Looking for a generator - Montana Owners Club

juddspaintballs · 07-28-2022, 12:18 PM

We've been living in our 350QBQ for about 1.5 years now. It is parked on my parents' farm while we wait to get stuff in order to build a house. We're tied into their house power/water/septic. We lose power at the farm when big storms come through. I have a big military generator on a trailer that I can backfeed their house with to keep them running (interlock in place), but I cannot power my Montana while I'm also powering their house.

I want to get a smaller gasoline generator that will power my entire Montana like I was still plugged into the grid for the few hours we're out of power here and there. I want to be able to run both ACs without modification. Noise really isn't an issue since the big diesel generator will also already be chugging along. It sucks to not have AC in July.

I was looking at a Champion 7000w Inverter generator for about $1100. It has a 30A twist lock plug that says it is capable of 120/240 volts. I assume that generator would be powerful enough to do what I'm asking, but would I be able to wire that correctly to power my Montana fully?
https://smile.amazon.com/Champion-Po...cx_mr_hp_atf_m

Or are there better options available? Weight or noise aren't really an issue, but I would like to stick to an inverter style generator. This generator will be useful for actually building my house, too. It won't go to waste once we're no longer living in this Montana.

rohrmann · 07-28-2022, 08:34 PM

For a little bit more you can get a full 50 amp 120/240 volt outlet. https://www.championpowerequipment.c...att-generator/

juddspaintballs · 07-28-2022, 08:45 PM

That's a lot more than a little bit more, but I see your point.

I found a Westinghouse WGen9500DF (dual fuel) for $1150 that has a 50A plug on it. It would work just fine, I think. There's a comparably sized Champion generator as well in the same price range with the same plug configurations. I may just go that route since noise isn't a big concern.

Thanks for the help.

mlh · 07-29-2022, 05:45 AM

Harbor Freight makes a 9500 watt quiet inverter for $1400.
Lynwood

Daryles · 07-29-2022, 05:50 AM

Champion also makes a 50A parallel device so you can parallel two smaller generators (quieter) and still get 50A out of it.
They have a tool on their webpage for determining what pair of generators you need.
Having two smaller generators, you can take one (or both) with you camping. Many places have noise restrictions on generators.

juddspaintballs · 07-29-2022, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlh

Harbor Freight makes a 9500 watt quiet inverter for $1400.
Lynwood

Their 9500 watt inverter generator is $2400 and it doesn't have a 50A plug on it. They make a 8750 watt inverter generator for $1300 but it also doesn't have a 50A plug.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daryles

Champion also makes a 50A parallel device so you can parallel two smaller generators (quieter) and still get 50A out of it.
They have a tool on their webpage for determining what pair of generators you need.
Having two smaller generators, you can take one (or both) with you camping. Many places have noise restrictions on generators.

I can't really figure out how to make their tool tell me which two inverter generators to parallel to get to what I need. If I knew what two generators to use, it would tell me which parallel kit to use though.

That isn't a big deal because I don't see me going that route. Even two 3500 watt generators are pretty heavy and about twice the cost of just one big non-inverter generator.

I own a EU2200i already, but two of those wouldn't be sufficient. I wonder if I could get a 3000 or 3500 watt generator and parallel it with the EU2200i for enough power...

Superchief05 · 07-31-2022, 02:59 AM

You can parallel any two inverter generators with any parallel kit. You just have to make sure you get Champion adapters if you use their parallel/generator. I parallel a Firman 3200 W with a Champion 2500W using the champion parallel kit.

mlh · 07-31-2022, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juddspaintballs

Their 9500 watt inverter generator is $2400 and it doesn't have a 50A plug on it. They make a 8750 watt inverter generator for $1300 but it also doesn't have a 50A plug.

I can't really figure out how to make their tool tell me which two inverter generators to parallel to get to what I need. If I knew what two generators to use, it would tell me which parallel kit to use though.

That isn't a big deal because I don't see me going that route. Even two 3500 watt generators are pretty heavy and about twice the cost of just one big non-inverter generator.

I own a EU2200i already, but two of those wouldn't be sufficient. I wonder if I could get a 3000 or 3500 watt generator and parallel it with the EU2200i for enough power...

I think you will only get double the max running watts of the smaller generator or 3600 running watts in your case no matter how many watts the larger generator putts out.
Lynwood

Foldbak · 07-31-2022, 10:23 AM

https://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet....yABEgKE0vD_BwE

This has remote start
https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect...r/p101118.html

juddspaintballs · 07-31-2022, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foldbak

This has remote start
https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect...r/p101118.html

That's the one I was talking about earlier. It's on my radar.

However, I like the idea of running two parallel inverter generators. I've used (but I don't own yet) the Predator 3500w inverter generator before. That thing is incredibly quiet. I can wait until they go on sale and buy two plus a parallel kit with a 50A plug and I'll be all set. Having the ability to only need one occasionally is also a plus (like winter-time when I'm not using AC).

rames14 · 07-31-2022, 12:04 PM

Just be aware, unless you have soft start, you need 50 amps (6000 watts/leg - 12,000 watts total) for you to run as if you are on 50 amp shore power. You won’t have a problem with less, unless two AC’s and the microwave are running. So, a 3500 watt is way undersized. Only you can determine what you “need”. By managing power, many run on 30 amp. You just have to manage your power.

juddspaintballs · 07-31-2022, 04:35 PM

More reading and research I think I'm ready to buy. I'm looking at the Champion 4500w enclosed inverter generators. Two of those and Champion's 50A parallel kit should let me run pretty much like normal. They're a touch louder than two of the 3500w Predator generators (58dB vs 61dB) but not so loud to really make a big difference. 101# per genset and a nice long run time per tank of gas. The specific version I'm looking at is the Model 200987 that has EZ Start and a remote start option too. I don't really care for the remote start, but that version is cheaper than the other versions on Amazon right now.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

Total cart with a couple other smaller things on Amazon is sitting at $1475. That's two generators, the parallel kit, and a couple other generator related items.

RMcNeal · 08-01-2022, 05:03 AM

I've been looking at this generator as well, however I am looking at the model that has dual fuel so I can run off propane instead of gas. My main reason for wanting it is to run the front AC while travelling to keep the rig cooler so it doesn't take so long to cool down when we get to our destination or overnight stop.
We have 2 English Bulldogs that can't take the heat, so I end up idling my truck for an hour or two now until we can get the coach cool enough to bring them in.

Daryles · 08-01-2022, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

I've been looking at this generator as well, however I am looking at the model that has dual fuel so I can run off propane instead of gas. My main reason for wanting it is to run the front AC while travelling to keep the rig cooler so it doesn't take so long to cool down when we get to our destination or overnight stop.
We have 2 English Bulldogs that can't take the heat, so I end up idling my truck for an hour or two now until we can get the coach cool enough to bring them in.

I've seen generators on rear hitch carriers. You could make a short cord to go between the generator and the rear receptacle then run the generator and front AC going down the road an hour before you get to your stop.
You can see in this picture this guy has his generator plugged in.
I have read where others have made a rear carry box to completely enclose the generator.

RMcNeal · 08-01-2022, 06:34 AM

I considered something like that, however our plug on the rig is in the middle driver's side so I would have a cord hanging on the side of the rig. Also, I have the pull out garage in the rear, so any time I wanted to get in there (quite often), I'd have to remove the generator. I'd really prefer to keep the generator in the back of my truck for security anyway.
My biggest question is can I get by with a 2500 watt generator to run one AC, the residential fridge and converter? It max rated at 15Amps gas and 13Amps propane. I could put 2 in parallel when I needed to run both AC's. I'm looking at the Champion 2500 dual fuel #200961. Two of these with parallel kit are only $980 on Amazon right now. I haven't put on the Easy Starts yet, but they're coming.
I know I can run the front AC, fridge and converter on 20 amp. Do that all the time at home with no problems even without the Easy Start.

RMcNeal · 08-01-2022, 06:40 AM

Unfortunately, the rig is in the shop right now getting the side wall crack repaired again (3rd times a charm I hope).
Otherwise, I could just get out the meter and start testing.

Daryles · 08-01-2022, 07:21 AM

[QUOTE=RMcNeal;1257418]I considered something like that, however our plug on the rig is in the middle driver's side so I would have a cord hanging on the side of the rig. Also, I have the pull out garage in the rear, so any time I wanted to get in there (quite often), I'd have to remove the generator. I'd really prefer to keep the generator in the back of my truck for security anyway......."

Someone posted this picture of his setup a few years ago. You can see the exhaust extension hose going over the sides. If I remember correctly he installed a receptacle in the front wall and a manual transfer switch to switch between the front and rear receptacles.

RMcNeal · 08-01-2022, 07:26 AM

That's what I intend to do as well. I'm hoping I can actually run the front hookup to the back of the pin box instead though, so I can keep the cord in the truck and not draped over the tailgate. I've never been in a site where I needed an extension cord, but having a 50 amp inlet at the front of the rig may be handy.
I have all the stuff to do the hookup, 6/3 with ground, auto transfer switch, etc. Just need to get the rig back and try to find where I can fish the wire through.

mlh · 08-01-2022, 07:32 AM

That should make you a very nice generator.
Lynwood

twindman · 08-01-2022, 12:34 PM

It doesn't look like anyone answered your main question - will 2500w genny work. In my opinion, no. I think a frig may use 10 amp, the A/C 14/15 at first but as it heats up maybe 16/17. Converter maybe 2-4 if batteries are charged up to start with. My A/C starts out (not the starting amps) at 14/15 but as it runs longer and/or day heats up it goes to 17 amps. I don't have a heat pump tho, not sure what you have.

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