I do endurance horseback racing, and am looking for a quiet generator for my horse trailer.
How do I know what generator size I need? The trailer will eventually have full LQ installed. The electric appliances will be Air Conditioning/Heat, Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave, and Water heater. I don't know if I want to go with a hot water
ter tank OR something like an on-demand hot water system, if available. May end up NOT getting a stove--much easier to heat things in the microwave.
I don't want to spend a whole lot of money, but realize that might be necessary to get something quiet and of the rating I might need.
Posted 2006-07-16 10:58 PM (#44774 - in reply to #44756) Subject: RE: Endurance Horse Racing--GENERATOR for Trailer
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I've hung out at a few endurance and ctr rides. I'll venture a suggestion here.
I rarely use my A/C since I'm usually in the mountains. But if you need to run an A/C unit a 2000 watt generator is the absolute minimum. And with that size, you will have to turn off the A/C when you run much off anything else.
Honda makes a very light weight quite 2000 generator for about $995. A little short on the gas tank, so you might have to get up in the middle of the night and refuel.
I bought the Yamaha EF2400. It has 2400 watts. I still can not run Microwave and A/C at the same time. But I can run one of the major appliances and all the lights I ever need. It weighs 75 lbs so it's still luggable by one guy.
Honda and Yamaha both make 3000 watt units. Which is what a LOT of folks use. You can use both your Microwave and A/c at the same time with this size of unit. These units are about 130 lbs. and sale for around $2000.
All of these are Inverter based generators. That are very quite. Around 53-54 decibels. Most of them allow you to "DOUBLE UP" two generators to produce twice the electricity.
You can buy generators like workers use on construction sites for half as much, but they are MUCH MUCH noiser and don't produce as clean of an electrical current. You portable DVD and Laptop computer will much prefer the electrical current from an invertor based generator.
Others online here have bought the Kipor brand generator. I'll let them tell you about that brand.
Posted 2006-07-17 6:59 AM (#44791 - in reply to #44756) Subject: RE: Endurance Horse Racing--GENERATOR for Trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335 Location: Decatur, Texas
We have a Honda EU4000 (RV model) water cooled installed in our 12' LQ. It's about the same noise level as our friend's Onan MicroQuiet when running. However, we mainly use our portable Honda 3000iES inverter generator because it is even more quiet and doesn't have the hum that the 4000 does. Only thing about the 3000 is that we can't use the AC and microwave at same time but no big deal.
Posted 2006-07-17 12:09 PM (#44820 - in reply to #44791) Subject: RE: Endurance Horse Racing--GENERATOR for Trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524 Location: Lone Oak, Tx
Hi racesarabhorses,
I've used our Kipor 3500Ti now at the last 3 rides I've attended. It's very quiet and I didn't have any problems with people complaining. I ran it all night at the Moon Me ride (which was a royal blast by the way) out at the Grasslands, and all weekend at the Bluebonnet Classic also out at the Grasslands. The Jo Tate ride we shut it off at night just because everybody was camped so close. It powers our A/C and fridge with the occasional microwave use. It is also very fuel efficient in my opinion. I wish I was in Utah like paintedhorse where I didn't have to have A/C but here in Texas it's pretty much a necessity. I'm a wimp, I know... LOL.
I would have bought the next model down but I wanted something with a larger fuel tank for long weekends and the 3500Ti (now the 3000Ti) fit the bill. It also has the 30amp twist lock connector. Paid $1023 shipped for it and am very satisfied wth it.
Posted 2006-07-17 1:06 PM (#44832 - in reply to #44756) Subject: RE: Endurance Horse Racing--GENERATOR for Trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335 Location: Decatur, Texas
Hi Todd: Yes I was at the Moon Me. You beat me by four placings. Now the excuses (really). I was taking it a little slower due to the fact that my dear wife is taking the horse I ride to California to compete in the Tevis on Aug 5th and I know better than to endanger anything that would prevent him from competing.
Posted 2006-07-18 7:16 AM (#44895 - in reply to #44756) Subject: RE: Endurance Horse Racing--GENERATOR for Trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335 Location: Decatur, Texas
Bechack- Yep my wife is the one that is going to the Tevis with Jonni. It took some real arm twisting-NOT! Good look to all participants at this year's Tevis!
Endurance Horse Racing--GENERATOR for Trailer
