Generators

[howshow]

Hey all, so i am now toying with the idea of a generator to power Rv batteries while we dry camp, my question is this, if the generator does not have a 30amp plug on it to accept my 30amp rv plug can i use a convertor plug 30amp to 110volt (house hold plug) will it harm the RV or Generator....

thank you

[bg71361]

No problem, red, yellow, blue green. Can-o-worms opened

[Festus2]

You can buy an adapter plug that will accept your 30A power cord at one end (the female end) and will plug into a 20A receptacle on your generator. This will harm neither the generator or the RV. Most RV dealerships and RV parts places will have this adapter - it's not too expensive.

[howshow]

ahh ok great news, i dont anticipate it powering much as its only 2000w with inverter

#1 cheaper version no 30amp
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/ryob...nerator/834301

#2 reliable gen with 30 amp
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ompliant/43844

if any have experience with both, either, or, id be interested to hear.

thanks

[Festus2]

Both generators have a "usable" output of 1600W and while the Honda has an excellent reputation, the Ryobi is also quite well respected. The Honda is lighter and probably more quiet but I haven't been up close to a Ryobi. If the price of the Ryobi is in C$, it would certainly save you several hundred dollars compared to the Honda whose CW price is, of course, in US$. The exchange rate makes it even more expensive.

The 3 yr warranty on the Ryobi is an attraction and if you can get it locally, any warranty work or possible repairs would be much easier.

If you have the extra$ and don't mind parting with it, the Honda would be the best bet over the long haul.

The Champion is another "cheaper" generator to consider --- good reports and a lower price.

[GMcKenzie]

If you are buying the Honda in Canada, you get a slightly different version that cannot be ganged together with another unit to make a 4K setup. That feature is not CSA approved (something to do with the grounding).

I have the Honda and it is a nice, quiet unit. I got mine used for 1/2 price.

And I use mine with an adapter on the rv all the time.

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by GMcKenzie

If you are buying the Honda in Canada, you get a slightly different version that cannot be ganged together with another unit to make a 4K setup. That feature is not CSA approved (something to do with the grounding).

.

Interesting. I wonder if this restriction applies to other generators that can also be coupled --- such as the Yamaha and the Champion?

[GMcKenzie]

Found this elsewhere.

"Canadian electrical standards require the ground and neutral to be bonded. This defeats the logic circuits in the genset controller that allow two gensets to be run in parallel. "

I'm curious as well. Time to google.


Looking at the Yamaha sites, http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/pow.../features.aspx shows the pairing capability and https://www.yamahapartsandaccessorie...power-products shows two different pairing cables.

The Canadian site https://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products...PP&catId=33#fb does not list pairing as a feature and they don't list pairing cables as an accessory.

[GMcKenzie]

And the Champion sites shows two models, one Canadian.

http://www.championpowerequipment.co...cts/inverters/

[howshow]

well after much research now i am leaning more towards the Champion 3100 from costco at 849! you can not beat the price, it seems as though all who have one love it, and your right about pairing the two honda units together if purchased in Canada. so buying the Champion 3100 will start the ac if needed while dry camping also charge batteries, and i can use the power inside, the mike TV etc.. of course not all this at the same time

http://www.costco.ca/Champion%C2%AC%...100118537.html

at a cheaper price than the honda more power and similar db outputs raving reviews Champion it is

[Festus2]

Sounds good! Let us know how it performs after you have given it a good test on the road. Hope it meets your expectations and performs well.

[GMcKenzie]

Be interested in hearing it compared to my EU2000i. Let us know how quiet it is.

[dm1401]

Originally Posted by howshow

well after much research now i am leaning more towards the Champion 3100 from costco at 849! you can not beat the price, it seems as though all who have one love it, and your right about pairing the two honda units together if purchased in Canada. so buying the Champion 3100 will start the ac if needed while dry camping also charge batteries, and i can use the power inside, the mike TV etc.. of course not all this at the same time

http://www.costco.ca/Champion%C2%AC%...100118537.html

at a cheaper price than the honda more power and similar db outputs raving reviews Champion it is

I have this unit and have so far put 40-some hours on it, love it so far, it is a little grumpy to start when cold, usually 2x tries gets it going, it is quite for its size but is louder than the Honda 2000w unit as expected. It runs our A/C no problems and the fridge at the same time, along with the water heater, but that is about its max, if you run all the above then try a coffee maker it will kick out the circuit breaker on the gen set. It is heavy though. No regrets with my purchase yet.
It doesn't come with oil, so you will need to buy a quart of oil.
Enjoy.

[howshow]

Originally Posted by dm1401

I have this unit and have so far put 40-some hours on it, love it so far, it is a little grumpy to start when cold, usually 2x tries gets it going, it is quite for its size but is louder than the Honda 2000w unit as expected. It runs our A/C no problems and the fridge at the same time, along with the water heater, but that is about its max, if you run all the above then try a coffee maker it will kick out the circuit breaker on the gen set. It is heavy though. No regrets with my purchase yet.
It doesn't come with oil, so you will need to buy a quart of oil.
Enjoy.

ahh thats good to hear thanks for this info, was wondering how much it would run, im more into it running AC when needed, using the power outlets when needed and charging batteries, but im sure ill find more things once i have it up and running, thanks for the info on the oil too

Ill keep you posted on the little thing on our summer travels, ill throw up a video of it at end of summer..

[dm1401]

Originally Posted by howshow

ahh thats good to hear thanks for this info, was wondering how much it would run, im more into it running AC when needed, using the power outlets when needed and charging batteries, but im sure ill find more things once i have it up and running, thanks for the info on the oil too

Ill keep you posted on the little thing on our summer travels, ill throw up a video of it at end of summer..

Ahh man, I screwed up I don't have that model, I have the Powerhouse PH3000Ri, but power ratings are similar so they should be pretty much identical, sorry for my blunder.
http://www.costco.ca/CatalogSearch?s...ord=powerhouse

[GMcKenzie]

Well. That Costco page is interesting as it is the Canadian page and they list a parallel kit for the 2100 generators. First one I've seen that can be run like that in Canada.

[dm1401]

a friend of mine runs two of these, the local Costco said they couldn't provide the parallel cord kit, but he ordered it online and received it, and it works well.

[Bluewater]

Originally Posted by howshow

well after much research now i am leaning more towards the Champion 3100 from costco at 849! you can not beat the price, it seems as though all who have one love it, and your right about pairing the two honda units together if purchased in Canada. so buying the Champion 3100 will start the ac if needed while dry camping also charge batteries, and i can use the power inside, the mike TV etc.. of course not all this at the same time

http://www.costco.ca/Champion%C2%AC%...100118537.html

at a cheaper price than the honda more power and similar db outputs raving reviews Champion it is

Sounds like a great unit for the price. It is not near as quite as the Honda but used with descretion in the the right places you should enjoy it. Happy camping.

[GMcKenzie]

Hmm.

Princess has one coming on sale. 3,500W inverter for $699. 3000w continuous.

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/G...ator/8530891.p

Wonder who makes it.

[Festus2]

I've just recently bought one identical to this but with a different name (BE3500). Made in China for a variety of outfits ...each one puts their own sticker on it. Mine is hard to start and this has been an issue with these generators including mine. One or two pulls? More like ten or twelve!

I wouldn't recommend it.