Generator

[dfb]

Originally Posted by mazboy

I wouldn't even worry about electric going out at a campground. But if you want a generator just get a 2200 honda.

He want to run an air conditioner.. 2200, really an1800 us not enough..my brother bought the predator 3500 and i was very impressed!
However, if its made in China, i would not buy it..

[Texan]

Most people forget that the 50 amp in a campground is actually 100 amps . It is very hard to duplicate the pedestal with a generator. I have a 5500 watt and 7000 watt generator which i installed a 50 amp plug on and they will each run 2 a/c's and a microwave at the same time but no matter what they still have there limitations. With 5500 watts i can operate very comfortable but never feel as comfortable as with the pedestal.

[greenportbeach]

Originally Posted by rforten

3791RD here.

I have 2 x Honda eu3000is generators for a total of 6000 watts and almost 50 amps with a parallel cable.

50 amps on my generators is not the same as a 50 amp plug in a campground. A 50 amp campground plug supplies 12,000 watts of power (twice that of my 2 Hondas)

With the 2 Hondas I can run both my A/Cs and all the rest of the appliances on about 12 gallons of gas per day (hot day with A/C staying on). Plug in a hair dryer and it's all over!

With 50 amps of campground power I can run 2 A/C's a third portable A/C, a hair dryer and a margarita machine with no issues.

Thank you

[ejerni]

We bought a westinghouse Inverter generator. It isa 4000 with 3700 peak. 30 amps. We run one ac and probably keep the fridge going. We got it on Amazon for a little over $800.00 Very very quiet. Quieter than hondas

[Jester]

Any camp ground that would shut me down when im running an open frame generator when THEIR power wasn’t working is the pits in my book.

[Jester]

Let’s not forget the recall Honda currently having.

[tom woodward]

I've used the Predator, which I borrowed from a friend and it worked fine. It has a 30 amp comparable plug and it will run one AC and your fridge but not two Acs. I lifted it into the back of my dodge 3500 (about 99 lbs) and placed it ahead of the Hitch and behind the toolbox/fuel tank combo box. I had an extension for my plug and ran it all the way back to the back of the RV. Worked great BUT I decided to go with this unit;

iGen 4500-Watt Inverter Gasoline/Propane Portable Generator

Item #: 1087644| Model #: IGEN4500DF

It's dual power higher output than the Predator with some other nice features. $1049 plus 5% off if you have a Lowes credit card

[JDDilly]

the Honda recall is on the 2200. It is a quick, easy fix. At least that is all I am aware of.

[bleedmichigan]

Originally Posted by dfb

He want to run an air conditioner.. 2200, really an1800 us not enough..my brother bought the predator 3500 and i was very impressed!
However, if its made in China, i would not buy it..

Well both Honda’s and Predators are made in China so I guess they are both out of the question. As for Honda gen recalls there are 2 currently. One for a leaking fuel shutoff and another because the inverter shorts out in salt water.

[SterlingSilver]

Not sure about all states but many allow any generator to be run if the regular power is out and state law superceeds local laws and certainly the campground. The OP was talking about a generator for when the power was out. He's OK in my book with what he was looking to buy.

That said, an inverter generator is a better device all around unless money is a big deal. Quieter and more efficient. How big a unit to buy depends on what you want to run when you use it.

[PeteandJoan]

Originally Posted by tom woodward

I've used the Predator, which I borrowed from a friend and it worked fine. It has a 30 amp comparable plug and it will run one AC and your fridge but not two Acs. I lifted it into the back of my dodge 3500 (about 99 lbs) and placed it ahead of the Hitch and behind the toolbox/fuel tank combo box. I had an extension for my plug and ran it all the way back to the back of the RV. Worked great BUT I decided to go with this unit;

iGen 4500-Watt Inverter Gasoline/Propane Portable Generator

Item #: 1087644| Model #: IGEN4500DF

It's dual power higher output than the Predator with some other nice features. $1049 plus 5% off if you have a Lowes credit card

And probably another 10% off if you are a Veteran. Lowe's is my go-to store.

[McRod]

Yeah open frame gens have an attractive price point, that's why your looking at it. Take the recommendations everyone is giving you. Get an inverter generator! I use a champion 3500 with remote start.

[DebNJim B]

OP wants it for backup in power outage, not boondocking.
We had power go out in a snow storm for 12 one day and my residential fridge drained the battery so I bought a 3500 dual fuel so I wouldn't have to carry gasoline. All works great and I can now stop for an overnight w/o hook ups if I want.
Of course I haven't had a power outage since. I guess insurance is still great if you don't have to use.
IMHO if back up is all you want, keep the cost as low as practical.

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by 2 Yoopers

Why stop there. What if the same person offered to give you a DRV Luxury Suite or a Montana, which would you choose?

If DRV offered a 3813MS style floor plan then maybe... otherwise I'll stick with the Monty 3813MS we have. Of course if somebody offered to give me a new DRV, I'd take it... sell it, and pocket the money.

[L0veless]

if your rig is diesel then I would get a propane conversion kit then you can run both gas and propane. you have propane in the coach, most likely propane for accessories (Blackstone,BBQ) why carry Gas and have to deal with that issue? plus propane your generator will last much longer and fewer headaches. good luck

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by L0veless

if your rig is diesel then I would get a propane conversion kit then you can run both gas and propane. you have propane in the coach, most likely propane for accessories (Blackstone,BBQ) why carry Gas and have to deal with that issue? plus propane your generator will last much longer and fewer headaches. good luck

Cons of propane
1. Less power than gas. Especially noticeable at altitude. Not much of an issue if you have sufficiently sized genny for the job.
2. Propane much more expensive than gasoline.

FWIW.

[L0veless]

good points
out here propane is actually less expensive then gas. this might be a fluke.
some conversion kits do let you adjust propane to get pretty close to gas.
it was just a suggestion to think about. if he has a diesel rig.

[DebNJim B]

Ha ha, right after my post earlier this morning, the power went out in a thunderstorm, but it came back on before I could fire up the geny.

I use the geny very little so the cost of propane vs gas does not impact. also I'm winter camping in the south so a/c is not needed. Only need for furnace, lights, tv and residential fridge, so reduced power is not a factor.
One advantage to using propane is no ethanol issue and long term storage is not a problem for carb goo or varnish.
I think just as there are several options for solar designs based on uses, the same goes for generators.

[paulinbaja]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

I have yet to see where this Predator generator produces pure sine wave power. I see terms like "simulated sine wave", "clean power" or low "THC". If one isn't concerned about the quality of electricity they put into their rv then this generator should be fine. If one wants to remove all doubt about having safe power, buy a pure sine wave generator. There is a reason for the cost difference between inexpensive and themore costly. Quality of electricity is just one reason brand X generators cost less than brand name units.

If you spend the extra money be certain to compare the "specs." Some of the more expensive units live off their name and not on better quality.

[Vagabond]

We had 2 Honda 2000i generators. We now have a Predator 3500 and absolutely love it. Nothing wrong with the Hondas, but the task of dealing with two as opposed to one was attractive. You can't beat the price.