generators

[summers]

I am just wondering what size and brand of generator do you full timers and boondockers use?

[Farmhawk]

I am a boondocker and use Honda E3000i generator to run the microwave and sometimes A/C. I use 270 watts of solar power to charge the batteries..

[camper4]

We boondock a lot and have an Onan 5500. It is a great generator except for two things. !st, they are expensive to buy. 2nd, they consume a lot of fuel.
The Hondas and Yamahas are proven performers and use a lot less fuel. Just size appropriately for your needs.

[mhs4771]

Dual Honda 2000s (reg and companion)

[scott]

Likewise, 2 Honda 2000s. A regular unit and a companion unit.

[bob n pam]

One Honda EU2000i

[MAMalody]

I use two Honda 2000s in parallel. Works for me.

[noneck]

Boondocking...how long? What are you expecting to live with? I use a Kipor 3000Ti but my window of boondock is 3 - 4 days in a crazy NASCAR in-field space. I'm the quiet one...and no-one cares as they use contractor units. I do not operate my AC but am told it should manage it...

[ols1932]

We use one Honda 2000i. Why? Well we have four solar panels and depend on the sun for most of our electrical energy when boondocking. However, because my wife maintains seven websites (mostly free because they are Christian ministry sites) and uses a lot of electric. During the day we just use solar power but later in the afternoon we fire up the Honda and let it power the rig for about four hours. Works pretty good for us. We have just spent the last week in Quartzite, AZ and we had a lot of sun for most of the week.

Orv

[mlh]

I use a Honda is 3000. It's a very nice quiet unit. I have a plug in for it on the hitch of my camper with a 8 foot cord. This makes it almost like an on board unit except its quieter. After I park I get out my longer cord and get mu truck away from my camper. I'm a boon docker. The only time I stop at a campground is to dump my tanks.
Lynwood
Lynwood

[HamRad]

Lynwood,
The 3000s seem quieter to me than even the 2000s! I would love to have one of them. Of course I like the idea that they can be started remotely! Until that happens I'll just keep using the 2000. Glad to hear there are more and more true boondockers out there.
Enjoy.
Dennis

[AZbear]

We got two Yamaha 2000 units. Very portable and quiet. I can lift them into the storage or truck bed when not used.

[HamRad]

AZbear,
We have a friend that had the larger size Yamaha and it, too, was very quiet! I could go with either a Yamaha or Honda. They both deliver a very good product.

Travel safely, Dennis.

[Art-n-Marge]

We don't boondock, but we do have two Honda EU2000s for emergency power that can be connected in parallel. Since we bought them before the companion was available I had to purchase a big adapter that provides the 30 amp RV plug to connect for the RV. There is a company that provides a cable and power box to connect three EU2000s for 50 amp power, but I have no experience with it.

The EU2000s weigh about 50 lbs which is enough for me to carry into the back of the truck and both fit under the truck bed cover next to the cab for some extra security. I like the portables because I used them for other things besides emergency power for the RV.

We'll start boondocking after purchasing other equipment to make that more feasible for us (a dump tote and a water bladder). Until then we stay close to full hookups and use the duals as a backup power source.

Honda and Yamaha have some of the quietest units and cleanest power. I went with Honda because the Yamahas were too new for me and more expensive at the time. The biggest problem is long runtimes because the fuel tanks are small, but there are also ways to connect a larger tank with hoses to increase the run time.

[richfaa]

We have the Kipor 3000ti. We do not boondock execpt as the very, very, very last resort. We have used it on occasion when we lost CG power and have used it at home when summer TS knocked out the power to the S&B. We have also used it at Quartzsite..once. It will provide 30amp service to the camper as if you were hooked to shore power.

We got a very good price on it nearly 5 years ago. It is heavy @ 135 lbs with fuel. I would now, IF we were to even purchase a generator go with the dual Honda's. I do not feel there is under normal circumstances the need for a generator as there once was.

[summers]

Thank all of you for your responses. It seems the Honda 2000's ran in parallel is a popular option which is what I am looking at. Thanks again

[mlh]

Dennis
I live out in the country, if I haft stay in town I'll just stay at home. You are wright the 3000 is a tiny bit quieter than the 2000. You can get a remote starter for the 3000. I see them advertiser in Trailer Life. I'm going to get one.
Lynwood

[exav8tr]

I actually had to use my Honda once when I had a flat to air up the spare. I only have a 110 compressor and it really came in handy. Also used it at Wright-Patterson AFB Fam Camp in Ohio, when Ike came thru and took out the power to the camp. I was one of the few in the park that was watching TV that night. We don't boondock but still carry the one Honda for times like these.....Don't leave home without it!!!!!

[nghelwer]

We use a yamaha 3000sbi.
It is quiet enough and generally powers everything we need.
Love it, would do it again.

We live in the the country and every once in a while we lose power.
Just get out the yamaha and were back in business.

[FLtravelers]

Bought our rig complete. It came with a 3500 construction generator mounted in the bed of the truck. Didn't use it much. Embarassingly noisy!!! Just pulled it out and bought a 37 gallon fuel tank to put in its place.

We boondock alot. Usually go four days without power, then pay for a day or two of water, sewer and electric. DW does laundry with our washer & dryer. We're planning on buying a Honda 2000 before heading out this summer. Should be enough to keep everything charged up. If we need a/c we'll pull into an electric space.