Rec small generator solely for charging batteries

[amm3824]

New to generators here.

Looking for something small and quiet that I can plug into the shore power connector on a 2024 Caravel 20FB for the sole purpose of recharging the batteries while camping off-grid for a few days, in case the rooftop solar panels can't keep up. Would prefer gasoline powered but would consider propane if there are good reasons for it (particularly sound level). The plan isn't to run things off the generator, but rather, to use it to bring the batteries up to full again and then run off the batteries.

Not interested in running major appliances from it such as AC, convection oven, etc. At most, would be running a few interior lights and the fresh water pump. But not sure how many watts the camper draws in that state.

Suggestions welcome.

[azflycaster]

I use a Honda 1000 for just that. Very quiet and only weighs 26 pounds. Half a gallon of gas will last around 6 hours...

[jeffmc306]

You might want to look at small generators that have a 30A RV receptacle to make it easy to connect your shore power cord without an adapter.

Westinghouse makes such a unit that’s portable but still could run your AC if you had a soft-start installed.

We have a Champion 2500 dual fuel but it only has 20A receptacles so I have to use an adapter. Still, it works just fine and runs our AC.

Good luck with your search!

[Vantair]

As an alternative to a traditional portable gen, some folks have mentioned the "car generator".

Basically, its a 12vdc to 120volt solid state inverter clipped on to you car battery / terminals and gives you shore power 120vac depending on the inverters output wattage capacity.

Quiet, yes but if having a late model diesel, heard long term idling is not the best for them or sensors.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The Honda 1KW has been the "gold standard" for a lot of years. As noted, they will run on a very small amount of gas. You also can get them with a propane "conversion". They are small / light / quiet and very reliable.

If cost is the main driver, there are a ton of folks making < 1KW generators. Who wins that race to the bottom price will vary almost week to week. Is a noisy "throw away" generator the best answer? It just might be.

Bob

[Captn.Ken]

My Honda 1000 has been a lifesaver. I have had need to charge my batteries and the trusty little Honda has been there for me. I have had it for more than 22 years and it still purrs (quietly) like a kitten. The size is right and the weight is very manageable. There are cheaper units, but I'm not sure of the longevity like my Honda 1000.

[coasttocoast]

A Honda 1000 is probably your preferred choice if a gas generator is the solution. Or, a better idea may be to get something like a Goal Zero 4000 and run the 12v out into the battery in on the 12v panel. No gas, no noise, no fumes, no more having to plug it in or pick it up. I’m currently doing this and maintaining at 100%. Bob, your thoughts?

[suncoasteng]

Honda or Yamaha make small gennys that can do minimal tasks. But I bought a 2200 W genny so I can run the microwave or coffee maker while it charges the battery each morning. No more anxiety and turning off stereo on cloudy days

[3OnOurWay]

All great advice here, I think the 30 amp plug is the would be the decider. We use ours both to power home and away on travel.

I think as mentioned above, you do want a generator that has a 30 amp plug. Next is deciding how much you want to spend, for size factor.

if you don’t want ANY noise from a generator there are portable battery generator options that will double your 200 amp hours lithium but a premium price of $/ watt hour. Battery generator could recharge your batteries, no fuel cans needed etc but no way to extend / charge it once empty if solar is not keeping up.

The other deciding factor is do your current batteries give you three days or five days of off grid? and are you looking to extend two days or you’re looking to extend 7 days without knowing your plan and intended use it’s hard to purchase the right product.
They’re all about the same size

[SunchaserV]

Our Westinghouse 2500 with a 30 amp outlet works fine. Less than $500 at Lowes. It has a really handy % load gauge on it. It weighs about 50 lbs. We normally run it from the pickup bed if just using it for day or so.

[Forester2]

For less than a Honda 1000 is Harbor Freights 2000 watt Predator. Charge batteries faster and if you decide at some point to run AC can do it with a soft start. Every test Ive seen shows it quieter than Honda 2000. Had ours for 5 years.

[rmkrum]

I use a dual fuel Champion 3400 watt inverter generator only on propane. Main reason is that propane burns cleaner, is stable in storage, and I have adapted the propane hookup on my generator to connect to the low pressure connector on my Airstream.

I address the weight of the generator by keeping snd running it in the bed of my pickup and have extended hoses and a front power inlet on the Airstream in addition to the OEM one on the rear curbside utility area. A silicon exhaust 1” diameter heat proof tube for remoting the exhaust from the generator keeps fumes away.

It’s quite capable of running everything including A/C when needed.

[Mollysdad]

IF I take the OP's question literally, and it's only to charge the batteries, the most efficient way is to power a battery charger clipped on the battery terminals, and forget all the additional stuff inside. In that case, you don't need the 30 amp plug.
But as we've all learned, there's mission creep, and we discover that "We have a generator, let's use it!", then bigger is better.

[RWitherspoon]

The Canadian price of the Honda 1000, with taxes is $1300, so being a numbers guy, I am looking at putting solar on the roof of the TV and several batteries in the truck bed, with an option to move them near the Airstream if needed.

Since I'm a geezer, I have a "tinney", an aluminum fishing boat and 2 batteries for it.
I live in the forest on Vancouver Island and we have 3-4 power outages per winter, so I use these batteries in the house when needed.

I have a heavy Firman, 3500W dual fuel, I got for under $700 as a second home backup generator. We have had power lines down for 3 days. This will run my furnace, fridge and freezer.

If I'm away for an extended time, I use a ramp to load it in the TV.

[SSquared]

We have a Honda 1000. We've never actually needed it to power/charge the Airstream.
As far as the 30 amp plug goes, my wife cut the female end off an extension cord and put a 30 amp twist lock on it to match the trailer. We mainly use it to plug in the trailer at the storage yard, but it is also the one we would use with the generator if needed.


Note that with the Honda, and almost any other generator, you need to change the jet in the carburetor for different altitudes. Which of course is irrelevant if your travels stick to the lowlands. (we have camped from sea level to 10,300 feet)

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

<snip>
But as we've all learned, there's mission creep, and we discover that "We have a generator, let's use it!", then bigger is better.

Amen to that! I'm one of those professional "Overkill Engineering" sorts that pick an oversize generator, load in 400 Amp-hours worth of lithium batteries, and cover the roof with solar panels. But what the heck, it's FUN to overkill on electronic stuff!!


And actually, a grossly oversized inverter generator barely gets above idle when the A/C is busting it's butt at noon in the summer in Texas...I have evidence. My wife used to bug me about why we were dragging a big generator until we stopped in Texas in hot weather, no shore power, and had to wait until a friend came home to let us into their air conditioning. Funny thing, haven't heard any complaints about the generator since...

[Bill M.]

The 1000 generators do not seem to be a really poplar niche. My experience with generators is with Honda. Where and how you are going to carry the generator might be a factor in the gas-propane decision. My Honda 2000 rides in the back of the pickup. I carry it full of fuel. It seals up tightly and does not leak. I do not carry extra gas. If I know I am going to do an extended stay I will either pack an empty gas can or just buy one when we need it. If you are going to carry it in a SUV then I think propane to run off the camper bottle might be a better choice. In the Honda line the 1000 generators weigh 29 lbs and cost $1000 and the 2200 weigh about 50 lbs and cost about $1200. I would still go for the 1000 if that is what you want. The extra 20 lbs really hurts at my age. I run the generator in the truck a lot of the time. It takes a long time to fully charge a lead acid battery and the smaller generator will do it as fast as a lager one. Lithium batteries charge rate will be much faster and might benefit from the larger generator. Even at these prices a small generator seems cheaper and more reliable than a large solar array.

[sfranklin]

I've had an LP powered generator for years. Never had a lot of use for it, but now with that 12v fridge and the easy access LP port on the trailer, I can pull from the 2 30lb on-board tanks. No gas, no mess. Sounds like it should work.

[PaulBristol]

Charging rate depends on the battery type and the battery charger. As long as the generator has enough capacity to run the charger, it does not increase or decrease the rate of charge.

A 200 amp hour lead acid battery bank may draw 40 amps at 12 volts when it is deeply discharged. That is 40 a X 12 v = 480 watts. This is an easy load for the Honda 1000.
https://cdn.powerequipment.honda.com...X31Z406140.pdf

As charging progresses, current decreases. You may get to an 80% state of charge in 5 hours.

A 200 amp hour lithium battery bank may draw 100 amps when it is discharged even a little. 100 a X 12 v = 1200 watts That is too much for a Honda 1000.

Of course you need to consider the charger capacity. Maybe the charger is a 50 amp charger. In that case, the Honda will do just fine. 50 a X 12 v = 600 watts

Using a 50 amp charger you may get to a 100% state of charge in 5 hours.

A 75 amp charger would use 75 a X 12 v = 900 watts and take 2.5 hours for a 100% charge. Maximum load for a Honda EU1000i.

Post make and model of converter/charger or inverter/charger for better advice.

[mythbuster88]

Propane powered generator works great since we already store propane.