JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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I have the Generac 4000 EXL… 4000 running watts 6600 starting watts, with electric start… it will run everything in the camper with power to spare… it rock solid quality with clean power… plus it can deliver the full power to all of it outlets… provides plenty of power for emergency home use… I have also run two RV from it several times, and when the power was out for days powered 4 trailers not using there AC…
It was the best $700 I ever spent for emergency power…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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SUKISHORT
SO CAL
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Joined: 06/16/2006
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I have a Champion 3500 watt (4000 watt peak) that workd very well. It will recharge batteries and run everything except the A/C at the same time. I have to stop the recharge of the batterie if I need the A/C but when I do it works great. It is 68db and you can talk in a normal voice outside of 5 feet from the unit. I have also seen enclosures made that really do a good job of quieting the unit down. Good luck
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KDOG2010
New Jersey
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Thanks for the replies all. Looks like I have some more research to do. I should mention I would be using it in a fulltime setting. But I really don't use the 110 power that much. I'd only be using it off and on throughout the day. The fridge of course would be run on propane. I am going to put 2-3 batteries on it as well so that should run any 12V items like cell phone chagers, laptop battery chargers, etc for quite awhile. I would only need the generators for the AC when its hot and when I need to use the microwave. But of course I'm probably not thinking of all the scenarios that could crop up. Obviously its going to have to be stored inside the trailer and simply taken out whenever I'm set up.
Anyway to quiet down a noisy generator? Larger muffler etc?
'04 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L I6 4spd auto
'09 Kodiak 195 hybrid, 3487lbs empty
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KDOG2010
New Jersey
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And as far as the "pure sine wave" concern, is that really neccessary? Wouldn't the power panel/converter deliver pure sine voltage to the outlets in the camper anyway?
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vermilye
Oswego, NY, USA
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Joined: 08/11/2004
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Quote:And as far as the "pure sine wave" concern, is that really neccessary? Wouldn't the power panel/converter deliver pure sine voltage to the outlets in the camper anyway? No. The power panel does nothing to reshape the waveform produced by the generator. The converter makes DC.
As to needing pure sine wave, most built in RV generators are not inverter types, and there are rarely problems with the waveforms they produce, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. The real advantage of the inverter generators is they do not need to run full speed all the time to produce 60hz electricity. That makes them quieter unless fully loaded, and saves fuel.
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mexbungalows
las peñas, michoacan, mexico
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There they go again (manufacturers) "Pure Sine Wave". Small generator manufacturers are trying to ride on the coat tails of inverter generators whose products produce a "cleaner" sine wave than contractor or utility generators.
The subject you seek is labelled TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION
It is expressed in percentage points and refers to a sinewave distortion caused by using generator stator and rotor windings that are wound with a minimum quantity of copper.
I myself would not purchase a generator from a manufacturer that would not or could not tell me the THD value of their generator output.
It is easier to develop a more acceptable signal using an inverter because copper is more expensive and heavier, plus engine speed governors are not cheap to manufacture a superior product.
So look for frequency regulation plus or minus tolerances.
And then finally at voltage regulation plus or minus tolerances.
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H & E
North Texas
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I do not know all the technical data, but we use a Honda 3000 that has electric start and you can get a remote start for it. It runs our TT very well including the 15k A/C. They are not the cheapest available, but well worth the cost.
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RLS7201
Some Where
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http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/p-RVSF2700.html
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Chopperbob
Austin Texas
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I see no problem with mounting the gen on the rear of a travel trailer. Just make sure you weld the rack to the frame. Mine is a Yamaha 2800 inverter. It runs the ac fine with a hard start capacitor installed. 67 lbs. I did add 4 golf cart batteries on the front though. I think for full timing, you need either solar
or a gen. Possibly both. There are lots of folks doing just that. There are many things that can be done to improve the situation like adding shocks,
reinforcing the frame etc. Be carefull of Lippert frames.
Bob
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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KDOG2010 wrote:I would only need the generators for the AC when its hot and when I need to use the microwave. But of course I'm probably not thinking of all the scenarios that could crop up. Obviously its going to have to be stored inside the trailer and simply taken out whenever I'm set up.
Anyway to quiet down a noisy generator? Larger muffler etc?
first, you didn't say where you would be camping. if you are not near anyone or in a campground, then you can any generator you want. you'll need more than a 2000w generator for the a/c.
if you will be camping in campgrounds or someplace with others nearby, you'll need to buy a quieter inverter generator.
can't quiet a noisy gennie with a muffler because the noise is from the engine. as was said, the only quiet generator at HD is the Lifan inverter gennies.
you need to educate yourself on decibel ratings. the Champion 4000 is about as loud as you could get away with in a campgroud, which is rated at 68db. Honda/Yamaha can be as low as 53db. and that's a HUGE difference in noise.
the Champion will weigh over 100lbs. other similar ones will weigh even more. so weight will be an issue considering your TV and trailer.
are you going to be fulltiming in your hybrid? i own one and i would never consider fulltiming in it and it's much bigger than yours.
Dan- Firefighter , Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur , Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever , 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
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