1000W generator as a backup for solar

[bono]

Hey Guys,

Just making some reservations for the next season and I thought about a budget backup for my solar setup. I can survive on my batteries around 4 days without charging. However, some of the sites are in shade and provided that we would stay longer than 4 days, I would like to have an emergency energy source.

I came across this generator. Very cheap and 1000W would be definitely sufficient for emergency usage.

Sportsman 1,000-Watt Gasoline Powered Digital Inverter Generator-802085 - The Home Depot

Does it make sense to get this generator?

thanks!

[Mustang65]

It is only an 800 watt generator (according to the gen stats) with a 1000 watt surge or 7 amps (110VAC) running. It would be plenty to recharge your batteries using the shore power hookup/TT battery charge controller and run other things. The 12VDC battery charger connection is only good for 4 amps. using your TT's battery charge controller you will be good for about 40 amps or around there.

Don

[RoyBraddy]

Depends which Converter/Charger you may have. I have the PD-9260C 60AMP charger which needs 120VAC 1000WATTS to run it. The 1000W Generator probably really will only produce 950WATTS or less.

I use my 2KW Honda to run my on-board PD9260C converter/charger unit for three hours each morning to get my 50% charge state batteries back up to their 90% charge state each day when camping off-road. I plug my off-road trailer into the 2KW generator using a 30A Shore Power Adapter...

For me its best to use my on-board converter/charger unit to get recharged in a quick order...

If I don't get my batteries back up to their 90% charge state then when I use them again they will not perform as well and eventually will do harm to my batteries.

Roy Ken

[bono]

My charger/inverter is Magnum 2800. I understand that this is small generator and my setup would work better with a bigger gen. However, I would be using or even taking the gen with me for camping maybe 2-3 times per year. Therefore, I would prefer not to spend $700-1,000 for 2,000W gen to sit in my garage. If this would make more sense from practical perspective, there is no issue, I will buy a proper 2,000W.

Thanks!

[Mustang65]

For $158, I do not think you can go wrong. Run it each morning and night for a while, to restore some of the lost Ah's. I believe that even with your SOLAR in the shade you will still be pumping out some power, which will put some power back into the batteries during the day. To me it would be an inexpensive test. If after a few years, you feel that you want more power, sell this one and upgrade to a larger one.


Don

[Pfflyer]

If you make it 4 days boondocking it sounds like you have a pretty good handle on your usage. Like Mustang said for $158 you can't go wrong. If you wanted to step up I have 2 of the Powerhorse generators from Northern Tool. FREE SHIPPING — Powerhorse Portable Inverter Generator — 2000 Surge Watts, 1600 Rated Watts, CARB Compliant | Inverter Generators| Northern Tool + Equipment
One will run a small portable AC unit or a coffe maker no problem. I am happy with the quality and are close or the same in noise ratings as the $158 unit and the Honda's.

[bono]

Thank you, Guys! Always can count on you!

[norty1]

Remember to take care of it as with any small gas powered engine. Run it regularly, even when not using it because a non functioning generator can put a crimp in your trip if it's not running properly.

That tent in the background may be a giveaway!

[Seann45]

Check Harbor Freight... similar one only $88.00. +you can get a 25% off coupon for new years day

[bdreinv]

Originally Posted by bono

Hey Guys,

Just making some reservations for the next season and I thought about a budget backup for my solar setup. I can survive on my batteries around 4 days without charging. However, some of the sites are in shade and provided that we would stay longer than 4 days, I would like to have an emergency energy source.

I came across this generator. Very cheap and 1000W would be definitely sufficient for emergency usage.

Sportsman 1,000-Watt Gasoline Powered Digital Inverter Generator-802085 - The Home Depot

Does it make sense to get this generator?

thanks!

Low priced generators usually are very noisy, We bought a Honda 1000 in 06 very quiet, super gas mileage.Sold it last year for the Honda 2000, nice that it will run Microwave.Happy Trails!

[JEFF1963]

Bono - I just ordered a Sportsman GEN2000DF (dual fuel) generator from Amazon for $199. It isn't an inverter, but I'm pretty ennamoured with propane rather than gas - others disagree, but I like the relatively less maintenance with propane and a much safer (in my opinion again) storage of fuel. To reiterate, it has no inverter, but if I'm only backing up my batteries (I boondock mostly), an inverter is hardly necessary. You might check it out on Amazon. I looked also at Home Deport; they had a similar genset, but it was only propane and didn't have many of the attributes the DF from Amazon boasted. Should your TT be larger than my little 154, you may desire something larger for "down the road" application, but for $199 as others have pointed out, it might be worth a look.

[jgerhard]

I use a Honda EU2000 to maintain batteries and run furnace and electric blankets at night when it's cold. It runs at just above idle and will go 12 hours on a gallon of fuel. It's an inverter generator so it idles down. A 1000 watt should be fine for this but make sure its an inverter. Like others have said, cheaper gens can be a bit noisy. I have a 400 watt solar setup, and between the two, I can boon-dock for a long time!