I have a 1997 Trails West trailer with a weekend package. It has small window unit in the wall between the midtack and the LQ. It also has a about 8 electric outlets. We will probably have a small frig. and a microwave. I am needing to know what wattage generator I would need.
Posted 2008-07-03 7:47 AM (#86802 - in reply to #86797) Subject: RE: Generator Size
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
It depends what you are going to plug into the outlets and try to run at the same time.
Most A/C units are 1800 watts
Most Microwaves are 1800 watts
Most Heat strips are 1800 watts
Most hair blow dryers are 1200 watts.
You could turn on a whole lot of lights and never come close to the power consumption on an A/C unit.
I have a Yamaha EF 2400 is that is rated at 2400 watts. I can run my A/C, lights, built in radio/cd player all at the same time. If I want to use my Microwave, I have to turn off the A/C. Which is fine for me, since I rarely use the A/C since all my camping is in the mountains. The Yamaha weighs 72 lbs.
Honda makes a 1000, 2000, and 3000.
the 1000 will run the lights and radio, but not much else.
The 2000 is marginal to run the A/C or Microwave, but only with everything else turned off.
The 3000 would run any of the above items, and probably all at the same time. It weights 135lbs
Onan makes a 4000 watt that is very popular with the RV crowd.
Get an invertor type generator that produces cleaner power ( and usually are quiter) Your electronic devices ( cell phones, laptops, TV, Microwaves etc) will last longer with clean power.
Posted 2008-07-07 5:08 PM (#87010 - in reply to #86797) Subject: RE: Generator Size
Veteran
Posts: 212 Location: novinger, mo
We have a Honda 3000. It will run the AC (13,500 BTU) with ease. I do not use the AC and the microwave at the same time. But AC with anything else is ok. We have a voltage meter that plugs into an outlet and tells you whether you are close to the red line or not. It's good for checking out campground elec. as well.
The generator has an economy switch to run it at a lower speed to save on fuel. It will amp up as needed, depending on what you have running. It sure makes it super quiet.
Posted 2008-07-07 10:53 PM (#87036 - in reply to #86797) Subject: RE: Generator Size
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: washington
I have a Honda 3000 eUi and it is awesome. Very quiet, runs the big A/C and everything else in my trailer. I have not run the A/C and Microwave at the same time, and it does not sound like a good idea to do so. This generator is too heavy for me to lift on my own. I have my hubby help me load it in the back of the truck, chain it to the gooseneck safety chain hooks, and leave it there the whole weekend on a campout. I run it right there, making sure it has plenty of ventilation. Many co-riders use the Honda 2000 eUi but it can't really run the A/C. It only weighs about 45 lbs, so theoretically you could get 2 of them and use the jump cables and have a Honda 4000? and still be able to lift them :)) I saw one guy with that setup and he was running his A/C. The biggest difference is that the 3000 will run longer and has a bigger gas tank. The two 2000's would run out of gas much sooner. Just my 2 cents.
Posted 2008-07-15 5:20 PM (#87498 - in reply to #86797) Subject: RE: Generator Size
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I also have the Honda 3000. I run the ac unit,elec hot water heater, sm fridge and the coffe pot all at one time without a problem. I have to turn off the ac to use the microwave. I haven't had any issues with it. It will run for 12hrs without a fill up on economy mode. Very quiet. You can put it under your GN and it won't bother you...You'll like the Honda...
Posted 2008-07-20 12:34 PM (#87754 - in reply to #86797) Subject: RE: Generator Size
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
We have found 2 generators are much more economical. We have a Yamaha Inverter Generator EF3000iSEB that we use for the A/C and the Micro, etc. Works just great, BUT, It is overkill for just frig, freezer and lights. SO, this year we added a Yamaha Inverter Generator EF1000iS. This one is more economical than even gas(LP) for the frig. It holds .66 gals of gas and that will run for 10 to 12 hours. The 3000 watt unit holds 3.5 gals and will run for 8 to 10 hours.
Generator Size
