Generator Recommendations

[Houndie Dog]

Hi all,
I would like to get some advise on generators. I want to have one for a backup because I have 3 dogs and if we lose power we can't go to a hotel because most won't accept dogs.....Plus ,if I wanted to "rough it" I would have bought a tent :-)
I would like to be able to run one air-conditioner and the TV/Satellite plus the power converter. I have been looking at your basic run of the mill generators, and also at Generac on-board generators.

Would a basic generator from home depot with a 20A outet run the basics for me or do I absolutley have to have a 30A generator.

Does anyone have any experience with LP generators and which do you think would be the best for a fifth wheel application....gas vs. LP?

Thanks,
Grant

[jramsey]

Houndie Dog;
In the research that I have done, most AC units would probably run on a 2000 watt 20 amp unit, but you would be close to the minimum and you run the risk of damaging your AC. A lot of people I know have two 2000 watt generators that they hook up in series. it works out great because they can use one generator for everyday stuff and if they have to run everything at one time they have 30 amps with 4000 watts. in my experience I have never had trouble getting gasoline but sometimes propane is not availble. You could purchase the big 3000 watt units but they are big and heavy. All of the research that I have done is on portable units, I do not know much about the built in units.

[Houndie Dog]

Thinking about getting this generator and making a rack to mount it to the reciever on the trailer. Does this look like it would run the AC and some other items ?
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...3#BVRRWidgetID


Amperage (amps) : 45.8 A
Assembled Depth (in.) : 26.5 in
Assembled Height (in.) : 27.5 in
Assembled Width (in.) : 33.5 in
Auto idle control : No
Automatic Voltage Regulation : Yes
Built-in inverter : No
CSA Listed : No
Depth (in) : 28.75 in
ETL Listed : No
Electrical Product Type : Portable Generator
Engine Displacement (cc) : 389.0
Engine manufacturer : Generac
Fuel Gauge : Yes
Fuel tank capacity (gallons) : 7.2
Fuel type : Gasoline
Full load fuel consumption (gallons/hour) : 1.44
Height (in) : 25.0 in
Horsepower (hp) : 0 hp
Item Package Type : Cardboard Container
Item Weight : 167 lb
Low oil shutdown : Yes
Manufacturer Warranty : 2-year
Muffler : Yes
Number of circuits/outlets : 5.0
Operational volume (dB) : 0.0
Osha Required GFCI Outlets : Yes
Output Receptacles : (4) 5-20R 120V, (1) L14-30R Twist Lock 120/240V
Product Height (in.) : 25.0
Product Length (in.) : 28.75 in
Product Weight (lb.) : 180.0
Product Width (in.) : 26.75 in
Rated wattage continuous (watts) : 5500.0
Rated wattage peak (watts) : 6875.0
Returnable : 30-Day
Run time at 50% load (hours/tank) : 10.0
UL Listed : 1-UL Listed
Voltage Rating : 120/240 VAC
Width (in) : 26.75 in

[Festus2]

I think this generator would certainly be big enough to do those things you mentioned above. It certainly isn't the lightest at 167-180 lbs and having that mounted on the rear of your RV and potential bouncing around while going down the road would be a concern.

[Houndie Dog]

Yea.... I thought about the bounce factor. I guess it won't be any worse than 200 pounds of firewood or bikes or whatever. We have lost power 3 times in the last 4 outings and just want to make sure we don't have the problem again. I guess the only way to know is to try it and see what happens.

PS, I think the amps on the specs above might be a typo.....seems kind of high to me.

[Johnnyfry]

The amp spec looks right for 5.5kW at 120 volts. It is a bit of overkill for what you need. It is very heavy for rear mounting and it drinks a lot.

A 3.5 or 4kW would suit the situation better and cost less. A lot of people on the forum seem to favor the Champion 4kW unit which is under $300 and weighs less.

Remember, the 30 amp R/V wiring is for 120 volts, not 120/240 which is what many generators are set up to supply form the 30 amp socket, and has a different pin configuration from the R/V standard.

John

[antiqfreq]

We have our two Honda's in a low profile toolbox in back of our truck.

Use one if we need no a/c and use two if we need a/c.

We've had it this way 4 years now - no problems.

Jo

[jje1960]

Still using the Boliy, had it on all the way to Myrtle Beach in the back of the truck to run the 15k unit on the SRX, cat was super happy it was nice an' cool back there!

[mhs4771]

Another question: How loud will it be?? Well you have very upset neighbors? That's the reason lots of folk use the Hondas, very quiet. I too have two Honda 2000s in my chest in the back of the TV. If we don't need the AC and just want to watch the tele or run the ceiling fan, one Honda will work fine at an idle. If we need AC, which we might next weekend, I just hook them together in parallel (not series), with an extended run external fuel tank. Now have nearly the same juice as a 30 amp hook-up