Generators

csimingt · 08-04-2003, 04:32 PM

Pardon my ignorance, but I have never used a generator with any of my Airstreams. Do you use a power cord that coverts from 30 amps to 20 amps and then just plug into the generator? How long does it take to charge the battery?

Rickk48 · 08-04-2003, 04:52 PM

You can buy power cords which adapt your trailer cord to the two prong outlet on smaller generators like the Honda 1000 and 2000. As to how long to charge battery, the depends. On my Honda EU2000i I have 12 volt charging cables that can be used or it will charge through the trailers converter while powering the trailer. I have never used the generator for more than two hours at a time, and while powering the trailer it also takes the battery to full charge.

csimingt · 08-07-2003, 08:46 AM

Thanks Rick,
Do you think the Honda 1000 would be sufficient if all we wanted to do was re-charge the battery every 3 or 4 days?
Clark

Rickk48 · 08-07-2003, 12:19 PM

Sure, if that is all you want to do, although I don't know how long it would take. I opted for the 2000 because, for not much more dollars, it just seems to be a better value. It is extremely quiet, especially when compared to other generators in a campground, is fairly light, runs a bunch of hours on less than a gallon of gas, has the eco throttle, and produces steady, clean AC. Also, it is very convenient to just plug the trailer into it, go about my business in late afternoon, early evening using lights, etc. and know the battery is getting topped off.

montanaandy · 08-07-2003, 12:25 PM

FWIW - I love my Honda 2000. I boondock 99% of the time and find it indispensible. I normally do not use the eco-mode because I usually have everything going at once (i.e. micro, lights, tv, etc). and need all of the power that the 2000 can provide (1600 watts continuous). The only real drawback to this is that you will be sitting watching TV, nuking something in the micro and all of the sudden the lights/everything go out because the 2000 has run out of fuel. No biggie though (flashlight & refuel). Go for the 2000 over the 1000 - you can never have too much power + you can parallel the 2000 to another 2000 for 3200 watts, enough to operate the AC.

Montanaandy

csimingt · 08-08-2003, 09:26 AM

Thanks,
Thats another issue for me. I tow with an E-350 van conversion so I don't have a safe place to store gas. Where do you store your generator and gas can when traveling or when you are not at your campsite?

Rickk48 · 08-08-2003, 09:34 AM

As we generally only use the generator for brief periods, a full tank will last us the whole trip (2-7 days). We boondock, and do not have TV, Microwave or other high electric usage items, so the generator is really only for recharging the battery, so maybe a couple of hours every other day, every day if in cold enough weather to use heater, which runs the battery down quicker. I carry it in the back of my Rover. With the "cap" in off position, rarely have problem with gas smell, but I am thinking of getting a large, Rubbermaid type plastic storage bin to put it in. It stays in the Rover except when in use, and if I want to go offroad, I either chain it to the tongue, or put it in the trailer.

montanaandy · 08-08-2003, 10:09 AM

I tow with a Ford Excursion (V-10). I store the generator in a blue 40 gal Rubbermaid container (Target - around $7) lined with paper towels (spills) which allows for the storeage of the generator, qt. of oil, etc. I also carry a 5 gal plastic gas can filled with prem. unleaded. I store these in the front of the trailer (living room) when traveling (they are braced so they will not slide around). I obviously don't run the fridge (turn off propane) when traveling. I have a fairly short drive to my boondocking campground (1 hr.). There is a faint smell of gas in the trailer when I arrive but it disappears a few minutes after opening the vents/windows.

Montanaandy

montanaandy · 08-08-2003, 10:17 AM

I forgot to answer part of your question...

My boondocking "pad" consists of an a bladed/leveled area roughly 100' x 20'. During the day I store the generator & gas can in the shade provided by either the trailer or the zip dee awning. I keep it at the bedroom end (away from the propane tanks). Have also made a "shelter" out of canvas dam material to shade them in the event that the sun shifts/awning does not provide protection.

Montanaandy

Raptorrider2001 · 07-26-2004, 08:29 PM

It you are only going to use the little generator to charge the battery, I would suggest you just buy one of the smaller Honda 350 generators. It will run a battery charger very easily and will charge faster than going through the converter. It is very small and will run forever on a quart of fuel. You do have to mix the fuel because it is a 2 cycle engine.

Raptorrider2001 · 07-26-2004, 08:32 PM

As far as having the 2000 run out of fuel, I hook mine to a 5 gal. plastic can and it will usually last all weekend, even when running the a/c.

Raptorrider2001 · 07-26-2004, 08:38 PM

You can see a few of my photos of my gas cans for the 2000 generator here.
http://www.airstreamphotos.com/photo...500/ppuser/646