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gcakia · 05-31-2015, 02:09 PM

Wife and I have a 43 ft Redwood that normally runs on 50 AMP power. Have never owned or operated a generator but have an opportunity to get this B&S generator with 30 amp locking outlet for a very good price,...new.

We don't do much boondocking (yet) and don't believe this has enough power to run either of our AC units.

But for the price it seems like it would allow us to run our lights, fridge, heater and tv's for as long as needed when power is out occasionally.

Thoughts? Any problem adapting the 30 amp connection?

gcakia · 05-31-2015, 02:10 PM

1650 series, by the way.

IC2 · 05-31-2015, 02:35 PM

It's probably a very good standby 5000 watt generator for your home. It will probably be very loud anywhere else as it will run at a constant speed, usually 3600 rpm. If you are thinking of running a generator on a continuous basis, an inverter type where the speed is controlled by the load is best for a trailer. Honda, Suzuki and even an inexpensive Boliy are inverter gen sets and are not particularly noisy even at full load plus do have a 30 amp RV plug connector. I had and have sold a B&S generator and now have the Boily for as little need as we now have and have to say that the little 68 pound vs the 150+ pound B&S is more then adequate.

wingnut60 · 05-31-2015, 03:34 PM

A 5k will run the AC, 1 for sure if that is rated and not surge. It will also run other stuff even with the AC on, but not much. If the AC is running, and you try a coffee maker, trip goes the breaker. I run a 15000AC on a 4k Generac easily, but nothing else.

shiggs68 · 05-31-2015, 07:34 PM

You also need to check how the 30amp socket is wired. I have seen some that are 4 wire and actually 2 15amp circuits not possible to gang to get the full 30amps from a single source. Others are a true 30amp 120v circuit.

There should be a schematic in the manual.

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cb1000rider · 05-31-2015, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiggs68

You also need to check how the 30amp socket is wired. I have seen some that are 4 wire and actually 2 15amp circuits not possible to gang to get the full 30amps from a single source. Others are a true 30amp 120v circuit.

That doesn't make sense.. That one I haven't seen.
However, that 5000 watt generator isn't going to do what you think it's going to do.. Here's the math:

240 volts * 30 amps = 7200 watts continuous... It won't do "full power" to that 30A connector.

It's most likely 240 volts * 20 amps = ~ 4800 watts. I've got a 5500 watt generator, same configuration, the circuit breaker is actually 22 amps on the "30 amp" connector... And the breakers are generally going to have an issue at continuous 80% of that. IE - mine could run an AC, but not in addition to the fridge.

Likely it'll let you maybe run both ACs with no other draw.. Maybe.. But it's really on the line. If you turn on the fridge or inverter, it's not going to be happy. You really need something bigger.. Or you need to go to a higher-amp lower voltage generator and be OK with just running one AC.

The EASIEST way to tell if it will work is to dig in the manual and find the amp rating of the circuit breaker on that 30A connector. It can't be on a 5000 watt unit.

chiefneon · 05-31-2015, 10:59 PM

Howdy!

I had a 4000 Generac Generator that would run both my AC's in my 5er, but it was not neighbor friendly. Do yourself and the neighbors a favor and look into invertor type sealed generators (Honda, Yamaha, etc...) not contractor type generators for RVing.

" Happy trails"
Chiefneon

Bushman512003 · 06-01-2015, 02:52 AM

Please camp down the road I am sorry to say that but I like to have quiet and the genny You have is a loud one...Buy a Honda 3000 then You will make friend

shiggs68 · 06-01-2015, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb1000rider

That doesn't make sense.. That one I haven't seen.
However, that 5000 watt generator isn't going to do what you think it's going to do.. Here's the math:

240 volts * 30 amps = 7200 watts continuous... It won't do "full power" to that 30A connector.

It's most likely 240 volts * 20 amps = ~ 4800 watts. I've got a 5500 watt generator, same configuration, the circuit breaker is actually 22 amps on the "30 amp" connector... And the breakers are generally going to have an issue at continuous 80% of that. IE - mine could run an AC, but not in addition to the fridge.

Likely it'll let you maybe run both ACs with no other draw.. Maybe.. But it's really on the line. If you turn on the fridge or inverter, it's not going to be happy. You really need something bigger.. Or you need to go to a higher-amp lower voltage generator and be OK with just running one AC.

The EASIEST way to tell if it will work is to dig in the manual and find the amp rating of the circuit breaker on that 30A connector. It can't be on a 5000 watt unit.

All I am saying is Wattage along is not always the rating to determine if it will work.

Example, I have a free 5500 watt Craftsman unit that has two windings wired to 4 duplex 120v outlets. Without rewiring, there is no way possible to power a 30amp RV system. The design is apparently for tools and it is possible to overload. It does have a nice digital meter showing percentage of load. Buyer beware.

The other issue with your statement is a RV 30amp system is 120vac at 30amps maximum of 3600 watts.

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wa8yxm · 06-01-2015, 06:53 AM

Briggs & Stratton 1650 is an engine.

Of course it can be used on a generator.

Generators come in 3 types

1: Open frame. these are noisy They should sell 'em with complementary ear plugs.

2: Enclosed generator....Much quieter Some GENRAC models are like this

3: Inverter; QUIETEST,, in fact a 2,000 watt inverter generator may be quiet enough that if there is a crowd about.. You won't hear it (A 1,000 watt I can not hear) This was confirmed at Quartsite in 2006 by myself and another person at the Yamaha display. I could hear the 2400 and the 3600 but not the 1200 at full idle.. HE could not hear the 1200 and 2400 at idle.. Once fully loaded they spoke up nicely.

A Genrac 1000 watt has the same noise print as a Honda EU-2000i. (For compairson)

I really would like my Genrac 1000 back.. But alas it grew a pair of legs and walked off.

(OH: Genrac Portables (At the time) were made by Briggs & Stratton)

blang311 · 06-01-2015, 02:58 PM

The question was will it work and it will definitely power one AC Unit and on some it will power two. I have that generator and have powered two before. It worked pretty hard with two but it does one and other smaller devices easy. It is however, very loud and is not neighbor friendly unless of course he is without power and wants to hook into yours then it will seem much quieter to them.

Muncie_6spd · 06-01-2015, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Briggs & Stratton 1650 is an engine.

Of course it can be used on a generator.

Generators come in 3 types

1: Open frame. these are noisy They should sell 'em with complementary ear plugs.

2: Enclosed generator....Much quieter Some GENRAC models are like this

3: Inverter; QUIETEST,, in fact a 2,000 watt inverter generator may be quiet enough that if there is a crowd about.. You won't hear it (A 1,000 watt I can not hear) This was confirmed at Quartsite in 2006 by myself and another person at the Yamaha display. I could hear the 2400 and the 3600 but not the 1200 at full idle.. HE could not hear the 1200 and 2400 at idle.. Once fully loaded they spoke up nicely.

A Genrac 1000 watt has the same noise print as a Honda EU-2000i. (For compairson)

I really would like my Genrac 1000 back.. But alas it grew a pair of legs and walked off.

(OH: Genrac Portables (At the time) were made by Briggs & Stratton)

FYI, Generac is now owned by Briggs & Stratton.

cb1000rider · 06-08-2015, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blang311

The question was will it work and it will definitely power one AC Unit and on some it will power two. I have that generator and have powered two before. It worked pretty hard with two but it does one and other smaller devices easy. It is however, very loud and is not neighbor friendly unless of course he is without power and wants to hook into yours then it will seem much quieter to them.

Just be aware, I've got a 5500 watt generator that is actually 120v per side on a 22amp breaker. I found that it wouldn't power a single AC and refrigerator for long periods of time without resetting.

Contrast that to a 4000 watt generator which works great, actual breaker is 25amps on 120volt socket... In my case, the 4000 watt generator worked better, was quieter, and used less fuel.

Just like shiggs68's said - you cannot judge by watts....

BgDadddy · 06-08-2015, 06:23 PM

You won't make any friends with that generator, that's for sure, but it should work.

I have a Yamaha 2400 quiet generator that I use with my truck camper. $1,300 delivered from Cabellas. It will power the roof A/C or the microwave (but not both at the same time) and all the lights. It's as quiet as my buddy's Honda 2000. Highly recommend that one instead of a cheaper, but MUCH louder one.