|
05-10-2022, 08:53 AM
|
#1
|
Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Etters
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #28619
|
Generators
We have rarely used a generator in the past- I know very little about power. We have a 2019 Montana High Country 331RL. I currently have a very heavy generator in the belly. We haven't used it yet. I am getting a bit old to be lifting this thing in and out. What suggestions do people have in regard to portable generators to run the 331RL. Any suggestions and help are appreciated.
Thanks John and Barb
|
|
|
05-10-2022, 09:07 AM
|
#2
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BUZZARDS BAY
Posts: 117
M.O.C. #25753
|
I have a 3781RL and use a WEN 3800 to power my coach. I installed soft starts in both AC units and with that can run everything with no issues. The only draw back is you will need to turn off one AC to use the microwave or hair dryer. They do make a larger one that may suit you better.
__________________
2020 Montana 3781RL
2020 GMC 3500 Denali HD Diesel SRW
20k Demco slider hitch
|
|
|
05-10-2022, 09:09 AM
|
#3
|
Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Etters
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #28619
|
What does a soft start cost? I also have two units.
|
|
|
05-10-2022, 09:11 AM
|
#4
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: new river
Posts: 417
M.O.C. #24181
|
hello what you want to run in your rv. i have this https://www.amazon.com/Generac-G0071...030886594&th=1 to small to run the air unless i installed soft starts. i only wanted it to charge my batteries and run a few things inside. it is portable but still heavy. many on here use the predator from harbor freight and keep them in the truck bed, here is a link to the soft starts https://www.softstartrv.com/?msclkid...41a5caf967575b
__________________
al meyer
3931fb
az
|
|
|
05-10-2022, 09:12 AM
|
#5
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 4,083
M.O.C. #20477
|
John,
Twin 2000 watt units are much lighter and easier to handle. They can be hooked in parallel when you need more power. Honda is the gold standard.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
|
|
|
05-10-2022, 09:17 AM
|
#6
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BUZZARDS BAY
Posts: 117
M.O.C. #25753
|
They run a few hundred each and take an hour or two to install. Great addition and allows you to run your AC units on less.
__________________
2020 Montana 3781RL
2020 GMC 3500 Denali HD Diesel SRW
20k Demco slider hitch
|
|
|
05-10-2022, 09:55 AM
|
#7
|
Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Etters
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #28619
|
Thanks- I am looking into this option- Do you use soft starts?
|
|
|
05-10-2022, 10:08 AM
|
#8
|
Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Etters
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #28619
|
I went to the soft start link- They have a surge protector and softStart combo- would you recommend something like this? I would want it for A/C and microwave plus appliances. AS stated, I do not use the generator that often, but plan to in the future.
|
|
|
05-10-2022, 11:06 AM
|
#9
|
Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,283
M.O.C. #26190
|
Look at Micro Air soft starts, who also make the Micro Air thermostats. Looks like they are $300-350 each. We have them on ours and also their thermostats. Works great and easy to install.
__________________
2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
|
|
|
05-10-2022, 12:42 PM
|
#10
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BUZZARDS BAY
Posts: 117
M.O.C. #25753
|
This is the one I use and highly recommended it.
Hughes Autoformers PWD50-EPO, 50 Amp Spike Power Watchdog with Shut Off, Portable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PMJ2K95...WYYAQNYK8G82FS
__________________
2020 Montana 3781RL
2020 GMC 3500 Denali HD Diesel SRW
20k Demco slider hitch
|
|
|
05-10-2022, 09:18 PM
|
#11
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,183
M.O.C. #1920
|
John, it’s nice to not have to worry about electricity, but as an RVer we need to know what we want to run and how much power it consumes. The soft starts are great if you are wanting to use your AC, but with the price of fuel that is going to be expensive. We have them and they are nice. We can run one AC with a 20 amp service. We also use two Honda 2000’s in parallel. This allows us to run two AC’s. But, it isn’t the same as 50 amp. Only you can determine what you want to run and how you will use it. We mainly use ours to recharge our batteries. The nice thing about having twin 2000 watt generators is they are scalable. You can run one or both depending on needs. They also are much lighter. There are a number of manufacturers out there. We have had both Hondas over ten years. We are also fans of the Hughes Watchdog. It is Bluetooth and if it does it’s job, the module is user replaceable. Best of luck.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames plus Meg - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar+ Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
|
|
|
05-11-2022, 09:15 AM
|
#12
|
Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Etters
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #28619
|
Thanks for the info! I am taking all of this in and will talk to my guy who stores my 5th wheel as he is a mechanic also. Thanks again!
|
|
|
05-15-2022, 01:22 PM
|
#13
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Fredericksburg
Posts: 164
M.O.C. #23470
|
For what it's worth, using one small generator, a SoftStart will NOT run one 15,000 btu ac on my 330RL High Country. The ac plus inverter (8 amps) exceeds the capacity of a small generator. (at near sea level)
Keep in mind that for every 1,000 feet of altitude your generator power is reduced another 2% (5,000 feet = a 10% loss). Out West, a small generator wouldn't even run our microwave. SoftStart won't fix that.
|
|
|
05-15-2022, 01:45 PM
|
#14
|
Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Bartonville
Posts: 32
M.O.C. #22776
|
2021 Fall Rally Video
The 2021 Fall Rally was our first, and we found it to be much more than what we expected…..First in Class! We plan to attend again this year. Attached is a video of the event that I prepared for family and friends, however if this years event is going to be your first you may find this helpful. This is only the second video that I have produced, so you may find that I have a lot of room for improvement! https://youtu.be/KieW3CQSKK0. Hope this works.
All the volunteers did a great job.
__________________
Rod and Linda
2020 3121RL Legacy, Full Body Paint, Six Lithium Batteries and 1,600 Watts of Solar, Two 3,000 Watt Victron Inverters, 150/100 Controller, 2020 GMC SRW Denali 3500, B&W Companion Hitch
|
|
|
05-15-2022, 01:53 PM
|
#15
|
Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Bartonville
Posts: 32
M.O.C. #22776
|
Oops…wrong spot and I do not know how to move it to a new post.
__________________
Rod and Linda
2020 3121RL Legacy, Full Body Paint, Six Lithium Batteries and 1,600 Watts of Solar, Two 3,000 Watt Victron Inverters, 150/100 Controller, 2020 GMC SRW Denali 3500, B&W Companion Hitch
|
|
|
05-15-2022, 05:45 PM
|
#16
|
Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: South East NC
Posts: 1,768
M.O.C. #19865
|
My neighbor is an anal electrical engineer. His research went to the Husky Mountain soft start and put 2 on his 5er. I have one. I have 2 Champion 2000 watt generator that I can run together but usually only use 1. One will run my res fridge and the 1 AC. Same with 110 house current. If you get the HM unit get it with Bluetooth.
__________________
John & Patty
2022 3855 BR
2019 Lariat F350 4X4 Dually
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|