Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > Boon-docking
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-12-2018, 08:41 PM   #1
tntkittle
Established Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Watkinsville
Posts: 12
M.O.C. #21401
Generator Recommendations

My husband and I have a 2018 3731FL. We have not had an occasion to boondock yet, but would like to do this in the future. What brand and model of (external) generators do you recommend? We do most of our camping in GA & SC. It’s HOT down here, so we would want to be able to run both A/Cs and it would need to have a 50 A outlet if at all possible.
 
__________________
Tracy & Tammy- Watkinsville, GA
2018 3731 FL
2017 Ford F-350 Turbo Diesel SRW
tntkittle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2018, 04:12 PM   #2
AZ Traveler
Site Team
 
AZ Traveler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,891
M.O.C. #20477
Tracy and Tammy,

The gennys with 50 amp plugs tend to be big and heavy. You may do better with a smaller setup that is easier to manage but will run only a single a/c. You will find several threads here on different genny options with plenty of opinions. If you consider modifying your a/c with soft start kits you can get by with smaller gennys. Start using your a/c early in the day before it gets hot and you may do better than you think on a single a/c. If you are hard over on getting a big genny - two options to consider: 1. Add an internal 5500 watt or 2. Mount a big one in the back of your truck.

I use a pair of Honda 2000s plus solar and an inverter for our boondocking. The only time I start the gennys are when I need an a/c or cloudy days when I need to recharge my battery bank.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL

"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
AZ Traveler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2018, 05:17 PM   #3
mlh
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,520
M.O.C. #2283
You will need at least 5000 watts to run both ACs at the same time. Honda makes a 6500 watt generator for about $1850. It will be noisy but it’s a Honda. Harbor freight makes a 3500 Watt Preditor generator for about $750. You can run them together. They are quiet they look good but they are Harbor freight so quality may not be as good as the Honda. I saw one running for saveral hours. I was impressed. You might wont to go to the Harbor freight store and check them out. If something happens to my Honda IS 3000 I would buy one.
Lynwood
mlh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2018, 06:01 PM   #4
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
We've used two Honda's we bought used 8 years ago and they're still running good. As stated above you'll either need soft start kits on your AC's or set one at 60 degrees and once it's running turn on the other and don't use any other electricity if you go with what we do.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2018, 06:01 PM   #5
Ram Montana High Country
Montana Master
 
Ram Montana High Country's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,873
M.O.C. #19944
I’ve been looking at the WESTINGHOUSE 2500 - quiet, light - could do the trick
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
Ram Montana High Country is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2018, 06:34 PM   #6
PNW Fireguy
Montana Master
 
PNW Fireguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
Quote:
Originally Posted by tntkittle View Post
My husband and I have a 2018 3731FL. We have not had an occasion to boondock yet, but would like to do this in the future. What brand and model of (external) generators do you recommend? We do most of our camping in GA & SC. It’s HOT down here, so we would want to be able to run both A/Cs and it would need to have a 50 A outlet if at all possible.

Tracey if your primary objective is to run both of your AC units I would recommend going with two 2000 watt inverter generators of your brand choice (Honda, Yamaha, etc..). These brands can be run in parallel with an accessory parallel kit. In addition to keep your AC starting current low there are products that are basically starting capacitors that will significantly reduce your AC starting current allowing you to run other electrical equipment while starting the AC unit(s). Micro Air Easy Start is one of these products that I can speak to as I have them installed. I have no further affiliation with product. This setup will allow you to purchase two smaller, less expensive generators. The inverter generator will also provide you with pure sine wave (cleaner power) output suitable for use with sensitive electronics... if that's needed. The two smaller gen sets are much easier to handle, stow and move than a single larger generator. Finally assuming the AC units are the main objective in your generator decision you don't need that large of a generator if you use an Easy Start on each AC unit.


You do not need 5000+ watts to accomplish the above. If you want that fine but don't be mislead to thinking you require it.
__________________
SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
PNW Fireguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2018, 07:46 PM   #7
mazboy
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,896
M.O.C. #9561
get the biggest that you can handle....need at least 5000+ watts.
mazboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2018, 06:13 PM   #8
CVNCheng
Established Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Newport News
Posts: 30
M.O.C. #18393
We camped throughout the Southeast (Bristol, TN, Darlington, SC) in our 2010 3400RL and found we could get by with the front AC at night and the rear one during the day. With a soft start, neither AC presented a problem for our Honda e3000is. It's not inexpensive and not terribly light but we managed for several years. Eventually my lower back (and my doctor) told me to stop lifting heavy things (in excess of 100lbs) so I installed an Onan 7KW. It is terribly convenient.


Gave up some storage space but we no longer have to turn the AC off to make a pot of coffee in the morning.
__________________
Bill and Terri

2010 3400RL
2013 F350 6.7L DRW
CVNCheng is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2018, 10:14 PM   #9
Texan
Montana Master
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: new caney
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #19873
I have a 5500 watt and 7000 watt Generac generators. These are running watts, not starting watts. I installed a 50 amp rv plug on each and plugged them into my rv and they both ran both a/c's together and micro-wave. I do not have any type of easy start on my a/c's. If you are planning on running any thing you want as if you were on shore power then i would think you need no less than 5,000 running watt generator.If you are running only the a/c's then you could go 2-2000 watt honda's or equivalent. Just remember if you go just about anything less than a Honda you will have a large noise factor. I wouldn't want anyone within 200 feet of me if they had my Generac's as they are contractor generators and very noisy. Mine are only for emergency at home such as a hurricane.
Texan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2018, 06:42 AM   #10
socoinc
Montana Fan
 
socoinc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Nampa
Posts: 114
M.O.C. #21247
I'd get a 30KW Multiguip on a trailer. Put a hitch behind your 5th wheel & tow it to camp sites. That way you would have more than enough power plus if your neighbors need power you would have for them to!
socoinc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2018, 08:34 AM   #11
mchurch314
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 81
M.O.C. #22121
Just be careful what EMS you use. I installed soft starts on both AC units and I intend to power them with two Honda 2200EU's running in parallel. I'm having a problem with my Surge Guard EMS throwing an 'Open Ground fault error' when I try to run just one to power on AC. Based on feedback and a Youtube video, I made a plug where I jumped between the ground and the neutral and plugged it into my open port on my generator but still go the same error. Still not sure how to get around this.
mchurch314 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2018, 09:11 AM   #12
vacationer
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: elmvale
Posts: 105
M.O.C. #22355
I have a honda 7000 and just bought a new hc 374 with 2 acs. One is 16500 and other 15 . it wont run both on new trailer for some reason. My old trailer had 2 and it ran both off them
vacationer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2018, 03:36 PM   #13
chandy
Established Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 40
M.O.C. #19813
I have always been a fan of permanent, built in, gensets. I have a 6.5 KW Onan that I converted to Propane. I don't have to lug generators in and out of the basement (or truck bed), carry extra fuel separately or extra electrical cords. Yes it will cost more but I just turn on the propane and hit the start button. AND I can run both A/C. You might want to consider the option.
Chandy
chandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2018, 03:50 PM   #14
montana20
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Hudson Valley
Posts: 62
M.O.C. #22628
Curious do you need 50a genny I thought I remember someone running a 50 to 2 30a split so you can plug-in to 2 Honda’s?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075WRJJBG..._DRaQBbH9V7TJW
__________________
2019 Montana 3855BR 20th Anniversary (coming soon)
montana20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2018, 04:02 PM   #15
chandy
Established Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 40
M.O.C. #19813
Quote:
Originally Posted by montana20 View Post
Curious do you need 50a genny I thought I remember someone running a 50 to 2 30a split so you can plug-in to 2 Honda’s?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075WRJJBG..._DRaQBbH9V7TJW
yes 50
chandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2018, 05:27 PM   #16
montana20
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Hudson Valley
Posts: 62
M.O.C. #22628
Quote:
Originally Posted by chandy View Post
yes 50
So this splitter won’t work?
__________________
2019 Montana 3855BR 20th Anniversary (coming soon)
montana20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2018, 05:59 PM   #17
jmill8
Seasoned Camper
 
jmill8's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: PORT ANGELES
Posts: 80
M.O.C. #13434
Send a message via MSN to jmill8
Used Honeywell 2000i for some time. It would not run single A/C but didn't matter as most of my camping is in Pacific NW. Just purchased Champion 100204 dual fuel with 30A built in plug. It runs single A/C very well, is quiet although little heavier than Honeywell. It is probably on par with cost of Honda.
jmill8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2018, 06:06 PM   #18
skidrowe82
New Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Perdido Key
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #16087
Whatever you do, get a Honda

I have a 40' Montana 5er. I farted around with a few different generators, a Yamaha 3000, then a pair or Ryobi 2200s that I could parallel. I even had an extended run tank that was plumbed to them. The short of it is now I own a Honda EU7000is. It is the boss hog of all generators and I have no reliability issues, and no power issues. But whatever you do, learn from me, and buy Honda. They cost more because they are worth it. End of story. The end.
skidrowe82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2018, 06:24 PM   #19
PNW Fireguy
Montana Master
 
PNW Fireguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
If you want to lug around a large portable you will be able to start and run both AC units in addition to running additional loads. The bad part is you will have to lug those beasts around one way or another.


You can go with smaller inverter generator(s) and start and run a single AC unit and perhaps run some additional small loads if you install starting current reduction units like Easy Start.



We went with a 6.5kw Onan which lets us run anything we want within the rig and no one has to lug, lift or drag the generator around. The trade off is we carry additional propane tanks for convenience. With the addition of solar the generator is relegated to battery charging when there is no sun or heat for cold weather with no hookups.


If you purchase one of those open frame contractor generators you will quickly piss off all of your neighbors and perhaps the DW as well.



Different options for different needs.
__________________
SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
PNW Fireguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2018, 07:22 PM   #20
GreG L.
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 380
M.O.C. #21993
Champion 3400 Dual fuel inverter. Has a 30A RV connector, an inverter, you can hook two together for 60A total, not park 2-50's but will work. $975.00 each, great warranty.
GreG L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
external generator

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.