What Size Generator

[pawags45]

I have a Pinnicle 36SSWS. I do not Boone Dock right now and don't know if I ever will. However I want a generator as a back up if we are ever in a camp ground that looses power. I am thinking if I only run one air conditioner at a time then a 3500 watt inverter PREDATOR from Harbor Fright would work or should I get 2 and link them togeather? I looked at the Honda but they are way to expensive for what I need it for.

[JeffInAZ]

I have a P3000 Inverted from Briggs and Stratton. Quietest rated on the market at the time I bought it. 1 tank of gas, 4.5 gallons, will run just shy of 9 hours running the main A/C but will not do the bedroom A/C or TV's. It does run the microwave and fridge and lighting and keeps the battery charged. Winter it will run the furnace but not the fireplace (all electric with light show). Always starts 2nd pull and I have over 1400 hours on it.

Our trailer is a 2019 321RSTS. Use the gas water heater only when needed, turn off the water pump when not running water. Basic emergency type rationing and we can stay out for a week in September in Arizona heat on 10 gallons of gas. Not running generator constant but we did use during the hottest part of the days.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by pawags45

I am thinking if I only run one air conditioner at a time then a 3500 watt inverter PREDATOR from Harbor Fright would work or should I get 2 and link them togeather? .

That's what I have and it powers my trailer just fine, with a little energy management. I only have one 15k AC and after I installed a SoftStart I barely notice when it kicks on. My AC pulls 11-14amps when running, so I usually keep the water heater on gas, although I have run both together but that puts the generator at its max output.

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

[bill3kirk]

I have a Yamaha EF3000ISEB that works fine as well. We spend majority of our time in parks but use it for power outages and the occasional rest area or truck stop.

[Gunner01]

Interested in the power draw it would take to completely run my 2015 36REQS. It has a regular fridge (as opposed to an rv propane/electric setup), two ACs, microwave, fridge, TV's etc. What would it take to run all that on a gen set, and do they make an inverter generator that big? I too would like a backup if the power went down, as I wouldn't want to plug my prime mover into the trailer and idle it just to run the fridge (and my wife gets realllll fussy REAL fast if she has no power for her creature comforts. Our creatures don't like it much either as they are spoiled ROTTEN). I have a 5600 watt Briggs And Straton gen set, but running a lawn mower constantly irritates the neighbors. Would like something quiet, but something with a lot of guts to run all the systems in the trailer.


Gunner

[MrSaxy]

Honda makes an inverter that big, not cheap.

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tool...3082_200833082

[billcf7]

Here is a Honda alternative and about 50 lbs lighter

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/ge...els/ef6300isde

[Gunner01]

Originally Posted by MrSaxy

Honda makes an inverter that big, not cheap.

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tool...3082_200833082

Thank you. Thats about what I was expecting actually, price wise......just been a while since I've been shopping and didn't know what to look for


Gunner

[Gunner01]

Originally Posted by billcf7

Here is a Honda alternative and about 50 lbs lighter

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/ge...els/ef6300isde

Thank you. Thats a nice alternative. I'll do some comparisons. As I said above I didn't know if anybody made inverter generators that big.


Thank You
Gunner

[Scubayachts]

How about this? Seems like a great alternative.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/cham...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[MrSaxy]

A couple of years ago, I had read that the Yamaha inverter generators were actually more reliable than Honda.

[Scottenj]

I have a Honda EU2000 and an EU2200, I converted them to propane and when I run them in parallel I get 3400 watts and can run both my 15k btu air conditioners with power left over. I do have Microairs on both ACs. I like the propane because it is less generator maintenance, I can run them off the propane on my unit or a separate tank and the campgrounds I go to fill propane right in the campground. With the smaller generators I can easily get them in and out of the bed of my truck and they fit easily even when towing my fifth wheel.

[Gunner01]

Originally Posted by Scubayachts

How about this? Seems like a great alternative.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/cham...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

DEFINATELY give that one a look, too. Thank You. Didn't even occur to me to even look at Bass Pro Shop


Gunner

[Gunner01]

Originally Posted by Scottenj

I have a Honda EU2000 and an EU2200, I converted them to propane and when I run them in parallel I get 3400 watts and can run both my 15k btu air conditioners with power left over. I do have Microairs on both ACs. I like the propane because it is less generator maintenance, I can run them off the propane on my unit or a separate tank and the campgrounds I go to fill propane right in the campground. With the smaller generators I can easily get them in and out of the bed of my truck and they fit easily even when towing my fifth wheel.

Interesting alternative there. Will look into it. Thanks!


Gunner

[BVincent]

The Predator 3500 from Harbor Freight has rave reviews. Lots of great info and tests with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6NQU0OR4qE

[Bayoutalker]

Originally Posted by bill3kirk

I have a Yamaha EF3000ISEB that works fine as well. We spend majority of our time in parks but use it for power outages and the occasional rest area or truck stop.

That's what I have and have for years. It will run a 15k a/c and both TVs, etc easily except for the microwave. I can get by with the MW if the air is already running but if it kicks in with the MW running it will trip the breaker. In the winter it will run my electric fireplace in place of the A/C.

The one thing I really like about it is the lack of noise. It is so quiet I can run it under the slide while I'm sitting above it in my chair and watch TV.

[kirkelli]

I have an 321RSTS with two AC's.. I use the Frameless Champion 4000W Inverter w/Auto Start and can run both AC's (without soft starts).. When running both AC's i do need to turn off the Elec water heater. I can run about 8 hours w/both ac's running on one tank on the inverter. I believe thats 2 gallons. The inverter is very quite and i have cheated once or twice running after hours in very hot weather with no complaints.. Also extremely light, I have no problems man handling it over the hitch into the front of my truck bed.

[pawags45]

Thanks everyone I think I will go with 2 of the 3500 Preditors linked togeather. Much cheaper then the Honda is 7000 or the Yamaha

[BVincent]

Originally Posted by pawags45

Thanks everyone I think I will go with 2 of the 3500 Preditors linked togeather. Much cheaper then the Honda is 7000 or the Yamaha

You won't regret it! Buy the extended warranty for hassle free returns if anything should go wacky over the next 3 years. But every test I have seen and every comparison between this one and the Hondas, Wens, Yamahas, or anyone else, the Predator always wins. I only need one so no need to link them up. I have one AC and it runs it and everything else in the camper with ease. And is BY FAR the quietest generator in the campground every time.

[pawags45]

Originally Posted by BVincent

You won't regret it! Buy the extended warranty for hassle free returns if anything should go wacky over the next 3 years. But every test I have seen and every comparison between this one and the Hondas, Wens, Yamahas, or anyone else, the Predator always wins. I only need one so no need to link them up. I have one AC and it runs it and everything else in the camper with ease. And is BY FAR the quietest generator in the campground every time.

Thanks that's good to hear.