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Old 04-05-2017, 06:52 PM   #1
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What is the smallest generator I can use to power just the fridge and tv in my 265 rlsw.i don't want a big unit.thanks
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Old 04-05-2017, 07:53 PM   #2
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What is the smallest generator I can use to power just the fridge and tv in my 265 rlsw.i don't want a big unit.thanks
I am not familier with your camper model BUT generally, appliances need an additional 25% of their rated wattage use as start up wattage or current use. If you look up the wattage rating of your fridge and TV then add them together then multiply by 1.25, you would have the minimum wattage generator needed. Now saying that, it's usually motorized appliances like fridges and dryers that need that 25% increase to 'kickstart' the motor in such appliances to start them. Obviously, a TV does not have an electric motor so it may need less than a 25% increase from its rated wattage rating.

Example (and I'm just using simple numbers here for ease of example): Fridge 500 watts, TV 100 watts. Total is 500 +100 = 600 watts. Then multiply 600 x 1.25 = 750 watts. So, 750 watts would be your minimum wattage generator you would want in order to run your fridge and TV and NOTHING ELSE! I'd go a bit higher for a safety range and always plug the fridge in first. I hope that helps.

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Old 04-05-2017, 07:55 PM   #3
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A quiet Honda or Yamaha 2000 would work, but pricey. (not bad used on Craiglist)

A Coleman 1850 will also do it but the power isn't as clean as the Honda & Yamaha and it will annoy people nearby with the noise and you will not want to power a computer with it.

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Old 04-05-2017, 08:16 PM   #4
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Check out the Champion 2000W Inverter Generator on Amazon. More than enough, clean, stable AC power for under $500 shipped. Less than half the price of the Honda and just as quiet.
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Old 04-05-2017, 08:21 PM   #5
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I'm not farmilar with your tt, but most have a 2 way frig, 120volt, and a propane/12volt option.

The refrigerator can run off of propane with 12 volt power from the battery for the controls. This uses very little power. I have gone 3 to 5 days camping on a single battery charge. Modern tv's don't use a lot of power either.

A 1000 watt generator should work just fine. It is small and the Honda is extremely quiet, and light weight.

Unfortunately the Honda 1000, is only $200 cheaper than the 2000.
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Old 04-05-2017, 08:34 PM   #6
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generator

My guess is a 1K suitcase generator would easily handle this but would need to look at power draw on the TV and fridge to be sure.


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Old 04-05-2017, 09:12 PM   #7
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What is the smallest generator I can use to power just the fridge and tv in my 265 rlsw.i don't want a big unit.thanks
I'm sure a 1000w generator would be enough, but your best bet would be to go to a Honda or Yamaha dealer and check in with those guys. Your problem then becomes that you won't be able to run a toaster, coffee pot, A/C..... You don't want generator envy. Better to go bigger than you think you need, every time.
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Old 04-05-2017, 09:18 PM   #8
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Just get a Honda EU2000 or equivalent you'll be thankful you did.
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Old 04-06-2017, 07:48 AM   #9
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Thanks my friend has a 1400 watt generator for sale i guess i can take it
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Old 04-06-2017, 09:10 AM   #10
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Check out the Champion 2000W Inverter Generator on Amazon. More than enough, clean, stable AC power for under $500 shipped. Less than half the price of the Honda and just as quiet.
Fallsguy, i disagree. I just purchased the 2 champions 2000 with parallel kit and used it first time last weekend. I was disapointed in the noise level. I have a honda 2000 so I do know what they sound like.

However, everyone around me commented on how quiet they were so I guess they are acceptable but they are NOT as quiet as the honda.
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Old 04-06-2017, 09:20 AM   #11
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Fallsguy, i disagree. I just purchased the 2 champions 2000 with parallel kit and used it first time last weekend. I was disapointed in the noise level. I have a honda 2000 so I do know what they sound like.

However, everyone around me commented on how quiet they were so I guess they are acceptable but they are NOT as quiet as the honda.
I agree that the Hondas are quieter but for the price the champion 2k cube inverter is hard to beat.

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Old 04-06-2017, 09:22 AM   #12
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Fallsguy, i disagree. I just purchased the 2 champions 2000 with parallel kit and used it first time last weekend. I was disapointed in the noise level. I have a honda 2000 so I do know what they sound like.

However, everyone around me commented on how quiet they were so I guess they are acceptable but they are NOT as quiet as the honda.
Are you comparing the sound levels of 2 champions running at the same time to 1 honda? Not sure if that's a fair comparison. To your point though, under full load, most of the champion inverter setups are a couple Db louder.
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Old 04-06-2017, 09:30 AM   #13
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Are you comparing the sound levels of 2 champions running at the same time to 1 honda? Not sure if that's a fair comparison. To your point though, under full load, most of the champion inverter setups are a couple Db louder.
I would agree a pair of champions and a pair of Hondas are a couple db difference. How much is 5-10db worth? I guess if you were camping on top of your neighbor it might be more of an issue but the point of boondocking is that you are further from neighbors.

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Old 04-06-2017, 09:53 AM   #14
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Thanks my friend has a 1400 watt generator for sale i guess i can take it
Just make sure that it's an inverter generator, not a basic contractor type. The performance and noise level is very different. As far as your camping neighbors are concerned, cheap is not necessarily better. I don't say that you need a gold plated Honda, but definitely pick an inverter type. There are several brands with a much better price point than Honda and Yamaha.
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Old 04-06-2017, 10:05 AM   #15
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I think all they are discussing are the inverter generators.

My non-inverter type is rated at 68 dBA
My new inverter generator (Champion) is 58 dBA.

A comparable Honda is 57 dBA

All of these ratings are at 1/4 load.

When my new inverter generator shows up tomorrow, I'm going to video a comparison between the 2 champions, using a decibel meter. All I know is I can hear my non-inverter generator a block away here in suburbia. I don't really care though because I only use it here at home when there's a power failure. It's too heavy and loud to ever take it camping, unless I'm totally in the boonies.
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Old 04-06-2017, 10:11 AM   #16
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generator

The Honda is not only slightly quieter, but I'll put money on the fact that it'll be running long after the Champion quits as the years pass.


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Old 04-06-2017, 10:50 AM   #17
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I think all they are discussing are the inverter generators.

My non-inverter type is rated at 68 dBA
My new inverter generator (Champion) is 58 dBA.

A comparable Honda is 57 dBA

All of these ratings are at 1/4 load.

When my new inverter generator shows up tomorrow, I'm going to video a comparison between the 2 champions, using a decibel meter. All I know is I can hear my non-inverter generator a block away here in suburbia. I don't really care though because I only use it here at home when there's a power failure. It's too heavy and loud to ever take it camping, unless I'm totally in the boonies.
I was warning him about the unnamed 1400 watt unit that he said his friend has for sale. No telling what that might be, but unless his friend used it where noise was an issue, there is no assurance that it is an inverter.
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Old 04-06-2017, 10:58 AM   #18
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The Honda is not only slightly quieter, but I'll put money on the fact that it'll be running long after the Champion quits as the years pass.


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Most likely true. If you can justify the cost, the Honda is better. When comparing any 2 brands, it helps (me anyway) to look at cost per watt, in addition to all the available reviews out in the community to nail down a purchase decision.

In my case
Cost per watt for my new Champion is 25 cents (2800 watt generator, peaks at 3000) at 699.00)

A honda that puts out a comparable amount of power 2800 / 3000 watts in this case) is the EU3000i (2800 watts, peaks at 3000) This is a 2000 dollar generator.

Cost per watt is 71 cents. It also weighs 40 pounds more.

Getting close to triple the cost per watt so it better last a whole lot longer like for the rest of my life, and likely it would. If I had the cash, I probably would have jumped on a honda or yamaha, but I have plans for that 1300 bucks I saved.
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Old 04-06-2017, 11:05 AM   #19
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thanks all I know what to get now.leaving for obx next week
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Old 04-06-2017, 12:08 PM   #20
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Most likely true. If you can justify the cost, the Honda is better. When comparing any 2 brands, it helps (me anyway) to look at cost per watt, in addition to all the available reviews out in the community to nail down a purchase decision.

In my case
Cost per watt for my new Champion is 25 cents (2800 watt generator, peaks at 3000) at 699.00)

A honda that puts out a comparable amount of power 2800 / 3000 watts in this case) is the EU3000i (2800 watts, peaks at 3000) This is a 2000 dollar generator.

Cost per watt is 71 cents. It also weighs 40 pounds more.

Getting close to triple the cost per watt so it better last a whole lot longer like for the rest of my life, and likely it would. If I had the cash, I probably would have jumped on a honda or yamaha, but I have plans for that 1300 bucks I saved.


That's why I use two EU2000's. Get 4000 peak for $2K, light weight, and I drop to one when AC isn't needed.


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