Portable Generator

[Marks]

Our Airstream is stored in an area that has no access to electricity, and I need to recharge my two batteries every few weeks. I would like to buy a portable generator to use solely for charging the trailer batteries, but I know nothing about generators and have no idea how much power I need. My electrical cord is for 30 amps. Can anyone offer suggestions about the smallest generator that will do the job for me? Thanks.

[john hd]

marks,

welcome to the forum.

have you looked at solar panels for maintaining your batteries?

a 1000 watt generator would work for just charging.

john

[Silvertwinkie]

Here is a link to a gen thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...onda+generator

I had no idea these things were so darn small......

John, I just found something elses to buy before I pay that ticket!

Eric

[RoadKingMoe]

A Honda EU1000 will charge your batteries. But for not much more money and weight, an EU2000 will also run one of those tankless 2 hp (10 amp) Craftsman air compressors, the microwave oven in the trailer, or a blow dryer.

[femuse]

Nothing beats a Honda. OK, maybe 2 Hondas:

Honda Generators

Shop on the web. In spite of the 3000i 135Lbs weigth, it's was much cheaper to have it delivered from WA state to VA, than buy locally.

[Silvertwinkie]

I think the Honda gens are cool. For me, when I rough it, I think I might opt for the 2000 since it can do a bit more and at a small weight "charge". Even then it kind of defeats the purpose of roughing it, so I'm still debating it, but in the end currently having the dual 12volts and a 140amp alt is a good start.

Eric

[Roger and Nancy]

About to purchase a generator and have a couple of questions:
1. What size capacity to run the A/C and lights similar to being on electric hook up at a campsite.
2. Can the power plug that comes on the Safari 19' just plug into
the generator or will I need an adaptor (I have 30 to 50 and 50 to 30 bone thingies)
3. Where do you place a generator since the 19' has no underside rack that I know of?

appreciate any advice

[74Argosy24MH]

A 30 amp campsite would be 3600 watts, roughly a 4000 watt generator. There is no where to mount it on the trailer, you will have to carry in your tow vehicle.

John

[Roger and Nancy]

appreciate your help. So, would it be alright to get a 3550 model, which I assume is 3,550 amp output, and when using the a/c just limit most other lighting or appliances? Or, would I be better off using two smaller 2000's like I read about in other posts?

[garry]

3550 watts = around 30 amps . plenty of power for AC.
What to buy depends on how strong you are and how much room you have.
The 3550 will weigh over 100 lbs without the fuel and can be difficult to move around, I have a 3500 Genrac has 15 & 30 amp 120V outlets plus 220 outlet. Its on wheels and I use ramps to put it in the rear of the P/U.
The 2000i weighs in just over 50 lbs and is much smaller, but it is expensive. My Genrac cost $650 the Honda 2000i around $850.

IMHO.......

If price is no object go for two Honda 2000i.

Garry

[Roger and Nancy]

appreciate your reply post.

[uwe]

I would not advise to buy one of the framed type inexpensive generators, unless noise and weight is not an issue. They work great, but are very very very loud.
The Honda, even though expensive, has actual user value for us, because it is whisper quiet and we actually can use it for extended times without going nuts because of the noise. For A/C use, youwill likely need 2 of them and connect them with a special cable. Ours is quieter than most RV mounted generators, and easily powers everything but the A/C.
They look like a red suitcase, and are very easy to carry.
I tried a Generac, but the Honda wins hands down for noise, ease of handling, and fuel economy. The Generac had more power, but we always turned it off very soon, and ended up not bringing it because it's clumsy and noisy.
I would advise you to rent one first and see if you can live with the noise.

[Pick]

One thing I found with the Honda, is it is a great substitute for an extension cord! I have been using mine all summer for those chores that require 2 or 3 extension cords to do fence mending, and other jobs that require power tools in remote locations and charging batteries in farm equipment in the field.

My wife was really glad we had it during "The Great Blackout of 2003". Ran a cord into the house for the fridge, another to the A/S. To us it was a fun blackout.

[Roger and Nancy]

Pick and UWE.....thanks, I will see if Lowes or Home Depot, or even Sears has a Honda....ps what model #

Roger

[uwe]

Roger,
The Honda generators are typically only available through qualified retailers, not so much through discount chains like the ones that you have mentioned.
I would suggest to get the EU2000i, which can do more than just charge the batteries, it can actually be used for a power source for campling with no hookups as well.
They have a EU1000i as well, but for a little more money you get a more usable unit.
Do an internet search for Honda EU2000i, and youwill find some sources.
Mayberries is a good one!
Good luck!

[davidz71]

My server must have gone down within the last 30 minutes so I lost the post I made on generators. Several forum members have purchased two of the EU2000 generators which weigh around 51 lbs. each. Pretty light. They wired them together for a max. rating of 4000 watts and 3200 watts continuous. Each unit has a 12 volt 12 amp DC output in addition to the120 volt outlet(s). Price was $999 but I have seen them cheaper.

I spotted a 5500 watt surge / 4500 continuous North Star unit in my Northern Tool and Equipment catalog that is powered by a 9 hp Honda OHV engine with Oil Alert. It has a 6.5 gal. tank, runs 13.4 hours on half load and 9.2 hrs. on full load. It does not have a 12 volt terminal but does have 37 amps at 120 volts, 18.75 amps at 240 volts. It has four 120 volt 20 amp outlets with GFCI, one 120 volt 30 amp twistlock outlet, one 120/240 volt 20 amp twistlock and one 120 volt 50 amp outlet. Seems like it has all the bases covered and you can use the battery charger in your unit or an external one plugged into an outlet. On the bad side, it weighs 248 lbs. but for the features I believe I could rig something up to get the unit in and out of the bed of my truck. Price is $1599 which is an easier pill to swallow than $2000.

[Rickk48]

To me, just as important as power and portability is the noise level. The Honda EU2000i is very quiet, really only noticeable when standing right next to it. Every other genset I have heard in campgrounds is substantially louder

[markdoane]

I have a Honda EB2500 for emergency power to my house. It's probably not as quiet as the suitcase models, but it runs all night on a tank of gas, and is a lot quieter than SOB frame models. Weighs about 70lbs, is 16x20x17. If their newer EV models are as well built, you can't go wrong.
I am a little concerned about wiring two gensets together to get higher amps. How does this affect phasing? I think better to run them separately, one to the A/C, other to the other appliance. Unless Honda has a way to synchronize two gensets feeding the same mains?

[uwe]

Honda does have a way to feed the same mains. they offer a special cable assembly for this. The EU2000i has the terminals for it.
One EU2000 can not safely start and run most A/C, that's part of the problem.

[markdoane]

Thnaks. I kind of got that idea from you previous post about 'special cable'. That's great thing to know.
Have some karma.