Generators

sanderson82633 · 06-03-2014, 10:52 AM

I have a Jayco 27 G2 travel trailer and was just wondering what generator would be best????

33 RLDS · 06-03-2014, 11:54 AM

I guess that would depend on what you expect to run with it, how quiet you need it and if it needs to be lifted by yourself, how heavy can it be and lastly how much $$$ you have to spend.

dougfir1 · 06-03-2014, 03:03 PM

I have a Jayflight 23FB G2 and when we dry camp I use my Yamaha 2000 watt genny. It is quiet, easy starting and is easily carried. If you want to run your AC, etc you will need a larger model. My unit runs $1,000 at Cabela's. It is more than adequate to keep my batteries charged up.

rog4kneer · 06-03-2014, 04:18 PM

I have a Honda 2000I. It runs my 13.5K air conditioner. It runs my microwave. Will not run both at the same time. Usually heat my water with propane when not on shore power. Quiet, about 48 lbs. easy to lift, and operates about 8 hours per gal in eco mode. Reviews rate the Yamaha and Honda pretty much the same.

aj481x · 06-03-2014, 04:59 PM

3000IS Very happy with it, the remote is a neat feature.

BCx213 · 06-04-2014, 12:26 AM

I have both the Champion 2000 & 3100 watt invertor generators. The 2000 is quiet and adequate to recharge the battery and small appliances. It doesn't run the AC or microwave where my 3100 will. Just paid $799.00 for the 3100 and so far I am happy with it. It is 1/3 the cost of the Honda and lighter. It does not have electronic start on it though.

Poppie · 06-04-2014, 11:33 AM

Question for you ? I have a Honda 2000i but have not yet used it with our new 22fb . We will be doing our fisrt dry camping in a couple of weeks and would like to know the best way to use this generator to charge my battery? Do I get the adaptor and connect it directly to the battery post or do I use the trailer 30 amp cord with the 110 adaptor plug and have the generator push the power through the trailers inverter ?

Thank you

**norty1** · 06-04-2014, 01:37 PM

Most I talk with just charge it thru the converter.

vboyd · 06-04-2014, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCx213

I have both the Champion 2000 & 3100 watt invertor generators. The 2000 is quiet and adequate to recharge the battery and small appliances. It doesn't run the AC or microwave where my 3100 will. Just paid $799.00 for the 3100 and so far I am happy with it. It is 1/3 the cost of the Honda and lighter. It does not have electronic start on it though.

What's the noise level like with the 3100? I was thinking of getting one.

Tim · 06-04-2014, 04:15 PM

Hello fellow trailer people. Just new to the forum and the Jayco family. This topic of generators seems very confusing to me. One person says a 2000 will run his AC another says no way. I am only starting my research on this topic but don't understand why there is such a difference of opinion. I would think that a lot of the AC's in this thread are of the 13500 size so why does it work for some and not others. For me, I would rather carry something lighter and cheaper if possible but not if it will not do the job.

Thanks ... Tim

clubhouse · 06-04-2014, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim

Hello fellow trailer people. Just new to the forum and the Jayco family. This topic of generators seems very confusing to me. One person says a 2000 will run his AC another says no way. I am only starting my research on this topic but don't understand why there is such a difference of opinion. I would think that a lot of the AC's in this thread are of the 13500 size so why does it work for some and not others. For me, I would rather carry something lighter and cheaper if possible but not if it will not do the job.

Thanks ... Tim

I can't run my 13,500 cfm AC with my honda eu2000i. Some say they can, but I have never seen it actually happen with my own eyes. There are variables that affect AC start up though, outside temp (lower is easier), altitude (same lower is easier), some have added additional capacitors to ease the start up current requirements. In a nut shell, it may be possible, but certainly will require the right circumstances and possibly modifications.

Tim · 06-04-2014, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clubhouse

I can't run my 13,500 cfm AC with my honda eu2000i. Some say they can, but I have never seen it actually happen with my own eyes. There are variables that affect AC start up though, outside temp (lower is easier), altitude (same lower is easier), some have added additional capacitors to ease the start up current requirements. In a nut shell, it may be possible, but certainly will require the right circumstances and possibly modifications.

Thanks for the reply clubhouse. I did put a hardstart kit on my AC. I guess the only way I will know is if I try before I buy.

Tim

Parcany · 06-04-2014, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanderson82633

I have a Jayco 27 G2 travel trailer and was just wondering what generator would be best????

Which ever one you get make sure if you have a 30 amp plug that the circuit breaker is 30 amp also. I had a Champion, 3500 watt and really didn't notice it but I had a 30 amp plug but a 25 amp breaker that controlled the plug.

**norty1** · 06-04-2014, 04:45 PM

I know a guy that has run his ac but that is all that runs. Turn on the tv and it's all over. That would be unacceptable to me. If you want ac and a normal experience, a 3k genny is a minimum IMO.

clubhouse · 06-04-2014, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim

Thanks for the reply clubhouse. I did put a hardstart kit on my AC. I guess the only way I will know is if I try before I buy.

Tim

Best to try it before buying. As best as I can tell my Coleman 13.5 AC pulls ~14 Amps running and >16Amps to start. Those values don't account for any current usage by the converter either. Now my EU2000i is a great generator, it still only puts our a sustained 13.3 Amp and can surge to 16Amps for a brief period. So even the specs say that my generator won't run the AC, but with all the reports of folks doing it I still tried. I failed on a 75* with nothing else running in the TT -- I even tried starting the fan first then kicking on the AC. For us this isn't an issue because we rarely camp where it is needed. However I am still watching CL for deal on a companion unit, just in case.

etex211 · 06-04-2014, 07:52 PM

I didn't like the idea of having to try to manage a generator while staying in my camper. When I take the camper out, I want to focus my efforts on having a good time, not worrying what I can run and what I can't run....

For that reason, I bought the Honda EU6500is. I viewed it as an investment. I expect it to last me forever. I can run both of my air conditioners and my microwave and a hair dryer simultaneously if I want.

jrosenberg70 · 06-05-2014, 09:56 AM

We recently purchase a SmarterTools AP2000iQ at Costco to use with our 2014 Whitehawk 20 MRB. Have already used it on several boondocking trips and couldn't be happier. Specs are similar to Honda and Yamaha at almost half of the cost. Even has a Yamaha MZ80 Engine. This new model will also parallel with another unit to provide 3000 sustained watts.

RoyBraddy · 06-05-2014, 12:51 PM

TIM - I think its a hit and miss for using the EU2000i 2KW Honda for running the 13,500BTU air conditioner. It doesn't work for me. I even turned off everything one time in the trailer with only the Air Conditioner on-line and still couldn't get it start up. One guy said start the FAN first then kick in the air conditioner compressor so I tried that and it did start up for me one time. However as soon as it cycled it tripped the Honda Generator breaker.

Some say you can install a HARD START CAPACITOR kit and that will help...

I just gave up on mine - We camp in the woods alot and don't need the air conditioner anyway.

I have brought along a 8000BTU House Window unit in my OFF-ROAD POPUP when we was expecting to stay a week or so on one trip. It ran just fine from the 2KW Honda.

But then I ran into the other problem where the camp ground here on the East side of the US had generator run time restrictions in place. Couldn't run the Generator after 8PM.

Seems like everything is stacked against me for running an air conditioner...

Roy Ken

Tim · 06-05-2014, 09:14 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

Tim

TX_Arvee · 06-06-2014, 05:14 AM

Buy a Honda 3000 and not worry about power again. 3000 will be plenty to run the trailer, as if plugged into shore power, yes it is a bit heavier, but it also holds a little more fuel. The Honda is quiet and reliable. We use the A/C a lot camping and I want to microwave or make coffee with the A/C running.

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