Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-31-2009, 08:33 AM   #1
H2K
3 Rivet Member
 
1991 29' Excella
Currently Looking...
Sidney , Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 242
Advice on purchasing a generator

We have a 1991 Excella 29' and would like to camp in some of the National Parks. I am looking for the appropriate size generator to run the water pump, ref. and possibly a heater. Really need advice on what size generator, and how to calculate what appliances can run and when.

Thanks,
Hank
H2K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 08:36 AM   #2
Site Team
 
azflycaster's Avatar

 
2002 25' Safari
Dewey , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,615
Images: 62
Blog Entries: 1
The water pump (12 volt) and fridge (120 volt) are small draw items. What type of heater are you planning to operate?
__________________

Richard

Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
azflycaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 08:39 AM   #3
Retired.
 
Currently Looking...
. , At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
I'm partial to the Honda EU2000i generator. They are small, light, quiet, and good on fuel. They will run about everything in your trailer (except the a/c), just not all at once.
The biggest consumers of power will be the microwave (800-1200 watts), a hair dryer (up to 1500 watts), and an electric heater (600-2000 watts).
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
overlander63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 10:04 AM   #4
Rivet Master
 
Mexray's Avatar
 
1978 28' Ambassador
Morada , California
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,584
Indeed, it's hard to beat the Honda 2000 watt Genny - we've used ours for years - it's reliable, quiet, and sips fuel...

I have a 100 ft, 10/3 gage extension cable so I can place the genny away from the AS when the situation permits, and you can't even hear it running! I use one of those heavy cable locking devices to secure the genny to some strong point to help prevent it from 'growing' legs...and we normally put the genny back inside our TV if we're away from camp for any time...

This is such a popular genny, it's too bad AS doesn't have an option for providing an external storage compartment geared to this genny's exact size so you could just 'whip it out' and fire it up for some quick AC power out there in the boonies...
__________________
Ray & Pat; Morada, CA
Mexray is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 10:10 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
HowieE's Avatar
 
1991 34' Excella
Princeton , New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
Images: 12
First you have to decide if you will ever expect to use the AC on the generator.

If so you will need at least 3000 watts. That can be by putting 2 of the Honda 2000 in parallel, which is a common favorite, or one 3000 watt unit.

If you are never going to use the AC then a 2000 watt unit will be fine.

I carry a small 1000 watt Honda for battery rechage and have an Olympic catalytic gas heater and run the frig on gas when off the grid. A good set of batteries should last you several days.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles

HowieE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 10:41 AM   #6
banjobill
 
wmarsha's Avatar
 
2000 30' Limited
battle ground, , Washington
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 516
ditto to all other replies

I like Air conditioning, and my TV is enclosed, plus I already owned a Honda EU3000, so I mounted it on the tongue of the trailer. I knew I would be boondocking, so a gen was a must. The electric start and low noise of the eu3000 is a plus. There is a new model of the 3000 out, it is lighter, and has wheels-pull start (hondas have never been a problem pull starting) but ya still need somewhere to put it. also, gas cans have to be taken with ye. I placed a fuel cell under the gen on my tongue. there is a thread on this mod in the gen section.
the 2000 is where you want to be if you do not plan on air conditioning much.
wmarsha is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 10:45 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
Jim Foster's Avatar
 
1965 17' Caravel
1983 27' Excella
Walnut Grove/Laguna Woods , California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Send a message via Yahoo to Jim Foster
We have a Honda 2000. It won't run the microwave and the espresso maker at the same time, so we don't run the microwave and espresso maker at the same time. No big deal.

If we ever decide that we want to run the A/C when dry camping I will get another Honda 2000 and the parallel kit to connect them. Getting a larger, heavier, noisier, thirstier generator is not my cup of tea.

Works great. Would buy it again.
Jim Foster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 11:07 AM   #8
_
 
. , .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
go RED or BLUE...

Quote:
Originally Posted by H2K View Post
...Really need advice on what size generator, and how to calculate what appliances can run and when...
hi hank

more threads on genset choices here than models of streams and gensets COMBINED.

and going WAY BACK to the early years when gensets were crank started and ran on coal fires and steam...

but ALL u really need 2 read is right here...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...ors-39684.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...ons-44531.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...ion-50668.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...0-a-19725.html

and AFTER choosing the eu2000i COMPANION model,

u might want a hermetically sealed storage box...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...tor-44248.html

cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.

we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
2airishuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 11:11 AM   #9
Rivet Master
 
AirsDream's Avatar
 
1999 23' Safari
Perrysburg , Ann Arbor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 916
If all you're running is water pump and furnace and a few lights (especially if you conver to LED bulbs!) you can easily run on solar (if you've got sunny sites) for at least several days with only two standard-size batteries.

If you just want to recharge those batteries every so often, etc., a 1000w generator is sufficient.

If you want to run a 1500w electric heater, microwave, an electric coffee pot, a larger television, etc., you're gonna' either need shore power or a 2000w plus generator - and remember that most developed campgrounds won't allow overnight generator usage ... so no overnight 1500w heater either unless you're on shore power. At least some (many? most? all?) U.S. National Parks prohibit generator use between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

If you want to run your air conditioner and some / all of those things listed above, you need a larger generator. I've got a Yamaha 2400 and it runs my a/c just fine, but not other major appliances at the same time. It might not run yours, depending upon the current demands of your a/c. If it's a higher draw a/c and you want to run it, you may need a 3,000 watt generator.

Everyone I have ever encountered who has Honda or Yamaha generators in the 1,000-3,000 watt sizes are generally quite happy with them; they're quiet, start with a single pull, don't use too much fuel, are convertible to propane (so you don't have to lug around annyoing and possibly dangerous gasoline supplies - after all, you've already got propane with you!).

Good luck - and take your time with the decision ... these machines last a long time. There are a bunch of sites out there that list common household appliances and their wattage draws, and so can help you add up what draws are likely to be part of your trailer life - thus leading you to the right size generator.
AirsDream is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 11:31 AM   #10
"Cloudsplitter"

 
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas , Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
Images: 1


Have used both the Yamaha 1000 and the Honda 2000, both very good units, stay with the name brands and pick your size carefully and you won't go rong.
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
ROBERT CROSS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 11:40 AM   #11
Site Team
 
azflycaster's Avatar

 
2002 25' Safari
Dewey , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,615
Images: 62
Blog Entries: 1
We carry a Honda Eu1000i with us on most trips. We don't use a lot of power, but we only have a single battery. We don't have a microwave or a Television, but my wife has a low watt hair dryer that will work with the 1000. We camp in places where we do not need the Air Conditioner. The 1000 works well for us and it only weighs 26 pounds.
__________________

Richard

Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
azflycaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 11:44 AM   #12
4 Rivet Member
 
Alwhisman's Avatar
 
1978 Argosy Minuet 7.3 Metre
Dayton , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 313
Images: 94
Blog Entries: 1
Send a message via Yahoo to Alwhisman
I've had my gen longer than Christine. It's a 3500w and the noise level is 67db. When I ever get to replace it, I'm going Honda, their noise level is right around 62db. I can run roof air, coffee pot and two tv's easily. Even at 67db, I can't hear it inside. I don't run it all the time, usually about an hour in the morning, and a few hours in the evening. Solar is something I'm exploring right now as well.

.....and my wife DOES bring her 1800 watt hair dryer....lol

Good Luck,

Al
Alwhisman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 12:02 PM   #13
Moderator
 
moosetags's Avatar

 
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach , Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
Images: 5
Greetings from the Florida Panhandle

We have two of the Honda 2000's. We have used them quite a bit. They are great units. If we're not running the air conditioner, we use one. If we run the air or heat pump, we use both in tandem.

Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
moosetags is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 12:16 PM   #14
H2K
3 Rivet Member
 
1991 29' Excella
Currently Looking...
Sidney , Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 242
Forgot entirely about the air conditioner-probably because of the current chilly weather in Ohio. Thanks to everyone for the advice. You guys are a great support team.

Hank
H2K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 12:25 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
Lothlorian's Avatar
 
1973 27' Overlander
Loganville , Georgia
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,741
My generator is a champion 4000 watt with 3500 running watts. I use it only a few times a year when we go to our property. The noise is 68 DP when running. I usually run it at night, or if it is very hot outside. The noise level is tolerable and when you have the air running you cannot hear it at all. It is not very light with a weight of 100lbs, but I got it on sale for $269.00 (new) and it works well. I can run the air, TV, lights almost anything when we are camping. I could not justify the cost of one of those Honda generators on my budget.

I think if you are not camping close to anybody they are great for power. When I work on the property I do not hear it. I only hear it when I am close to the trailer. I would not use it in a congested campsite.

Brian
__________________
Brian & Adrienne
Lothlorian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 12:38 PM   #16
Rivet Master
 
Mike Leary's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
Images: 4
Hope this helps. Click on it if your eyes are as bad as mine.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN2897.jpg
Views:	119
Size:	114.5 KB
ID:	90056  
Mike Leary is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2009, 04:44 PM   #17
3 Rivet Member
 
snake's Avatar
 
1994 21' Sovereign
Tucson , Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
Most National Parks and Monuments have the 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM generator restriction, although we've encountered some that allow as little as 4 hours. Some also have a limited area of campsites that allow generators.

You have to be prepared to run on battery power, and recharge when you can.
snake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2009, 10:53 AM   #18
4 Rivet Member
 
Alwhisman's Avatar
 
1978 Argosy Minuet 7.3 Metre
Dayton , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 313
Images: 94
Blog Entries: 1
Send a message via Yahoo to Alwhisman
We do the same as Brian. We only use it when we go to our property where we normally don't see another soul for the entire period we are there.

Al
Alwhisman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2009, 12:48 PM   #19
Rivet Master
 
JimGolden's Avatar
 
Vintage Kin Owner
1977 31' Excella 500
Berkeley Springs , West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,637
Images: 7
I'd sort of echo the others on here....I read these boards, agonized a lot, and bought a Honda EU2000i. I've been totally happy with it! It runs everything except the a/c just fine. Even my wife's 1850 watt hair dryer. I plan to get a second one, and make a mount up on the tongue so that when I get to where I'm going, I can set one of them on each side and have them paralleled together and chained down to prevent them walking off. They're good units.

The one pull thing is a bit of a misnomer....they are one pull to start if you've run it recently. If it's sat for six months, it takes about six pulls They are good medicine.

The Yamaha is probably just as good. I went with the Honda, in the end, because my local dealer (who is also an authorized service center) sold red, and made me a deal better than I could get online. Other than that, if blue is a better deal, I think you'd be fine with it.

Like they said, get 3000 watts if you want to run the a/c. Otherwise, 2000 is fine.

And a side note: I was up at WVU last weekend for homecoming. I had my little Honda purring along quietly and I cut it off at 10:00pm to be courteous. But the goobs on either side of me with their contractor gennies cranked 3600rpm all night long, 6000 watts each, all night long, and 70 db, all night long. I guess if you're used to a Huey hovering beside your bed all night, it's not hard to sleep. I'm not, so it was. Oh well, at least I was courteous.

But in all seriousness, these little Honda's are so quiet you probably could run them all night and never bother a soul.

Take care,
__________________
- Jim
JimGolden is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Need Advice On Purchasing A New Tow Vehicle ryan b Tow Vehicles 22 09-10-2007 06:55 PM
Thinking about purchasing a diesel generator Streamer1 Generators & Solar Power 17 07-15-2007 03:49 PM
Advice needed on purchasing an AS trailer petechar Member Introductions 13 05-04-2007 05:25 AM
Looking for AS purchasing advice tslanier Member Introductions 7 05-18-2006 09:22 PM
Purchasing Advice: 2004 22' Safari donreitz 2000 - 2004 Safari 12 10-14-2003 06:44 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.