Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Tech Forums > Technical Corner
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-28-2012, 01:59 PM   #21
jdoug
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Troutdale, OR
Posts: 22
I'm thinking the Boliy (never heard of 'em until here!) with a remote starter is just the ticket for me. I can be sitting in the comfort of my easy chair, the wind a blowing, the rain a falling and just hit the button! Actually, being in a wheelchair makes the stairs not so much fun so any help I can get from technology I'm all over.

Thanks for the info!

Doug
jdoug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2012, 02:08 PM   #22
SAD
Permanent User Ban
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,124
Quote:
Originally Posted by azlee56 View Post
...I think I agree as much as I would like to go press a button in my closet to turn on the generator, the fume thing has me concerned....
My last camper (5th wheel Toy Hauler) had a built in Onan 5500. I really miss it. A properly installed and maintained unit will have no fumes.

Not loading and unloading.... Not having to refill the small gas tank.... Having a push-button control right there at the staircase SURE WAS NICE!!!...

We used ours quite regularly. Even overnight!! Oh the fright!!! Blue-hairs everywhere would just faint!!!

In 2007, we had a terrible ice storm which had over 1.5 million homes without power while outside temps ranged between 7 and 22. Luckily our TH had a full fuel tank. We ran the generator for 4-5 days straight. (even while sleeping!! faint!)

When we traded for a traditional 5er, this was one of the things I dreaded - not having the built in. But the living space was more important to us than the toy space. If they had an Alpine/Avalanche with a built in genny on the lot, I would have bought it on the spot. No such luck. Could have ordered and waited... But I'm not that patient.

Right now we have a Yamaha 2800i portable. Works great for us. But some day, I'll eventually put a Onan 5500 back in the front portion of our basement again
SAD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2012, 02:27 PM   #23
azlee56
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 616
I need to check into those. I was trying to figure out what models there were and how you put them in, and how in blazes you do the exhaust when it sits in front of the fw. Lots to learn!
__________________
"just ride away into the black and white sunset"
azlee56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2012, 09:35 AM   #24
michael
Senior Member
 
michael's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 199
Im leaning twords the onan, lp burns cleaner and quieter thanks for the thoughts on the onan i was reading all the post hoping i would find a coment on the onan. and i like the thought of it built in , putting a portable in and out of my pickup isnt much fun, my time and my back should be used for hoisting a cold drink not a heavy generator.
__________________
2012 Mountaineer 346LBQ
MOC Member
4 slides. Weber Baby Q100 grill, Red solo cups.

2008 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4
V10 Engine, axle 4:10 ratio
8ft box SRW

10x10 Screen room.

Let It Happen Campin.
michael is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2012, 09:39 AM   #25
davidjsimons
Senior Member
 
davidjsimons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 865
Onan is hard to beat and the service network, at least in my area , is excellent.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
davidjsimons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2012, 10:01 AM   #26
hankpage
Site Team
 
hankpage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidjsimons View Post
Onan is hard to beat and the service network, at least in my area , is excellent.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Can't go wrong with a Cummins product.
__________________
Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
hankpage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2012, 09:16 PM   #27
floatflyer
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Kelso, WA
Posts: 78
I use two Honda EU2000's with a parallel kit. I bought them from Mayberry at about $900 each, and the kit is another $250. The nice thing is they are very quiet and only 45# each so manageable to move around. The Max sustained output is 1600 Watts each so they won't run two A/C units, but I have only one. For times to run lower consumption loads I can get by with just one unit at much lower fuel use. I also have a 6 gallon aux fuel tank that feeds both units, giving me a longer use time without having to refill the one gallon generator tanks. Just FYI.

Something else about the Honda is the eco-throttle. You can activate it and the engine and generator will be load responsive, so running at lower output (and less fuel) if the electrical load is lower than the full load output. No, I'm not a salesman. I just appreciate a good product and value.
floatflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2012, 05:35 AM   #28
SAD
Permanent User Ban
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,124
Quote:
Originally Posted by floatflyer View Post
I use two Honda EU2000's with a parallel kit. I bought them from Mayberry at about $900 each, and the kit is another $250. The nice thing is they are very quiet and only 45# each so manageable to move around. The Max sustained output is 1600 Watts each so they won't run two A/C units, but I have only one. For times to run lower consumption loads I can get by with just one unit at much lower fuel use. I also have a 6 gallon aux fuel tank that feeds both units, giving me a longer use time without having to refill the one gallon generator tanks. Just FYI.

Something else about the Honda is the eco-throttle. You can activate it and the engine and generator will be load responsive, so running at lower output (and less fuel) if the electrical load is lower than the full load output. No, I'm not a salesman. I just appreciate a good product and value.
I find it very hard to believe you can run and A/C on 1600 watts.

Not trying to be contrary. But that simply doesn't make sense.
SAD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2012, 06:22 AM   #29
jbsmith
Senior Member
 
jbsmith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Dayton
Posts: 175
Quote:
Originally Posted by SAD View Post
I find it very hard to believe you can run and A/C on 1600 watts.
They're using a parallel kit with two generators to double the output to 30 amps and up to 4000 Watts.

I've considered doing the same. Carrying the 2000 has to be easier than trying to hoist the 3000 into my truck. The combined noise of two 2000's which individually are already louder than a 3000, is my only concern...plus I already own a 3000.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
__________________
J. B. Smith
Dayton, OH

2012 Keystone Cougar 331MKS
2018 RAM 3500 Laramie 6.7L DRW
B&W Companion
jbsmith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2012, 06:23 AM   #30
SAD
Permanent User Ban
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,124
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbsmith View Post
They're using a parallel kit with two generators to double the output to 30 amps and up to 4000 Watts.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I missed the each part. 3200 is good. My bad!
SAD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2012, 06:47 AM   #31
gduff
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Milton, VT
Posts: 7
We also have the Honda 2000i which works great. I did not want to struggle with moving a generator that was over 100#. We obviously cannot run the AC with it, but can do most everything else plus keep the battery charged when boon docking. Probably will invest in the parallel kit and the second unit when we go full time.
__________________
2013 Montana High Country 318RE
2008 Chevy 2500HD EC D/A
52 gal aux fuel tank
Firestone Air Bags
Pullrite Superglide
gduff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2012, 07:23 AM   #32
Scottinvt
Member
 
Scottinvt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Vermont
Posts: 93
I'm looking Ito the fairly new Yamaha 2400, spoke to my local dealer and it will run our 1 a/c unit no problem.
Scottinvt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2012, 08:06 AM   #33
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottinvt View Post
I'm looking Ito the fairly new Yamaha 2400, spoke to my local dealer and it will run our 1 a/c unit no problem.

Scott,

The Dometic website recommends a minimum of 3500 watts to run a 13,500BTU A/C. While some may believe this is "overkill", generators are designed and constructed with varnish on the copper windings in the armature. This varnish will melt and reduce the insulation on the windings as the generator heats up from being loaded (used to power electrical items). The engineering design calls for a specific heat tolerance in the windings. Overloading the generator will increase the heat, destroy parts of the varnish insulation and short out segments of the armature winding. Once this happens, that part of the winding will no longer function (it is shorted out) and the remaining parts of the winding must carry the load. Over time, the varnish degrades repeatedly in generators that are consistently overloaded and further destroys the armature.

While a 2400 watt generator will "usually" power an A/C, using it for that task repeatedly will destroy the generator over time. How much time depends on many factors, not just electrical load.

A typical 13.5K A/C draws 12 amps for the compressor and 2.5 amps for the fan motor. Thats about 14.5 amps for the A/C total. At 120 VAC, that's 1740 watts to run (starting has a larger power requirement). So, the generator has the "wattage" to run the A/C, however, when you plug in your RV, you also power the converter, any 12 volt systems that may be running as well as additional 120 volt systems. The "usual" amperage requirement for most travel trailers when initially plugged into shore power is around 5 to 10 amps. That's a wattage draw at 120 VAC of 575 - 1150 watts. When added to the 1740 watts the A/C draws, the actual power requirement of the RV will be much closer to 2300-2500 watts. So, you will be over the regulated "run load" of the Yamaha 2400 watt generator (2000 watt continuous output over 20 minutes).

Will the Yamaha 2400 generator "run" a 13.5K A/C? Yes it will, with 300 watts to spare under normal conditions.

BUT: when the A/C is installed on an RV with other electrical loads considered, the 2400 watt generator will be running above its maximum continuous wattage nearly all the time it is in use. I'd urge you to reconsider. $1500 is a big investment to make when you are buying the absolute minimum power requirement you'll need. You probably should consider a bigger generator or a "dual stack" generator system so you have the reserve power to run your A/C without overloading your generator.
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.