Generator use with a QS

[admin]

So I've been giving this topic a fair amount of thought recently and I wanted to get other points of view. I upgraded to my QS 10.0 and basically look at it like tent camping with some added luxuries. However I've come to find myself wanting some of these luxuries even when I'm not in a full service campground. Things like being able to run the AC unit if we are stuck inside on a hot/humid/rainy day, or being able to run a 12v water pump to have running water, or even being able to run a fan for extended periods of time. The catch is that I can do most everything (minus the air conditioning) with my onboard battery and inverter, but I cant do it for extended periods of time.

At first this wasn't an issue since I already owned a 800/1000 watt inverter style generator (a Honda knock off). It allowed me to charge the battery and run a few basic items. Unfortunately it cant run the AC unit in the summer time. The power draw is just too much for it. So now I'm at a point that I need to figure out what I want to upgrade to. Here are some of the priorities I'm trying to organize:

1. Price: I don't have the money to drop on a Honda or Yamaha brand name unit. I'm trying to stay under 600 dollars, 500 would be even better.
2. Watts: I want it to be powerful enough that I can run the AC unit at a minimum but it would be nice to run the AC and a something else. I'm thinking 2000 running watts should be more than enough for this.
3. Size: I don't want to have a unit that is too large or heavy
4. Sound: It must be quiet enough to run in state and national parks. Basically I don't want to ruin my own trip with the sound of a generator nor do I want to bug my neighbors.
5. Efficiency: I want to maximize run time and minimize the amount of fuel that I would need to bring for it.
6. Safety: I want it to be safe and reliable. It needs to also be safe for using with modern electronics.


Keeping the above factors in mind it narrows the field to another inverter style generator without a doubt, but which one? I'm not as worried about a brand name as I am about reputation. I keep gravitating to the Powerhouse brand like this one: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/Powerhouse-2000Wi-2000-Watt-Inverter-Generator/67059/&?&affiliateid=3274&cvsfa=2734&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=3637303539&gclid=CK2UuKP3uMACFU4F7AodNEkAAg

or this one with remote start: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200482992_200482992?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Generators-_-Inverter%20Generators-_-23028&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=23028&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=23028&gclid=CNbb24H4uMACFQQQ7AodA3UA2Q

but I want to hear others opinions and experiences. In short what maximizes options and minimizes cost

-Sean

[david]

Sean:

I hope that you have something like the Coleman Cub 9,200 btu/hr unit. That one uses 1,270 watts cooling at 80 deg (OAT presumably) and 1,550 watts at 100 deg F. Any bigger like the Coleman 13,500 btu models and you will be taxing a 2,000 watt inverter generator.

You can probably just squeak by with a 2,000 watt generator running the Cub and have just enough watts left over to run a typical 40 amp converter. Forget anything else major like a microwave, hair dryer, etc.

Now I know you don't want to hear this, but my personal experience with Chinese electrical equipment has been abysmal. Every thing from inverters, to solar panel controllers to generators (construction types) to 12V to 19V converters have all failed or fell woefully short of their specs. Some could be fixed, most were junked.

The Honda/Yamahas aren't like this. You pays your money and you takes your chances.

David

[tinkeringtechie]

What would you call "extended"? Do you really need the air conditioner? If extended is a week or so and you don't need the AC, then I'd say just get a bigger battery. We go on what I consider to be extended trips without hookups or a generator, but we don't need the air conditioner.

[elwood]

Hi Sean,

The ac is the only load I can imagine needing a genny. We use a water pump, lights, tv, ipad and camera charging for three day weekends with our QS 50ah battery with little issue. I've even stopped using our 100w solar panel for topping up in most cases.

I'm so noise sensitive that when I pull into a new camp site I instinctively look around for generators and groan, knowing we'll have genny reverie and genny night caps.

I guess my point is to consider the benefit you'll get from a genny and the impact on those around you. As other posters have noted there are more cost efficient ways to charge a battery than a generator, so unless you really need AC I would question your needs.

Brad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[subaruwx]

As a resident of NC (or anywhere in the southeast US), I understand the desire/requirement to have AC.  If you don't go the high elevations or the Appalachians, you basically can't sleep at night during June-August. It's just too warm and especially humid.  That limits your camping options.  I explored large battery and solar option to power an AC, but you just can't get enough Amps.  So I gave up and decided my only summer camping would be above 3000ft elevation.

I would agree with others - money spent now on a Yamaha or Honda generator is best investment, and I think it's the only way to get one that meets your needs and is likely to last.  The other option would be to limit your summer camping trips to CGs with electrical hookup, which really limits where you can go.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Sean,

I have to agree with David and Subarwx: There is nothing to compare with the Honda or Yamaha. IMHO, money spent on a Chinese generator is money wasted. The Hondas and Yahamas have thousands of satisfied users. Looking past the price and reliability, consider this: The Honda 2000i weighs 46# and generates 59dB noise at full load. The Powerhouse weighs 62# and generates 66dB noise at full load. Sound level specs are a bit unreliable since there are no standards for distance, spectrum, etc., but 7dB difference is cause for pause in the woods. From the LL website I gather the QS uses an 8000 BtU/hr A/C. If this is true you should be fine with either the Honda or Yamaha "2000" watt units. The only plus for the Powerhouse is a slightly larger engine, but you'll pay for it in many ways.
[/font]

[aznighthiker]

[p]Ours is a basic camper, since we live and mostly camp in Arizona for cooler weather we just camp at higher elevations. I grew up camping in the mid 60's in Illinois and camping in a Apache Ravenwood popup camper. We camped at White Pines, Mississippi Palisades State Parks and I can remember it getting warm. Getting a camper with AC would mean camping in a place that offered hookups or getting a generator. Though we have talked about getting a generator for our longer trips though we really don't need one at this time but I would like to replace the old hand crank ice cream machine with an electric one.[/p][p] [/p]

[leslie]

My dogs love hiking in White Pines Forest State Park. Climate Change or no, summers are getting hotter and more humid. After a day of hiking even in late September, A/C is a need, not a want. You must camp to have your dogs with you, as they aren't permitted in the cabins. It seems a gennie is necessary these days if you aren't going far enough north to make it to cooler weather, and you aren't staying in a campsite with electricity.

[admin]

I'm not as worried about if a generator is worth it or not, I'm more interested in finding out what brands people have as well as the pro/cons. In some of the basic research I've pulled so far even the so called higher quality brands often are Chinese imports. Generac has a 2000 watt unit that seems like a decent deal, but it is produced in China "to Generac's specs".

I'm also finding it hard to decide on what Db would be comfortable. Its been stated earlier but the ratings arent standardized so even if two makes have the same Db rating it could vary drastically with the distance used to take the measurement.

[quicksilverbill]

Just another consideration about use of a generator: We've camped in a number of campgrounds where generator use is prohibited at night (usually after 10:00 quiet time, but one place as early as 8:00) in order to avoid disturbing other campers. If the idea is to use the A/C for sleeping, this would be a possible complication to keep in mind.

[admin]

Most, if not all campgrounds have the quiet hours that prevent the generators use at night. However for my usage I'm not worried about it for the night hours. If I was going to use it my main goals would be for AC in the afternoon or in the hottest pay off the day if we are stuck at camp. Also it would allow for the use of AC to remove some of the humidity on those 90% or 100% humidity days. The secondary goal would be to recharge the battery. Third would be pure convenience.

-sent from mobile
-Sean

[gmcspad13]

Most, if not all campgrounds have the quiet hours that prevent the generators use at night. However for my usage I'm not worried about it for the night hours. If I was going to use it my main goals would be for AC in the afternoon or in the hottest pay off the day if we are stuck at camp. Also it would allow for the use of AC to remove some of the humidity on those 90% or 100% humidity days. The secondary goal would be to recharge the battery. Third would be pure convenience.

-sent from mobile
-Sean

Hey Sean, 

Did you ever end up getting a generator. If so, which one? We are looking at a 2000W Generac iQ2000, and are wondering how it handles the window unit a/c. 

Thanks, 
Garrett 

[admin]

Hey Garrett,

I did end up getting a Generac 2000w unit which is just before they came out with the IQ series. I think its nearly identical but the IQ should have a few 'upgrades'. I found it to be a perfect fit for our needs and it runs the AC unit without a problem. The startup amps are the hardest draw when on max cold but I havent seen it overload the circuit yet so I'm confident it can take the load. I have thought about adding a 'soft start' unit to the AC to help reduce the start up draw but thats a future project.

-Sean

[catmanriff]

the Briggs & Stratton inverter units look pretty decent.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Briggs-Stratton-PowerSmart-Series-2-200-Watt-Gasoline-Powered-Recoil-Start-Portable-Inverter-with-Engine-030651/206644015


For us, having a little space heater has come in handy. I do all kinds of other things to a point where a 2k inverter generator will be a purchase. I shop first on Craigslist. What may be important is that the Hondas are easy to rent. I rent them every year. I bought the parallel cable kit too. A couple EU2000 makes for a pretty compact, quiet and redundant 30amp option

[admin]

I just can't get past the cost of a Honda...