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Old 10-05-2015, 05:46 PM   #1
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Choosing a generator

I'm researching for a generator to take along when we go boondocking. There are some places where I go ride that aren't even camp grounds and therefore no hookups of course.

I'm currently considering the Champion 46596 4000-Watt Portable Generator.

I don't expect to run the AC off this, but would like to be able to run the furnace if it's an especially cold morning. I'm wondering if anyone has any thought on this one and if there is anything else I need to know or purchase to be able to utilize a generator with my trailer.

Thanks!
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Old 10-05-2015, 07:26 PM   #2
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Does the furnace even run off AC? I thought most trailers only had propane furnaces?

Afraid I don't have much insight as I'm a newbie myself, but by all accounts I don't think you should have too much trouble with 4000 watts to use. I expect you could run the AC and Microwave both with it simultaneously.

It will be pretty loud, though. I have two of the Honda EU2000i generators that run in tandem together to make a total of 4000 W peak. They are much quieter, albeit enormously more expensive.
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Old 10-05-2015, 07:40 PM   #3
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Does the furnace even run off AC? I thought most trailers only had propane furnaces?

Afraid I don't have much insight as I'm a newbie myself, but by all accounts I don't think you should have too much trouble with 4000 watts to use. I expect you could run the AC and Microwave both with it simultaneously.

It will be pretty loud, though. I have two of the Honda EU2000i generators that run in tandem together to make a total of 4000 W peak. They are much quieter, albeit enormously more expensive.
The heat of the furnace runs off propane, the fan that pushes the hot air through the furnace and into the trailer is electric.
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Old 10-05-2015, 07:44 PM   #4
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The fan on the furnace should be running off the battery and not AC. It is a bit of a drain on the batteries if it is being used for any length of time though so you would be looking to use the generator to keep the batteries charged adequately.
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Old 10-05-2015, 07:51 PM   #5
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The fan on the furnace should be running off the battery and not AC. It is a bit of a drain on the batteries if it is being used for any length of time though so you would be looking to use the generator to keep the batteries charged adequately.
I know that if I'm not hooked up it will run from the batteries although I have idea what the draw might be. Thinking realistically as you mentioned the generator is for keeping the batteries charged up and going.
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Old 10-05-2015, 08:00 PM   #6
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Regarless of brand get an inverter type generator.

1000w if just charging battery, cell phone, iDevice, etc.
2000w if you want most 120v accessories in your trailer to work
3000w-4000w if you want air conditioning.
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Old 10-05-2015, 08:08 PM   #7
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The 2800 watt/3000watt Champion Inverter/generator runs the A/C with ease. You can buy this unit at Cosco at a third of the Honda's. Parts are easy to get when needed. Main Champion main office is in CA
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Old 10-05-2015, 08:44 PM   #8
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Although you may not want the Honda generator, check out their site. They have a nice calculator to estimate generator size for RVs based on what you plan to run.

Now my personal commercial. But the Honda EU series. Quiet. Reliable. Fuel efficient.
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Old 10-05-2015, 08:45 PM   #9
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I read up on the inverter generators and they are nice but a little over twice the price from a standard gas generator. Well out of my range for now.
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Old 10-05-2015, 08:46 PM   #10
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Although you may not want the Honda generator, check out their site. They have a nice calculator to estimate generator size for RVs based on what you plan to run.

Now my personal commercial. But the Honda EU series. Quiet. Reliable. Fuel efficient.
I will check that out, thanks!
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Old 10-05-2015, 09:18 PM   #11
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I read up on the inverter generators and they are nice but a little over twice the price from a standard gas generator. Well out of my range for now.
I understand budget, new Honda or Yamaha are very expensive.

The Champion from Costco on the 2800/3100 is a great deal at $699 when on sale every couple of months, even everyday price of $799 is a great price for an inverter that will run your AC.

Otherwise watch Craigslist. I got my Honda EU2000i for $600 on CL.

The non-inverter generators are simply way to loud and don't provide clean PSW electricity which is not helpful to most electronics.
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Old 10-06-2015, 11:23 AM   #12
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After sleeping on it and some additional internet research I decided to save up and get the inverter/generator at a later time. I gotta follow my own advice, "Buy cheap, buy twice."
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Old 10-06-2015, 01:33 PM   #13
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We got the Champion 3100 after reading many posts on JOF, It was around $750 delivered from Overstock. We used it out there for the first time last week and it's everything it was advertised to be, quiet and fuel efficient. I only had to run an hour a day or less to re-charge the battery and was able to run it on economy mode. The only time we switched to full power was when we blasted the air for about two hours before we left to get some of the dampness out. I like the placement of the exhaust because I was able to slide it under the TT when it was raining and the exhaust blows strait out from under it. My only negative is the weight, I wont be able to load and unload it from the back of the tv by myself in about 10 years. LOL
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Old 10-06-2015, 02:18 PM   #14
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genny choice

Just my opinion but I was camped in a forest service campground and a guy had the Champion 4000 sold by Cabela's. When he ran it you could hear it over half this large campground. Maybe you could start with a Yamaha or Honda 2000 watt unit and then if you need more watts, add a companion one, they both have companion models. I realize they cost more, but your fellow campers will appreciate it.
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Old 10-06-2015, 04:03 PM   #15
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The Champion from cabelas is a generator. The 700$ champion mentioned above is a inverter. The generator type is much louder than a inverter.
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Old 10-06-2015, 04:26 PM   #16
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C/W has a champion 3100 watt inverter on sale for 900.00, and its noise level is 58 dba at 23 feet. The 4000/3500 watt champion is 300.00, and it has a dba rating of 68 at 23 feet. Not sure what the dba of two Hondas running at same time would be.
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Old 10-07-2015, 08:21 PM   #17
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I went yamaha

After back and frothing between red and blue, I went w the Yamaha 2400 ishc. It's heavier, more expensive than the Honda 2000, but it will run my 13000 AC and that was important to me. Super happy w it. I think it might be louder than the Honda as I walked away from my site where my neighbor was running the Honda 2000. I heard mine from further away, but only slightly.
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Old 10-07-2015, 08:40 PM   #18
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Although you may not want the Honda generator, check out their site. They have a nice calculator to estimate generator size for RVs based on what you plan to run.
Reminder, as we enter the off-season, check the vendor sites for upcoming deals. We purchased Hondas on sale, free covers, free dealer set-up (and ongoing servicing deals), and good financing at 0-down, 0% for 24 months ~ made a great Christmas present for DH.
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Old 10-08-2015, 06:20 AM   #19
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I know nothing of the brand, but I walked into Northern Tool yesterday and they have "Powerhorse" 2KW inverter generators for $599. The did have parallel plugs on the front as well.
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Old 10-08-2015, 07:16 AM   #20
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If you can afford it, I'd go Honda EU3000is. A honda eu2000 will serve you well if you don't need a/c.
I had two yamaha 2000s linked together but they were so much louder when something turned on that the generators had to kick on...I was scared they were going to blow up, overload kept coming on. I sold them and got the honda eu3000is. No problems since.
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