Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: elksnout on July 20, 2017, 12:29:41 PM

Title: RV Generators
Post by: elksnout on July 20, 2017, 12:29:41 PM: Any recommendations for purchasing a generator for my travel trailer? Looking for something that will run the A/C unit while dry camping which most likely needs to a 3000 to 3500 watts. I'm aware of all the Honda and Yamaha hype (and price tag) but are there other brands suitable? To be honest I'm talking limited use.

Thanks
Elksnout
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: Jharristealth on July 20, 2017, 12:35:08 PM: I have the Champion 3400 watt peak inverter with remote start. Only used it a couple times but seems to work quite well. Remote start feature was nice for starting the coffee maker in the morning without having to step outside. They typically run anywhere from 900-1000 bucks. I think the unit would have no problem running a 13.5k btu ac unit. My ac is flat on charge so I havent been able to test ac functionality with the genny yet.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: bearpaw on July 20, 2017, 01:08:54 PM: I don't own one myself but I know several people who own and use Harbor Freight generators, they are very affordable. Just google them to get a price and the nearest store location.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: baker5150 on July 20, 2017, 01:36:33 PM: Quote from: bearpaw on July 20, 2017, 01:08:54 PM
I don't own one myself but I know several people who own and use Harbor Freight generators, they are very affordable. Just google them to get a price and the nearest store location.

:yeah:

Ive ran my HF generator for 7 years with no issues at all.
It's loud, but for the price I can deal with a little noise.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: bearpaw on July 20, 2017, 01:39:08 PM: Quote from: baker5150 on July 20, 2017, 01:36:33 PM
Quote from: bearpaw on July 20, 2017, 01:08:54 PM
I don't own one myself but I know several people who own and use Harbor Freight generators, they are very affordable. Just google them to get a price and the nearest store location.

:yeah:

Ive ran my HF generator for 7 years with no issues at all.
It's loud, but for the price I can deal with a little noise.

In case you are interested, somewhere on here there is a topic about quieting loud generators!
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on July 20, 2017, 02:06:23 PM: Quote from: bearpaw on July 20, 2017, 01:39:08 PM
Quote from: baker5150 on July 20, 2017, 01:36:33 PM
Quote from: bearpaw on July 20, 2017, 01:08:54 PM
I don't own one myself but I know several people who own and use Harbor Freight generators, they are very affordable. Just google them to get a price and the nearest store location.

:yeah:

Ive ran my HF generator for 7 years with no issues at all.
It's loud, but for the price I can deal with a little noise.

In case you are interested, somewhere on here there is a topic about quieting loud generators!

Here is the thread about quieting them down:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,213712.0.html
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: bosshogg112 on July 20, 2017, 02:13:04 PM: I just picked up a Brigg's and Stratton 3500 at Home Depot 2 weeks ago for $399. It is definitely not as quiet as the Honda or Yamaha, but it was $1,700 cheaper than they are.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: baker5150 on July 20, 2017, 02:28:03 PM: Quote from: bearpaw on July 20, 2017, 01:39:08 PM
Quote from: baker5150 on July 20, 2017, 01:36:33 PM
Quote from: bearpaw on July 20, 2017, 01:08:54 PM
I don't own one myself but I know several people who own and use Harbor Freight generators, they are very affordable. Just google them to get a price and the nearest store location.

:yeah:

Ive ran my HF generator for 7 years with no issues at all.
It's loud, but for the price I can deal with a little noise.

In case you are interested, somewhere on here there is a topic about quieting loud generators!

Thanks, I read that while it was going.

I tried the plywood trick at Elk camp last year with good results. Didn't use any insulation, just a sheet to deflect sound and it REALLLY helped.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on July 20, 2017, 02:54:03 PM: I just picked up the Cabela's outdoor version that is made by champion. It's 3750 running watts and I can move it around myself. Get a good 50ft extension cord and the noise won't be an issue. Make sure it's 10 gauge if you are running 30 amp.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: 2labs on July 20, 2017, 03:44:42 PM: Take it to a muffler shop and put a real muffler on it! Get rid of that hockey puck muffler. It helps alot
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: huntandjeep on July 20, 2017, 06:20:00 PM: I'm using a Champion 3100 inverter genny and couldn't be happier. It's quite , light and has no problem running my AC unit
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: Wacenturion on July 23, 2017, 07:58:05 AM: Might want to check out this generator on Ebay. From time to time one of the sellers drops price to stimulate sales. Several of us on here have purchased them. Been using mine on my property for a couple years now. Great generator. Seems to run forever on gas. A friend who bought one says they run even longer on propane. Link to previous thread...

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,174030.0.html

DuroMax XP4850EH Hybrid Portable Dual Fuel Propane / Gas Camping RV Generator
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: Hilltop123 on July 23, 2017, 08:24:07 AM: Here is my HF generator, it will run one of the 2 AC units on my motorhome. And still have enough to run a tv and DVD player. Runs about 6 hrs., with that load. With a 50" extension cord, you can barley hear it over the AC unit running. HF sends out a ton of coupons, you can save a.few.bucks.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: JDHasty on July 23, 2017, 10:20:03 AM: Quote from: Blacktail Sniper on July 20, 2017, 02:06:23 PM
Quote from: bearpaw on July 20, 2017, 01:39:08 PM
Quote from: baker5150 on July 20, 2017, 01:36:33 PM
Quote from: bearpaw on July 20, 2017, 01:08:54 PM
I don't own one myself but I know several people who own and use Harbor Freight generators, they are very affordable. Just google them to get a price and the nearest store location.

:yeah:

Ive ran my HF generator for 7 years with no issues at all.
It's loud, but for the price I can deal with a little noise.

In case you are interested, somewhere on here there is a topic about quieting loud generators!

Here is the thread about quieting them down:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,213712.0.html

That would be great info. I know a lot of folks with inexpensive generators and other than the noise they serve them well.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: C-Money on July 24, 2017, 07:31:30 AM: I got a Duro Max for Christmas, and really like it. It is quiet, and runs great on propane. I do wish it had a 30amp RV plug in on it, as the 30 amp plug on it will deliver 220 and smoke your RV. Be Careful!!
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: KFhunter on July 24, 2017, 08:54:31 AM: Quote from: Macs B on July 24, 2017, 08:37:17 AM
Take a look at the off brand invertor generators like Yamaha, Kohler, etc. There are several in the 4K range for under a grand. Check Costco regularly they have all kinds of deals if you catch them.
:tup:
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: Happy Gilmore on July 24, 2017, 07:44:20 PM: Company where I worked for almost 15 years had about 60 generators in the inventory. Off brands had been bought when in a tight spot when break downs happened. Example, a Honda 5000 (90% of our inventory) would run two wedge welders and one hand welder. The off brand 5000watt models would run one wedge and barely one hand welder. They just aren't the same especially when man hours are being burned. You can buy an off brand but, buy up 2000 watts from whatever it claims it is rated.

I have a 2000 watt Honda and it runs everything in my Casita with the A/C ceiling unit on high. The Casita has a large Coleman A/C and heat unit on the roof.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: kball4 on July 25, 2017, 06:46:14 AM: My Ryobi 2000 inverter runs my AC on high.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: baker5150 on July 25, 2017, 07:34:15 AM: FYI, "HIGH" setting on your RV A/C unit only ramps the fan up to a higher speed, not the compressor. Your only pulling another amp or two.

I do agree with de-rating the off brand units output. I imagine their "testing" is best case scenario, kinda like advertised mpg's in car adds.
Title: Re: RV Generators
Post by: Happy Gilmore on July 26, 2017, 09:52:24 AM: a 5000 Watt yellow generator from Costco is not comparable to a 5000 Watt Honda. We had about 6-7 off brands. All have the same issue. Honda will produce 5000 watts continually. Off brands "might" peak at 5000watts. That's important when you are running equipment on a jobsite. Probably doesn't matter when you're just annoying neighbors camping in the woods.