Hello everyone,Trailering newby here - I'm looking for a 2H GN with small LQ (6 of 8 feet) and went over one with a fine tooth comb today. I'm a dork and did not realize that the plugs in the wall would not run on the battery. They said I need a small generator to run those. I work as an independent contractor (writing) and have this vision going camping and doing my work but need to plug in my computer - and thought watching movies on my laptop would be nice. This seems to be different from any generator I might get to run the AC and microwave, which is included in the LQ I'm looking at (not the generator - the AC and microwave is included) but thought I would get that as I can afford it. But need to run the outlets.Wondering what type of little generator everyone is getting to run outlet plug-ins -- or is there a trailer setup that takes care of this -- plug outlets that run off batteries and this one just doesn't do it???It's a 6 foot LQ with limited cabinet space and I don't want to take up precious space with ANOTHER generator inside unless it's small (and quiet - can't run it early/late if it's not....sucks)Thanks.
Posted 2013-02-27 6:24 PM (#150224 - in reply to #150222) Subject: RE: Generator for running interior plug-in stuff???
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430 Location: TN
The generator would need to be outside when being run so no worries about cabinet space. I keep mine in either my rear tack or my extra slant to haul. I would not want to haul it in my lq because it think it would make everything stink like gasoline. When in use, It sits at the rear of my trailer with the exhaust pointed away from the front of the trailer. I chain it to a tie ring. I have a Honda Handi 3000i. It powers my lights and refrigerator as well as my outlets with no problems. I have not yet needed to run my air with it yet, but it should run my air with no problem.If you are camping somewhere that has electrical hooks ups, you can use your outlets if hooked up to it. I'm not sure why you would need a second generator- one of the proper size should suffice. Are you sure they weren't talking about running 2 generators parallel?
Posted 2013-02-27 6:38 PM (#150225 - in reply to #150222) Subject: RE: Generator for running interior plug-in stuff???
Regular
Posts: 73
The generator will run the outlets, the microwave and the A/C. There are web sites that will help you calculate how much power you will need to run those things. Here is one of those sites: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/generator/sizing.aspx. I think an inverter generator protects your electronics, but hopefully, someone more knowledgeable will also reply to your post. IMO, it is wise to buy a generator that runs quietly, for instance, a Honda, or I think Yamaha is also quiet. We went cheap the first generator we bought, and couldn't use it anywhere near other campers. It was so loud, we were afraid they would start to throw rocks at our trailer. We ended up replacing it with a Honda.
Posted 2013-02-27 6:53 PM (#150229 - in reply to #150222) Subject: RE: Generator for running interior plug-in stuff???
Member
Posts: 29 Location: California
Wow - thanks - so glad I posted this. He did say he recommended running two generators parallel cuz easier to carry and set next to my trailer (the plug-in is far forward on horse-head side - not sure if that's standard). But said I'd need a smaller one to run my plugs. Was adding up $$$s and saying UGH. Thanks.Also - Looked at Honda generators for quiet - trailer salesman said I needed 3,000 volts - Honda seems to come in 2,000 and 3,000 - do I get two 2,000 and run parallel? UGH - space.....
Posted 2013-02-28 1:08 AM (#150242 - in reply to #150222) Subject: RE: Generator for running interior plug-in stuff???
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Charlo, MT
You can run two 2000's in parallel or the 3000 would run everything you need. You don't need a smaller one for the outlets. We used to run a 2000 with our last trailer, it had a very small air conditioner and it worked fine for the first couple of years, but as the generator and the a/c unit got older it wasn't enough power. If your plugging in the laptop I would suggest using a surge suppressor, you probably have suppression built into the trailer, but computers are pretty sensitive and generators are not always consistent.
Posted 2013-02-28 8:15 PM (#150261 - in reply to #150222) Subject: RE: Generator for running interior plug-in stuff???
Veteran
Posts: 175 Location: Florida
We use 2 Honda 2000i's in parallel. Only need to start the second one when using the AC or the microwave. And you can easily carry the 2000 series generators, whereas the 3000i is rather heavy to move around. The 2000's are also very quiet. If you use the extended fuel tank, you can run both of them all night without having to refuel.
Posted 2013-03-01 6:29 AM (#150268 - in reply to #150222) Subject: RE: Generator for running interior plug-in stuff???
Veteran
Posts: 170 Location: Minnesota
The Honda 3000 is quieter than the Honda 2000 – google it. My Honda 3000 has run everything - AC, mirowave, etc for more than 10 years with no problems.
Generator for running interior plug-in stuff???
