Generator question

[AZ Campers]

We would like to dry camp with our '12 jay feather ultralite 197 which has a 6 cu ft refr, 13.5 btu a/c. What size generator would you recommend? Which one(s) do you use? Don't want to break the bank - most reasonable good ones?

Thanks!
Matt & Josie
'12 jay feather ultralite 197
'11 toy Tacoma 4wd

[jal0710]

You are going to need at least, as far as I have been told, 2,700 watts of power to start the a/c so you might want to consider the Honda 3000 or buying a couple of their smaller 2000s and parallel them. The 2000s are a little less than 50 pounds apiece while the 3000 weighs more than 100 pounds, so the 2000s are a bit easier to move around. We have had one of the 2000s for a few years and found that it works great for us, we don't need a/c, and is very quiet. Yahama also makes good smaller generators and they can be paralleled as well. You are looking at around $2,000 to buy the Hondas if you can find them for a good price. I saw the 2000 advertised for $899 with free shipping in Trailer Life the other day so with two of them and the parallel kit, you are just a bit over $2,000. Since I already have one of them, the next buy will be another 2000 with a parallel kit.

[jstme1]

Champion yellow 4,000 generator: 299.00 at camping world.....

[LongIslandCamper]

We have the Honda 2000 and it's great. Starts right up and it lightweight at only about 45 lbs. It's small too. Maybe the size of a 5 gallon gas can. It runs on x17z just fine, but of course it won't do the air conditioning. If you want the air conditioning then you need the companion Honda which is more or less the same thing but you would hook both units together in order to get the power needed to run the air. Too get both Honda's you will be spending about $2,000. If you don't need the air then you only need the single unit which is about 45 lbs. Each unit puts out 2000W so if you have the two units you have 4,000W

If you're looking for a single unit then the Honda 3000 is a great bet. You only need the one unit to power your camper and the air. It is heavier at around 80 lbs and it of course is larger then the 2000. It puts out 3,000W which will power everything but getting 2 of the 2000 units gives you more power at 4,000W.

My personal opinion, if you don't plan on using the air that much then go with 2 of the smaller 2000 units. If you plan on using the air then you can bring both units, but if not you can leave one at home. Also, say you have 2 of the 2000 units while camping and one craps out. You still have another unit that can power everything except the air. If you have a single 3000 unit and it craps out then you're stuck with nothing.

We only have a single 2000 unit right now and are contemplating getting the companion unit for the air. A single 2000 is very quiet. If you run the microwave then the unit cranks up a bit because the micro is drawing more power. I don't have the experience, but I wonder how the sound difference is when you have 2 of the 2000 units running compared to a single 3000 when using the air.

Ho

[clubhouse]

We went the Honda eu2000 route.

Originally planned to get 2 units and the parallel kit for an online special I found for $1800. After further research we went with a single eu2000 found on craigslist. AC was the reason for 2 units, but most of our dry camping is in state and national parks where Generator time is often limited to a couple of morning hours and then a couple afternoon/evening hours. Certainly not enough time to justify the extra $ for AC.

With one unit we easily can charge batteries in a couple hours and run things like microwave or hair dryers when needed.

[Panhead]

We went with the 2 Honda 2000 and parallel kit. I saw some Honda clones in Costco the other day and unlike some of the other knockoffs it was an inverter model like the Hondas are. Don't recall the price but you can probably find them on their web site.

Steve

[Quahog]

They are made by Champion and are $499 a pop. About half of what the Hondas go for but here's the thing... look on YouTube for videos where people have contrasted them against the Hondas. They don't seem to do as well on the start-up.

[Da Bud Man]

I also have two Honda 2000i's that I run in parallel when I need to run our 15k AC. You can't beat the Honda's for fuel efficiency, dependability and quietness. I went the route of two genny's so I didnt have to lug one big one around. If i dont need AC, i just take one as it runs everything except AC just fine.

I also have an extended run fuel tank also.

[tlhdoc]

Originally Posted by Da Bud Man

I also have two Honda 2000i's that I run in parallel when I need to run our 15k AC. You can't beat the Honda's for fuel efficiency, dependability and quietness. I went the route of two genny's so I didnt have to lug one big one around. If i dont need AC, i just take one as it runs everything except AC just fine.

I also have an extended run fuel tank also.

I do the same thing. I made my own extended run tank, 6 gal, that I can use with one or both generators.

[LongIslandCamper]

Originally Posted by Da Bud Man

I also have two Honda 2000i's that I run in parallel when I need to run our 15k AC. You can't beat the Honda's for fuel efficiency, dependability and quietness. I went the route of two genny's so I didnt have to lug one big one around. If i dont need AC, i just take one as it runs everything except AC just fine.

I also have an extended run fuel tank also.

More info on that please.

[cablerum]

Originally Posted by AZ Campers

We would like to dry camp with our '12 jay feather ultralite 197 which has a 6 cu ft refr, 13.5 btu a/c. What size generator would you recommend? Which one(s) do you use? Don't want to break the bank - most reasonable good ones?

I would recommend to check out the Yamaha 2400. Weighs about 70lbs and should be able to start a 13.5k btu AC. Either Yamaha or Honda is the way to go, however Honda is either 2000, 2 x 2000 or a 3000, where as Yamaha offers an in between unit at 2400 watts. They also offer a 2800 watt that weighs 63lbs but not a suitcase model so it is louder. Both the Yamaha 2400 & 2800 are inverter models.

[Chakara]

Honda Parallel Kit

-Chak

[Parcany]

I have a champion 4000. Don't like it, to loud, to heavy. Next ones are going to be the Hondas, and parallel kit.

[Da Bud Man]

Originally Posted by cm11599ps

More info on that please.

Not sure which one you mean, but I think you are referring to the extended run tank. I got mine off of ebay from Wise Sales. You can fabricate your own, but I decided to go this route. They are a little pricey, but worth every penny if you ask me.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-BE...34332853857445

[dmax_83]

I bought a Honda EU3000is a couple of years ago for an annual dry camping trip. I wanted to have the ability to run 110v appliances and chargers and possibly run the a/c without too much noise. In those two years my observations are:

1) The unit is heavy, so unless I have help to lift it I run it in the back of my truck.
2) It is super quiet even when the a/c is running. In fact, it if I place it on the opposite side of the camper facing away from any neighbors I can barely hear it over the noise of the rooftop a/c.
3) It absolutely sips fuel and with the larger tank I don't need an extended run tank (difficult mod on the 3k unit anyways).

[cablerum]

Another generator to consider if you can manage without using the AC is the Briggs & Stratton P2000. It is cheaper then the Yamaha & Honda 2000's & comes with a 2 year warranty from a reputable company. It seems to have good reviews & it is $699 on the Briggs site, but $629 on Amazon with free shipping.

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/generators/portable-generators/detail/?name=P2000-PowerSmart-Series%E2%84%A2-Inverter&id={25504E3F-9402-4812-8EA4-28A397F2F643}

http://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratto.../dp/B0037C18U4