OK, this is an area I have no real experience with...
I want to get a small generator for the horse trailer with LQ I got, one big enough to run the A/C, Dominec fridge, and lights... It has to have enough output to handle all three at once, and must meet the NPS noise limits. I would prefer one that has enough fuel capacity that I wont have to get up in the middle of the night to refill it, and physically it must fit in the tack area, so it cant be more than about 3X3 foot in size???

any suggestions as to brands, wattage size , etc????
I would like some input from you guys that have dealt with these...

 

i have the honda 2000. we got it from camping world and you can double the output by hooking two of them together. i don't know if you can hook three together. they cost $850-900. they are pretty quiet and we camp out in the desert and they lasted all night long without refueling.

 

My Kipor KGE3500Ti (now the KGE3000Ti) meets all those requirements. Paid $900 for it brand new.

Another would be the Honda EU3000is (about $2000), two Honda EU2000i run in parallel ($875 each plus $175 for parallel kit), and maybe a Yamaha EF2400is ($1150).

How big is the AC in your trailer? If it's 13.5k BTU or larger you're going to need at least a 3000 watt generator to run it and lights and a T.V. or radio. If you have one of the smaller 9k BTU units you can probably get away with the Yamaha and maybe even a single Honda 2000. But I'd get the Yamaha before the Honda.

 

Friend just bought a Kipor 3000 and the thing is really quiet. you can carry a normal conversation just a few feet from it. And I believe he paid less than 1300 for it.

 

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/gensup.asp

 

Most parks will not allow running the genny past 10 or 11pm. And, I agree, you need a minimum of 3000 for what you want.
Bob

 

Honda EU300 is the way to go, plenty of power and you can't hardly hear the thing running. In my opinion its the best out there.

 

Sorry, Im new to the camping thing.....What are the NPS noise limits. How loud a generator can be in a national park?... I've got a 8600 watt (peak) 5600 (continuous) generator. It says it will run 10-12 hours on a tank of fuel at 50% load. I ran a/c, lights, fridge, radio, and outdoor 120v lights and it ran about 14 hours.

 

Contractor grade gennies will be way too loud. Run one of those in a campground and you'll make lots of enemies.....fast.

 

a simple formula goes like this.. amps x volts=watts. most small to mid size trailers use a 20 amp hookup. 20 amps X 120 volts=2400 watts continuous. to run all 3, around 3000 watts is minimum. i personally own the honda 2000. extremely quiet and easy starting. no issues to date and i have had it for 4 years. it will run my trailer a/c IF nothing else is running and it is not too hot. i will probably purchase another 2000 and parallel them as previously stated.

 

In an animal rescue center post Hurricane Katrina, we had seven generators, only one Honda EU3000. Everyone wanted that one. I purchased one of my own, and I also have another 5,000 for the house, a 6,500 gas in my 44' gooseneck, a 6,500 diesel (Onan) in my bus conversion, a 5,000 gas in my firetruck (Onan), and a 7,000 gas in my Peterbilt - the EU3000 is very quiet, economical to operate, and I can heft it around (although it is NOT light).I plan on using it with my 25' Airstream, and it should run exactly what you want (same load as my Airstream). It can also be paralleled with another EU3000. They are not inexpensive, but I believe they will meet NP standards (which is why I have the 25' trailer - larger ones are prohibited in National Parks...).

 

OK.. been doing some reading... the NPS reg's state " 60dB at 50 feet"... so 50 foot away from the gen, it cant be louder than 60dB.. that about equals a vacuum cleaner running.
There is a large thread on RV.net about the China and the Canadian generators that have been hitting the US market.
I am looking at a Champion RV ready
generator, non-inverter type, 3500sustained watts and 4450 surge. 63 dB at 23 feet....average price $350....
the reviews over there have been good, anyone here have any experience with them?
( remember, I may be using this two -three weekends a year at most)

 

Not sure about the nps noise limits, but I went to Schuck's auto parts and got a Champion 3500 watt generator - runs everything in the camper just fine as long as you don't start the microwave while the A/C is running - it's fairly quiet - not as quiet at the Hondas or Yamahas, but it was only $300 versus $2000 and up for the others...

 

Hmmm, 2 or 3 weekends per year? You may want to consider propane. No worry about messed up carbs, fouled fuel, etc. The propane is very forgiving when not used a lot. I have propane and love it.

 

I HAVE THIS generator, I am TOTALLY pleased with it and recommend it to anyone who doesn't see the need to drop 2-3K for a Honda.

There are thousands (like, over 300,000 in the US alone) of these unit sold and the response is about amazing. Mine will run our 13.5K A/C, the microwave and pretty much any light you would want on at one time, not even a hiccup.

I'm not dumping on the EU's, I know they have a great track record and are slightly quieter than this clone model, but my god, for $300 dollars!

I got mine through Parts America, if you search the thread on RV.net you can find a 10% off coupon, I ended up spending about $329.00 SHIPPED to my door. The customer service (so I have read multiple times) is second to none, the unit is no frills and does exactly what it is supposed to.