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Lisa Paul Jennings 
Newbie 
Joined: 07 Dec 2014 Location: Williamstown MA Online Status: Offline Posts: 15 |
 Topic: Generator RecommendationsPosted: 18 Apr 2019 at 9:53am |
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I'm looking to buy a quiet generator, primarily to charge our two batteries. We do a lot of state parks that don't have electric hook ups. I can get about four nights but would like to be able to stay longer without worrying about battery capacity. Does anyone have a recommendation?
Thanks!
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp 
Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6285 |
Posted: 18 Apr 2019 at 10:21am |
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If that is all you want to do, a smaller inverter generator can suffice. You would only be able to operate it during limited hours anyway. Some of the smaller generators can be easier to lift, such as the 1000 watt or under models. Harbor Freight has a TailGater 900 Max Starting/700 Running 2 cycle generator for $109.99 but its 91 dB sound rating is not likely to make you any friends. Walmart's web site lists a Sportsman 1000 Watt Inverter Generator ( Walmart # 550149034) for $179 that has a 51 dB sound rating. That is much better. It weighs 21 lbs according to the specs listed, so would be easy to carry. Hopefully, this will give you some idea as to what to do. With any of these generators, plugging the RPod in to charge the battery/batteries is about all you will be able to do beside run the lights. They would be inadequate for the microwave and definitely not suitable for running the AC.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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texman
Senior Member
Joined: 24 Jul 2014 Location: TeXas Online Status: Offline Posts: 446 |
Posted: 18 Apr 2019 at 10:28am |
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Sounds like solar may be what you need if you are just needing to manage batteries. have you looked at that yet? 100 watt panel should suffice and you can get all your questions answered from the forum.
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Posted: 18 Apr 2019 at 10:57am |
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The problem with solar in the East is that if you happen to be camped in deep shade with no solar access or run into a long period of cloudy days it won't do you much good. The rest of the time it should do fine for what your needs are. Your choice depending on how and where you camp, and a lot of folks carry both solar and a small genny.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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ilthyn
Groupie 
Joined: 21 May 2013 Location: Alberta Online Status: Offline Posts: 62 |
Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 10:10am |
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I dry camp lots and have a 120 solar panel permanently mounted on top of my truck . The panel is hinged so I can pose it towards the sun. It charges a battery/inverter which puts out 12 volts DC, and 110 AC. I actually have two of those to use.
While the initial cost is fairly high, it works, especially with judicious electrical loading. I have an external switchbox so I can choose between trailer battery or one of the solar batteries. . Regarding a generator, I would strongly advise buying one that puts out a minimum of 2000 watts. It won't power a microwave, but will handle your furnace. I bought an induction cook plate which draws less power. Remember, most generators are advertized for their continuous output, not start-up output, so the initial draw of an appliance load may kick the generator off-line. Carefully assess what appliances you wish to have available off a generator before you buy. Mine is a Champion which puts out 2200 watts and it starts easily, is quiet and not too heavy to offload from my truck. My generator is basically a back-up for the solar system. |
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GlueGuy
Senior Member
Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2627 |
Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 11:12am |
I think manufacturers like to promote the larger number, which is the surge rating. So in your 2KW example, the continuous rating is probably more like 1800 watts or thereabouts.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
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podwerkz
Senior Member
Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966 |
Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 11:38am |
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A smallish 1000 watt inverter generator will quietly power the trailer, lights, laptop, phone charger, house battery charger, TV, water pump, but it WONT power the microwave or A/C unit, nor the electric water heater element, if you have that. It wont power a 1500 watt coffee maker or space heater. or cooking appliances like a toaster oven or a large electric skillet.
A 2000 watt or higher, SHOULD be able to power the microwave, the cooking appliances, or possibly the A/C unit, but a 2500 watt or above WILL be able to power the microwave OR A/C unit but not both at the same time. A 3500-4000 watt generator will almost certainly power BOTH the microwave AND the A/C unit at the same time, assuming it has a 30 amp outlet for the trailer shore power cord. A generator that large will be heavy, likely over 100 pounds, full of fuel. Mine is very hard to lift into the truck bed by myself. BTW, all of the above numbers are 'running watts'. If all you want to do is charge batteries and run the basic camper electrical needs, (excluding the microwave, A/C, and cooking/heating appliances) then a 1000 watt generator will do that. Basic items you will need for just about any small generator are: Gas can, funnel, oil, starting fluid, fuel stabilizer, and maybe a spare sparkplug and wrench if you camp in high altitudes. Generators usually operate in high altitudes fairly well (with some loss in power) but if you consistently camp in very high altitudes, its a good idea to change the carb jet. Of course some of the new small generators have fuel injection so no jetting change is required.
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r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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mjlrpod
Senior Member
Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214 |
Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 11:39am |
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+1 to glue guy, here in the North east thats the way I see gennies advertised. A 2000 watt honda is rated (I think) @ 1600 continuous, 2000 start up.
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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 11:47am |
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My 2Kw Honda is like Glueguy says rated lower for coninuous duty, actually at 1600 watts, but it will run the a/c just fine which takes 15.3A. I expect that is because the a/c compressor is an inductive load so operates at a power factor less than 1, probably more like 0.85 or so, which is typical for motor loads. That means that the true power its taking is more like 115V*15.3A*.85= about 1500 watts.
The microwave requires 12.3A which is no problem at all for the Honda 2K.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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podwerkz
Senior Member
Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966 |
Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 12:11pm |
0.85 is optimistic, I've seen compressors show .5 or less....  |
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r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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Generator Recommendations