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mpsgolf · 03-11-2016, 08:52 PM

I too have been researching. A 1000 may not run everything you desire, especially some things simultaneously. For example a microwave, hair dryer, and electric appliances with a heating element like slow cookers and coffee makers, could exceed your normal operating capability especially together.

I recommend making a list of everything you want to run, then track down the watts for each. By considering the wattage and thinking about how you will live day to day, the answer should be apparent.

When I did this it told me the 2000. Plus I have the flexibility to buy a second if I find later I want to run my ac.

Good luck and be safe.

Kellycanoe · 03-11-2016, 09:40 PM

What a wealth of information and experience - Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I will be solo and don't use coffee maker, hair dryer or other appliances. Will run fridge and water heater on propane. The cost difference isn't a factor so much as the weight, since I'll load and unload the generator into my pickup bed with each trip. I need to study up on converters and power to understand the difference between direct hookup of generator to batteries vs. through the Airstream, and the consequences for battery-charging.
My Honda EB4500 has gotten me through many a power outage so I am sure the right model Honda will stand up well on the road ...once I figure out which one that is!

OTRA15 · 03-12-2016, 11:00 AM

Amazon has the 1000i for $799. 1000 watts or 8.3 Amps at 120 volts.

Honda 1000i

Our FC20 Converter draws 8 Amps -- no microwave, hair dryers etc..

The 1000i weighs 29 lbs. vs. 46 lbs. for the 2000i.

dB of 53-59 vs. for both.

1000i = 17.5" long x 9.75" wide x 15.25" high

2000i = 20.1" x 11.4" x 16.8"

Less is more . . .

PKI · 03-12-2016, 11:44 AM

Less is more....in most of the conversations, I would agree, but the 1000 vs 2000 discussion just baffles me. An addition of 17 lbs is trivial unless you physically are limited in lifting ability and then, even 29 lbs is too much to lift. The $799 vs the $899 that I regularly see for a 2000 is trivial as well. If that price is too much, the Generac and other brands are more like $500. The size might be an issue, but the increase is 2.6"x 1.65" x 1.55" and that fits most places used for a generator.

Certainly understand the case for not having a generator, but down sizing to a 1000, well I guess that is why we have more than one flavor of ice cream, more than one trailer layout, and lots of tow vehicle choices. We all get to make our own decisions. Doubt a 1000 will result in many fewer smiles.

Travel safe. Pat

sheriff1 · 03-12-2016, 11:45 AM

Get the 2000, you won't regret it.

2015 F350 CC 4X4 6.7 Diesel
2010 27FB Silver Cloud "The Silver Spoon"

OTRA15 · 03-12-2016, 02:14 PM

Less is more . . .

FC20 ~ FC25 : 1000 ~ 2000

Winnowing chaff from kernels . . .

Essence of need . . .

The basics . . .

Only . . .

mpsgolf · 03-12-2016, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kellycanoe

What a wealth of information and experience - Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I will be solo and don't use coffee maker, hair dryer or other appliances. Will run fridge and water heater on propane. The cost difference isn't a factor so much as the weight, since I'll load and unload the generator into my pickup bed with each trip. I need to study up on converters and power to understand the difference between direct hookup of generator to batteries vs. through the Airstream, and the consequences for battery-charging.
My Honda EB4500 has gotten me through many a power outage so I am sure the right model Honda will stand up well on the road ...once I figure out which one that is!

You don't have a coffee maker on the road!? You're scaring me!

OTRA15 · 03-13-2016, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpsgolf

You don't have a coffee maker on the road!? You're scaring me!

Plenty of options without using 110 volts A/C:

Coffee maker thread

Less is more . . .

NWGetaways · 03-13-2016, 07:46 AM

here in the land of coffee nerds we don't use electric coffee makers. Drip, French press, or Aeropress!

mpsgolf · 03-13-2016, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Plenty of options without using 110 volts A/C:

Coffee maker thread

Less is more . . .

I feel SO much better about you now! Even though you have shamed me and my Keurig which I love!

PKI · 03-13-2016, 11:14 AM

When the eyes refuse to blink freely in the morn, there is no substitute for the rapid response and support of a rolling boil and flush through the Keurig to provide the needed jolt. Of course there is that pesky generator to get spinning before the juice flows, the red light glows and the button is charged for service. You will have to excuse us a bit. Verona was on sale at Costco this week.

Pat

Unfortunately, no generator, no K-cups, and only a lowly land line to light off the drip maker. But Verona for sure. Pour me another. And that is less chaff and more wheat with only a plug to lift. Pat

Zybane · 03-13-2016, 11:20 AM

Two Honda 2000i's in series.

You can run everything, even the air conditioner. You also have a backup if one needs servicing.

dznf0g · 03-13-2016, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zybane

Two Honda 2000i's in series.

You can run everything, even the air conditioner. You also have a backup if one needs servicing.

I hope they're paralleled. ...or everything, even the air conditioner will never run again.

Zybane · 03-13-2016, 07:42 PM

I think Honda's advertisement of it being parallel is a bit of a mis-lead considering with their kit, one generator plugs into the other generator, and you typically only plug one source (trailer) into one generator outlet. That would be series.

To make a true parallel cable:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXqts2Lfgzk

HiHoAgRV · 03-13-2016, 08:14 PM

for the life of me I cannot make sense of any subject that uses the words "boondock" and "Hairdryer"...

dznf0g · 03-13-2016, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

for the life of me I cannot make sense of any subject that uses the words "boondock" and "Hairdryer"...

You have to thaw frozen pipes, prepare surfaces for vhb tape, etc. with something.....

TG Twinkie · 03-14-2016, 08:39 AM

Series vs Parallel
Using batteries as an example. When you connect 2 six volt batteries in series the result is 12 volts between the positive of battery #1 and the negative of battery #2. The voltage is doubled.
The cable used to connect 2 Honda generators together does NOT connect them in series. It is a parallel connection. If the generators were connected in series the output would be 240 volts or 2 x 120. The generators are connected in parallel to increase the load carrying capacity (amps) or (watts) not to increase the voltage.

switz · 03-14-2016, 08:54 AM

We need a little 120Vac for the morning coffee grinder operation, then boil some water in the kettle on the gas stove and pour the water through a paper filter holding the coffee grounds into the Melitta glass thermos coffee storage device.

NWGetaways · 03-14-2016, 10:25 AM

Some of us don't expect or even want microwaves, hair dryers, AC, or electric coffeepots while camping.

Bigger trailer so there's more storage, more appliances so we have the luxuries of home, bigger generator to power those devices, more battery storage to receive said power, bigger tow vehicle to pull all the aforementioned, and etc. etc.

The OP asked a simple question - will a 1000 watt generator charge his battery, and how long will it take? He isn't asking which 3/4 ton pickup is best, is a 28' better than a 25', or whether 2000 watts is greater than 1000 watts.

Zybane · 03-14-2016, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Series vs Parallel
Using batteries as an example. When you connect 2 six volt batteries in series the result is 12 volts between the positive of battery #1 and the negative of battery #2. The voltage is doubled.
The cable used to connect 2 Honda generators together does NOT connect them in series. It is a parallel connection. If the generators were connected in series the output would be 240 volts or 2 x 120. The generators are connected in parallel to increase the load carrying capacity (amps) or (watts) not to increase the voltage.

Ya, but I wasn't talking about voltage. Just simple cabling. Your Airstream with the basic Honda cable is only plugged into one generator and one outlet. So basically its one cable (RV) connecting to one generator, then one cable connecting one generator to another generator. Series.

Apparently there is a true parallel kit out there that splices in-between the two generators that actually pulls power directly from both generators in parallel. This way you can pull the entire power capability from both generators which doesn't happen to the single socket amperage limited connection you get with the basic advertised parallel (series) connection. That one's purpose is almost fully negated by the outlet limitation of a single generator.