My husband and I just purchased our first living quarters trailer, a 7'SW with about all of the amenities that you could possibly pack into a small LQ (AC, ducted furnace, TV/DVD, stereo, microwave, cooktop, range hood, fantastic fan in bathroom, etc). We are not interested in an onboard generator for a number of reasons but would like to have a portable generator to take with us when we need it. We are researching RV websites, but we are also not powering a massive RV so I'm turning to you guys for advice on what we really need...plenty of power without overkill, quiet, reliable, cost-effective (if there is such a thing). Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Posted 2012-10-22 10:00 PM (#147840 - in reply to #147838) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Veteran
Posts: 259 Location: Topeka Ks
Welcome to the forum. By the sound of your appliances your looking at a 4kw gen. Many people use portable gensets and have good luck with them. I've found Honda units very quite, but many $$$ . Do not run the generator any where inside the trailer.
Posted 2012-10-22 10:28 PM (#147842 - in reply to #147838) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Since you have an a/c unit the minimum is 3000 watts. Honda makes a 3000 watt inverter genset that is very quiet but heavy. Or buy two honda 2000 watt inverter gensets and run them together with a special cord... a little more noise, but easy to handle.
The more things you want to run at the same time (a/c plus microwave for example) require a larger genset.
The key point is quiet running. Cheap gensets make enemies quickly.
Posted 2012-10-23 5:41 AM (#147846 - in reply to #147838) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430 Location: TN
I have a Honda EU 3000i Handi. It is the lighter 3000 watt generator. I often camp by myself (and am a woman)and can lift and move this generator alone. It has a dry weight of 75 lbs and is on wheels. I can't start everything or run all appliances at once, but this unit is more than enough for my weekender that is similarly equipped to the original poster's trailer. My trail riding buddy bought the same generator and when we are parked side by side and running both, you can still sit under our awnings and have a conversation and still here what you are saying : ).
Price was around $2700 and I did buy locally, although Wise Sales online has fairly competetive pricing. My husband and I felt it was well worth the price.
Posted 2012-10-23 8:44 AM (#147852 - in reply to #147838) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
When I bought my first Living Quarters and learned I really needed a generator I bought the Yamaha 2400. It puts out 2400 watts at peak, Which is enough to run A/C, radio and lights. I could not run the microwave and A/C at the same time. So I had to shut off A/C every time I needed to cook or warm up something.
It weighs 74lbs and cost around $1100. So it would be the minimum size that I would choose to run a trailer. It's an invertor technology, So quiet, and safe for all your other electronics ( TV, ipads, phones )
Most A/C units need 1800 watts, Some peak a little over that to start up. Where I camp, A/C is rarely needed, I'm more worried about keeping the trailer warm at night when I'm parked at 8,000 foot.
Posted 2012-10-23 9:00 AM (#147853 - in reply to #147838) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Elite Veteran
Posts: 657 Location: Rayne, LA
I wanted a trouble free, convienent, wife friendly, quiet , powerful on board generator. I had a generac RV 5500 gas installed. It has been nothing but trouble since I installed it. I have been researching the various models and have decided to go portable. IMO the best buy is to parallel two Honda EU200I with the extened run accessory tank. I have heard them run and they are very quiet, light weight and with the aux tank should get a number of run hours on a fill. Also if refueling with the generatot running, you are adding fuel to the aux tank not directly in the generator.
Posted 2012-10-23 10:39 AM (#147854 - in reply to #147853) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by cajunmuleman on 2012-10-23 9:00 AM
I wanted a trouble free, convienent, wife friendly, quiet , powerful on board generator. I had a generac RV 5500 gas installed. It has been nothing but trouble since I installed it. I have been researching the various models and have decided to go portable. IMO the best buy is to parallel two Honda EU200I with the extened run accessory tank. I have heard them run and they are very quiet, light weight and with the aux tank should get a number of run hours on a fill. Also if refueling with the generatot running, you are adding fuel to the aux tank not directly in the generator.
What kind of problems were you having with the Generac RV 5500? Is it a roof mount with an enclosure or is it mounted elsewhere?
Posted 2012-10-23 11:40 AM (#147856 - in reply to #147838) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
I've been eyeing the Dometic LW3000. http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/RV-Products/Generators/I'v... seen them for $750 - $850. It can run a 13,500 BTU A/C, run up to 10 hours, and weighs in at 59lbs. The reviews I've seen are pretty good on it also. I'm hoping someone here will buy one and let me know how it does. :-)
Posted 2012-10-23 11:40 AM (#147857 - in reply to #147838) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Elite Veteran
Posts: 657 Location: Rayne, LA
It came with a factory enclosure. I have it mounted in the rear tack compartment. Once the stater hung up and melted the wiring harness. Another time an oil return line cracked. Another time it would not produce electricity. Another time I ran it every day for 1-2 hours each day with the A/C set low. Left the next day to go on a week long trip and it would not start ( carburetor issue ). When it runs it is quiet and does well, I just can't depend on it any longer.
Posted 2012-10-23 11:54 AM (#147859 - in reply to #147838) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Member
Posts: 6
Any experiences with Kipor? Spoke with an RV place that carries those as a cheaper alternative to the Yamaha. Said they are pretty good but can be a little quirky. Anybody used one? Thanks for all of the good info so far...getting an education!
Posted 2012-10-23 1:52 PM (#147866 - in reply to #147856) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by bjhouten on 2012-10-23 11:40 AM
I've been eyeing the Dometic LW3000. http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/RV-Products/Generators/I'v... seen them for $750 - $850. It can run a 13,500 BTU A/C, run up to 10 hours, and weighs in at 59lbs. The reviews I've seen are pretty good on it also. I'm hoping someone here will buy one and let me know how it does. :-)
Dometic LW3000 is a rebranded Magna Generator and they are much louder than the Honda or Yamaha Inverter gensets....
Magna review..
I hate to bring you bad news but I had to make an account regarding your new Magna 3000. I bought two of them off of e-bay, the first one lasted me a month until the motor seized up on me. Yes I gave it regular oil changes and took very good care of it. I called everywhere here in the chicago area looking for a small engine mechanic to repair it with no luck. None of the mechanic's had a clue as to where to find parts for it and I was told it would cost me more to fix the unit rather than to just buy another one, so I took my chances and bought one more Magna inverter (Mine where the 1000 watt units). The second Magna lasted three trial run times at my house, the third time I went to pull the recoil I heard the recoil spring snap and the pull cord just hung there, so there I was ripped off again.
Now I went and did some research online and found a company called Duro Power in California. I bought there 1200 watt inverter. Now the picture they showed online for this model was a copy cat of the honda eu2000i but when i received the new Duro Power it was the same plastic shell as the Magna and had the exact same tear drop design, I mean this thing was almost identical and I knew it was made by the same cheap asian company that makes the Magna. Well the Duro Power lasted about three weeks and broke. I called Duro Power only to be told they would send out the parts but it was up to me to find a mechanic to repair it and how was I to know what parts it really needed, stay away from Druo Power like the plague! They would not even let me pay to ship it back.
The point I am getting at is, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!! I finally broke down and spent just under a grand for a brand new Honda eu2000i, I have had it for two weeks and have put it through hell making sure it will live up to it's name. Well I put the honda up officially as of tonight, I am done testing it. It comes with bumper to bumper 2 year warranty and Honda dealers/repair shops are all over the country so I have piece of mind if it does break down on me. I have been reading forums on the honda eu2000i and 3000 and a hand full of people have said there Hondas have over 9000 hours on the unit with no problems to this day and read in the ham radio forums that most of those guys have well over 4000 hours on there Hondas with no problems.
I hope you have better luck with your Magna than I did. I used to be a under body mechanic but I hate small engines and won't touch them. I highly recommend using full synthetic oil, that is the only oil I use in all my engines especially my small air cooled engines because they run much much hotter than a liquid cooled engine.
I have done hours upon hours of online reading and research and Honda and Yamaha generators are the only way to go.
Posted 2012-10-23 5:01 PM (#147870 - in reply to #147859) Subject: RE: Generator Advice
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by flypony74 on 2012-10-23 11:54 AM
Any experiences with Kipor? Spoke with an RV place that carries those as a cheaper alternative to the Yamaha. Said they are pretty good but can be a little quirky. Anybody used one? Thanks for all of the good info so far...getting an education!
Generator Advice
