Generators

[luvmywestie]

My wife and I are planning to do some summertime boondocking and I would like to run the AC .How big of a generator would I need to to be able to run the AC? Thanks Mike

[gr8330]

You will need a single 3000 or two 2000 in tandem.

[TAKPAK]

Hey Mike. Hello from North Plains, OR. I see you are in Turner.....nice town.

Anyway, a minimum of 3000 watt generator, and that would be pushing it. I haven't yet done so, but plan to get two of the Honda 2000's, and parallel them to run the AC, IF the need ever arises. So far, it hasn't......! The analogy I can give is.......remember Eddie Albert and Ava Gabor in the "Green Acres" TV show? Remember the generator they had out back? And, remember how they had to make sure what load they put on it, so it wouldn't "conk out"....? Same principle applies here. What some people also forget is to include the converter/battery charger in the load calcs as well, it's one of those "out of sight, out of mind" things. Just add up your loads you are going to have, and you can figure out what you need from there. I discovered that the BIGGEST load, next to the AC, in our 3400.....is the wife's hair dryer.......1800 watts!!!! No wonder I smell burning hair sometimes......! I told her I'd use it for heating the trailer......!!! Also, portability factors in in a BIG way. Do you want to be able to carry the genset around, or mount it permanently? Of course, price will also factor in, and noise too. Are you going to be alone? If so, you could get a "contractor" generator....noisy. But, if you want quiet, then the Hondas, Yamahas, Subarus, etc, would be good choices.

Hope this helps.

Terry K.

[Art-n-Marge]

I use 3500 as a good metric. The reason is because a 3000 watt unit typically refers to surge wattage, then the generator settles down to less than that or from 2600 to 2800. Like Tak says, som 400-600w goes for the converter (charging the batteries, and running all the 12 volt stuff) and then not much is left for the A/C. Then you'll probably be watching some tele and other stuff, then you could have a brown out. The good news is that most generators might shut down if there's too much load, the bad news is they won't and then all your motorized electronics are running under voltage, which increases the current, when then starts to burn out motors... you get the idea.

Two EU2000s in parallel easily allow a 30 amp trailer to run and a 3,000 is kinda low. For 50 amps, use a third EU2000 (and a new parallel kit to allow 3 gennys), or tie to EU3000s together or get a single 5500W or over unit. Watch the noise levels and know how to add them together (it's not just additive it's logarithmic). If you need help in calculating that let me know. Even construction grade noise level gennys during the day will anger some neighbors.

For the smaller portables you'll probably also want to rig up an external fuel system to increase run time or you'll be refilling them up one or more times a day.

[jsnip42]

I would get at least a 3500 watt. In my last camper I had a 3000 watt honda and it burned up my a/c compressor on the main a/c unit. Service dept said a 3000 generator would not pull more than a 13.5 a/c unit and the main was a 15K unit. Honda and Yamaha are very good quality and quiet. Since I dry camp only once or twice a year I could not justify that expense so I bought a 3500 watt Champion from Sam's club for $299. Not as quiet as the honda but it works for me.

[bncinwv]

We have a Kipor 3000 watt and it will not run the main AC (15,000 BTU). It will run the second AC (13,500 BTU). I think the advice above is good advice, best bet based on previous forum postings is a paralleled pair of 2000 watt generators. The reason for this recommendation is the weight difference and the ease of set-up and use. Our Kipor weighs over 150 pounds when fully fueled and is a bear to man-handle around. All of the above is why we opted for the on-board Onan 5.5 kW generator on this rig, it may well be overkill, but at least I will not have to lift another generator for use with the RV.
Bingo

[Champ_49]

Bingo? Out of curiosity do you have the weight of that Onan gen. Seems to me thats going to add a lot of pin weight. But then again I have two Honda 2000 in the front compartment but they are pretty light weight. Guessing around 100 lbs for the two. I know the Onan is more than that, just curious here.

Thanks
Dave

[bncinwv]

Dave,
289 pounds is what is listed. I also upgraded to 40 pound tanks which add a little bit more weight to the pin as well. A non-factor for us with the one ton dually.
Bingo

[Lee F.]

I bought a pair of Honda 2000's this summer and love them. Light weight, quiet and if I don't need the air or microwave I only have to run one. I found they both fit into my in bed tool box with plenty of room to spare which keeps them locked up and out of sight.

[CATCRAW]

We have a Honda 3000 and it runs our AC just fine. We do not have dual AC units, just one.

[dieselguy]

I have a Kipor 3000 watt genset ... it has run the 15000 BTU A/Cs in my last 2 Montanas with no issue as long as you turn the eco throttle off. There is a Supco SPP6 hard start capacitor you can buy for approx $20 that will aid in your compressor start up if the unit has trouble running on a 3000 watt genset. It's easy to install and doesn't harm your A/C.

[hunts800]

I have a Yamaha 3000 SEI which boosts to 3500 on heavy load start up. It handles my 15000 btu air conditioner fine, but need to make sure not much else is on - can't use the coffee maker or micro wave when runnning the air. It is the quietest generator I have encountered. I have had the Yamaha for 8 years - still same battery and it starts right up, got it when had a tent trailer with a small air conditioner - it has now worked flawlessly through two travel trailers and the new fifth wheel.

[Ishler]

I recently changed from the Kipor to a Boily, both run my 15k AC. The advantage of the Boily is it only weighs 75lbs vs the Kipor's 150, with the same noise level which is very low.

[The Weekenders]

quote:Originally posted by Ishler

I recently changed from the Kipor to a Boily, both run my 15k AC. The advantage of the Boily is it only weighs 75lbs vs the Kipor's 150, with the same noise level which is very low.

Another vote for the Boily!! Stores nicely in the basement and is very quiet.

[noneck]

Hmmm, I have the Kipor 3000, so do you all have a link to the boily? I tend not to use AC when boon docking due to the noise level which is most noticeable in that situation. Microvave...hair dryer...are big rev inducers!

[jackel1959]

quote:Originally posted by noneck

Hmmm, I have the Kipor 3000, so do you all have a link to the boily? I tend not to use AC when boon docking due to the noise level which is most noticeable in that situation. Microvave...hair dryer...are big rev inducers!

noneck,
Just Google "Boliy" and you will come up with several links. Here is one for you to start with: Boliy Guy.

Jack

[mrtgraz1]

I have 1 honda eu 2000 and 1 honda eu 2000 companion together they run the ac just fine. when not needed i just use one. Plus the fact that 2, 2000 watt generators are less expensive then one 4000 watt, and alot easier to handle . I love em and with the two together they hardly strugle at all, they just purr along, i highly recommend going this route. u wont be sorry.

[Delaine and Lindy]

Is anyone using the Boily and if so what is your thoughts or comments. The price is very good... Thanks... Happy Trails....

[The Weekenders]

quote:Originally posted by Delaine and Lindy

Is anyone using the Boily and if so what is your thoughts or comments. The price is very good... Thanks... Happy Trails....

I have used mine for the last two summers several times. It is everything it is advertised to be. Only weighs 75 pounds and fits right in the basement. Very quiet at full throttle or econ mode. People are amazed how quiet it is. If you don't need the AC on, you can flip it to econ mode and mine will 16-17 hours on 1.9 gallons of gas. With the AC on, it will run about 5 hours or so on 1.9 gallons. Every so often I will run a little Seafoam through it to keep everything nice and smooth. A good friend, who is a Boily dealer, has had great luck with his as well. It was a good investment

[Tom Gina 06]

quote:Originally posted by The Weekenders



I have used mine for the last two summers several times. It is everything it is advertised to be. Only weighs 75 pounds and fits right in the basement. Very quiet at full throttle or econ mode. People are amazed how quiet it is. If you don't need the AC on, you can flip it to econ mode and mine will 16-17 hours on 1.9 gallons of gas. With the AC on, it will run about 5 hours or so on 1.9 gallons. Every so often I will run a little Seafoam through it to keep everything nice and smooth. A good friend, who is a Boily dealer, has had great luck with his as well. It was a good investment

This is very good point what type of times will the generator run on one tank of gas. Our Kipor 3000 will run long enough for a full nights rest when we are boondocking.