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Nightwind15 · 02-03-2009, 03:08 PM

I have a 19' 2006 Bambi with all the electrics. Has anyone counted the draw and determined what size generator is required to dry camp? I am going to go with a Yamaha but honestly the 2800 Si is about as heavy as I can lift into the back of my truck. The next size, the 3000 si is too heavy.
sarmstrong@allsportinc.com
Thank you!
Stephen

Fyrzowt · 02-03-2009, 03:31 PM

Lots of threads here on the generator forum to check out. Your answer is right there below the surface...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448/

Here, try this
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...tor-45200.html

kstampa · 02-03-2009, 04:40 PM

I really like my 3000is. be careful not to go too small. Not sure what AC you have up top but 3000is is about the min for my 13.5BTU AC + other stuff. There are some interesting ways members have mounted their generators in the beds of pick up and other places so you dont have to move it so much. there's a wheel kit available too if you have a ramp of some kind to help get it in the back of the truck. Good luck!

Nightwind15 · 02-03-2009, 05:02 PM

My air is an 11,500. Thank you all..

**moosetags** · 02-03-2009, 05:51 PM

I have two of the Honda 2000's. I use them very often, and they have worked great for me. I use them in tandem when operating the A/C, and I use a single generator at other times. I like their versatility, plus I can handle them. I use a six gallon auxiliary tank for either one or both. It's a really good system that works very well for me. I looked seriously at the Yamahas, but decided to go with the two Honda. I have not regretted my choice.

Brian

Ramble Can · 02-03-2009, 06:49 PM

I have a EF 2800I. It is not as quite as the suitecase kind, but runs the 11.5 ac fine. You have to watch what you run with the ac, the wife tried the water heater with the ac, that didn't work at all. Other than that it works well.

ROBERT CROSS · 02-03-2009, 07:45 PM

LPG Honda, works for us.

Frank McFee · 02-03-2009, 07:53 PM

I have the Yamaha 3000si. I built myself a lift out of 2 inch. steel tube using a small boat trailer type hand winch. The lift slips into my hitch receiver and allows me to lift my generator into my van. It works quite well. It is a simple frame with a swing arm. I have the 13,500 AC on my 19' and the 3000si works very well without any strain. I would not go to a small capacity.
Frank

MrAgent007 · 02-03-2009, 08:39 PM

Hello Nightwind. Look into the John Deere inverter generators. They sell a 4300 watt unit which would be perfect for your 30 amp connection. Link for the John Deere is included.
http://www.deere.com/en_US/parts/homeandworkshop/products/generators/ac_g4300i.html

xrvr · 02-04-2009, 05:27 AM

Either the 2400 Yammy or the 2000 Honda should run your AC, you will have to turn off the AC when using the microwave. My experience here.! jim

DKDarrow · 02-04-2009, 05:45 AM

If noise while camping is an issue plus power output capacity with no questions asked if it is enough, the Honda 3000 CANNOT be beat.
Just got a 6K Powermatic with a Subaru 12HP for the house. Cost all of $350 so couldnt turn it down. LOUD........as are all of these types of engines.....but, it does put out the power when needed.
Anyway, just my 2 cents as I have been using the Honda now for maybe 800 hours over the last 7 or 8 years with nothing but oil changes. NEVER get complaints from fellow campers except the campground Nazi's who come around at curfew with a smile on their face enforcing what they are "ordered" to do. This kills me sometimes when it's just you alone in the campground with them in their power provided "host" spot...........Good luck.......Dennis

Silvertwinkie · 02-04-2009, 06:57 AM

It really depends on what you want to power. If A/C is one of them, I would say that the 2800 series would do just fine to power your A/C unit. I would caution you that the microwave and other gear might not work well with the A/C running, but hey, camping is all about priorities right?!

Regardless of brand, I would wholeheartedly suggest an LP conversion generator (one that can run on LP), particularly if you don't have a pickup or a place to transport the unit. I have a Sub and I sure as heck am not going to place a gas tank in my Airstream. I found that the LP units burn cleaner, have ZERO fumes emitting from them when stored and since in most cases you are already hauling between 40 and 60 lbs of LP, you also don't need to haul a separate gas can, which also needs to be stored during transport.

There are hundreds if not thousands of opinions on this subject, none are wrong, most are just preferences on what works for folks. What I've described works for me. I went with a pre-configured Yamaha 1000. I went with the 1000 because I made the decision that because I have the 15k btu A/C unit, I would need 2 units to run together to safely operate my A/C unit. Since I realized that I boondock and enjoyed not having all the bells and whistles from home, I simply got something that could top off my batteries and get me out of a pinch if need be. If I were in the position of a smaller A/C unit, and a smaller Bambi that typically doesn't take much to heat or cool, I might have thought the same size you are looking at and running my A/C. My choice however for the larger RV and A/C unit really made be look hard at the need and put it into perspective. If I fulltimed and boondocked, I might have simply done the 2 units together, but I don't fulltime and doubt I would be able to for at least a decade or so.

Happycampers · 02-04-2009, 07:17 AM

We have a Yamaha 3000si and very happy with it. This is what I did so I can run it in the bed of the truck closed and locked. There is a fantastic fan in the top of the cap for exhaust.

Marvin

Nightwind15 · 02-04-2009, 07:40 AM

This is a capital idea! I am going to build mine this weekend and go with the Yamaha 3000 iSE Generator. I cranked one at the dealership and it is whisper quiet.
Thanks for all the great ideas and fast reponses.

Stephen

netman1969 · 05-30-2012, 09:58 PM

I just wanted to add that we just purchased our first travel trailer. It is a 2006 19' Bambi 75th Anniv. CCD. With the purchase we got a Yamaha EF2400. Now we haven't had the opportunity to use it yet, but the previous owner said that it runs the AC just fine with the lights on that everything else on Propane. What I can tell you is that the generator hadn't been run in almost 3 years. I gassed it up and it started on the 2nd pull. Very smooth and quiet. I cant wait to run the trailer on it, but I do want to get a larger gas tank. In fact, I have been thinking about how to hook it up to the truck gas tank. Anyone ever done that or have any thoughts on it?

Smitty

danlehosky · 05-30-2012, 10:17 PM

I know I'm gonna take some heat from all you Honda and Yamaha guys. I bought two Champion 2000 inverter gensets at Costco and ordered the sine connector with the 30amp plug. They stack nice, run well are quiet and will run everything on the AS. Time will tell about reliability. Champion seems to want to make a presence in the US market and their products have gotten good ratings. I hope it was a good choice. They sure look nicer stacked together than the other ones.
Dan

**DKB_SATX** · 05-30-2012, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netman1969

I just wanted to add that we just purchased our first travel trailer. It is a 2006 19' Bambi 75th Anniv. CCD. With the purchase we got a Yamaha EF2400. Now we haven't had the opportunity to use it yet, but the previous owner said that it runs the AC just fine with the lights on that everything else on Propane. What I can tell you is that the generator hadn't been run in almost 3 years. I gassed it up and it started on the 2nd pull. Very smooth and quiet. I cant wait to run the trailer on it, but I do want to get a larger gas tank. In fact, I have been thinking about how to hook it up to the truck gas tank. Anyone ever done that or have any thoughts on it?

Smitty

2 potential issues with running the generator directly from the truck's fuel tank.

One is that modern fuel systems are very particular about pressure and venting in the system, and it doesn't have to be far off what the computer expects to cause it to flag it as a problem and light the "Check Engine" light, and potentially cause you to fail an inspection if emissions is part of your local vehicle inspection regiment.

Another is that you must be careful to pull fuel from significantly higher than the tow vehicle's fuel pickup, so that you don't accidentally run the fuel too low.

netman1969 · 05-31-2012, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

2 potential issues with running the generator directly from the truck's fuel tank.

One is that modern fuel systems are very particular about pressure and venting in the system, and it doesn't have to be far off what the computer expects to cause it to flag it as a problem and light the "Check Engine" light, and potentially cause you to fail an inspection if emissions is part of your local vehicle inspection regiment.

Another is that you must be careful to pull fuel from significantly higher than the tow vehicle's fuel pickup, so that you don't accidentally run the fuel too low.

Thanks DKB, I very much appreciate the advice. We have an 06 4-Runner with a 23 gallon tank and rarely let it fall below a quarter of a tank. My thought was that if we fill up on the way in to camp (or close), that gives us a good supply of gas if we are boondocking. I seriously doubt we would need to do this often at all, we expect to camp at established grounds more often. But, it may be an option. As far as I can tell, there are no screens or filters between the fill and the tank, but naturally I will verify that first.

Smitty

TBRich · 05-31-2012, 10:51 PM

Welcome to the Forums! And congrats on your new Bambi and your new generator... You're all set then! Let the fun begin!

(We have a 13,500 BTU AC so we use two Honda 2000s when we want AC and one other times... Space is a premium for us so it's nice to have the smaller footprint than the 3000w when we need only one...not to mention more manageable weight ...for us.)

ROBERT CROSS · 06-01-2012, 04:23 AM

DW loves the power but hated the gas smell, so I converted to dual use LPG four Seasons ago. LPG gets used anytime we're camping, the small tank lasts close to a week with careful use.

Bob