Generator Blues

[Kim Gass]

How much do you think the average camper spends on generator fuel a day or a week? no solar.

We run for about three hours a day for four days on 2.5 gal
Its way cheaper than paying gor a serviced campground
We pay about $15 a night at National Forest Campgrounds
We don't have need for air conditioning for the most part and our 2000i would need a soft start which we don't have.
I can imagine fuel consumption would vary wildly depending on what you run and for how long

 

[extrachrispy]

How much do you think the average camper spends on generator fuel a day or a week? no solar.

It depends upon whether or not it's hot enough to use the A/C. I've dry-camped in places where it's in the upper 40s in the morning, but then it's high-80s to 90s in the afternoon. I burned through five gallons per day there (but did not run the genny at night), so $20/day? That's still way cheaper than a full-hookup campsite, and the scenery and location was way better.

Every year at bonus time, I want to make the case with Mrs. to do an off-grid-HVAC-capable solar setup. Every year, she finds something else she wants more.

 

[goducks14]

Why limit yourself to elec only? I spend $11 a night in a Forest Service CG. (Senior Pass from BLM) I can go 5 nights with my tanks. I only burn about 5 gal of gas in the time. The average elec site would run $30 or so. Thats $150 for 5 nights. I spend half that for 5 nights without neighbors right next to me. Elec/water's great and we do that too. We just like the more open feel you get in the FS type CG's. YMMV

 

[Jagiven]

Most people that have CPAP turn everything off and run for days and days. If I used mine the way it is I would make it one night on one battery. If I go into settings and turn off the humidifier and the heated hose I can run it all week

My wife and I have boondocked with our setup for two weeks at a time before moving on to our next campground. 320 watts solar and 2x100 amp lithium batteries. What we save on gas running a generator has already paid for our setup. The reason people need generators is because they need to have all the comforts of home with them, it's called camping for a reason.

I do not have solar and have a CPAP, run a single group 31 LA AMG battery. We are old backpackers when we were young. We are use to being power conscience, so it is no big deal for us to go minimalistic. Before my CPAP, we could go 5 days on a single LA group 24 battery. With the CPAP I probably can go 2 days on our group 31 battery. Batteries are kept in great condition. There is NO way I can go more than 2 days with all the CPAP settings turned off. We only use what lights we need and never just leave them on.

We have a 3500W dual fuel genny. We tend to use it twice a day, maybe up to an hour each time. I have been known when the genny is on to use the microwave or turn on the electric heat. This does put more load on the genny which in turns makes it run louder. What I really would like to find is a used Honda 1000w genny. We have seen/heard a few of these while out on walks, and you only start to hear when your less than 20-30 feet from it. They are so quiet, and it is more of a hum in the distance.

Really all we need is to top off the batteries. But when I was shopping for gennies I wanted a 2000W small genny that could be parallel but all that was available was this size.

As for solar, our next camper will have solar, but our issue is where we camp. Minnesota area is heavily forested. I do not have high confidence a solar system will be able to provide much energy to top off the batteries each day.

I will admit, I wish people would not be so cheap and buy an inverter genny for camping. We were out two summers ago and some lady was complaining in the bathroom (DW overheard). She booked the site and it had no electricity. She had her DH go buy a genny. A big open frame thing. We were camped probably 1000 feet way and it was way to loud in our site. Could not imagine being in that site, or all the tenters near them. It ran from 8 am to 10 pm (genny hours at that SP) the whole long weekend.

 

[campin-JAY]

…Every year at bonus time, I want to make the case with Mrs. to do an off-grid-HVAC-capable solar setup. Every year, she finds something else she wants more.

I have German Shepherd and agrees with everything I say!!

 

[Locutus2k]

We just bought a 2024 Jayflight and are going to be doing some boondocking. I just replaced the pitiful 64Ah Interstate with a 100Ah LiFePO4 to go with the Overlander I package (No inverter). We have a need to run A/C and a couple other 110v items. Our generator options are either the Cummins/Onan 4500i, or the Predator 5000. The Cummins is a bit more expensive and about 200W less powerful (running). My questions is about the Predator. I have quite a bit of faith in Cummins products, but on paper the Predator looks like a better option. What does everyone else think? Harbor Freight has a reputation as disposable, so I expect when it eventually needs a carb rebuild or some other part, those parts may be hard to come by.

 

[Bill Johnson]

If you look at the photo Cummins puts their name on the same one that says Westinghouse. From what people are saying all are made in China. The Predator generator seems to have a good following, maybe it will come down to the warranty and loudness

 

[Locutus2k]

Thats really what I'm wondering most about. Quality, loudness and warranty. I know HF has some wacky warranties, and they're not known for the highest quality tools. Cummins has a reputation for quality. I'm looking for the decision making process and outcome from others who have made this choice.

 

[pconroy]

Our generator options are either the Cummins/Onan 4500i, or the Predator 5000.

The popularity of the Predator line has gone way up. I'm not sure a parts concern is warranted too much any more.

Five or so years ago, our Cummins/Onan 4K self-destructed and in a hurry I grabbed a Predator 3500. It's been running well ever since. It's quiet too.

I did an immediate oil change, after a 30 min run, then another after a couple of hours. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Predator now.

[ But instead of a 3500 again or a 5000, I'd probably do two Predator 2000's and a parallel kit. I don't have to lift the 3500 often but when I do, it's 100 pounds. ]

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

The popularity of the Predator line has gone way up. I'm not sure a parts concern is warranted too much any more.

Five or so years ago, our Cummins/Onan 4K self-destructed and in a hurry I grabbed a Predator 3500. It's been running well ever since. It's quiet too.

I did an immediate oil change, after a 30 min run, then another after a couple of hours. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Predator now.

[ But instead of a 3500 again or a 5000, I'd probably do two Predator 2000's and a parallel kit. I don't have to lift the 3500 often but when I do, it's 100 pounds. ]

I like this option mostly for the weight issue. Myself, I can't lift that big generator, so the 2 small 2000s and the kit are a good option. I have the 2000 already. It works really well. I have considered the parallel kit and 2nd generator. My only reason for not needing it is, I own an EcoFlow Delta Pro 3600wh electric generator. I use it to run the camper and the rooftop A/C FAN in the cooler months. Then, I use the predator 2000 to recharge it in the morning (2 hrs) It works out really well for me. I only have camped in the heat using shore power. I'd definitely use the parallel kit and another 2000 if I wanted to camp w/o shore power and want to use the A/C, in the hot months.

The EcoFlow stays in the bed of my truck, under my bed cover.

 

[Camper_bob]

Older thread, glad it got revived!

I don't understand why they can't install quiet inverter generators in motor homes.

What I DO know is that if my Onan ever gives up the ghost, and I'm not able to repair it, I'll likely replace it with a Predator 5000 inverter. At about 1/5 the price, I can afford to replace it about 5 times to one over the Onan built-in unit. And while I haven't compared them side by side, I'm betting the stand-alone inverter generators are quieter than the standard built-in Onan 4000.

I ran an open cage sometimes when we towed our trailer. Kept it in the back of the truck, cabled to the truck bed. It worked well, but no way I was going to be using it if anyone was anywhere close.

Except on the beach, either generator is barely audible over the wind and the waves... And if anyone out there is closer than about 500 feet, that was their choice.

 

[Rollin Okie]

A few years back we were set up in a National Forest campground in Colorado. There was no electricity in our area of the park. We were in a 5th wheel with a built in 4000 watt Onan generator. We had run off of a single battery for a few days just using lights. Well, it came time I had to start the generator to charge the battery. I just ran it a couple of hours and shut it off. The next day we ran into Estes Park for a few hours. When we got back a note was laying on our steps telling us how disrespectful and awful people we were. If they would have come and talked with me I would have apologized and explained why I had to run the generator. Before you ask, the area of the park with electric was full and the park attendant parked us where we were knowing we would have to charge the battery. Oh well you can't please everyone.

 

[Locutus2k]

My partner and I are still looking at both. The P4500i comes with a 3y warranty. The Predator 5000 needs the 3y warranty added making it a bit more expensive. What we're really struggling with is. Cummins has a reputation for quality (I know its apples and bricks, but I've had 3 Cummins diesels and no issues with any of them.) The cummins is less expensive and includes the 3y warranty. The Predator is slightly more powerful, slightly louder (about 8-10dBa), slightly more expensive, and feels a bit more cheaply made based on picking them both up. Weights are similar, reviews are similar, Harbor Fright is all over the country so should it croak, there is a decent chance of replacement. I don't know about service/repair/replacement on the Cummins. Am I just overthinking this, flip a coin and make a decision or is there something I'm missing?

 

[pconroy]

I don't understand why they can't install quiet inverter generators in motor homes.

https://www.rvmp.com/products/flex-power-4000i-rv-generator

Just read about a person's 2025 RV coming with this genset. Substantially quieter.