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Old 02-08-2014, 12:09 AM   #1
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Generator recommendation

Can anyone recommend any good, so so quiet, not so heavy generator that can run our Coleman 13500 a/c? I know Honda would be best but dont want to spend 2k.
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Old 02-08-2014, 12:23 AM   #2
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Yamaha 2400ISHC
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Old 02-08-2014, 05:57 AM   #3
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I agree w/ clubhouse. However, the EU3000is WILL be the MOST quiet generator you're going to find. If running your A/C is going to be a primary use for this generator I would still consider it. The Honda is appreciably quieter at max load, however keep in mind that the Yamaha will be running at CLOSE to max to keep that A/C spooled up and running (thus running at closer to max dB). The Honda will be running at MAYBE 2/3, thus coming that much farther under its already impressive max dB level.

I had a Yammy 2400ISHC paid for and on the loading dock to be delivered to me by Wise Sales before I changed my mind and went with the Honda. Primarily for noise reasons, though the punch in the wallet was not kind.

Also, people will tend to tell you to go the 2x Honda 2000 or 2x Yamaha 2000 route for those time that you don't need the A/C. The logic being that when you don't need the A/C one of those little guys will be all that you need. All true. However when you DO need both of those little guys running for the A/C the noise can still be a issue if you're looking for quiet. dB effect stacks: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ad...ibel-d_63.html. 2 of those little guys running at ~54 dB combines for a effect of 60 dB !!! Higher than the solo EU3000is.

In short if you want a genny that can run your A/C and you are price sensitive and don't mind the background noise you can't really go wrong w/ the Yamaha. If however you are noise averse, the closest you're going to get to 'quiet' is the Honda.
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Old 02-08-2014, 07:14 AM   #4
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We have a 3100 watt Champion Inverter generator and have been happy with it. It was less than a K , we don't use it a lot but it has performed every time.
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Old 02-08-2014, 09:12 AM   #5
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Altitude will also factor in to the gens ability to produce enough amps to start the compressor up.. My 3000's breaker would trip sometimes. I added an additional " hard start capacitor" to the A / C unit to reduce the initial load demand at start up ( very easy, pretty inexpensive.... Search internet for parts )

So depending on where you are, or plan to go, the genset may or may not produce enough.

You can also find high altitude jets for the carburetor that will help the engine run at higher rpm to offset bog down on the engine. Pain to keep switching them back and forth if you travel a lot.
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Old 02-08-2014, 04:55 PM   #6
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[QUOTE=Jmooney;173857 My 3000's breaker would trip sometimes. I added an additional " hard start capacitor" to the A / C unit to reduce the initial load demand at start up ( very easy, pretty inexpensive.... Search internet for parts )QUOTE]

Jmooney, we also use the Yamaha 3000, I'm interested in your fix. Can you expand on the installation of a "hard start capacitor"? What exactly is that and where do you install it? Did you happen to take pics? Thank you
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Old 02-08-2014, 07:49 PM   #7
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Dometic smartstart

"The SmartStart is a unique device that smoothes out startup power demand instead of spiking it, reducing amp requirements by up to 65%. The technology uses dynamic feedback control to reduce the inrush of current by starting the compressor motor slowly. No other soft starter in the industry provides better performance"


That said , There are less sexy devices out there called " hard start capacitors" , that simply connect in parallel with the wiring feeding the compressor up on the roof under the A/c unit cover. The capacitor charges up ahead of time and provides the extra power needed at the moment of spike. Search internet and you will find lots of examples.

Your 3000 watt generator, produces approx 25 amps at PEAK demand. ( ohms law: 3000/120=25) The motor on your generator will be running at full speed at that point to produce that much power, and in many cases can't get up to speed fast enough to provide that much power that suddenly ( the spike )

If you are already pulling 10 amps for your inverter and other goodies, the suddenly 15-20 amp demand of the compressor simply exceeds the generator heads capacity

Check out the paperwork for your A/C unit to see how much power it needs to start and how much to simply run once started

Hope that helps

PS. The dometic smartstart will cost you $300. You can find hard start capacitors for $50
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Old 02-08-2014, 08:28 PM   #8
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Thank you Jmooney! I'll research those options.
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Old 02-08-2014, 09:33 PM   #9
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Any problems with running 4 110 amp hour batteries? Does your charger handle all of that, or do you charge separately?
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Old 02-08-2014, 09:33 PM   #10
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$50 bucks for a hard start capacitor? You can by 4 of them for that price !!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171115019001...84.m1436.l2649

This is the one for 13.5 A/C units. Not sure what capacitor (or if any change is needed at all) for the larger 15k units.
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Old 02-09-2014, 07:20 AM   #11
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Everyone wants to run their air conditioners from a generators to cool things down when camping off the power grid.

I always like to bring up to new members that use of generators at most public camp grounds especially on the East side of the USA have restricted generator run times in place. Some places don't allow them at all. These times when allowed are usually 8AM-10AM and then again from 4:30PM to 7:30PM. Some Natl Forest public camp ground areas may also allow an extended generator run time from 8AM to 8PM but this is not always the case. Running a generator after 8PM is unheard of at most places. This doesn't give you alot of time to use the generator to cool things down when camping off the power grid. Of course at private places and mostly dispersed places you can do what ever you like I suppose.

With this in mind most folks like myself like to beef up the trailers to include to include smart mode charging technology, change out the incandescent lights for LED lights, add more batteries, develop camping with more power savings techniques in mind. Then use the generators for three hours aday to re-charge the batteries when allowed to run them using the smart mode charging techniques.

We can stay out off the power grid for a couple of weeks doing this and usually have just about everything up and running on the 120VAC side using an INVERTER and the 12VDC items direct connected to the batteries. It does take some planning to be successful about it.

This of course does not include the use of air conditioning or high wattage microwaves. We get to run all of our inside and outside lights, HDTV, home entertainment items, charging of cellphones and computers, maybe an electric lap blanket, etc... Adding SOLAR PANELs really helps out keeping the battery banks recharged during the high sun parts of the day especially aorund the camp grounds that have generator run time restrictions in place.

When cold nights come into play the use of the on-board furnace high current blower motor becomes an issue as this is big 12VDC power consumption item.

The use of generators anytime you want to is more of a problem on the East side of the USA then it is on the West side. The West side has more dispersed camping areas being wide open country then the east side of USA has it seems.

Just bringing up for things to think about before dumping bunches of money into generators. My only need for the generator is to run my on-board converter/charger unit for three hours a day to keep my larger battery bank re-charged.

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Old 02-09-2014, 09:15 AM   #12
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Yamaha 2400ISHC
I have had the Yamaha 2400 is for quite a few years now. Super quite and will run a 13,500 with no problem . I did try it on a 15,000 started the blower first then the air it ran most of the day to cool the trailer down but as soon as you used anything it would kick out. On the 2400 that I have once it kicks out you have to turn off and restart to reset the breaker. It also doesn't like high starting amp items like skill saws. I really like the 3,000 size but is too heavy for me to pick up in my old age.
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Old 02-09-2014, 12:38 PM   #13
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snip...... My only need for the generator is to run my on-board converter/charger unit for three hours a day to keep my larger battery bank re-charged. Roy Ken
Two to three hours is ample genny run-time to re-charge and cool my TT down before the posted evening genny/quiet time kicks in. Just about every place I've camped at (East USA) that doesn't provide shore power has genny run times that seem to accommodate most folks dry camping needs.

I use the Yamaha 2400.

Bob
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Old 02-09-2014, 01:10 PM   #14
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Yes, generator run-time restrictions can be a bear. Here in Jersey the State parks allow them to run except during quiet hours; 10PM - 6AM. Which isn't too bad.
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Old 02-09-2014, 06:19 PM   #15
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Any problems with running 4 110 amp hour batteries? Does your charger handle all of that, or do you charge separately?
"

I use a 30 amp farm/ranch charger and it does OK. Installing a Magnum Energy inverter/charger, model MSH3012-M, this Spring to enable a 4 stage charging system. Each 6 volt battery is 220 ah, but when you have series/parallel the total = 440 ah.

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]
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Old 02-09-2014, 06:35 PM   #16
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I'm guessing that most of us who do have gensets, do so that we can recharge, after all, the whole idea of the campsite is to get away from all the noise and enjoy some peace and quite.

My Kipor 3000, produces 52db ( normal conversation is 60 db ) , making it almost silent at 50 feet.

I'm considering an inverter. I'll start a different string for suggestions
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Old 02-09-2014, 06:45 PM   #17
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Yamaha 2400ISHC
I have a Yammy 2400is that will run your AC. Only disadvantage is having to rejet it when I got to altitudes above 6000'. Very quiet running and gas thrifty.
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Old 02-09-2014, 07:22 PM   #18
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I'm guessing that most of us who do have gensets, do so that we can recharge, after all, the whole idea of the campsite is to get away from all the noise and enjoy some peace and quite.

My Kipor 3000, produces 52db ( normal conversation is 60 db ) , making it almost silent at 50 feet.

I'm considering an inverter. I'll start a different string for suggestions

What model generator is yours? The IG3000 I researched claims 63 - 73db noise level.

http://www.kipor.com/product/xiangxi...5872256&id=208
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Old 02-09-2014, 10:31 PM   #19
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I'm guessing that most of us who do have gensets, do so that we can recharge, after all, the whole idea of the campsite is to get away from all the noise and enjoy some peace and quite.

My Kipor 3000, produces 62db ( normal conversation is 60 db ) , making it almost silent at 50 feet.

I'm considering an inverter. I'll start a different string for suggestions



My bad - corrected typo above. Sixty 2 db is want I meant to type, compared to 60 db normal conversation
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Old 02-10-2014, 06:52 AM   #20
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The Honda EU3000is runs at 58db under max load. 49 at 1/4 load.
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