Newbie with questions

Dirtballx2 · 04-20-2011, 06:02 PM

We are getting ready to pick up a new trailer and keep getting conflicting advice from others that have trailers. For appliances, like hair dryer, coffee pot etc, can we just buy ones like we use in the house and use them in the trailer off the batteries or do we need a generator? We would perfer not to have to buy 12v appliances. The trailer we are getting is a 2011 Jayflight 26RLS. We would like to take it out next weekend for our madien trip and want to head off most issues before we go out. We are headed to a campground that is only 30 miles from the house. There are no services there.

**Crabman** · 04-20-2011, 06:14 PM

You will need a generator to run anything that plugs into the standard 110 volt outlets such as coffee pots or hair dryers. The batteries will run the furnace and frig and hot water heater (along with the required gas), water pump, lights. The microwave, A/C also need a generator to run them. -Lee

nealtrombley · 04-20-2011, 06:15 PM

well your house uses 110Volt AC your camper DC 12 volt when not hooked up to 30 amp service...so using your household items like you mentioned would need either a generator or a 110 power source, they make great small quiet gen sets that can provide plenty of power for such things including your fridge..your AC will need proper amperage and 110 to run that....hope this helps some smart guys on here that can explain to you about inverters as well that will run off your batteries ( need at least 2)...and run those things as well and less expensive then a gen set and no noise at all......

**Crabman** · 04-20-2011, 07:02 PM

Yes there is the inverter deal, but then you still need to keep up the battery(s) if your drawing all these amps with hair dryers and coffee pots, so back to a genny to charge the batteries. I think with no genny power conservation would be at a premium, limiting you to what you could use. BTW The frig will work on gas and battery.

Dirtballx2 · 04-20-2011, 07:09 PM

Thanks for the fast replies. Going gen shopping this weekend.

Terry · 04-20-2011, 08:19 PM

Just my opinion DBx2 - but before you run out and buy a generator - take it out and see what you can and can not live without. If you decide to go with a generator, there are a LOT of options (and costs) out there so take a little time to research.

Make sure your 7 pin is providing power to the camper in case you run out of power too early, you can do a little charging from your vehicle.

Enjoy your new rig!

Fordsuperduty · 04-20-2011, 09:52 PM

Also you may want to take into consideration that most campgrounds won't let you run a generator due to noise issues. Just my opinion

Dirtballx2 · 04-20-2011, 09:54 PM

FDSD,

We thought of the noise issue and are going to get one of the quiet models. We went fishing the other day and had to listen to someone's non-quiet gen ruin the peaceful time while fishing. LOL

Seann45 · 04-21-2011, 06:55 AM

Get a solar system + inverter.. yeah it cost more than a generator but it is always QUIET and you never need to buy fuel for it... esp if you camp without hookups much it will pay for itself

Spike99 · 04-21-2011, 09:06 AM

For a visual of wiring diagram, surf:

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=2503

I agree with Seann45. re: Connect Power Inverter to the onboard 12V battery. To keep battery "juiced up", connect a Solar Charging system to it. Super quiet system. Especially in parks that ask for "super quiet" campers.

.

Rustic Eagle · 04-21-2011, 08:13 PM

Dirtballx2,

If you see yourself doing a far amount of "boondocking" in the future, you may also want to consider up-grading from the single 12V Marine/RV battery to two 6V Deep Cycle batteries. More amp/hours available and they will take more dis-charge/charge cycles. More efficient when used with a generator or solar system.

In process of installing two 6V Deep Cycle batteries in my Jayco as we speak.

Bob

**Crabman** · 04-21-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Dirtballx2,

If you see yourself doing a far amount of "boondocking" in the future, you may also want to consider up-grading from the single 12V Marine/RV battery to two 6V Deep Cycle batteries. More amp/hours available and they will take more dis-charge/charge cycles. More efficient when used with a generator or solar system.

In process of installing two 6V Deep Cycle batteries in my Jayco as we speak.

Bob

Off topic, but welcome to the forum, Rustic Eagle. -Lee

clutch · 04-21-2011, 10:34 PM

You really need to go out with your trailer a few times before you make a decision to buy a generator. That way you will have more of an idea what you will need. You might even try renting one for a few days to get some idea.

Rustic Eagle · 04-22-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabman

Off topic, but welcome to the forum, Rustic Eagle. -Lee

Lee,

Thank-you for the welcome.

Bob

Dirtballx2 · 04-22-2011, 06:51 PM

Just got back with trailer from picking it up. They installed two batteries. I forgot to ask if they are 6v or 12v. Guess I will be looking at them. I still plan on a generator.

Dirtballx2 · 04-23-2011, 09:19 PM

Ok if we decide to go with a generator, what is the maximum amount of watts we should get. The AC is 13.5 btu. I have read where you take the amps (30) times 12 which would mean we need a 36K watt generator. Will anything be harmed if we go larger with say a 4K or a 5K? Not sure the wallet will allow a quiet one after buying the TT. Thanks in advance.

clutch · 04-23-2011, 10:32 PM

Generators are like trucks. You can't go too big. Just because a generator can make 4000 watts dosen't mean you have to use that many watts. You can go to small and bog the generator down and damage things.

Lady Fitzgerald · 04-24-2011, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutch

Generators are like trucks. You can't go too big. Just because a generator can make 4000 watts dosen't mean you have to use that many watts. You can go to small and bog the generator down and damage things.

What you say would be true except the larger you go, the more room needed to haul it and the more fuel you will use hauling it. Also, a generator that is sized way too large could put your tt and/or tv overweight. Cost of the unit also has to be factored in; what's the point of spending more for far more capacity when you really don't need it? In the case of a portable, it needs to be small enough to allow it to be moved without risk of injury. This is a highly variable factor since people's strength and health varies widely. Fuel consumption is higher with a larger unit, even when being run at low speed.

At the same time, as you mentioned, an undersized unit would be a waste of money since you will overload it, damaging or destroying the unit, and the resultant low voltage that could occur will destroy or damage your appliances. You have to evaluate what loads are essential and what they draw (don't forget starting current for appiances with motors) then allow a bit more for a safety margin. When using the generator, you must make sure only the essential appliances are being used to avoid overloading.

Rustic Eagle · 04-24-2011, 07:03 AM

Sizing a generator has a lot to do with your energy use habits. If you don't plan on using your A/C or Micro, a single 2000W unit may be just the right size (would meet my needs). Many generator users claim that if you plan to use the A/C, then a 3000W minimum is highly recommend for better overall efficiency.

Many folks will purchase two 2,000W units with one unit being a companion generator (ie.; Honda). One recommended source: http://www.wisesales.com/HondaGenNEW.html
Honda and Yamaha seem to be popular brands being lite weight and quiet.

Bob

clutch · 04-24-2011, 07:49 PM

It dosen't take much to run the trailer lights, refrigerator and television. We have a small Honda 650 watt generator and have used it for over 20 years. Needless to say it will not run AC, microwave, coffee pot, etc. It does work good for overnight stops without power. Also on the plus side it will run about 8 hours on a liter of gas.

You may also like: