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What size of generator?

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Faster horses

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So now we have the 5th wheel travel trailer and we need to purchase
a generator. We have an 800 watt Honda that my dad used, but I
guess we need a bigger one. So what size do you recommend?
I looked into them and the 3000 Honda Inverter (I guess that makes them quieter) cost $1900. YIKES!!! :shock:
 
FH Don't know what you need an inverter for. It converts direct current from a battery into 110VAC. We had a couple of Honda generators that put out about 2500 watts, made both 110 and 220 volts AC and they had a low oil shutdown. They are easy-starting, fairly quiet and seem to run forever. Seems they cost about $450. They are also fairly light.

Look at generators at Harbor Freigt.com
 
If your looking through the classifieds and find a great deal on one, it probably is a loud one. Stay away from it or you'll have to stay away from the campground. Some campgrounds have noise regulations. The quieter, the better. I am not a camper, but I had a loud generator for sale and had about 30 calls before I sold it. FWIW
 
Thanks for the site.
Is this the one you mean?

6.5 HP, 3500 Watts Max/3000 Watts Rated Four Stroke Generator
Chicago Electric Generators
65414-2VGA

$359.99


It's not a Honda. What happens if we have problems with it?
When they talked to me about an inverter, I thought it was called
that because it was wrapped and that made it quieter. As you can
tell, we don't know much about generators. So that's why I posed
the question here.

BTW, that looks like a good place to shop for things, CowPuncher,
thanks again. And if you care to comment more, it would be welcomed.
 
Buy 4 of them and it will still be cheaper than $1900 and you will know what to do if you have problems.
 
We have a Honda 9 horsepower 4500 watt. It's 9 years old and still starts on the 1st pull. My Father in law bought one of those cheaper models and you get what you pay for. Problem with generators is they only break when you need them. Go to Northern Tool and check them out ours cost a $1000 when we got it. I don't think they are much more now,and on most of the bigger stuff they have free shipping.

Those smaller generators won't run your Air Conditioning so beware of that. Your Coffee Pot and Toaster will make it work also.

www.northerntool.com

I just checked ours is the the 6th picture it's a 4500 watt with a 5500watt surge $999.99 item number 165911
 
I would spend the extra bucks to get a Honda. We had a couple of those cheaper ones and really got our money's worth from them. We used them on remote wells. Ran them for 24 hours a day and they lasted all summer. Honda are much quieter and always start.

Depends a lot on how many watts you will be drawing. I don't know if Harbor still sells Hondas, but they are usually a bit cheaper than Northern. In any case, your local Honda dealer will honor their warranty
although Hondas rarely need any fixing. We ran a smaller one some 3000 hours before it started giving us problems. I have used a Honda snowblower for 18 years and it is stilll good. Had to pull the starter rope twice this past year, tho.

Solved the whole problem with 10 miles of pipeline!!
 
ive been having the same 5500 troy bilt generator for 8 years now. Use it on the horse trailer at rodeos, the house during hurricanes, and now i use it for bowfishing at night. Thing prolly has around 1000 hours on it and still fires up every time.
 
If you have an air conditioner on your camper, get at least a 3000W generator -- if you have a bigger than 13,500 BTU air conditioner on it, you'll need a bigger generator to run it.

If you are using this generator to run your camper and you plan to be around other folks at the time, invest in the Honda Inverter generator...quiet as a church mouse. And you are right, they are spendy, but nothing runs like them either. You can buy 4 of the cheap ones and go through all of them before you'll outrun a Honda...the cheap ones will also cost you more in gas and oil....

Round up the cash and buy it...FWIW, we paid about 400 less than what you are quoting on that generator -- and we bought it this year...but I also know you live a ways away, otherwise, I could refer you to this place.

Wish you well in your hunt....
 
Typical energy consumption of various appliances.

Air Conditioner - Room - 6000 btu, ½ ton 7.0 seer 857 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 6000 btu, ½ ton 8.5 seer 706 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 6000 btu, ½ ton 10.0 seer 600 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 9000 btu, ¾ ton 7.0 seer 1286 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 9000 btu, ¾ ton 8.5 seer 1059 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 9000 btu, ¾ ton 10.0 seer 900 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 9000 btu, ¾ ton 11.0 seer 818 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 9000 btu, ¾ ton 12.0 seer 750 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 12,000 btu, 1 ton 7.0 seer 1714 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 12,000 btu, 1 ton 8.5 seer 1412 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 12,000 btu, 1 ton 10.0 seer 1200 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 18,000 btu, 1½ ton 7.0 seer 2571 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 18,000 btu, 1½ ton 8.5 seer 2118 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 18,000 btu, 1½ ton 10.0 seer 1800 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 24,000 btu, 2 ton 7.0 seer 3429 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 24,000 btu, 2 ton 8.5 seer 2824 watts
Air Conditioner - Room - 24,000 btu, 2 ton 10.0 seer 2400 watts
Air Filter - Electronic 40 watts
Aquarium Air Pump 5 watts
Bath - Electric 1000 watts
Battery Charger 220 watts
Blanket 150 watts
Blender 330 watts
Bug Killer Lights 15 watts
Bug Killer Lights 25 watts
Bug Killer Lights 40 watts
Can Opener 220 watts
Carving Knife 100 watts
Clock 2 watts
Clock Radio 10 watts
Coffee (Keep warm) 100 watts
Coffee Maker (making coffee) 1500 watts
Coffee Percolator 660 watts
Computer 100 watts
Computer (with accessories) 200 watts
Convection Oven 1500 watts
Cordless Appliance Recharger 6 watts
Crock Pot Cooker (High) 150 watts
Crock Pot Cooker (Low) 70 watts
Curling Iron (hair) 40 watts
Deep Fryer 1400 watts
Dishwasher 1200 watts
Dryer - Clothes 5500 watts
Dryer - Clothes (portable) 1200 watts
Dryer - Hair 1200 watts
Evaporative Cooler 325 watts
Fan - Attic 400 watts
Fan - Blower - Central, ¼hp 250 watts
Fan - Blower - Central, ½hp 500 watts
Fan - Blower - Central, ¾hp 750 watts
Fan - Ceiling 150 watts
Fan - Exhaust 200 watts
Fan - Portable 12" 60 watts
Fan - Portable 20" 180 watts
Floor Polisher 400 watts
Food Processor 400 watts
Food Waste Disposer 800 watts
Freezer 12 cu. Ft. 295 watts
Freezer 16 cu. Ft. 330 watts
Freezer 16 cu. Ft. (auto defrost) 500 watts
Freezer 18 cu. Ft. 350 watts
Freezer 18 cu. Ft. (auto defrost) 520 watts
Freezer 20 cu. Ft. 475 watts
Freezer 8 cu. Ft. 245 watts
Garage Door Opener ¼ hp (w/ light) 250 watts
Garage Door Opener ½ hp (w/ light) 500 watts
Grill - Outdoor 1600 watts
Heat Lamp 250 watts
Heater - Large Portable 1500 watts
Heater - Small Portable 750 watts
Heating Pad 60 watts
Hedge Clipper 300 watts
Hot Tub Heater 6000 watts
Hot Tub Pump (Low Speed) 300 watts
Hot Tub Pump, 1½ HP 1800 watts
Humidifier 90 watts
Ice Cream Freezer 140 watts
Ice Maker (self-contained) 350 watts
Iron 1100 watts
Lawn Edger 595 watts
Lawn Mower 750 watts
Lawn Trimmer 460 watts
Light Bulb - Fluorescent w/ ballast 40 watts
Light Bulb - Incandescent 100 watts
Light Bulb - Incandescent 60 watts
Light Bulb - Incandescent 40 watts
Light Bulb - Spot Light 150 watts
Light Bulb - Spot Light 250 watts
Light Bulb - Spot Light 300 watts
Lighting - Mercury Vapor w/ ballast 175 watts
Lighting - Mercury Vapor w/ ballast 50 watts
Microwave Oven 1500 watts
Mixer 225 watts
Oven - Double 17000 watts
Oven - Self Cleaning Feature 3500 watts
Oven - Single 12000 watts
Paint Sprayer 110 watts
Power Tools - Bench Grinder 370 watts
Power Tools - Chain Saw 1200 watts
Power Tools - Circular Saw 1320 watts
Power Tools - Drill 360 watts
Power Tools - Portable Tool Charger 5 watts
Power Tools - Sander, Belt 900 watts
Power Tools - Sander, Pad 360 watts
Power Tools - Scroll Saw 420 watts
Power Tools - Soldering Gun 600 watts
Power Tools - Soldering Iron 20 watts
Radio 15 watts
Refrigerator & Freezer 10-12 cu. Ft. auto defrost 400 watts
Refrigerator & Freezer 12-14 cu. Ft. auto defrost 475 watts
Refrigerator & Freezer 14-16 cu. Ft. auto defrost 500 watts
Refrigerator & Freezer 18-20 cu. Ft. auto defrost 550 watts
Refrigerator & Freezer 20-24 cu. Ft. auto defrost 600 watts
Refrigerator & Freezer 24-26 cu. Ft. auto defrost 625 watts
Refrigerator 12 cu. Ft. Single Door 225 watts
Roaster 1425 watts
Sewing Machine 120 watts
Shaver 15 watts
Shoe Buffer 175 watts
Skillet 1250 watts
Smoke Detector 2 watts
Sound Equip - Component System 500 watts
Sound Equip - Record Player 50 watts
Sound Equip - Stereo Unit 100 watts
Sun Lamp 800 watts
Sun Lamp (small) 60 watts
Swimming Pool Filter Pump 1 HP 1200 watts
Swimming Pool Filter Pump 1½ HP 1800 watts
Swimming Pool Filter Pump 2 HP 2400 watts
Swimming Pool Sweep Pump ¾ HP 900 watts
Telephone Answering Machine 9 watts
Telephone Cordless 6 watts
Television - Large Projection 195 watts
Television - Large Solid State 150 watts
Television - Small Solid State 100 watts
Toaster 1100 watts
Toaster-Broiler Oven 1500 watts
Vacuum Cleaner 740 watts
Vaporizer - Large 660 watts
Vaporizer - Small 30 watts
Video Games 9 watts
Waffle Iron 1400 watts
Washer 840 watts
Water Heater 4500 watts
Whirlpool Bath ¼ HP 250 watts
Whirlpool Bath ¾ HP 750 watts
Wok 1000 watts
 
Where we bought the trailer, the salesman recommended 3500 watt generator.

Denny, yours has a Honda engine and when I went to the site the
feedback on it was 5 stars out of 5 for everyone. How noisy is yours?
One of the folks on the feedback really liked it but he said it was noisy.

I'm going to call Campbell Supplyin Sturgis and see how much the
Honda Inverter costs.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Appreciate it very much.
 
We're in the process of getting solar panels installed on our fifth wheel.I'd go that way but to each there own Personally NEVER ever would we get a generator.....camping neighbors HATE you....
 
Faster horses said:
That sounds good, but the Honda Inverter is known to be very
quiet.

So, Mrs. G...I'm gonna hate the campers around me for having
a generator? That doesn't sound like fun.
Click to expand...

Well- to me if you're not miles from everyone else- you're not "camping", just living in a teeny weeny trailer house in a trailer park for teeny weeny trailers :wink:
 
Oldtimer said:
Faster horses said:
That sounds good, but the Honda Inverter is known to be very
quiet.

So, Mrs. G...I'm gonna hate the campers around me for having
a generator? That doesn't sound like fun.
Click to expand...

Well- to me if you're not miles from everyone else- you're not "camping", just living in a teeny weeny trailer house in a trailer park for teeny weeny trailers :wink:
Click to expand...

Gee, Oldtimer, for once I agree with you. :wink: If you can't hear horses grazing outside your tent, or hear horse bells in the distance, you are not really camping. :)
 
Just make up for the noisy generators by cranking your music up to really really loud! :wink: I like to camp where it's plumb out of people of any sort! Once at elk camp, we camped on top of a drainage in a clearing. Hadn't saw a soul for 20 miles prior and wasnt an improved campground for 50. About 1:00 a.m. about three truckloads of jokers pull in fifty yards from the cabin tent, build a giant fire, crank up the truck stereos and commence to party. I laid there silently cussing for ten minutes. Then i got dressed and went "next door"! :evil: Crown Royal really mellows ya out! :wink: 8)
 

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