inverter generator size?

[L0veless]

ready to bite the bullet on a inverter generator for our Montana 3720RL.
my question is what size should I be looking at?
they seem to range from 800 watt to 3,000.
we will mostly just be using lights, refrigerator and maybe TV when stopping over in the Walmart parking lots and not the air conditioners.

thank you

[JRTJH]

Leaving brand (Champion, Honda, Yamaha and more) out of the equation, if you're not currently planning to power your air conditioner, my recommendation would be a 2000 watt unit. It's light enough to easily handle and store. That choice will give you either 1600 or 1700 watts continuous power. That will provide enough power to recharge your batteries, power the lights, refrigerator, furnace and the TV/entertainment system with "a tad bit to spare". Plus, in the morning, it'll provide enough power to perk a pot of coffee or handle a hair dryer (if you turn off most of the other stuff)... Additionally, and for me, an important consideration, is the potential to "grow the system" without starting over, if in the future, you do want to include the A/C. All you'd need to do is buy another "similar model" generator and a "tether cable" to connect their output for increased capacity.

[Outback 325BH]

I chose the 2000 watt route. Will probably end up buying another (I knew this when I decided on the 2000), however the size/weight/portability couldn't be beat.

A 3000 is more watts, but not more than two 2000's. The 3000 is much bigger and heavier... and costs about the same as two 2000's.

You'll have to decide the pros and cons. Either way, they are sweet generators!


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[L0veless]

I like the idea of 2000 being enough to run most of what I want with the option of expanding down the road if needed. the weight is also nice that they are lighter and quieter. not getting any younger or stronger.

thank you for the eye opener.

[B-O-B'03]

Originally Posted by Outback 325BH

...
A 3000 is more watts, but not more than two 2000's. The 3000 is much bigger and heavier... and costs about the same as two 2000's.
...

I agree with the number of watts provided by paralleling 2 X 2K gensets being higher than a single 3K genset, but my 3100 watt generator was $699.00, delivered to my door, I am not sure you can get any of the 2K inverters for $350? and if it turns out you need the power of 2, then you have to deal with hauling them both, fueling 2, instead of 1, maintenance on 2, instead of 1, etc (and I think the 3100 will take less bed space than 2 of the 2K variety).

Originally Posted by L0veless

I like the idea of 2000 being enough to run most of what I want with the option of expanding down the road if needed. the weight is also nice that they are lighter and quieter. not getting any younger or stronger.

thank you for the eye opener.

A single 2K generator will, most likely, be quieter than a single 3K (depending on load), but if you end up having to run 2 in parallel, I think the single will be quieter.

For the record, at almost 63 years of age, I can load my 3100 into the truck bed by myself... they are not that heavy.

Bottom line, everyone has different needs, think things through and buy what works best for you

-Brian

[Thunder_SS]

I have a Champion brand invertor the has 2200 watt peak/1700 watt continuous. This offers me a peak of 18.3 amps.

Now my 15k air conditioner requires 16.5 amps to start and runs at 12 amps. My champion has enough power to start the air conditioner and once it is running, I can turn on the TV.

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[mfifield01]

I started off with the Champion 2000i generator. It was good, but I wanted to run the A/C. I sold it and got the Champion 3100 with extended run fuel tank. In the end I wanted one generator. I didn't want to deal with doing everything twice (Oil, Spark Plugs, Rejet at altitude, Extended run tanks).

My experience is that at a medium load, they sound about the same. Under a light load the 2000i was quieter (just charging up the batteries).

[Outback 325BH]

I do the 2 x 2000 route. Smaller, lighter, more watts for the price. Can decide how much to run.

Double the maintenance pays for itself by double the redundancy (if one dies, your have a second to run things).


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[L0veless]

these are all great points and really appreciate the input. I think our situation right now leads us to the smaller 2000w set up. we have always stayed in RV parks and are starting to travel more. thinking that staying couple nights getting from point A to B at Walmart parking lot would save money. when/if we get more into the non-park stays the ability to expand is appealing. with all my maintenance on vehicles, toys, odds n ends what's another small motor. again thanks everyone