Generator or Solar

[brennerk1]

I am wanting to know what size of generator I would need for my 1980 28 foot Airstream to run all electronic Items and the AC?

If I used a portable solar panel set up would that help me keep my batteries charged so I do not need to use a generator?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, somewhere in the 4,000 watts size should run everything. [almost] For me a Yamaha 2400 will run my air conditioner and a few other items at the same time. Or Micro-wave and a few other items at the same time. In most cases Solar is quite expensive and won't run your air conditioner at all. Solar can run your air conditioner with an extremely expensive system.

[stevejones]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, somewhere in the 4,000 watts size should run everything. [almost] For me a Yamaha 2400 will run my air conditioner and a few other items at the same time. Or Micro-wave and a few other items at the same time. In most cases Solar is quite expensive and won't run your air conditioner at all. Solar can run your air conditioner with an extremely expensive system.

We have 700 watts of solar on the roof and 600 AH of lithium and a 3000W inverter. With that, we can run one AC for 3 hours or so. But to me a waste of battery to do so unless you just want to cool down a hot coach. If you want to run your AC for any real cooling you need a generator. We have a 2300W Honda and Easystarts on both ACs and with that we can run either AC just fine, but only one at a time. Also, solar only works with good sunshine so a generator is good to charge depleted batteries if you haven't had sun.

Steve

[brokeboater]

The most sensible approach, IMO, is to go with a smallish generator, say 1,500 to 2,000, and forgo the air conditioning. If you need full time air conditioning find a cheap spot with 110v power. If you don't need full time AC then just deal with it for the short time it's hot. I have two generators and solar but I'll be darned if I'll carry enough generator and run it enough to provide full time AC. AAMOF, I won't run the generator for AC anytime. In the few occaisions I've required AC, Yuma in the spring, Savannah in June, I've paid for a spot and connected to the grid. It's not my proffered style of travel but sometimes you have to do unpleasant things.

Most sensible approach, small gen, no AC. I go with solar as screwing with the gen is a pain to me but still I suffer the consequences of nature at times by freezing my arse off at night in the desert. It's a price I'm willing to pay.

[brennerk1]

As far as brands of Generators which ones should I look at. I know Honda is the best and maybe the quietest. Links to generators would help. Thank you all for your help.

Keith

[Prettygood]

Originally Posted by brennerk1

As far as brands of Generators which ones should I look at. I know Honda is the best and maybe the quietest. Links to generators would help. Thank you all for your help.

Keith

Seriously consider a dual fuel generator. You can hook up to propane and not have to carry gas. I’ve been happy with my Duromax brand, there are several brands that come with the propane option from the factory. You really need to determine exactly what you want to run, estimate the watts required, and choose a gen from there. Good luck with the research

[brokeboater]

Originally Posted by brennerk1

I know Honda is the bes

I'd say Honda is the best bet. I had a Honda 2K and should have kept it. I now have a Yamaha 2400 but it is a heavy beast at 75#. I recently picked up a Champion because I wanted something smaller and lighter. It was so cheap, I think $400 shipped on sale, I couldn't resist. If I wanted something a tier below the Honda it would no doubt be a Champion.

https://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?c...&CQ_zstype=REG

[stevejones]

Originally Posted by brennerk1

As far as brands of Generators which ones should I look at. I know Honda is the best and maybe the quietest. Links to generators would help. Thank you all for your help.

Keith

We bought our generator from Genconnex, converted to run propane. That way we don't have to lug around gasoline. But we use up our propane if we run it. That's the trade-off. Propane is pretty easy to get on the road so I don't worry about it. Much cleaner and less hassle over all with this generator.

https://www.genconnexdirect.net/hond....htm#xl_RV:322

[57Vintage]

Since you'll probably camp at altitude, living in CO, don't forget to adjust generator size accordingly:

"Generally speaking, an engine loses three percent of its rated power for every 1,000 feet of altitude gained above sea level."

[Txrobinson]

Found a setup that works great, fuel efficient, reasonably lightweight, and as quiet as the Hondas, but much cheaper. Can run the A/C if you parallel two, can run pretty much everything else with one.

We have two of these: Westinghouse iGen2200 Portable Inverter Generator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUP6L1U..._7fe6EbXD67ABW

And this to parallel them: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RW9Z0WA..._3ge6Eb3QM21MF