I need her to power 6500 watts..

[rocknhair]

I have a 1972 Overlander that is being restored. I need enough power for when I'm boon docking or when I'm plugged in. My thoughts were to remove the propane tanks, weld a box for a 6500 watt generator instead, running everything on electric. I would like to keep it more on the earth friendly side without costing a ridiculous amount. I need some suggestions that could put me in the right direction... Cindylou

[Melody Ranch]

A 6500 watt gen wil not make you very welcome as a neighbor in any camping area I know of. Power yes....noise no.

[DKB_SATX]

Unless you are willing to constantly micro-manage your power usage, you'll have to rewire the trailer for 50A service with a power inlet at least on the nose. Compared to aluminum propane tanks, you'll be adding about 200 lb to the tongue at a list price of $4500 for the Honda, and even the smooth quiet Honda bolted down to the frame may transfer some sound/vibration to the trailer.

If you already have to replace the refrigerator, a Danfoss 12v compressor fridge costs about the same as an absorption fridge so that's a wash. I guess your biggest necessary expense after that would be some sort of electric range.

For just the cost of the Honda generator you can have a nice 3k generator and a lot of solar and batteries, and just need the generator to run when you need AC or need to charge the battery on a cloudy day.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

A 6500 watt gen wil not make you very welcome as a neighbor in any camping area I know of. Power yes....noise no.

Robin,

You have to buy the RIGHT 6500w generator, but either the Honda EU6500iS or the Yamaha EF6500iSDE is as quiet as *ONE* of the 2k Hondas.

Now, if one of the ratty 6500w contractor specials starts up next door, I'd ask if they'd like to charge their batteries off my EF3000iSEB or look for another campsite.

[rocknhair]

I would mainly be using it at festivals, events and such. I would definitely be using less power while traveling and camping on the road. At campsites and some events I could, if available, use the power inlet?
Thank you for the suggestions and perspectives.

[DKB_SATX]

Do you need the 6500 watts for something else, external to the trailer that you use/display/etc at these festivals?

[rocknhair]

I need the watts for dryers, hot hair tools, a/c, fridge and hot water heater.

[withidl]

I have a 4,000 watt 33 amp genset onboard. Click the following link within Airforums.com and you'll find a good read, including a complete description and photos of my installation on pages 2, 3 and 4 of the post: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...ors-68808.html

Click on the photos and reference the photo file name in the lower left corner of each photo for a description of the photo.

[jdalrymple]

Welcome to the forums.

Not to be negative Nancy here, but I don't understand how an internal combustion engine large enough to power a 6.5 kw generator is more earth friendly than the small propane burning burners on a water heater or absorption refrigerator.

And, a even a Honda or Yamaha inverter type of that capacity weighs 270 lbs dry. That is a lot of added tongue weight. In my opinion a genset of that size would be better transported in the bed of the tow vehicle.

Regards,

JD