Looking for generator advice - Dutchmen Owners
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Dutchmen Owners > Dutchmen Technical | Towing, Maintenance and Repairs > Electrical, Batteries, Charging and Electronics
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-22-2015, 02:36 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Adair1965's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Barrie
Posts: 254
Ontario
Looking for generator advice

I've got a 2014 Kodiak 291 resl. I'm looking at getting a small generator to run the AC, water pump and interior lights when I go boondocking. What's suitable wattage size? And do you just plug your 30 amp cord into the generator and fire it up? This will be my first experience with a generator
__________________

Adair1965 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2015, 03:06 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Dalzell
Posts: 714
South Carolina
There are lots of discussions here on generators. I won't even tell you what I bought, here's what I wish I bought. An inverter is more expensive, but quieter and better for electronics. Enough juice to run one AC. Built-in 30 amp socket. Available from many outlets. 3100W Inverter Generator (CARB) - Champion Power Equipment
__________________

MartyG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2015, 03:17 AM   #3
Member
 
Moogal78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Enterprise
Posts: 49
Alabama
You will need to know what your power requirements are to find the right one for you. Generators are usually rated in Watts (ie. 5500, 4000, 2500, etc), and you will need to know the maximum number of Watts your trailer will require. Most appliances will have either the wattage or the amp draw on a label somewhere, or possibly in the literature. Remember that Watts=ampsXvolts. Your camper will have a 120 volt A/C system, so you should be able to do the math for the appliances you need/want to run simultaneously, then buy a generator with a continuous output greater than or equal to your needs. Don't forget, appliances with large motors (ie. Air conditioners) have a "starting load" that can consume quite a bit more power when firing up then they do during operation. My 15,000 BTU main A/C unit draws 13 amps when running, but it's starting load is 18 amps. Once you've picked your generator your 3 prong shore power cord will plug right into it (do check that the generator has the proper recepticle for your power cord). I've only ever had manufacturer installed generator sets, so I'm sure someone will chime in with a greater wealth of knowledge, but hopefully this will get you started. Oh, and since your lights are going to be 12 volt run from your converter, be sure to find and add the amp draw for your converter as well, so that you will have sufficient A/C power to provide for all your lights and to charge your battery(ies).
__________________

2013 Voltage 3895
2011 Ford F-350 DRW w/ Firestone airbags and heavy duty compressor, Edge Insight CTS, Curt Q24
Moogal78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2015, 03:30 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
HornedToad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midland
Posts: 606
Texas
The biggest issue with most portable generators is a small fuel capacity, which limits the run time. This would require you to refuel to run your AC overnight.

Check out a Boliy generator with the external tank option. You can use 6 gallon plus outboard boat motor fuel tanks to extend the run time. Also with these external tanks there is no more pouring gas, you can fill several up at the gas station and just swap them out as needed.

Boliy Generator

Nothing is worse than spilling gas on your pajamas in the middle of the night.
__________________

Mike & Helen
2014 Voltage 3895 EPIC III
2013 Ford F350 CC DRW FX4
HornedToad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2015, 03:33 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Desert Hot Springs
Posts: 1,761
California
I bought one of these before I bought my Voltage. Will run everything you need .
3100W Inverter Generator (CARB) - Champion Power Equipment
__________________
Mike
2002 42' Monaco Signature Triple Crown tow 2014 F-150
2014 Voltage V3605 Sold 5/3/17
2012 F-350 6.7l CC 4X4, Sold 10/10/17
DesertRat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2015, 06:47 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
ewarnerusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Helena, MT
Posts: 606
Montana
Running the air conditioner? I suggest a minimum of 3000 watt continuous rating and definitely an inverter type. They are quieter and more fuel efficient. Another alternative is 2 x 2000 watt inverter generators with a parallel kit. Then you can only run one when demand is low (pretty much anything besides the AC) and parallel the second when you have high demand (the AC). 2000 watt units are also reasonably sized so you can pick them up relatively easily. 3000 watt units are beasts and can't be easily lifted by one person alone. Honda and Yamaha are the kings of this market; however, it seems like Champion provides a less expensive alternative. Some report success with only a 2000/2400 watt rated generator running their 13.5 kBtu air con; however, it is marginal and depends heavily on altitude and ambient temperatures. Even with the addition of a hard start capacitor on the AC. I'm one of them and I am resigned to not try for AC while camping anymore! We have a Yamaha 2400.
And just for clarity, the water pump and interior lighting runs off the 12V system not the 120V AC system. Your 12V battery/batteries will be charged by the onboard converter which draws power from the 120 AC shore power/generator power.

Some good reading on an RV's 12V system
__________________
2012 Aspen Trail 2710BH | 470 watts of solar on the roof | 2x6V GC batteries | 1500 watt PSW inverter | Micro Air on A/C | so far strictly boondocking
ewarnerusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2015, 08:18 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Ridgway
Posts: 312
Colorado
We have a Honda EU3000 for our Kodiak 240BHSL. It will run the 15000 BTU AC system and it will also run any of our appliances without trouble. However we can not be using the microwave (for instance) and try to turn on the AC, it kicks the generator into overload and we need to reset.
So, the bottom line is we really like our Honda. We've had many people comment on how quiet it is and it does everything we need it to. Just don't try to use everything at once!
If I had it to do over again I'd buy 2 Honda EU2000's. The majority of the time we'd only need to run one of them which means less noise and fuel. For the times we need AC or other heavy usage we could connect them together and have the power needed. Also the 2000 is much smaller and more for one person to handle. My 3000 requires 2 people to move and load/unload.
rcharrette is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2015, 08:31 PM   #8
Site Team
 
wahoonc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sprung Leak
Posts: 3,157
North Carolina
I have done A LOT of research on the generators. For quiet run you definitely want an inverterter generator. Size depends on what you want to run all at once.

One interesting note about the Champion vs Honda/Yamaha, etc. Champion does not use a fuel pump, they are gravity feed only. Both the Honda and Yamaha have a fuel pump so you can use a secondary fuel tank to increase run time. With the Champion you have to work out a gravity feed system of some sort. One guy I know added a petcock to the low side of a plastic out board tank, then rigged a frame to put it over his Champion 3100. Works for him.

Aaron
__________________

__________________
There is madness to my methods
2015 Coleman CM16FBS(traded) 2016 Concord 300DS
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid following along
wahoonc is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dutchmen RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT. The time now is 08:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2020 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.
×