Portable Generator for Camper

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?

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

On Sun, 9 Jan 2011 13:22:24 -0800 (PST), 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, the Honda gensets I've been around (only 3 so far) have been
pretty quiet, when compared to other brands. I could actually stand
within 5 or 6 feet and hold a conversation w/o having to raise my
voice.

There's another, a 4KW unit sold by Tractor Supply, that's quieter
than the run-of-the-mill genset, but it's a bunch louder than the
Honda.

On Sun, 9 Jan 2011 13:22:24 -0800 (PST), 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


I can vouch for the Hondas
It is loud
We bought it 12 yrs ahgo wwhen we moved West
It has been used for quite a few hrs on buliding sites as I have
loaned it to a few select & careful friends
No problems w it whatsoever.

It has also increased quite a bit in a re-sale -- enough to easily
recover our cost in buying it & more.
We will of ocourse not sell it.o

Fred

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

On Jan 9, 1:29*pm, wrote:
On Sun, 9 Jan 2011 13:22:24 -0800 (PST), 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, the Honda gensets I've been around (only 3 so far) have been
pretty quiet, when compared to other brands. *I could actually stand
within 5 or 6 feet and hold a conversation w/o having to raise my
voice.

There's another, a 4KW unit sold by Tractor Supply, that's quieter
than the run-of-the-mill genset, but it's a bunch louder than the
Honda.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Anybody have experience with the 2000 or 3000 portable Honda
generators?

Dave

On 1/9/2011 5:10 PM, DaveS wrote:
On Jan 9, 1:29 pm, wrote:
On Sun, 9 Jan 2011 13:22:24 -0800 (PST),
wrote:





On Jan 9, 12:35 pm, 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, the Honda gensets I've been around (only 3 so far) have been
pretty quiet, when compared to other brands. I could actually stand
within 5 or 6 feet and hold a conversation w/o having to raise my
voice.

There's another, a 4KW unit sold by Tractor Supply, that's quieter
than the run-of-the-mill genset, but it's a bunch louder than the
Honda.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Anybody have experience with the 2000 or 3000 portable Honda
generators?

Dave

i have experience with a honda generator...just can't remember if it was
danl's or asadi/john baker's. in each case, i went to sleep before
either was cut off. quiet, relatively light weight.

jeff

"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

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.

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?

I have a Honda .... it's only noisy in comparison to true quiet. A
double semi-truck full of gravel wrecked my last trailer a number of
years ago and I salvaged the power cord from it to make an extra heavy
extension cord. Using it plus the built in cord I get the generator
about 60 or more feet from the rig and, usually, it never bothers me.

I seldom start it however, living 5 month/ year off of two RV/Marine
batteries kept up by solar panels. The installation I have was DIY
and probably far from optimum. It cost considerably less than the
generator ( and I got a family price as my brother-in-law worked for a
Honda dealer ). I run small things like OTT lights for tying off
the batteries via a small inverter. About the only time I start
the Honda is for a few minutes a time to run the microwave, maybe
twice a month. I would rate the solar panels as THE single best
investment I've made in my long term camping experience.

If I was to change trailers I would get a top end solar panel/inverter
system. I know several troutbums that live full-time in trailers
with top end solar systems that do everything, color TV, computer,
that ( IMHO) a reasonable person would want while 'camping' and NEVER
start a generator. Such systems ain't cheap, but neither are good
generators or the gas to feed them.

I can recommend the Honda for things like your drill/saw ... maybe
heater ( but the gas cost will likely equal propane costs if you have
a built in propane unit ) ... mine has been without problems of any
kind ( wood knocked ) and is 10 years old.