Info on gas portable generators

[Potszer]

I'am thinking about buying a generator for my Sunline Sat. and woluld like to hear any suggestions on what to look for as to size,weight.and etc. thank you

[kanyonkitty]

It would be helpful if you'd tell us what you will be wanting the generator to supply power for. IE: just to recharge the batteries and a few lights, or are you wanting something that will provide ample power so you can run your air condition, lights, heater, etc. Knowing this will get you better answers.

Myself, we have an Onan 3600 propane generator permanently installed in the 5'er.

[Steve Collins]

Originally Posted by Potszer

I'am thinking about buying a generator for my Sunline Sat. and woluld like to hear any suggestions on what to look for as to size,weight.and etc. thank you

Using the search function, I found this for you:

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f6...-day-9870.html

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f6...inia-9845.html

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f6...-que-9212.html

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f6...cans-8430.html

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f6...50-a-7870.html

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f6...sion-7801.html

There are more, but these should get you started.

[quaddriver]

My current rv has an onan 4.4k installed, but I have a craftsman 1400w I can 'carry' around which is reasonably quiet.

there is a champion genset from tractor supply that gets good reviews. Otherwise, everyone likes the honda and yamaha in the 2000watt range with inverters, but you need the 3000W to fire up the AC.

HYPER quiet.

HYPER expensive too....

[Steve Collins]

Originally Posted by quaddriver

Otherwise, everyone likes the honda and yamaha in the 2000watt range with inverters, but you need the 3000W to fire up the AC.

The Honda eu20001 will fire up our A/C if there is pretty much nothing else running at the time. It is the initial starting current that can overload the gennies. Once running, the A/c doesn't use even half of the 2000's capacity.

Originally Posted by quaddriver

HYPER quiet.

HYPER expensive too....

We dry camp a lot in a fairly crowded campground. Most folks stay for a minimum of a week, which translates into being in pretty close quarters with some pretty loud generators for a long period of time. Anything we can do to lower the noise level and to encourage our neighbors to do the same is greatly appreciated by all.

I promised myself a long time ago that when I could afford a generator, it would not be one that irritates our neighbors.

[pwb01]

You might check out the new Ryobi 2000w. It's an inverter generator like the Honda is 58db like the Honda but unlike the Honda includes the 12v cable and is $600 not $1000. They seem to have good reviews and are carried in stock at Home Depot.

[OhhWell]

There's a Champion 2000w inverter at Sams club for $500 which is also a good deal. After following the 3000 watt chinese generator thread at rv.net, I would feel very confident with that company. Just like the hondas and yamahas however, that 2000w rating is surge only with running watts more like 1600. I would think that you would need to get 2 and link them to be certain you can comfortably run everything you need in the summer.

Since we do not have the budget for inverter generators, we bought one of the 3500w champion non-inverter generators from camping world. It has no problem starting the 13,500 A/C unit with the fridge and fan running.

It is a bit loud but no where near the level of the contractor grade stuff with the briggs and straton engines equiped with the tiny lawnmower engine mufflers like the colmen stuff. Most of the noise is engine and not exhaust. I made a 4 sided baffle out of rubber excersize matt peices that lock together at the seams. Using that I can dramatically cut down the noise in all but one direction. The one place we "dry" camp is Alexander Springs state park and we can aim the noisy end at the woods there.

The black bears may not appreciate it but they can't call the camp host to complain...

[JB2004]

I'll second the Champion 3500w generator. It always starts on the first pull and i think is the best "bang for the buck". We've had ours for 3 years now and have had no problems with it.