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Old 03-23-2014, 02:57 AM   #1
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Generator for my 2013 Aspen Trail

I have been looking for a Generator for my aspen trail 2710BH, I found one at sams
Black Max 3,550 Watt Portable Gas Generator

Would this be a good size for my trailer?
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Old 03-23-2014, 02:30 PM   #2
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It will work, but you will have to limit what you are running. If you have your A/C on, you will not be able to run anything else with a substantial load like a microwave. With proper power management you will be fine.

It will be pretty loud for a campground...
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Old 03-23-2014, 03:55 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by EricNSTL View Post
It will be pretty loud for a campground...
It will be pretty loud for the owner also. Before the inverter generators came along I bought that style of generator. I ended up giving it away.
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:03 PM   #4
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I would Spend the money on quiet Honda Generators.
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:14 PM   #5
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I would Spend the money on quiet Honda Generators.
I second that.

We have a Honda EU 3000 with remote start. It is so nice to run a cord out to the bed of your truck and be able start that generator from inside the trailer and barely, if at all, here it. We use the Honda in addition to the Onan 5500 that is mounted in my toy hauler. We rarely use the Onan.
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:31 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aalvarado3 View Post
I have been looking for a Generator for my aspen trail 2710BH, I found one at sams
Black Max 3,550 Watt Portable Gas Generator

Would this be a good size for my trailer?
As stated, it will run any item individually but maybe not multiple big-draw items simultaneously like air con and microwave and converter together. I've got the same TT and we have a Yamaha 2400 that can run everything; however, it is hit or miss on the air con if we are at altitudes greater than say 5000'.

Also as stated, that thing will be super loud. I'd suggest looking for a quiet inverter type. They are much more expensive, but the nice stuff usually is! Something rated 3000 watts or higher will be a safe bet to run anything in the trailer. A single Honda 2000 or Yamaha 2400 will be marginal for the air con but easily big enough for everything else. These units can be paralleled, too, so 2 Hondas or Yamahas could easily run the air con when run together or using one a time would run anything else.
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:48 PM   #7
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Something to note regarding the inverter-type generators as well is that they have the 'clean' power that is required for computers,TV's and other sensitive electronics.

Nowadays I wouldn't use the other kind at all.
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Old 03-23-2014, 04:53 PM   #8
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For those of you that have the smaller gen sets and encounter the A/C start up problem there is a replacement start capacitor that overcomes this problem. Basically the A/C overloads the generator when it starts while another load is on it. Sometimes it's the refrigerator and A/C that causes the overload.
If the refrigerator is using generator electricity it is a resistive load. When you fire up the A/C, which is an inductive load, the generator throws its overload breaker. Not any real way to overcome these two loads because the A/C will cycle on/off and cause the problem again.
RV Air Conditioner Hard Start Capacitor | ModMyRV
Give this a look, might save you some money by not having to buy the biggest small generator just to start the A/C.
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Old 03-23-2014, 05:25 PM   #9
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If you are dead set on the "contractor " type generators, check out the Champion 3500/4000. It is louder than the inverter generators but quieter that most open frame generators. Even the inverter generators get pretty loud when running at full power. I have used my tv and computer with my Champion 3500/4000 without any problems.
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Old 03-23-2014, 05:40 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sundancer 87 View Post
For those of you that have the smaller gen sets and encounter the A/C start up problem there is a replacement start capacitor that overcomes this problem. ...
RV Air Conditioner Hard Start Capacitor | ModMyRV
Give this a look, might save you some money by not having to buy the biggest small generator just to start the A/C.
I installed the Supco hard start capacitor on our TT before its first trip, so I can't comment on how it worked without it. It didn't come with a start capacitor, I can tell you that much. I think it does make a difference; however, elevation and high ambient temps will keep a 2000/2400 watt Honda/Yamaha as marginal for a 13.5 kBtu air con.
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Old 03-23-2014, 10:06 PM   #11
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If you are dead set on the "contractor " type generators, check out the Champion 3500/4000. I have used my tv and computer with my Champion 3500/4000 without any problems.
...and you won't have any problems...until you do that is. What causes the problem is when the engine doesn't run perfectly. Once your engine starts running poorly, such as when it needs a new spark plug or the fuel isn't up to snuff or some varnishing occurred during a long storage period or...the list could go on and on.

Once the engine starts acting up the generator doesn't put out clean power and that is when you will have a problem.

I speak from experience BTW. I lost the control module on a gas fireplace during a power outage when my cheap generator started 'hunting'.
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Old 03-24-2014, 03:49 AM   #12
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Check out these quite inverter type generators that are more affordable than the Honda and not much more than a contractor generator...

LW3000 Dometic Generator

Boliy 2014 Pro3600SI Digital Inverter Generator with wheels- Free shipping (click here to order)

My camping buddy has the Dometic and doesn't have any problem running his 13.5 AC with the fridg & WH on LP.

The neat thing about the Boliy is the remote full tank kit.

My first generator was a Troy Bilt that is similar to the Black Max, it did the job but I would recommend starting out with a "quite" one.
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Old 04-08-2014, 11:34 PM   #13
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Thanks for all the advise!!!
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Old 04-09-2014, 03:27 PM   #14
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Here is what I I have that does a great job & is quite 3100 Watt Inverter Generator - Champion Generators 75531I - Portable Generators - Camping World
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Old 03-23-2015, 03:13 AM   #15
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I had a champion with my old trailer and I thought the campground host would kick me out because it was so loud. I upgraded to a Kipor 3000 inverter generator and it's run great for a few years. It's basically a Honda knockoff and nearly a third the cost. I keep fuel stabilizer in the tank and turn the fuel valve off prior to stopping it each time. This seems to help for easy starts after long storage. Runs my AC just fine with the smart throttle activated for fuel economy.
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Old 03-29-2015, 01:14 AM   #16
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I opted for 2 of the Honda 2000's with a parallel cord. Same price as a 3000 and 4000 watts of power.
Much easier to handle than the heavy 3000. No electric start but they start really easy by hand. The plus is when I don't need AC I can just run 1 generator and can load and unload by myself.
And they are "quiet"
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Old 03-29-2015, 01:25 PM   #17
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We currently have a Honda EU3000 and it's a great generator, quiet and runs everything on our Kodiak 240BHSL. However it is heavy! It is getting old and beat though and I think when it's time to replace it we will also go with (2) Honda 2000's.
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Old 07-17-2015, 12:23 PM   #18
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What fuel do you recommend?
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Old 07-17-2015, 09:26 PM   #19
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I just use regular e10 but use stabilizer because they sit for so long and I pull them out at least once a month and start them.
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Old 07-17-2015, 11:44 PM   #20
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I run non-ethanol because I have had to replace too many carberators on my lawn equipment and once on my Honda generator. Just too humid here in Florida for corn fuel that isnt used up each time you run any equipment.
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