Generators

[dolfantony]

I’m new to trailer life.Can I use a 2500 watt duel fuel to open my slides and maybe,one ac and fridge? Thank you

[Vicr]

You'll need a 3500 watt generator to run a 13k air conditioner.

[JimD]

Slides are 12 volts. I use my little 2200 inverter generator to keep the batteries topped off at night (when needed) and watch satellite TV. Most often I will force the fridge to propane mode while using the generator so it pulls less power and idles down and is quieter.

If I fire up the microwave it sometimes puts the generator into overload mode. It all depends on what else it is powering at the time.

You "might" be able to run a single smaller AC with nothing else running if you get a soft start kit for it. That reduces the heavy draw at startup which is where the little generator will puke. Once it is running the little generator might be able to keep up. You would have to look at the AC specs.

[PaulB12]

Originally Posted by dolfantony

I’m new to trailer life.Can I use a 2500 watt duel fuel to open my slides and maybe,one ac and fridge? Thank you

Doable, get yourself an EasyStart Micro-Air. Microair.net.
PaulB12

[Route 66 Traveler]

...Or a SoftStart, both will run your AC with a 2000 Watt generator.

https://www.softstartusa.com/rvlife/?utm_CamperReport

[Jagiven]

Welcome aboard.

As mentioned the slide is on the 12V system. A charged battery will move the slide.

Running the generator will power the 12v system and charge the battery.

As for the ac, hard to say if it will power your ac system. When running on lpg, the generator generates less amps then on gasoline. You may need a soft start on the ac system.

I bought a Champion 3500 dual fuel. It has no issues. I would have rather gone with a 2500 watt and ether add a soft start or a second 2500 and a parallel kit.

[johnmck8]

I have 2200 inverting generator and I have been able to get my AC to start and run. But is that bad for the AC?!?

[Chiggins]

Originally Posted by johnmck8

I have 2200 inverting generator and I have been able to get my AC to start and run. But is that bad for the AC?!?

Low voltage can be bad for the ac or any electronic… can you do it? Yes especially with soft start kit ac. But it’s also hard on the inverter generator. Better to have little more than you need.

I will tell everyone the new champion 4500w inverter model 200990 with remote start is on huge sale at Walmart right now. Around 760 free shipping. I have one for my 5th wheel and loved it so far. Way better total run time than my old 3100w. Not really much heavier either.

[Chiggins]

Excuse me they have switched it to 829 for one with remote start I have. The non remote start is 779 on sale tho. Love the remote start tho. Normally they are 1000 and 1050 I think. But Walmart has best deal right now AND it’s from Walmart not one of their resellers. So you can return at Walmart… plus champion 3 year warranty. If you crazy like me I bought on my AMEX which adds 2 years more of warannty for free so 5 total. Amazing deal for a name brand 4500w inverter

[mamanerd]

Thanks for pointing us down the right road! We tried dry camping in Florida last weekend, and without AC it is not nearly as fun as everybody talks about. So after reading this thread and several others, we found a Champion Model 200990 4500-Watt Wireless Remote Start Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology, for $854 after coupon. Plus we'll get 2% back on our card, so final cost is $837. I'll report back, but I'm pretty sure it will run our 13500 BTU AC unit, alon with some other stuff.

[Chiggins]

Originally Posted by mamanerd

Thanks for pointing us down the right road! We tried dry camping in Florida last weekend, and without AC it is not nearly as fun as everybody talks about. So after reading this thread and several others, we found a Champion Model 200990 4500-Watt Wireless Remote Start Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology, for $854 after coupon. Plus we'll get 2% back on our card, so final cost is $837. I'll report back, but I'm pretty sure it will run our 13500 BTU AC unit, alon with some other stuff.

You will be good to go. Mine runs my 15k ac and everything else on my 5th wheel in Eco mode. Thing is amazing! Plus oil change is easy as they added a oil tube to make it cleaner than my older model. Plus I thought remote start was stupid… Having it has changed my mind lol

[mamanerd]

Originally Posted by Chiggins

You will be good to go. Mine runs my 15k ac and everything else on my 5th wheel in Eco mode. Thing is amazing! Plus oil change is easy as they added a oil tube to make it cleaner than my older model. Plus I thought remote start was stupid… Having it has changed my mind lol

The remote start is definitely a luxury, but after just 5 nights of camping, and having to manually turn on and off the gas, I know that we would have been kicking ourselves every time we had to walk to the generator to turn it on if we hadn't gotten it.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Remote start would be nice...mine doesn't have it. Just remember before you start or stop it to remove the load by turning off the 120volt breakers in your power center.

[Marcm157]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

Remote start would be nice...mine doesn't have it. Just remember before you start or stop it to remove the load by turning off the 120volt breakers in your power center.

I just added remote start to my Predator 3500. I'm not sure what genset you have but this website has kits for several makes and models. The site owner is very helpful and a portion of the sale goes to support veterans organizations.

Kit was stupid simple to install too...

https://generatorupgradesupply.com/

[Route 66 Traveler]

Thanks...I've got the same generator, will definitely check it out..