
First I am not really certain about FIREUP comment on the noise of the QD7500. I think mine is pretty quiet. At the 12 hour races at Sebring FL a couple of months ago I had two people in a tent next to me -- maybe 15 feet away. They said my generator was not an issue at all, and that other RV's 75 feet away were louder. I did have the Genturi in place as I always do when campers are near.
Next -- I carry a Honda 2000. A habit from when I had issues with the big gen and was concerned with reliability before our trip to Alaska. We do a decent amount of boondocking and I do not have much solar. Therefore the backup generator was there. I have never used it in the last two years and have considered pulling it out several times. I do always have gasoline on hand as my cartop boat has a 9.9OB --- so that is not a consideration.
seems like varying opinions dependent upon different situations.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RKins
I think my 7500 QD is pretty quiet and other people have told me so also. Those people are in 5vrs and using big noisy portables. I have a Honda Eu2000i and it is pretty quiet. I don't carry it in the coach. Use it when camping in the boat.
When boon docking (rv,tent,boat) the true definition of quiet becomes clear. You want to hear the crackling of the bear/deer sneaking around and the sound of the stream babbling. So a real quiet small genny is nice but you can still hear it.... barely over the radio playing
The only way to have quiet AND batteries is a lot of solar set up correctly. I haven't boondocked enough to warrant that expense.
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I will agree with both you boys on the QD 7.5 being quiet. It's MINE that's not that quiet. And, it's not as quiet as many of my friends QD's because, for some odd reason, mine has tendency to run at higher rpms for a given load. I think my muffler is fine. It's just that it's running at a higher rpm that is the reason for the excessive noise.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Heidi character, (mini Schnauzer)!
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04-21-2019, 08:28 PM
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#13
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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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We have a onboard 10kw generator. Also carry a 3000w portable gas generator.
Backup in case of 10kw failure.
Quieter and less vibration inside the coach than the 10kw.
__________________
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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04-21-2019, 09:07 PM
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#14
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 23,922
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PJStough
The only case I would make for having a second generator is if you do a lot of boondocking and dont have solar, so you buy a 1000 watt generator and use it instead of the onboard generator as the 1000 watt unit would be a lot more economical than the onboard generator.
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If we boondocked a lot, I would probably have a small 1000 or 2000 Honda to charge the batteries, versus running the big generator.
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
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