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12-02-2016, 10:10 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 186
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Worth the extra money for an inverter generator?
I'm going to install a basket on the back of my 5er with all the appropriate supports on the bumper for a generator. Looking at generators I see I can get a cheap old style one that will run my 15k btu AC just fine, but then there are inverter generators that are in come cases 5x the amount of the old style.
I only want a generator because where I travel is very hot. I never have to winterize I'm in the deep south. So when I load up for this summer I want to be able to start cooling the trailer right away so that when I arrive at camp I'm not having to sit in sweltering heat waiting for things to cool down.
The inverter gennys are way quieter it seems 56db instead of 78db in some cases, but besides that are they really worth the extra money?
I don't need it for any other reason than to keep the AC running until I get to my destination. I dont boon dock or anything like that.
curious what others think
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12-02-2016, 10:29 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 6,579
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The new inverter generators are certainly a step up. The main problems with cheap generators are noise and they are hard to start. I sold my old generator and was glad to get rid of it. What a pain!
I did some smart shopping and found a Honda EU3000IS at a great price. It starts right up and just hums.
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12-02-2016, 10:44 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Plaskett Creek USFS Campground CA Hwy 1
Posts: 507
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I have both and ONLY run the non-inverter when I absolutely have to do so...it pumps out more power but I'm careful with its "dirty" power too. Too noisy even if I'm far away everyone else.
__________________
2015 Winnebago Minnie 2101DS travel trailer & Chevy Tahoe LTZ, 300 watts of WindyNation solar (parallel) with MPPT controller, 2 Trojan T-125s, TALL flagpole and a great attitude…SoCal based. Perfer USFS, BLM, COE, USF&WS, NPS & state park campgrounds.
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12-02-2016, 12:22 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: west Michigan
Posts: 411
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Today's electronics don't like the "dirty" power you get from a regular genny. It is possible to damage some electronics when run on them.
__________________
'03 Dynasty Chancellor 40' A/H - '93 Jeep Wrangler YJ
Life has many choices, eternity has two...choose wisely!!!
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12-02-2016, 12:54 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,438
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What some are calling " dirty power " is the same power you get from an on-board generator, used in most gas engine motorhomes. Its not dirty, it's true sinewave.
Inverter generators use electronics to create sinewave power and adjust their speed to the load. That helps in the noise, along with the fact that they are built to be quieter.
Good engineering costs money.
If you can stand the noise and there isn't going to be anyone else, within a mile, the cheap, open frame, contractor generator is fine.
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12-02-2016, 01:49 PM
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#6
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,200
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This one is pretty popular and won't break the bank
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12-02-2016, 04:46 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Spicewood, Tx
Posts: 708
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If you are only going to run the generator to pre-cool the RV while on the road, then noise isn't a concern. Get an old style generator with electric start if you can handle the weight on the rear bumper. But an inverter generator is lighter, quieter and more versatile.
__________________
Larry Day, Texas Baptist Men volunteer
'13 Silverado LT 3500HD D/A CCSB 2wd, custom RKI bed
'19 Starcraft Telluride 292RLS
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12-02-2016, 07:56 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 93
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There is a great fuel savings when using a inverter. The engine will back it's self down on rpm's when only small amounts of power are needed. The regular generators have to run at full rpm's regardless of load needed to maintain 60 hertz. This not only saves on fuel but at lower rpm's the engine is quieter. I have a remote start champion that will run the air just fine, and it's starts with a push button. What I like about this set-up is, (when not if) your batteries are too low. The generator has it's own battery to start it. When running it also charges the generator's internal battery. Dave-R
__________________
2016 Arctic Fox 27-5L
2018 3500 Duramax SRW
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12-02-2016, 10:31 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 278
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pasdad1
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Yes. I have heard and read great things about the Champion line of Inverter units. THey even have 3500W and in dual fuel. It is what I will be getting. YOu can also use the parallel kit on then to double the power output.
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12-02-2016, 10:44 PM
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#10
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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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I have the champion 3100. Good quality, fit and finish. Starts easily. Runs an RV air conditioner for me. Great value, IMHO.
__________________
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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12-03-2016, 07:17 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 186
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vsheetz
I have the champion 3100. Good quality, fit and finish. Starts easily. Runs an RV air conditioner for me. Great value, IMHO.
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do you have a 15k btu by chance? I need to go to storage to figure out exactly what AC I have to figure out what the starting watts it needs.
From what I'm finding online I need 3500 to start it and only like 1800 to run it.
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12-03-2016, 07:25 AM
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#12
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,200
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This product will let your AC start with a much smaller generator.
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12-03-2016, 07:35 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 312
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Right now you want it for cooling the RV on the road. My experience is that once you have a generator you will find other uses for it in camp. Just buy the inverter generator and you will have no limitations or angry neighbors. It's not that much more.
RichH
__________________
2017 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
2010 Dutchmen 24 FB-SL
Don't underestimate the stupidity of people in large groups.
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12-03-2016, 10:29 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 113
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I have a Westinghouse 2000i. It works well, and starts easily. Keep in mind, the Db are one thing, but with neighbors the steady drone of any generator can be annoying.
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Linear Mode
