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What size/kind of generator do I need????

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mandyruth2980
Reg. May 2011
Posted 2011-06-05 6:35 PM (#134574)
Subject: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Posts: 27
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Hi~

I have a 2000 C & C with a 5' shortwall.  It has all the basic things, two way fridge, microwave, sink, shower, lights, AC, and so on.  I want to get a portable generator so I don't have to plug in to be able to use these things but I have NO IDEA what I should get!!  I would like to have one that can run for several hours without having to fill it up over the weekend.  Is that possible?  How many hours does a portable generator usually run?  What size would I need for this size trailer?  The trailer I had before had an onboard generator with a large gas tank so it would run 36 hours before running out of gas!  I was looking at a generator earlier and it said it would run 11 hours at 50% load.  What does 50% load mean?  I don't know what I should be looking for and I don't want to spend money on one that won't work for me!  I need some help with this and any ideas would be great!! Thanks a bunch!!

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gonzo1066
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2011-06-05 6:56 PM (#134575 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Location: Sumas Washington
IF you intend to run your air conditioner your power requirements jump drastically.  You need at least a 3000watt unit to start and run a 13,500btu AC unit.  In Honda this is the EU3000, it takes 2 people to lift it and is not really that portable unless you have it in the bed of your truck.    If you don't run the AC the Honda EU 2000 is a suitcase style unit and works very well.  If all you need to do is charge batteries the little Honda EU 1000 will do the job for you..  There are some other units that are as good as the Honda  Yamaha makes a QUIET light weight unit that is very good.    You have to be aware of the noise issues of some of the cheaper generators out there.
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mandyruth2980
Reg. May 2011
Posted 2011-06-05 7:13 PM (#134576 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Thanks for the info!  I have another question.  How many hours does that size generator usually run before it would need more gas?  I know my aunt has a generator that will only run about 6 hours before it needs gas.  The way I did with my other trailer was we would get to a 2 day barrel race, I would turn my generator on and AC on, both of which ran all weekend, and also used all the other things (microwave, shower, etc) as needed.  Can a portable generator do that? If so, what size would I need?  Thanks for the help!

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gonzo1066
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2011-06-05 8:12 PM (#134578 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Location: Sumas Washington
The Honda 3000 I had would run the AC for about 6-8 hours before I had to refuel.  The 1000 or 2000 will run about 10 at lower power usage.    Any of the portable units will require periodic refueling.  You will have to carry additional gas for the kind of extended use you are wanting.
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mandyruth2980
Reg. May 2011
Posted 2011-06-05 8:19 PM (#134580 - in reply to #134578)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Posts: 27
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Ok, now I think I get it! :)  When someone says a generator will run 11 hours on 50% load, what does 50% load mean?  Just your AC? or your AC and others things as needed? I just don't get what 50% load means, how do you know if it's 50% load?  I'm so confused!!

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Painted Horse
Reg. May 2005
Posted 2011-06-05 8:29 PM (#134581 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????



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Pretty much any generator larger than 2000 watts will run your A/C.  But you won't be able to run A/C and Mircrowave at the same time. Since you mention leaving the A/C run and then using other appliances, I suggest at least a 3000 watt generator. And maybe even a 4000 depending on what you have on at the same time.

I had a Yamaha 2400is and it run the A/C just fine on my trailers, But I had to turn off the A/C before I started my Microwave or the girls started their hair dryers.  To us in our climate, No big deal. I can live with no A/C for 10 minutes while I cook dinner. The Yamaha 2400 weighs 72lbs vs the Honda 3000 wieghing 130 lbs.

Generators can idle along at 50% or rev up to produce more power if you are drawing more power. So the 50% load refers to their fuel consumption at at 50% power output.  On a Honda 3000 watt,   50% would = 1500 watts.  Your 13,500 btu A/C unit will draw around 1800 watts at start up.

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lesliemal
Reg. Sep 2007
Posted 2011-06-05 8:34 PM (#134582 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Location: Georgia
Another option is 2 Honda 2000s with a paralell kit. This is the set up that I have and it works great. Easy for me to handle cause each generator only weighs around 47 lbs. I can get them in and out of the bed of truck relatively easily by myself. This setup gives me all the power I need to run my AC and other various appliances.
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mandyruth2980
Reg. May 2011
Posted 2011-06-05 9:04 PM (#134583 - in reply to #134582)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Thank you all so much for the ideas!!!  This will really help me find what I need!!
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PaulChristenson
Reg. Jan 2007
Posted 2011-06-06 12:11 AM (#134586 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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This one would cover all your needs...

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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2011-06-06 3:23 AM (#134587 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/thread-view.asp?threadid=15391
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flyinghfarm
Reg. Mar 2004
Posted 2011-06-06 10:42 AM (#134602 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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We have a generator, built in the rear tack, with a fuel tank in the storage area under the manger...the tank  holds 20 gallons... the generator is an Onan Microquiet 4000, the exhaust is routed out the bottom and over to the far rear corner of the trailer.  This runs everything and is very quiet.... I just top of the tank when I am enroute to my destination,.. I generally top off the fuel on the truck at my last available stop before going on in to trailhead, campground, fairground, whatever.  This works great for us and has the remote start in the LQ... might be an expensive option for what you need, but it is great and adds to resale value later....;  just another idea for you to mull over...

Edited by flyinghfarm 2011-06-06 10:43 AM
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traveller
Reg. Jun 2005
Posted 2011-06-06 5:52 PM (#134616 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Just curious, lesliemal, how long can you run your generators without running out of fuel?  I am thinking that the two generator is the way to go for me.  Also, how do you secure them and where do you set them while they are running?  Thanks for your help.  
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lesliemal
Reg. Sep 2007
Posted 2011-06-06 6:52 PM (#134619 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Posts: 368
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Location: Georgia
If I do not use the Eco throttle, running both gens together, about 6 hours. If you can use the Eco throttle, you will get more hours. Not sure exactly how much longer, because I just found out that I could run the AC and set the gens on the Eco throttles. If I unhook my truck, I just leave the gens in the bed and move the truck off to the side of the trailer with the exhaust facing away. If I leave the truck hooked up, I move the gens off on the ground with the exhaust facing away. It is a really easy set up to use. It cost a lil more to go with the 2 2000s versus the 3000, but there is no way I could handle the 3000 on my own because it is too heavy. I really shopped around and the best prices I found were at www.wisesales.com.  Free Shipping!

Edited by lesliemal 2011-06-06 6:53 PM
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lesliemal
Reg. Sep 2007
Posted 2011-06-06 6:57 PM (#134620 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Posts: 368
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Location: Georgia
Sorry forgot to answer about securing.  I bought a cable and a masterlock.  I lock the gens to the hook/ring inside the bed of my truck or if I take the gens out, I will secure the gens with the cable to my trailer "foot" when not in use.  Luckily, I have not had to remove them from the truck too often and can leave them secured there and still use. Of course we all know that if a thief really wants your belongings, nothing is secure.
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Snickers
Reg. Nov 2004
Posted 2011-06-06 8:07 PM (#134627 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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If you do look at the Wise site check out the Extended run fuel tank.

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tr0y
Reg. Mar 2009
Posted 2011-06-07 8:29 AM (#134638 - in reply to #134574)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Posts: 114
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Location: Home of the WNFR at Christmas
I would look seriously at one of the 2000 W inverter generators, I have had both the Honda and the Yamaha and had better luck with the Honda, but that debate could go on all day. What I have noticed is that although it should not according to the specs is that my Honda will deal with my 15,500 AC on start up and will idle back down in eco mode once it is running.

Any solid Honda dealer will have a demo at the shop I suggest taking the trailer with you and see what the little generator can do.

Inverter generators seem expensive on the front end but I will never buy any thing else after owning this little Honda.
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gonzo1066
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2011-06-07 9:49 PM (#134678 - in reply to #134638)
Subject: RE: What size/kind of generator do I need????


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Posts: 264
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Location: Sumas Washington
Can you run a 15,500 AC with a 2000 Honda????    I was able to just get my Carrier 13,000 started with a Honda 3000
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