Suggested Generator for Kodiak Cub 175

[areshecub175]

Does anyone have suggestions for a make and model generator?
I am looking for one that can run the air conditioning, lighting, entertainment, functions, and other small things.
I could probably live without using the microwave and AC simultaneously.
I’m just looking for a good generator that gets the job done, but without being needlessly large as we do not have a huge tow vehicle.

[Firstime RVer]

We bought an Onan 4500i for my aspen trail 1900RB. It can deliver 30 amps continuously and runs my 13,500 btu ac unit, battery charger, coffee maker and toaster all at the same time. It runs on gasoline and will run about 9 hours at half load. It weighs in at about 100 lbs has electric start and remote start/stop fob.. We love it.

Others we camp with use a 3500 watt Harbor freight predator and are happy with it. It is quite a bit lighter at about 60 lbs but limits how many things they can run at the same time.
Just add up all the loads you plan to run at the same time and look up the continuous rating of the generator you are considering. Inductive loads like air conditioner startup will use up the peak rating of your generator very fast.

[areshecub175]

Ah okay, thanks! So you find 3700 running watts and 4500 startup is enough for everything? Thanks, I’ll look into them.

[trucking]

Originally Posted by areshecub175

Ah okay, thanks! So you find 3700 running watts and 4500 startup is enough for everything? Thanks, I’ll look into them.

use a W3300IE Firman inverter Generator.
3300 startup watts
3000 running watts
Electric start or Pull
Gas for fuel
It runs air conditioner, lights, entertainment center, refrigerator and a cell charger.
This is on a 2016 22ft Dutchman Kodiak
Happy trails

[persistent]

See this link
https://www.dutchmenowners.org/forum...html#post81457

[ewarnerusa]

Definitely go with an inverter generator, the reduced noise level is absolutely worth it. Honda (red) and Yamaha (blue) are industry leaders in this niche, and command a premium price. There are many stories of capable inverter generators of different mfg that do a fine job.

A 2000 watt continuous model will probably be marginal for a typical 13.5 kBtu RV air conditioner, it may run it in cool weather and/or low elevation. But once it gets hot and/or high elevation, the generator engine produces less power and what was marginally OK during ideal conditions will not start the AC compressor when you really want it to. Forget the $15 hard start capacitor trick you see when googling, my experience is it makes a marginal setup the tiniest bit less marginal but still inadequate when you really need it. The more expensive "soft start" kits like Micro Air will do the trick though, our Yamaha 2200 runs the AC like a champ in super hot conditions after I installed the Micro Air. I think it was around $300.

A 2000 watt model will probably run any microwave or other high draw device that normally runs on a 15 amp AC outlet (coffee maker, electric space heater, toaster, electric water heater). But not 2 high draw items simultaneously. If your batteries are in a very low state of charge when you plug into the generator, then your converter becomes one of these high draw items until your batteries are more charged. A 2000 watt model is usually fine as a one-person lift.

A 3000 watt continuous model will probably run the 13.5 kBtu air conditioner without any modifications needed. But most likely NOT a one-person lift.

[SlowNEasy]

Pretty much an inverter generator is your only choice if you want to sleep and have friendly neighbors. With that said this guy appears to do reviews across more types of generators and by far the best reviews I have seen. He load test them accurately, examines their sine wave output under load, and uses a repeatable method to measure their noise.



Honda VS Generac iq3500

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejg1RBZ3sVE

And then his playlist of lets test everything worth owning against everything else.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...aFRoVwfO0cwgzd



As an FYI I have a few of the models he has tested and generally agree with his results.

[chily3]

A soft start in the AC unit will help a lot for generator size.

[capeharj]

Originally Posted by areshecub175

Does anyone have suggestions for a make and model generator?
I am looking for one that can run the air conditioning, lighting, entertainment, functions, and other small things.
I could probably live without using the microwave and AC simultaneously.
I’m just looking for a good generator that gets the job done, but without being needlessly large as we do not have a huge tow vehicle.

Try this.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-watt-super-quiet-inverter-generator-with-co-secure-technology-59137.html

[Witt84z]

Put a soft start on your A/C and this is all you need Generac GP3300i - 2500 Watt Portable Inverter Generator.

This way you can easily lift and move it wherever you want.

[TK on the road]

I installed a softstart on the AC of my 175 BH and run 1 Yamaha 2200 generator! Works great - but if you want to run the microwave you need to switch off the AC pop your popcorn then turn the AC back on
Works great for my use but the softstart is the way to go!

[SlowNEasy]

Originally Posted by capeharj

Try this.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-w...ogy-59137.html

I have the northern tool version of that generator also, and it runs my TT well. Best part s that since you are at about half its max load it is not as noisy as some of the smaller generators. On the negative side they are heavy.