Dave Grant wrote:
"DaveS" wrote in message
...
On Jan 9, 1:22 pm, Bob wrote:
On Jan 9, 12:35 pm, DaveS wrote:

Suggestions and experience welcome. I need a smaller generator for use
with my camper. The Camper is a lance 825, no AC. I presently cart in
a couple of marine 12 volt batteries. With use confined to lights I am
good for 4 nites on one fully charged battery. I want to be able to
run the occasional power drill, recharge 12 volt bats, and some small
appliances, like radio, dvd , maybe a small power saw, maybe a small
ceramic heater.
Brand and model Suggestions? How to Plug in to Camper panal? Noise?
Dave,
There are lots of good small motor driven portable generators out
there (Honda generators are well regarded), but they are all loud. If
this is for your set up on the wheat farm, you may want to look at
wind and/or solar solutions. You couldn't find a much better location
for these power sources. There are getting to be lots of setups
developed for smaller applications such as you are envisioning.

Bob Weinberger

Actually have/am considering solar. Most difficult issue so far is put
up/take down requirements for the affordable set ups ive looked at
that would produce 300-800 watts. Ive been surprised at how well a
little cheap solar trickle charger extends my marine battery.

Last year i looked into bringing 110 service down from the industrial
line that feeds the irrigation pumps w/ a new and separate meter. With
a panel on the pole and some outlets I could reach the range of
locations I needed. However Pacific power wanted $5K for one pole and
Im not ready to designate a site.

So . . . I figure maybe a small generator might fit the mix until im
ready to make some other decisions etc..

Dave

The Honda's are probably the quietest and most reliable gernerator made, but
you pay for it. I have a Yamaha EF2400is that is almost as quiet as the
Honda 2000. If noise isn't a huge concern, the chinese are making some
pretty good generators, such as the Champions. Check out Northern Tool.
They sell a cheap one that has gotten good reviews too.

All the generators usually have the db noise rating listed.

Good info here http://mayberrys.com/honda/generator...ngenerator.htm

and here
http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect....neratorsdirect

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...ory_generators

Go over to rec.outdoors.rv-travel and ask and you will get more info than
you want





I run a couple of the small 600-1000 watt units for scene lighting at
Emergency scenes.
One is a Generac Inverter unit. Rated at 800 watts. Runs a twin 250
light pole with ease. Very light and you can talk easily from about 8-10
feet away.
Another is a Chinese rig that looks just like this one
http://parts.digikey.ca/1/1/11541-de...-18-l14p1.html
But it's not that brand. It came off a tool truck a few years ago. Rated
at 1200 watts. Runs a 3 head 900 watt light tower just fine.
Being a 2 stroke it is louder than the smaller unit. You have to get 20
feet away when it's running.


For quiet you want either a Yamaha or Honda unit. They are about 20Db
quieter than most of the rest. But you will pay a lot more.

--
Steve W.