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Old 06-22-2011, 06:45 AM   #1
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Generator size--best one

I will be eventually, getting a gen... anyone know,what the absolute most amps/wattage a jayco 29 G2 would draw, in total usage requirements,...= all 110 appliances on?
What are others using as a generator,and ones to stay away from....
i was just at crestview in austin and the few gen they had on display were outragous prices...
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Old 06-22-2011, 08:11 AM   #2
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We run a 5500w with 8500 surge, does pretty good unless the hot water heater is set on electric and the microwave is going and the A/C then it trips the breaker sometimes ( very rare occasion ) Just make sure the hot water is on gas and helps alot! JMO
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Old 06-22-2011, 08:38 AM   #3
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The maximum possible current draw will depend on the size of your service. Best I can tell, that is 30A. A 4000 watt gasoline run generator (3600 watt if running on propane) will provide all a 30A service can use. A larger generator might use less fuel since it won't have to run flat out at all times and might last longer since it won't be working as hard but but that is iffy and it will be a lot heavier to lug around.

On the odd chance your service is 50A, it would take 12,000 watts to provide all the juice a 50A service could use. Needless to say, a generator that big would be a monster. Good luck lugging that boat anchor around.
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Old 06-22-2011, 09:31 AM   #4
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good info,..just a 30A trlr
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Old 06-22-2011, 11:29 AM   #5
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I will be eventually, getting a gen... anyone know,what the absolute most amps/wattage a jayco 29 G2 would draw, in total usage requirements,...= all 110 appliances on?
What are others using as a generator,and ones to stay away from....
i was just at crestview in austin and the few gen they had on display were outragous prices...
If you run everything electrical at once, you would probably trip the 30 amp breaker, even on shore power. I use a Honda EU2000, and as long as I'm smart, it runs everything except the AC. But not all at the same time. I make sure that the water heater is set to gas only. While the fridge doesn't take much electricity, I run gas only while on the genny.
I can't lift a bigger generator anyway, and it's always been plenty.

Tom
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Old 06-22-2011, 08:31 PM   #6
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There are many things to consider when buying a generator besides the output. Sound is huge consideration when camping. Many of your cheaper generators (often called utility generators) will be very noisy. You also have to consider if you want a standard or inverter generator (inverter costs more, but will have much cleaner power for electronics). When I use a generator, I use the fridge and water heater on propane - much more efficient.



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Old 06-23-2011, 04:58 AM   #7
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my absolute neccessity,....if such,..is to be able to run the a/c and microwave,and maybe a coffee pot all at once...i have had to turn off a/c to run coffee pot and microwave,...on campground 110 before...,burnt the plug off camper line and outlet before....i think,that was a bad conn prob,as it was at the coast.
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Old 06-23-2011, 06:13 AM   #8
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Your limitation, unless you upgrade, will be your 30A service. No matter how large a generator you get, 30A will be the most you will be able to use unless you upgrade your panel to 50A. Running an AC, microwave, and coffee maker at the same time on a 30A service is going to be iffy at best. Just the AC and microwave together will be pushing it unless you have a 15,000 BTU AC, in which case you probably won't be able to run it while the microwave is running.

Also, if you do upgrade and get a big enough generator, the bigger generator will burn fuel like the QE2. The generator will also weigh almost as much as the QE2.
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Old 06-23-2011, 07:54 AM   #9
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jwb023-- To lessen you elect load you could always use an non electric coffee pot and use the gas stove or grill. The will take 12-1500 watts out of the load. You should be able to control all your loads and get a one of those Honda 2000, which are very quiet.ps you panel has "2 hot legs" which will provide 30a each take it from there. Larry
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Old 06-23-2011, 09:40 AM   #10
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Your limitation, unless you upgrade, will be your 30A service. No matter how large a generator you get, 30A will be the most you will be able to use unless you upgrade your panel to 50A. Running an AC, microwave, and coffee maker at the same time on a 30A service is going to be iffy at best. Just the AC and microwave together will be pushing it unless you have a 15,000 BTU AC, in which case you probably won't be able to run it while the microwave is running.
Dead on - my rule of thumb on 30A is two major things. And majors include AC, hot water heater, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, hair dryer. Obviously you can time things out, make the coffee early turn off and then the toast just before breakfast etc. Hot water & refrig on propane .....
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Old 06-23-2011, 01:16 PM   #11
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i do have the 15 a/c...i do try to time things,..but,..theres always someone that'll push the toast down,w/a hair dryer a/c etc etc going,...i figure,if i needed a 400 gen,..i'd get a 5000.... not real big on asian made stuff,but honda does make some pretty good gas eng's...i was looking on tractor supply home depot etc,and found a briggs unit that sounds pretty good,..but,it does,...look heavy....and,i aint gettin any younger .. :>) but have a stout son in law...
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Old 06-23-2011, 01:19 PM   #12
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i know its prob in my book,..but i'm too lazy to go out there and dig thru all that in a 200 degree camper,..so,... do u all know,what that 15,000 a/c and micro wave draw,...not too worried about variables,..just those,i guess,.... then,i'll go up 500-1000 watts ??
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Old 06-23-2011, 05:46 PM   #13
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jwb023 One other thing to remember is that your circuit breakers are built to trip at 80%+- of thier rating. Some will trip sooner than others. Larry
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Old 06-23-2011, 06:53 PM   #14
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We have a 3000 watt honda and it runs the AC no problem but is quite heavy to lug around.

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Old 06-24-2011, 07:48 AM   #15
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yep,....all great info.....thanks all..
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Old 06-24-2011, 12:24 PM   #16
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i do have the 15 a/c...i do try to time things,..but,..theres always someone that'll push the toast down,w/a hair dryer a/c etc etc going,...i figure,if i needed a 400 gen,..i'd get a 5000.... not real big on asian made stuff,but honda does make some pretty good gas eng's...i was looking on tractor supply home depot etc,and found a briggs unit that sounds pretty good,..but,it does,...look heavy....and,i aint gettin any younger .. :>) but have a stout son in law...
If it's got a Briggs engine, it's just plain too loud. Won't work for you in any campground.

Tom
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Old 06-24-2011, 02:28 PM   #17
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wont need it in a campground
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Old 11-29-2011, 09:28 PM   #18
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I have a Champion 3500W. I live in North Central Texas. I use it to cool down the TT while loading and unloading. Over Labor Day, we used it for 4 days in West during Westfest. Over 100 degrees. We ran the A/C and everything else except the hot water heater. It works great. I made ramps to load it into the bed of my truck. I have also used the Honda 1000 and loved it. I was not using A/C. It was really quiet and easy to start. Personal choise.
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Old 11-29-2011, 10:15 PM   #19
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We had two Honda EU2000's and I gave one away to an old shipmate in need. Partly becuase we never had to use it, but mostly because he'd do it for me. We can run our AC with one-- but nothing else can be on. Been using it that way for 5 years on this trailer and 3 years on our last trailer and we haven't had a problem. One of the best things I bought for that trailer besides our 6 volt golf cart batteries (that are going on 6 years old and still work fantastic!).
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Old 12-04-2011, 05:18 PM   #20
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Multiply your service amps times the 110V and that is what you'll need in watts. You may want to measure the voltage. Our voltage runs somewhere around 110 to 120v. 3500 to 4000 watts for 30 amp service, and up to 6000 if you have 50 amp service.

Generators run clean on propane but it is pricey. When I had a motor I ran the generator all the time on the road for the air conditioning. I didn't have slide outs. Once I went to the 5th wheel with slide outs I didn't use the generator very much. Seemed like short stops on the road weren't worth the effort to open the slide outs. My 5th wheel was inconvenient, to say the least, when the slide outs were in. Once we were parked at an RV park we had AC power.
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