Best Generator for RV
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From: Scottsdale
Best Generator for RV
I tow a 22ft Tahoe lite self contained travel trailer with no generator. Does anyone have any suggestions on a gen combo to run basic power, charge batteries and run the single AC unit. I think its a 13,000 BTU.
A couple of RV folks suggest 2 Honda EU2000i with a parallel cable kit. The theory is it actually puts out more than a single 4000watt gen. It's about $2000 for the set up. I thought I'd put a receiver hitch on the back of the trailer and one of those 500lb carriers. 59 dbs is a plus!
Ideas, suggestions, brands, set ups? Thanks
A couple of RV folks suggest 2 Honda EU2000i with a parallel cable kit. The theory is it actually puts out more than a single 4000watt gen. It's about $2000 for the set up. I thought I'd put a receiver hitch on the back of the trailer and one of those 500lb carriers. 59 dbs is a plus!
Ideas, suggestions, brands, set ups? Thanks
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Post Fiend
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From: "Islander"
ford390, true Onan the only way to go. There was a 35' cabin cruiser washed a shore in Alameda, everyone started stripping it. Below deck was a water cooled twin Onan with 12 or 15 KW generator. It was too heavy to remove with my bad back. three months later a crane came in and it crunched the boat, Onan and twin 454's what a sin.
I have a 6 KW MultiQuip with 11 hp Honda used on construction sites, weighs 195 pounds.
Is the Onan motor manufactured by Onan or the name Onan the overall product with a outside vendor manufactured motor?
.....=o&o>.....
I have a 6 KW MultiQuip with 11 hp Honda used on construction sites, weighs 195 pounds.
Is the Onan motor manufactured by Onan or the name Onan the overall product with a outside vendor manufactured motor?
.....=o&o>.....
Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Jan 23, 2006 at 02:37 AM.
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From: Annapolis, MD
I have an Onan 2.8 KW in my motor home. It hasn't worked since mid-summer, but the generator is 15 years old and I don't think it was properly taken care of/used in recent years. I'm pretty sure this is just a problem with mine rather than a reflection on the brand. Moral: take care of it by using it!
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From: Marion, VA
I have camped for years and am a member of several RV forums. The suggestions and recommendations has the Honda winning hands down. The EU2000 is not actually 2000 watts. That is the surge capacity and the continuious capacity is 1,600 watts. It is the quietest generator I have ever heard and a single one will start and run my 13,000 BTU AC (depends on the AC unit) but nothing else. Many suggest a single EU3000 rather than 2 EU2000 units but it is much heavier (maybe 140 lbs compared to maybe 40 lbs each for the EU2000). The Honda units are one of the few generators that are truly quiet. The cheap "contractor" or home use units are much to loud for camping. I thought my little generator was quiet (it is compared to the typical ones) until I took it camping and disturbed the neighbors.
The EU2000 is also very easy on fuel, especially when you only need to use one.
The EU2000 is also very easy on fuel, especially when you only need to use one.
Last edited by osbornk; Jan 23, 2006 at 10:38 AM.
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From: Dixie
The Honda pair are the hands down winner in this not only for fuel economy, sound, or light weight but you can use them any where that power is needed. Onans aren't portable and tend to get permanently mounted and neglected from there. The Hondas weigh 46lbs BTW and run forever if the extra fuel tank is used.
I have them and wouldn't have anything else. Total invested $1,850. Parts for the parallel wiring and 30 amp RV plug costs $40 @ Lowes, 6 Gallon boat tank and fuel lines-$25 @ Wally World. Instructions to put it all together available on the web.
Dorf
I have them and wouldn't have anything else. Total invested $1,850. Parts for the parallel wiring and 30 amp RV plug costs $40 @ Lowes, 6 Gallon boat tank and fuel lines-$25 @ Wally World. Instructions to put it all together available on the web.
Dorf
Last edited by 001-F DORF; Jan 23, 2006 at 06:25 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Wayland, MI
I have a portable 3000 watt Yamaha, it ran my whole trailer,air, microwave, everything. extremely quiet. electric start, with pull start back up. and it sips gas. I paid $1800 a couple years ago from ebay, delivered to my door.
Toyman
Toyman
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From: Scottsdale
Dorf:
I hear ya! what did you pay for yours? I can't find them for less than $870 plus 235 for the cross over. Thanks!
Billy
I hear ya! what did you pay for yours? I can't find them for less than $870 plus 235 for the cross over. Thanks!
Billy
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From: Scottsdale
Dorf:
Thanks for the info. Dealer wants $250 for the pair set up and $150 for a dual feed tank for extra run tiime. Could you please tell me where to find the conversion for a marine tank you spoke of as well as how to wire up the two units?
Thanks
Billy
Thanks for the info. Dealer wants $250 for the pair set up and $150 for a dual feed tank for extra run tiime. Could you please tell me where to find the conversion for a marine tank you spoke of as well as how to wire up the two units?
Thanks
Billy
Originally Posted by 001-F DORF
The Honda pair are the hands down winner in this not only for fuel economy, sound, or light weight but you can use them any where that power is needed. Onans aren't portable and tend to get permanently mounted and neglected from there. The Hondas weigh 46lbs BTW and run forever if the extra fuel tank is used.
I have them and wouldn't have anything else. Total invested $1,850. Parts for the parallel wiring and 30 amp RV plug costs $40 @ Lowes, 6 Gallon boat tank and fuel lines-$25 @ Wally World. Instructions to put it all together available on the web.
Dorf
I have them and wouldn't have anything else. Total invested $1,850. Parts for the parallel wiring and 30 amp RV plug costs $40 @ Lowes, 6 Gallon boat tank and fuel lines-$25 @ Wally World. Instructions to put it all together available on the web.
Dorf
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Get the Honda. My 5er has the 5500 Onan unit mounted in it. The Onan is a terrific unit, quiet, fuel efficient, etc. But if you are looking to add a unit that is not already on the trailer, get the Honda for the price and portability.
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From: Scottsdale
One of my big problems was there was no where to put a big generator if I wanted to. Besides that almost everyone loves the honda set up (especially for a small trailer) my plan was to install a receiver hitch, get one of those 24x60 cargo haulers, lock them down to discourage theft and that will still leave me half to load more stuff! If need be when not hauling the trailer, haul the same set up on the back of the F150!
Originally Posted by FastDEW
Get the Honda. My 5er has the 5500 Onan unit mounted in it. The Onan is a terrific unit, quiet, fuel efficient, etc. But if you are looking to add a unit that is not already on the trailer, get the Honda for the price and portability.
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From: Scottsdale
RV thread
Thanks for the input. What RV forums do you like? I've been looking for one, but they're tough to find if you don't want to exchange food recipies!
Originally Posted by osbornk
I have camped for years and am a member of several RV forums. The suggestions and recommendations has the Honda winning hands down. The EU2000 is not actually 2000 watts. That is the surge capacity and the continuious capacity is 1,600 watts. It is the quietest generator I have ever heard and a single one will start and run my 13,000 BTU AC (depends on the AC unit) but nothing else. Many suggest a single EU3000 rather than 2 EU2000 units but it is much heavier (maybe 140 lbs compared to maybe 40 lbs each for the EU2000). The Honda units are one of the few generators that are truly quiet. The cheap "contractor" or home use units are much to loud for camping. I thought my little generator was quiet (it is compared to the typical ones) until I took it camping and disturbed the neighbors.
The EU2000 is also very easy on fuel, especially when you only need to use one.
The EU2000 is also very easy on fuel, especially when you only need to use one.
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From: Marion, VA
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Dixie
I bought my Hondas from Wise Sales with free delivery for $1751 and they arrived in three days. Join the Yahoo Group and check out the LINKS page.
Yahoo Group Honda EU2000i
Extra Fuel Setup.
Parallel Setup
One Example of Rear Mounted Hondas
Hope that this will help.
Dorf
Yahoo Group Honda EU2000i
Extra Fuel Setup.
Parallel Setup
One Example of Rear Mounted Hondas
Hope that this will help.
Dorf