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11-26-2021, 08:49 PM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Waterloo
Posts: 17
M.O.C. #29086
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What portable generator?
How large of a portable generator does everyone run?
What brand?
I have a 2021 3813MS with a residential fridge.
I understand we can only run 1 A/C unit(if we run one at all). But we do like our coffee and use the microwave a lot.
All suggestions welcome folks!
Thank you!
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11-26-2021, 10:12 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,933
M.O.C. #20477
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Roger,
Honda is the gold standard when it comes to portable gennies but there are others that are less expensive and do a decent job. A pair of the 2200 watt units are easier to handle and give you options to run one or two depending on how much power you need at the time. If you install soft starts on your a/c units you could run two a/c units with the pair of 2200s but little else.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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11-26-2021, 10:53 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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You will need to determine your power needs then purchase the corresponding sized Honda.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
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11-27-2021, 05:22 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SWFL
Posts: 964
M.O.C. #17801
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Several threads here and other forums. Honda always gets the nod, but several others work well, think Champion, Yamaha, General, and even Harbor Freight. Above 3400 you can usually run both ACs, the fridge and a MW. Or pair smaller ones, makes them easier to lug around.
__________________
2016 Montana 3711FL
2005 Ford F350, 6.0 diesel, short bed
Demco Hitchiker Auto Slide hitch
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11-27-2021, 06:34 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,551
M.O.C. #2283
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I have three of these generators, a 2000 watt and a 3500 watt Harbor Freight and a 3000 watt Honda. The Honda is a great generator but would I buy another one. No way. The only thing the HarborFreight unit lacks is a gas cut off and that is a thirty minute fix. The 3500 has an amp, watt, hour and voltage gage the Honda lacks. For almost three times the price I’ll buy something else that does the job just as good.
Lynwood
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11-27-2021, 09:30 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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For the weight, low noise level, ease of storage and transporting we went with the 2 Hondas and would buy them again.
__________________
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.
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11-27-2021, 09:36 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: new river
Posts: 414
M.O.C. #24181
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i have just one of these generacs works ok for me never tried using the air with it but if i did i think i would put the softstarts on my airs. they have went up in price just like everything else though..
https://factorypure.com/products/gen...ontent=Generac
al meyer
3931fb
az
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11-27-2021, 10:03 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,551
M.O.C. #2283
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Like Dick said for portability you can’t beat two small generators. The Hondas have 1800 running watts each. My HarborFreight has 1600 and that is more than any 3500 watt generator. And even at my age I can easily carry them around.
Lynwood
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11-27-2021, 01:51 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 664
M.O.C. #10985
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it depends how deep your pockets are. I bought 2 Power Horse generators from Northern Tool. They were 1/2 the price and do what the Hondas do and are just as quiet. They usually start on the 1st or 2nd pull. I am very happy with my choice.
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11-27-2021, 04:28 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,596
M.O.C. #22835
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Owner of 2 - Cummings Onan P4500i 's here. When paired together, they run everything in the camper, same as being plugged into 50 amp shore power. I've run everything at the same time: Both AC's, Microwave, Residential Refrigerator, Electric on the Water Heater, televisions, and the generators never missed a beat. One by itself will service 30 amps, the same as being plugged into 30 amp shore power and does not miss a beat. They (even running 2 at the same time) are quiet, powerful, and pretty fuel effecient. Battery start, with remote start, or pull cord start, or push button start on the unit. Gas cut off, comes with a 30 amp RV female socket and even a USB socket for charging or running anything that uses USB connections.
We love ours, haven't missed a beat since we bought them, and use them a lot. The portability allows us to use them for more than just the camper. I run power tools with one of them when I need power away from the house.
Again, not cheap ... but you'll never be disappointed with what they can do.
Click Here for more details.
Again, the down side is, they are not cheap and they weigh 100 pounds (dry weight). Add oil and fuel (3.4 gallons), and they can be very heavy.
But just like your truck ... it's better to have more power and not need it, than to have minimum power and regret you didn't spend just a little more and get something that could do it all.
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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11-27-2021, 04:48 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,551
M.O.C. #2283
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All the manufacturers give noise levels at usually 25 feet. Go to their website. Compare the features make special note because most of these come from a few Chinese companies. Don’t spend several hundred dollars more for the same generator. They are all private label units except for the Honda and the rest are Honda clones.
Lynwood
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11-27-2021, 06:33 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 455
M.O.C. #23094
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We have a 10 year old Honda 3000 with countless hours on it. When/If it goes I will absolutely buy another Honda.
__________________
2019 Montana HC 310RE
2010 Wildcat 29RLBS
2014 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7
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11-27-2021, 06:52 PM
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#13
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Established Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Waterloo
Posts: 17
M.O.C. #29086
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I have been really intrigued w/ the P4500i.
I’m very familiar with Onan/Cummins.
Thank you for all the info on them.
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11-28-2021, 12:14 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,146
M.O.C. #1920
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We have two Honda 2000’s for a number of reasons. First is reliability. We bought our first one about 16 years ago and still runs like new. Second is flexibility. We can run or two generators depending on need. We can run both AC’s off two or everything but AC with one. Plus, they’re quiet, sip fuel and I can carry one with one hand. I built a cage and each generator sits on either side of the hitch with a 6 gallon extended run fuel tank in-line with the hitch between the two generators. Everyone has different needs. We have Super Solar so our generators are backup for cloudy days. We seldom rely on generators for AC. Even an expensive campground is cheaper when it’s hot. Good luck with your choice. Lots of options. Figure out how the options fit your needs. Where will you carry it, how will you get it in/out, how do you fuel it, where do you have to go for fuel when you camp? Sensitive electronics - be sure it’s a pure sine wave.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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11-28-2021, 02:12 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Hagerstown
Posts: 866
M.O.C. #16013
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yep
Quote:
Originally Posted by DutchmenSport
Owner of 2 - Cummings Onan P4500i 's here. When paired together, they run everything in the camper, same as being plugged into 50 amp shore power. I've run everything at the same time: Both AC's, Microwave, Residential Refrigerator, Electric on the Water Heater, televisions, and the generators never missed a beat. One by itself will service 30 amps, the same as being plugged into 30 amp shore power and does not miss a beat. They (even running 2 at the same time) are quiet, powerful, and pretty fuel effecient. Battery start, with remote start, or pull cord start, or push button start on the unit. Gas cut off, comes with a 30 amp RV female socket and even a USB socket for charging or running anything that uses USB connections.
We love ours, haven't missed a beat since we bought them, and use them a lot. The portability allows us to use them for more than just the camper. I run power tools with one of them when I need power away from the house.
Again, not cheap ... but you'll never be disappointed with what they can do.
Click Here for more details.
Again, the down side is, they are not cheap and they weigh 100 pounds (dry weight). Add oil and fuel (3.4 gallons), and they can be very heavy.
But just like your truck ... it's better to have more power and not need it, than to have minimum power and regret you didn't spend just a little more and get something that could do it all.
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With this I agree, it got a little frustrating having to turn things off just to use something else and not being able to use both A/C`s with twin 2000`s. The little gens had to run at full bore and went thru gas like crazy(try filling them up in the middle of the night in the pouring rain)and nothing else could run except a night light. Any way twin 4500`s on propane paralleled to a 50Amp outlet on the frame runs everything. I leave mine in the truck and secured. Westinghouse came out with these and Onan just put their logo on them but these have the duel fuel capabilities.
__________________
2018.5 3791 Rear Den Montana, on the lake ![Fishing](images/rvsmilies/fishing.gif) no 3rd A/C, Mini Split, just do it
Electric Brakes ![EEK!](images/smilies/eek.gif) ..... Disk Brakes, it`s the only way
F350 Ford Dually 4:10`s w/bags (payload 5595 lbs) Sumo Springs 63 gal aux tank
Reese Goosebox Mor/Ryde SRE 4000 X Factors Monroe shocks.... real smooth ride
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11-28-2021, 05:14 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,551
M.O.C. #2283
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Great generator and you saved a couple hundred bucks per generator.
Lynwood
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11-28-2021, 11:01 PM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Nampa
Posts: 114
M.O.C. #21247
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bshgto
With this I agree, it got a little frustrating having to turn things off just to use something else and not being able to use both A/C`s with twin 2000`s. The little gens had to run at full bore and went thru gas like crazy(try filling them up in the middle of the night in the pouring rain)and nothing else could run except a night light. Any way twin 4500`s on propane paralleled to a 50Amp outlet on the frame runs everything. I leave mine in the truck and secured. Westinghouse came out with these and Onan just put their logo on them but these have the duel fuel capabilities.
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That’s the generator I have too. Works great. I think Onan & all the other ones like that model are the same. At least the specs are the same on that i4500
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11-29-2021, 07:10 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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Just know that top of the line products are often duplicated in performance numbers, capacities, abilities, etc. Many components are made from lesser quality materials to allow for lower production costs. As a person that used to bid out big ticket items, it was difficult to weed out the cheaper clones. Generators are no different.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
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11-29-2021, 08:59 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Hagerstown
Posts: 866
M.O.C. #16013
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bigger is always better
Quote:
Originally Posted by socoinc
That’s the generator I have too. Works great. I think Onan & all the other ones like that model are the same. At least the specs are the same on that i4500
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A couple of years use and the 4500`s still run like a top. But it is 2 gens to maintain. So I`ve been eyeing this new one from HF and looking for a kit to convert to propane, to new for that I guess.
__________________
2018.5 3791 Rear Den Montana, on the lake ![Fishing](images/rvsmilies/fishing.gif) no 3rd A/C, Mini Split, just do it
Electric Brakes ![EEK!](images/smilies/eek.gif) ..... Disk Brakes, it`s the only way
F350 Ford Dually 4:10`s w/bags (payload 5595 lbs) Sumo Springs 63 gal aux tank
Reese Goosebox Mor/Ryde SRE 4000 X Factors Monroe shocks.... real smooth ride
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11-29-2021, 09:14 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,551
M.O.C. #2283
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That is a great generator but it’s a lot to carry around with you. If I needed a generator to use when the power went off that’s the one I would get but my little generator will run every I need to run except my heat. I can get by using my gas logs.
Lynwood
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