Generator / Boondocking

[Trailer Trash]

I have a new 2022 Keystone Cougar RDS23 w/ factory 400 watt Solar, (2) A/C units, TV, Microwave, Lighting, etc. I can’t find through searching this forum what size or make generator would be a good choice. My biggest want would to be able to run both a/c units at the same time for a few hours, mid afternoon to cool the inside down in 85° afternoon temps before the sun drops down and I can open windows from then on. Any help would be so much appreciated.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Trailer Trash

I have a new 2022 Keystone Cougar RDS23 w/ factory 400 watt Solar, (2) A/C units, TV, Microwave, Lighting, etc. I can’t find through searching this forum what size or make generator would be a good choice. My biggest want would to be able to run both a/c units at the same time for a few hours, mid afternoon to cool the inside down in 85° afternoon temps before the sun drops down and I can open windows from then on. Any help would be so much appreciated.

If you want a 50A generator you best be young and strong. Most are very heavy. Here is a link to a "best 5". I have a Wen 30A generator I use to back up my home's power during outages. I have a transfer switch wired. Also be aware that if it rains, the generator can't sit there running so there has to be a way of keeping it out of the rains which mean moving it, perhaps. Most of the bruisers in this list are north of 300 lbs!

https://drivinvibin.com/2021/06/07/b...rv-generators/

[bsmith0404]

A true 50A gen to run both ACs are big and heavy, as mentioned. Most people will use a combination of two smaller ones and a parallel kit. I would recommend two 4500 watt. I really like my Westinghouse 4500. Amazon has them for around $1000 each and the parallel kit. Very quiet and has remote start and only about 100 lbs so easier to put into the bed of the truck or on a rack in the back of the RV. Mine will run one AC and the microwave at the same time and only be at 75% capacity.

To be honest, with 85 degrees, you should be able to get by with running one AC to maintain the temp after overnight cool downs. I would try that before I went out and spent the money on two.

[Trailer Trash]

Thank you, that is great information.

[Trailer Trash]

This looks like my answer maybe. Thank you!

[dutchmensport]

They say the Westinghouse and the Cumming Onan P4500i inverter generator are the same generators, except the Westinghouse is much cheaper. I have the Onan P4500i (actually 2 of them) that I run in parallel and I can run absolutely everything in my 50 amp (2 AC and residential refrigerator) fifth wheel without any issues at all. I've more than tested everything and as far as power goes, there's never been any difference between the 2 generators running in parallel or being hooked up to 50 amp shore power. The Onan p4500i is a really great generator, pricy ... yes! But darn good (and quiet). I've had no experience with the Westinghouse, but if it comes down to customer service, I'll go to the company that's been doing RV generators for a long, long time and has good customer service!

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

They say the Westinghouse and the Cumming Onan P4500i inverter generator are the same generators, except the Westinghouse is much cheaper. I have the Onan P4500i (actually 2 of them) that I run in parallel and I can run absolutely everything in my 50 amp (2 AC and residential refrigerator) fifth wheel without any issues at all. I've more than tested everything and as far as power goes, there's never been any difference between the 2 generators running in parallel or being hooked up to 50 amp shore power. The Onan p4500i is a really great generator, pricy ... yes! But darn good (and quiet). I've had no experience with the Westinghouse, but if it comes down to customer service, I'll go to the company that's been doing RV generators for a long, long time and has good customer service!

David, Do some explaining for my education. I have a 30A camper and a gen that has a camper 30A outlet. If I had a 50A camper, you run 2 gen and have a parallel kit between them. Do you come out of one gen which has a 50A outlet? Just not sure how this works. Thanks

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

David, Do some explaining for my education. I have a 30A camper and a gen that has a camper 30A outlet. If I had a 50A camper, you run 2 gen and have a parallel kit between them. Do you come out of one gen which has a 50A outlet? Just not sure how this works. Thanks

The parallel kit plugs into the 30A outlet on each gen and has a 50A outlet for the RV to plug into. Basically, one gen feeds one side of the 50A plug, the other gen feeds the other side. Some parallel kits also plug into parallel ports on the gen instead of the 30A outlet, but works the same way. Westinghouse, Onan, and Firman all have parallel kit ports to plug the kit into.

Here’s a link to the Westinghouse page that shows the kit and how it plugs in.
https://westinghouseoutdoorpower.com...-parallel-cord

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

The parallel kit plugs into the 30A outlet on each gen and has a 50A outlet for the RV to plug into. Basically, one gen feeds one side of the 50A plug, the other gen feeds the other side. Some parallel kits also plug into parallel ports on the gen instead of the 30A outlet, but works the same way. Westinghouse, Onan, and Firman all have parallel kit ports to plug the kit into.

Here’s a link to the Westinghouse page that shows the kit and how it plugs in.
https://westinghouseoutdoorpower.com...-parallel-cord

Thanks. I suspect hauling two smaller generators is a lot less stressful than lugging one 300 plus pound monster.

[Badbart56]

In our interstate travels we have seen several RV's with a shelf added to the back with a generator attached. A less expensive option than ordering an RV with the generator option I suppose.

[bsmith0404]

Much less expensive since an on board gen is around $7k option. Plus, on regular RVs, it’s an LP gen which burns through the LP very quickly. With toy haulers that have a dedicated 40 gallon fuel tank for the gen, that’s not an issue.

I tow a swivel wheel trailer behind me with the Harley, so I just put the gens in the bed of the truck ahead of the hitch. They’re only about 100 lbs so not that difficult to load up.

[haulinit]

Ah but don't forget good ol' California is going to outlaw portable generators!

Shelley K.
Haulinit aka The Monster McMansion

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by haulinit

Ah but don't forget good ol' California is going to outlaw portable generators!

Shelley K.
Haulinit aka The Monster McMansion

Only the sale of new ones.

[Trailer Trash]

I scan understand the idea of wiring (2) Westinghouse 4500 Watt gens in parallel in order to double the wattage to accommodate the 50 amp requirements however, couldn't I just purchase the Westinghouse 9500 watt with 12,500 peak watt capabilities and a 50 amp supply plug-in for about half the cost of the (2) 4500's?



https://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-...a-814576141126

[bsmith0404]

Absolutely if you don’t mind dealing with a 200+ lb gen. The whole idea of paralleling two together, if it’s hot and you need both ACs, you take the two 100 lb gens. If it’s not hot and you don’t have to deal with running both ACs, just take one. And one of those fits easily in the bed of my truck between the hitch and front of the bed, the larger ones don’t.

[Trailer Trash]

Thank you!!!

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Trailer Trash

Thank you!!!

No problem. The other nice thing about a small/smaller gen….we’re getting ready to leave on a month long trip, will be staying in rv parks with full hook ups the entire trip, but I threw one of the gens in the back of the truck just in case. If I was only going to be 50 miles from home, I wouldn’t bother, but being out for 30 days and over 1,000 miles from home, it’s a nice luxury to take along. If anything happens and we have to spend a night in a parking lot somewhere, it’ll be nice to have. Also threw my pancake compressor in the back of the truck. It’s a lot easier to hit the start button on the gen and plug in the compressor than trying to find air at a gas station that is easily accessible these days.