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Veteran
Posts: 231
 
Location: Illinois | How does one go about determining the size of a portable generator to get for trailers? there are so many different sizes, options, any recommdations, anything to avoid? Best brands I really prefer a quiet model as to not offend the "neighbors" when we camp... |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | We have a 10' LQ with the usual amenities..6' frig (gas/electric) microwave, roof AC, etc. Ours has an Onan Micro-quiet gasoline 4000KW generator with remote start in the LQ. The generator is in the bottom of the rear tack, with exhaust piped to the far rear passenger side corner. It is in an insulated aluminum cover with ports in front for air intake, and an exit hole underneath for the cooling air to exit, also a small port for access to the oil change drain hole nut and cover. This arrangement works extremely well, inside one manger is an aluminum auxiliary fuel tank (20 gal) that automatically feeds the generator. No fumes and works exceptionally well for us. It is extremely quiet, about like hearing the roof air from the outside. We are completely pleased with it for several years now. At half load it uses about .48 gal per hour, on full load it uses less than 3/4 gallon per hour. |
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 Expert
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Location: Northern Utah | You need to look at how much electricity you will use at any moment in time. A/C units usually need around 1800 to 2000 watts. Most smaller Microwaves will use 1400-1800 watts. Hair dryers use 1200 watts etc. Add up everything you will run at the same time and you need generator that is at least that big. Generators like the Honda 2000 will run TV, Lights, smaller space heaters etc. But won't start the A/C. And definitely won't run the A/C and other large devices like the Microwave. The Honda 2000 weigh around 40lbs Generators like the Yamaha 2400is will run the A/C but won't run two heavy use appliances at the same time. i.e. won't run Microwave and A/C at the same time. this Yamaha weighs about 72lbs The 3000 watt generators start to run multiple appliances. And do a good job. These gnerators weigh around 135lbs. These are getting to the point that you don't want to pick them up. At least not by yourself. The 4000 watt units do a great job of running just about everything in a trailer. But they are usually permanently mounted and much more expensive. |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | Yes, this is true....$ But may be worth it this evening in the HOT and humid south, as my home AC quit not 30 minutes ago....will go stay in the horse trailer to sleep.....(guess if the power all goes off I will then be down to the last resort of running the generator!) |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont |  is this large enough? |
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Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | It was 85* with 12% humidity today. If I hadn't lived in Georgia for two years or spent time in Texas while in the Air Force, I would relate to your 90* and 90%. The only time I every ran my trailer A/C was while I was cleaning or loading my trailer for a trip, Once in the mountains for the camp out. It was always the heat not the A/C. |
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Veteran
Posts: 231
Location: Illinois | Painted Horse...consider yourself lucky...here in th midwest we have been under a heat advisory for days now..tempts in mid 90's humidity in the 90% range and heat index better than 105 for just as long...so air is a priority in the midwest in the summer..and power to run that air is more so.... :) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: Georgia | I use two Honda 2000s with a parallel kit. As PH stated, the Honda 2000 weighs about 47 lbs, so I can manage this set up by myself. I considered getting the Honda 3000, but the weight of it was too much for me. The two 2000s work out great for me. |
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Expert
Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas | Originally written by To Much Trouble on 2010-08-10 4:34 PM How does one go about determining the size of a portable generator to get for trailers? there are so many different sizes, options, any recommdations, anything to avoid? Best brands I really prefer a quiet model as to not offend the "neighbors" when we camp... For portable units will would either buy another CUMMINS/ONAN P4300ie or the HONDA EU3000. Both electric start and both will run normal LQ's. We have the Cummins/Onan p4300ie and has really be great, low noise and seams to run longer than the Honda does per tank of gas. The P4300ie has a power saver mode that cuts the power and noise down even further and still runs the A/C with ease. |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Be sure whatever you buy is wound with copper winding, not aluminum..... I'm approaching 2000hrs. on my Yamaha EF3000iseB, nothing but oil changes (Mobil 1 10W30) and blow out the air filter every once in a while. I keep the gas turned off when not in use and a helping of "Stabil" in the fuel tank all the time. It has lived in the back of my pickup for about 4 years now, can't handle a 151+ lbs. generator, I'm not 20 years old anymore!!..... http://www.yamahagenerators.com/yamaha_generator_ef3000iseb_pr_18.html http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_10W-30.aspx http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/products.aspx#stabil
Edited by retento 2010-08-11 11:41 AM
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New User
Posts: 3
| hey lesliemal what is a parallel kit I have 2 2400 watt generators and would love to rig this up to run my roof a/c 1 will not work thanks |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| Originally written by corvettebuyer on 2010-08-11 4:35 PM
hey lesliemal what is a parallel kit I have 2 2400 watt generators and would love to rig this up to run my roof a/c 1 will not work thanks The Honda 2000 and 3000 watt generators are made to run in parallel, they have specific connections on the generator to hook two togeather. If your generator is not made to do this I don't know if it is possible. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| Originally written by lesliemal on 2010-08-11 9:46 AM
I use two Honda 2000s with a parallel kit. As PH stated, the Honda 2000 weighs about 47 lbs, so I can manage this set up by myself. I considered getting the Honda 3000, but the weight of it was too much for me. The two 2000s work out great for me. We have the same setup and also think it is awesome, if we don't need to run the AC we only use one of the generators and it will run everything else. The setup is very portable and like you I think that the 3000 is getting almost to the point of not being very portable. The only downside is that there is only about 4 hours of fuel so for an all day horse show you may have to fill up a few times but this can be avoided by using an external fuel tank. |
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Veteran
Posts: 123
Location: Indiana | Paul, You might want to see if you can get another one and parralell them |
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Veteran
Posts: 134
| I also have two Honda's that I run with a parallel kit. They are the 2000 models and I have been extremely happy with them. They are easy to handle and run everything I need to at the same time. They seem to be very fuel conservative. Hope this helps. Happy Trails |
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Veteran
Posts: 231
Location: Illinois | Thanks for all the great advise...it helps alot...I think we are going to go with a Honda 3000 w/ electric start...I will let you know how it works out!! :) Happy Trails to you too |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 317
Location: Barnesville, Ga. | They make a different gas cap that has a small hose on it with a "y" in it to feed both gen sets that attaches to a external gas tank for extended run. It uses something like a outboard motor gas tank that has a hose and primer bulb then y's into each gen set. You can run it for a long while without having to refuel. A friend of mine has this setup for his 2 honda eu2000's. |
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Generators
