Generator Choices Help

[laurily1]

I will be staring my trip in approx. 2 month and I need feedback from experienced rv,fifthwheel on what is the best for powering up your appliances,ac,etc. I have been looking at a Yamaha 3000seb its aprox. $2000
is this pretty much the cost for portable generators??

[tcwal]

If you search the Open Roads or RV.net forums you will find a lot of discussion on the various makes of generator. Yamaha and Honda both have good reputations and are quiet. The 3000kw generators generally weigh over 125 pounds. The Yamaha 3000seb weighs 151lbs without gas. Check the weights as they do vary by manufacturer. Weight can be a factor if you will need to move it and may also be a factor in where it can be safely permanently mounted. Many RVers seem to like the Honda EU2000i generators that weigh less than fifty pounds each. There is a kit available that permits two honda generators to be connected to double the power output when needed for high watttage appliances like the air conditioner. Two generators and the kit have been advertised for about $2,000 on the internet and by Campers World.

As for generator size, a 3000kw generator should run one air conditioner. A 30AMP shore line provides 3600kw, so with a 3000kw generator you will have to manage your power use a little more carefully than if on shore power. You may or may not be able to run the air conditioner and microwave at the same time. If you have a 50AMP service and are looking to duplicate your shore power, you would need a constant power output of 6000kw.

In determining how big a generator you need, make sure you look at the constant power rating not the peak output. For example the Honda 2000 is rated at about 1590kw, the Yamaha 3000 at 2800kw.

There are some other brands of generators coming into the market. Kipor and Boliy are two that have gotten a lot of discussion on other RV forums. They are considerably cheaper than the Honda or Yamaha generators. If you consider these, I suggest you read the comments about these to judge what is right for you.

Hope this helps.

[murfette]

We have Honda 3000. Very quiet. It's on wheels which helps with the weight. Runs everything (one A/C), however we have to turn A/C off when we use microwave. Will run for about 3 hours before we have to put more gas it in. Not a problem for short term usage.

[mike12110]

On www.rv.net you can see a thread about Generators. The Champion 3000 has a big following. It's a Honda clone except it's not as quiet. Cost seems to be around $299. A BIG savings! They are carried by many large chains.

[dadburnett]

Benn full timing 3 yrs with my fifth-wheel and have a pair or Honda 2000s secured in the back of my pickup, up against the tailgate. My power cord from the rear of the 5ver easily reaches them. We use them for boondocking or in a truckstop, etc. I am on a BiPap breathing machine and run one in the evening to power lights refer, fans, etc. I swithc over to the other one to power my machine all night. Have had no trouble with the Honda units.