I have a 2 horse trailer with living quarters and have always camped where I have full hookups. I am planning on doing some camping in a National Forest where I won't have electricity. So what size generator do I need? I am in Georgia so running the air conditioner at night is a must.
Posted 2011-02-28 7:28 PM (#130909 - in reply to #130895) Subject: RE: generators
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368
Location: Georgia
I purchased 2 Honda 2000s (the really quiet ones) and use a parallel kit to connect them and it works well. They are light weight enough for me to handle alone and provide enough power for everyting in my LQ. I am in GA as well so I know all about the need for AC!
Posted 2011-03-01 9:42 AM (#130929 - in reply to #130915) Subject: RE: generators
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
Bob, The parallel kits are pretty common for the Honda dn Yamha invertor type generators. Most of the place where you would buy those generators sell the kits. But I've seen instructions on how to build the cable someplace my web surfing.. Probably on RVnet. Google and see if you can find it. A man of your talents would have no problem assembling the few parts needed to build the connector and you would save a bunch of money over what Honda charges
Posted 2011-03-01 9:54 AM (#130931 - in reply to #130895) Subject: RE: generators
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
To the original poster. Most A/C units on horse trailers require 1800 watts to run. But often need a little over 2000 to start up. So the minimum reccomendation is usually a generator that produces at least 2000 continous watts and might have a burst mode slightly higher. I had heard that a single Honda 2000 was not strong enough for the start up load on most A/C units. So you would need the parallel set up using dual generators to get the A/C started and running. I bought the Yamaha EF2400is that had 2400 watts and it worked just fine for mine
The other thing to consider is the weight. If you need to move it around, The larger generators weigh more. Two smaller generators will weigh a lot less and are easier to physically move. The Honda 2000 weigh 40lbs. The Yamaha EF2400 is 72lbs and the Honda 3000 is 135 lbs. You will have to decide what you are comfortable moving. If you mount it in a fix position and rare ever move. Then the weight is a mute point.
Also consider what other appliances you will want to run at the same time. If you have a generator that is just barely able to run the A/C, You will have to turn the A/C off everytime you want to run the microwave or coffee maker. So buy a generator that is sized to provide enought wattage for everything you will want to run at the same time. This is why the Honda 3000 and the Onan 4000 are such popular units in LQs.
Posted 2011-03-01 7:08 PM (#130958 - in reply to #130931) Subject: RE: generators
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376
Location: Missouri
We have the Yamaha EF3000iSEB as our larger generator.
This model boosts output by
adding battery voltage to alternator when
needed. The Boost Control Unit (BCU)
senses when extra power is needed and
boosts the output for up to 10 seconds (up
to 500 watts), ample time to give air
conditioners, power tools and equipment
that extra boost of power they need to start
quickly and efficiently.
You do have to turn the AC off in order to run the
microwave.