RV Generator learnings

[92xj]

I am in the market for a generator and have no idea of the path to go down.

The main thing I will want to make sure this generator runs is a 15,000 BTU AC unit.  According to the internet, I will need a 3300-3500W generator.

With that number in mind I am thinking of purchasing 4000w and having plenty to run anything at anytime for the most part.
4000w generators are heavy and big and I will be dealing with this thing alone some of the time.

Do I buy a single 4000w or do I buy some sort of package deal with 2 2000w generators?

The 2 2000w will be a lot cheaper than a single 4000w.

In my simple uneducated generator brain, 2x200=4000. Fire them both up, hook them up however someone smarter than me tells me to and they(both running) will run a 15,000 btu ac, if I ever have the need or want.

They will also power a microwave, coffee pot, tv, the outlets and recharge the batteries (not necessarily all at the same time).
Please help with a path forward.

If money was no object, is honda the route to go?
If money is an object (which it is), is there a brand somewhat comparable, quietist and worth buying for my needs?

Thanks.

[BNAElkhntr]

Hondas Have just been More reliable  for me Long Term

[bornhunter]

Double 2000's. You dont need both of them at all times but when you do you got em. I've never looked back.

[Mudman]

We have been running the Champion 3500-4000w since 2010ish.  $299.  Runs our TT with AC lights, TV and coffee(Which uses lots of watts) and microwave.  3500watt is needed.  I also use it to power the house if elec goes out.  220v/110v so I feed the house at 220v to run well house, fridge and light and tv.  Win win.  It is 96lbs and quiet compared to other similar brands of value.

[KFhunter]

I had the same things running though my head for my RV

I don't use the AC that often, so I opted for (2) 2000w generators from Costco.  They're Yamaha powered iPower generators and so far they work great.  Together they run my AC fine, I'm not sure the BTU but it's a 30 foot TT with double slides so it's probably a good size unit.

I like that I can take one out to the old Dodge CTD and plug in the block heater and charge the battery at the same time, let it run a couple hours and it's warm, charged, and ready to start. 

When I'm camping and not needing the AC I like to alternate between two generators if I don't feel like gassing one up in the dark. 

The price did go up, I paid less, got mine soon as they hit the shelf, I was walking by and whoa!  snapped up two of them for less than $500/ea
https://www.costco.com/A-IPower-1600W-Running--2000W-Peak-Yamaha-Powered-Gas-Inverter-Generator.product.100343958.html


edit:

Oh and the nice thing about these is they're complete stand alone units..with the Honda you need the main generator then a companion generator that has limited use by itself, and you need that weird plug thing they got going.   With this you just plug the RV plug in either generator and when you need them both just plug in the two wires = done.   

The RV plug can be in either generator it doesn't matter. 

[HntnFsh]

I would definitely go with 2 2000s. Way easier to handle and lots of options. Heres a link to a thread on Ifish that is ongoing.
https://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?p=15939723#post15939723

[birddogdad]

I would definitely go with 2 2000s. Way easier to handle and lots of options. Heres a link to a thread on Ifish that is ongoing.
https://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?p=15939723#post15939723

if your going to be there for long time, i have 2 of these 2000's plumbed to a marine 5 gallon tank, lasts running continuous several days.. The beauty of having 2 connected is most times you only need the one and other can just stay off in reserve as well.. gas consumption reduced a lot that way... make sure and bring extra oil to add, i use a restaurant catsup squirt bottle, they can use and most have a low pressure oil shutoff.. This setup is used by me for 6 weeks every fall to run power to a camper, 2 tents lighting, a small chest freezer and an outhouse lights, most of the time, the one gen is enough as long as AC/microwave isn't run in the camper if you run LED lighting.

[Sandberm]

I bought the 2 Honda 2000w generators because I THOUGHT I was going to be running the air conditioner on my travel trailer. Ive NEVER used the ac, as I mostly camp in the spring and fall.

1 Honda 2000 will run the microwave in my tt and heat the hot water tank, but not at the same time.

[CoryTDF]

Funny that this just popped up. I just spent like 5 days researching generators and after reading about a million reviews I settled on this one. It was on $776 when I bought it last week??

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-4-500-Watt-Super-Quiet-Gas-Powered-Inverter-Generator-with-LED-Display-Push-Button-Start-and-Remote-Start-iGen4500/303364199

Not sure it was a good choice as I have not used it yet but the other Westinghouse Inverters I have used worked well.

I never even thought about buying two smaller ones??? Now I am second guessing myself. I do like the idea of only have to worry about one engine though. I bought a 26ft trailer last year as I plan to use it while following my daughter's softball tournaments. I plan on using the AC often as it will be hot and awful in the summer.
 

[BDildine]

Put a soft start on your AC and your generator will be much happier and won’t bog/risk popping the breaker when your compressor kicks on
https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters/products/easystart-364-3-ton-single-phase-soft-starter-for-air-conditioners?variant=30176048267

[kirkl]

Depending on where you camp watch some of these bigger gennys, they are LOUD. My dual fuel one for home is LOUD. I wouldnt want to be camped by you running a 4000-5000 watt genny. Id go the two HOnda or Yamaha 2000 route myself. The other ones are heavy if you dont have help and you can just take one if you need it.

[Mudman]

2 Predators in parallel is what my future holds but if on a budget a $300 champion is good buy and quieter then most but not quiet like inverters.  2 gives you option of using one at times and if breakdown occurs 1 still works!  Dual fuel is good idea for some..

[CoryTDF]

I wonder why none of you are not selecting a dual fuel unit. For a few dollars more you can run propane and not have to issues of a unit that won't start if fuel is left in the lines. You are hauling extra fuel so what is the difference in a propane cylinder. My rollie house has a remote propane outlet. Just hook up a longer hose and you are golden.



https://www.homedepot.com/p/Westinghouse-4-500-Dual-Fuel-Gasoline-or-Propane-Portable-Inverter-Generator-with-LED-Display-and-Remote-Electric-Start-iGen4500DF/308134845

I believe the propane is far less efficient and more expensive than gas. It is also not near as easy to fine places to fill propane as it is to get some gas. I like the idea of it but i just did not see myself using it. 

[300rum]

You need to check if 2 2000's or 2200's will run what you want it to before buying them.  Many times they will run the AC but sometimes it won't.  For instance, on one of my trailers I had to flip the breaker on the microwave before the parallel units would run it.

Best way is to find someone who has them and try it first to make sure it will do what you want it to.   

[92xj]

Thank you all for your advice and opinions. I can admit I am new to this power stuff and know nothing of it. I like wood and fire but with the growing family and babies, a travel trailer is the choice and we look forward to spending many nights in it.

I honestly don't think we will run the AC more than once a year and that trip might even be in a hookup location, so the generator won't even be needed. All the other nights will be dry camping in the middle of nowhere high in the woods where an ac most likely won't be needed.

The smaller units appeal to me because of ease of moving alone. I honestly think I'll run a generator for powering a microwave when the kids get super hangry super quickly and I need to get food in them ASAP. Rainy day tv/DVD. Noise machines during naps and to charge the batteries for cell phone charging and noise machines at night without the generator running.

Fridge, grills, stove and furnace all propane with no need for the generator, I believe. The lights are all LEDs and I'll get the trailer set while hooked to the truck to hopefully use the truck power to set Jack's, roll out the awning and the slide out, keeping the trailer batteries as full as possible once disconnecting.

All that being said, if money allows twin 2000-3000s seems to be the way to go. Any brands to avoid? Those Costco ones look good.
I'm thinking I need to stay sub 1k per unit budget wise.

As I never used or been around a generator, I just fire it up and plug in the cord coming out of the travel trailer. When needing the extra watts I fire up the second and I'll be able to purchase cords to run them together?

Thanks again everyone.