Generator?

[Dro67]

Thinking of adding a generator for emergency power. We don't boondock so it's only for loss of shore power. Anybody have a recommendation?

[lwg]

My thoughts. Consider adding solar as an option. Won't give you indefinite power, especially at night but you could easily setup a system to run most of your coach and possibly 1 AC unit for a short period. Would need some additional batteries and a good inverter as well. Not sure what the generator costs but a decent option.

Option #2: buy a portable generator that you can use not only with your RV but in any situation. A good 3k watt generator could easily power most of the RV and one AC unit.

[JellyStonePark]

The wife and I keep a Honda 3K with us at all times and it has come in handy on more then a few occasions. Haven't tried running one of the ACs on it but it has made a boondock stop or two downright comfortable

[spindrift]

I've had portable generators but the convenience of my Onan 5500 trumps the hassle factor that I believe is associated with the portable. I have never relied upon solar but I don't believe it would be appropriate for the type of boondocking we experience.

[Oriana]

We have a single solar panel and 1500W invertor. It will easily supply sufficient power for a couple of days in sunny climate.

[Dave&Ginny]

We use our generator more than I ever thought we would. On EVERY trip, we use the generator when we stop at rest areas for lunch or if we decide to sleep a few hours. We now have around 80 hours on the meter.

[johnboytoo]

I would think the main use we would get out of one is to fire it up about 30 minutes before stopping to pre-cool the interior...

most times when we set up and it's really hot, I will plug in first and turn the air on while I sit in the idling cool truck

[atom ant]

Any of the little portable inverter type generators - Honda ecu 2000, 3000, etc, but keep it locked up.

Like Dave says, we've had the Onan 5500 LP for 11 years, and its nice to have for many reasons.

[brenkco]

I opted for 2 -Honda 2000's. To run the a/c, I'll need both connected with the parallel kit (or a single Honda 3000) would do. You said that you're looking for emergency power mainly. If you don't need the a/c, one will do nicely. It is probably the most affordable option, about $1,000. The Honda 3000 will set you back about double.

I do boon dock a bit and normally just us one of my Honda 2000's. Yamaha also makes a quiet generator, priced about the same.

Ken

[CampAddict]

Hi all, I see this is an old post but am considering purchasing the Honda 7000is along with with a winch due to the fact that I don't see much use out of it and would like to have the option to run the air. Other reason is i don't want to have to carry around extra weight because i believe I'm at the weight limit. Any thoughts. Thanks

[Shane Wood]

i am not fully understanding the weight issue. Maybe i am missing something. The Honda 7000 weighs 262lbs. an onan 6500 LP genrator weighs 290lbs. unless you want the ability to use it elswhere. The weight will still be on the back of the truck .

[spindrift]

That 7000 has a rather large footprint. Unless you have a specific need for using something like this for the home, farm, office, etc. I'm not quite sure why you wouldn't go with a permanent install.

[mstan]

I have 2 Honda 2000's that I run parallel. They will run one AC but not much else as far as micro wave and and or heaters. I bought them when I had a 35 foot bumper tow that was 30 amp service. They worked great then. My next fifth wheel was a Carriage with 50 amp. The honda's were great for the above application. But the pain of having to lift them and move them about was such that I purchased Onan 7KW and installed it. That was awesome. So when I purchased the RW I purchased a Onan 5500 and have installed it. I recommend a permanent install. # is not enough difference to matter. And Running on propane is the way to go. As for Solar? I like it but the extra batteries needed and... Well it is just not as easy as a generator to get it all set up. But that is personal choice.

[almcc]

When we retired I bought a Honda 3000 as we expected to do some boondocking, but there are probably less than 100 hrs or so on the genny in almost 10 years, most of that is monthly running to keep the battery charged. We very rarely boondock so the genny is mostly excess weight!

I permanently mounted it in the truck box to reduce the trailer weight and to be available if I have to provide emergency power to the house (we have natural gas heat and a stove so all the genny has to do is provide power to the furnace fan to keep us warm). So far, we haven't needed it much. It's last "RV" use was this past winter when a fellow Redwood owner pulled out with his TV dish still erected, it was easier to fire up the genny and power the Redwood to stow the dish than to pull back into his site and haul out his power cord. We used my 50 to 30 amp Marinco cord and plugged it into the Redwood to get the dish down.