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05-22-2020, 07:21 PM
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#22
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Generator for everything except AC
Quote:
Originally Posted by lilboomer
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Perfect. Load the generator into the truck bed then hitch up and go! Ditto into the Airstream door. The Champion 3400 dual fuel inverter has a nice set of wheels already but I need to check dimensions in case they might drag...
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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05-23-2020, 02:30 AM
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#23
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smsasf
. . . for a Bambi 20-22’ . . .
. . .
. . . But if in National Forest might be nice to have a smaller unit to run most everything except AC. So, do you have any advice on the size to handle all except AC? Thanks, Stephen
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15
We got our Yamaha 1000 watt unit for just this purpose. Converted to propane, to run off the low-pressure port, it charges our FC20 OEM batteries and powers the fridge just fine.
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PS -- We don't have a microwave, so the 1000 watt unit works fine for us. If you also want to run a M/W, a propane-fired Honda 2200, with an Easy Start modified A/C, would be a great route to take IMO. For a 20-22' Bambi -- a great tool for the job -- anything larger is overkill IMO.
Easy to load and safe to store in the tow vehicle, or even in the trailer. Also much quieter than the larger units.
KISS . . .
Happy trails,
Peter
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05-23-2020, 10:25 AM
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#24
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3 Rivet Member
2020 20' Bambi
Clayton
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 229
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Lots of interesting replies that I will try to digest so that I clearly understand my needs and only need to make 1 purchase. But when I see so folks use gas, some propane, so combined units things start to get more confusing. I appreciate there are advocates on all sides. Make life interesting.
But a follow up question is: If using propane bottle to run a 2200 watt unit versus 35 watt unit, about how many hours use do you get on each. And I appreciate that might depend on how much you tax the unit. So I am just looking for averages.
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05-23-2020, 03:19 PM
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#25
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:SPACE A" S/O 11 Air19745
2006 34' Classic S/O
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,766
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I just bought a Northern Tool bed mounted lift crane. It looks the same as Harbor Freight's crane. I got the idea from on old salt, the former Chief, of the Hard Hat Divers in the Navy. He was 94 at the time we visited in the Terra Port at the Airstrem Factory, but he could lift anything in and out of his pickup. I'm adding it to the old man's "don't leave home without it" list. I just bought a Yamaha EF6300 the I will leave in my pickup. My Tri-fuel EF3600iesb is listed in the forums classified.
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05-23-2020, 07:09 PM
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#26
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4 Rivet Member
Here and There
, West Coast
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 433
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I’m partial to dual fuel inverter generators. Champion has two very good models:
Model #100263
59 dBA is perfect for RVs, tailgating, your next project or backup power for your home, featuring 3400 starting watts and 3100 running watts with up to 7.5 hours run time on gasoline. L 25.1” W 17.3” H 18.3” Weight 95.7 Lb.
Model #100402
53 dBA from 23 feet is perfect for camping, tailgating or to backup a few home essentials, featuring 2000 starting watts, 1600 running watts and up to 11 hours run time.
L20.5” W12.6” H16.9” Weight 47.6 Lb.
I own both and they are excellent. I purchased the 263 model before the 402 came out. If I were to do today I would buy two of the 402 models but certainly not unhappy with the bigger one. I like the electric start on it. Receptacles on the generator are not a big issue as conversion can be easily made with cords and plugs. The smaller 402 is very easy to handle but you do have to pull a rope to start (easy pull). I never use gas (smells, volatile, goes stale) but is a good backup alternative to propane. Propane fuel has less punch so actual available watts is less. Look at the load of what you will connect and as a general rule try to not load the generator more than 80% of its rating. I like the inverter because of the low THD (total harmonic distortion). The cleaner sine wave is much nicer to your electronics. Capacitors on the AC will soften the startup load. Honda is excellent but Champion is also excellent with a good price and good customer service.
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05-24-2020, 04:28 AM
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#27
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2 Rivet Member
1998 31' Excella 1000
Quartzsite
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 38
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Last summer, while in Minnesota, needed to use Champion 3400 dual fuel to run AC. Ran on propane (it does produce less watts than gas fired) and ran for 16+ hours on eco mode using 30 lb. tank. Had 20lb. tank to use as "switch over" tank while getting 30 lb. tank filled. I now have 2 additional 40lb. tanks that I will use. I was able to run M/W, if needed, and certainly run TV if wanted. Now have Easy Start, so should be able to run all three, if desired. It is CARB compliant so can use while in National Forest, etc. Will only use propane and have not run into problem findng propane when needed, but have extra capacity with larger tanks to go longer.
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05-24-2020, 06:21 AM
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#28
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3 Rivet Member
2020 20' Bambi
Clayton
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 229
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pastor Bruce
Last summer, while in Minnesota, needed to use Champion 3400 dual fuel to run AC. Ran on propane (it does produce less watts than gas fired) and ran for 16+ hours on eco mode using 30 lb. tank. Had 20lb. tank to use as "switch over" tank while getting 30 lb. tank filled. I now have 2 additional 40lb. tanks that I will use. I was able to run M/W, if needed, and certainly run TV if wanted. Now have Easy Start, so should be able to run all three, if desired. It is CARB compliant so can use while in National Forest, etc. Will only use propane and have not run into problem findng propane when needed, but have extra capacity with larger tanks to go longer.
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Thanks Pastor, couple follow on questions for newcomer me. I assume the M in M/W is microwave. What is the W? Does it mean water pump? So you were camping in an area where you could drive to a place to refill a propane tank, right? Few of places I am thinking about first getting out too are the Upper Green River in Wyoming that is a bit aways from Pinedale. So travelling back and forth to get propane not in the works. Still I need to tabulate the various fuels, versus output/use, versus run times folks are reporting so I know how to manage the resource. Final, you are saying that you carry a 30lb, a 20lb and 2 40lb propane bottles, right? It don’t think I will go that far.
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05-24-2020, 07:30 AM
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#29
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Micro . . . Wave.
The consumption of gas or propane should not, in my opinion, be a significant factor here. Unless you are boondocking WAY out in the boonies, you can re-fuel more or less at will, and will have enough lead time to do so. A 20-22' Bambi will typically have 2 30-lb. propane tanks. Unless you are camping in very cold weather, each tank should last at least a week IMO [with moderate small generator use], or even a month depending on use.
Mainly you want to choose a generator/inverter which suits your needs, in total watts of output. The major dividing line for you [per your OP] is whether you want to run the air conditioner or not. Plus your bad back is a definite weight consideration.
Propane-fired is much more convenient IMO. [See Posts #3 and #23]
It is very easy to over-think all of this -- to try to anticipate all possibilities -- but that can become its own trap IMO. Trust yourself that you can make it all work out!
Good luck,
Peter
PS -- ALOT -- Acronyms . . . lots of them!
https://www.google.com/search?q=acro...=airforums.com
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f13...ist-28713.html
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f48...ms-156815.html
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05-24-2020, 01:05 PM
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#30
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3 Rivet Member
2020 20' Bambi
Clayton
, North Carolina
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 229
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15
Micro . . . Wave.
The consumption of gas or propane should not, in my opinion, be a significant factor here. Unless you are boondocking WAY out in the boonies, you can re-fuel more or less at will, and will have enough lead time to do so. A 20-22' Bambi will typically have 2 30-lb. propane tanks. Unless you are camping in very cold weather, each tank should last at least a week IMO [with moderate small generator use], or even a month depending on use.
Mainly you want to choose a generator/inverter which suits your needs, in total watts of output. The major dividing line for you [per your OP] is whether you want to run the air conditioner or not. Plus your bad back is a definite weight consideration.
Propane-fired is much more convenient IMO. [See Posts #3 and #23]
It is very easy to over-think all of this -- to try to anticipate all possibilities -- but that can become its own trap IMO. Trust yourself that you can make it all work out!
Good luck,
Peter
PS -- ALOT -- Acronyms . . . lots of them!
https://www.google.com/search?q=acro...=airforums.com
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f13...ist-28713.html
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f48...ms-156815.html
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BTW, Bambi now has 2 20lb tanks. I suppose I can multiple your estimated time spans by .66?
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05-24-2020, 02:11 PM
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#31
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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. . . if you want to . . .
Still in OveThink mode IMO.
Get a trailer and go camping!
Happy trails,
Peter
Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15
. . .
. . . but that can become its own trap IMO. Trust yourself that you can make it all work out!
. . .
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PS — no need to Quote if yours is the next post.
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05-25-2020, 04:14 PM
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#32
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4 Rivet Member
2014 27' FB Classic
Cambridge
, New York
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 458
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We bought two Yamaha 2000s six years ago from US Carburation up in WV. They are 3way modified to run on gasoline, natural gas, or propane. Alone, they give me 1600watt sustained, 3200 watt and 30 amp when run connected. We bought them just before the micro-air device became popular, so we got two to enable us to run the a/c by running in series, or just use one to recharge batteries and/or run all but a/c. I preferred the Yamaha over the Honda because, at that time, you lost your Honda warranty if you modified to run with multi fuel, whereas the Yamaha came with full four year warranty. Also, for running on gasoline, the Yamaha had a fuel shutoff switch, so you can turn it off using that and let the carb run dry, preventing the varnish build up that is the bain of small generators. After six seasons, still very pleased with them.
__________________
"Hot meals, cold beer, dry bed & flush toilet - everything I look for in a wilderness experience..."
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05-26-2020, 01:06 AM
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#33
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2 Rivet Member
1998 31' Excella 1000
Quartzsite
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 38
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Sorry for confusion... M/W is microwave. Water pump not figured in. I will now be carrying extra one 30lb. and two 40lb. tanks. AS has standard size tanks (2-30lbs.) that came w/trailer. Will see how availability of propane pans out. Plus, adding the largest suitcase solar system I can, will help in future boondocking situations by being able to run on 12v. I have a 2000w inverter/converter and two 125amph lithium batteries, so being conservative with my usage, should be able to stay out for awhile. Generator is mainly going to be used for running AC and charging batteries if solar is lacking because of overcast, etc. To me, being able to move panels around to follow sun makes sense. Will be fun/interesting to find out "limitations". Presuming my major limititing factor will be fresh water and draining black waste. Can always drain grey water onto ground. Not much has been said about water conservation/elimination while boondocking. My fresh water holding is 60 gal. Considering carrying extra water in 5 gal. plastic bottles. (Easier to manage/lift?) Maybe there are other threads. Will have to do more research. IMHO the best things I did was adding a front hitch and Torklift carrier to hold my Champion generator; easier to lift into tray, helps with weight distribution and frees up space in truck bed and Easy Start. Hope this helps.
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05-26-2020, 01:45 AM
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#34
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Good ideas. The Boondocking forum may have some additional guidance, especially the Sticky Topics at the top of the list?
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f382/
Happy trails,
Peter
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05-26-2020, 08:26 AM
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#35
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Rivet Master
2017 19' International
Tallahassee
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 938
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Do any of the 2,200-watt Hondas come with a 30-amp plug?
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05-26-2020, 08:33 AM
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#36
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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05-28-2020, 02:30 AM
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#37
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Registered User
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Fairfield
, California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 905
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15
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I bought two of the Champion 2200 and love them. They are quite, easy to start, not heavy. I take onr when I don't need A/C. Two runs the A/C nicely on propane.
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