Best generator for dry camping?

GandL06zinger · 06-24-2022, 01:25 AM

I have an 06 Zinger 5th wheel with 30A system and we do not have a generator yet. Wondering what yall think the best, longest lasting, best fuel mileage(haha), quietest, most power producing generator is out there? We will have the AC on the whole time, and pretty much just the lights inside along with hot water heater and refridge. I know the last two can run on propane, but this would be first time dry camping or dry docking and I am not sure how long two propane tanks will last. Thanks everyone.

markandkim · 06-24-2022, 04:39 AM

If you're for CA. there aren't any for you.
Can't have 'em.

Leroy · 06-24-2022, 05:32 AM

generators are not banned in California. What the Golden State did was ban the sale of gas-powered generators starting on January 1, 2028. It's still totally legal to possess a gas-powered generator and operate it within the State of California.Apr 5, 2022

660catman · 06-24-2022, 07:27 AM

There are many options and quite the range in pricing. You want an Inverter / Generator as they are the quiet ones. You want to pay, buy a Honda. With your 13,500 btu AC you will need at least a 3k watt starting generator. If you have a bad back and are unable to lift heavy things, but two 2k watt ones and the parallel kit. Personally I have two Firman 2100/1700 inverter generators and the 50 amp parallel kit. I have a 15k btu AC. They are cheaper than a Honda and so far have been good. A little louder than a Honda but still way quieter than an open frame generator. What you save in bringing an extra propane tank you will surely spend on gas for the generator. I’ve gone 4 days dry camping and not run out of propane and I hook directly to camper for my BBQ which is used for breakfast and supper.

Russb · 06-24-2022, 07:35 AM

https://wenproducts.com/products/wen...-fuel-shut-off

Check out this unit, it has some nice features.

GandL06zinger · 06-24-2022, 09:43 AM

Excellent info. Thank you. I would prefer a single Generator, but i will see what i can find.

**Lloyd** · 06-24-2022, 09:54 AM

I have a pair of the Honda 2000's. Along with the parallel kit. I know they are more costly than some others, but I sure like em.

GandL06zinger · 06-24-2022, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloyd

I have a pair of the Honda 2000's. Along with the parallel kit. I know they are more costly than some others, but I sure like em.

Awesome. Ok. Thanks. You dont mind hauling around 2 units? I know they are hondas and are probably pretty small huh?

660catman · 06-24-2022, 10:26 AM

Consider the weight of anything you buy. Rolling it around on the wheels is one thing, but lifting it into the truck box is another. Also watch the height if you plan to carry it in the box behind the fifth wheel hitch. Before I bought my Firman’s, I hauled my Champion 3k open frame generator ONCE! I had to put it ahead of the hitch as it was too high to make a turn with truck and fifth wheel camper. It was too heavy and awkward to do that again. If money and weight was no object I would have gone with a Honda EU3000i.

660catman · 06-24-2022, 11:49 AM

FYI, the Firman WO1782 gens I bought are 46 lbs each. At the time they were 569 a piece and are now 769 each CDN dollars at Lowes. It was another hundred for the 50 amp parallel kit. The 30 amp was around 80 bucks.

**Lloyd** · 06-24-2022, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GandL06zinger

Awesome. Ok. Thanks. You dont mind hauling around 2 units? I know they are hondas and are probably pretty small huh?

They both fit in the front storage compartment------along with a lot of other stuff.

tomkatbay · 06-24-2022, 01:17 PM

Honda released a new 3000 watt generator in Europe.

About #50. Pull start only. Should be a dandy! About the size of their 2200,

But pricey!

We love our 2200 honda. It will not run a 15,000 btu ac unit.

Papa-T · 06-25-2022, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloyd

I have a pair of the Honda 2000's. Along with the parallel kit. I know they are more costly than some others, but I sure like em.

I have the same. Best part is you lift one at a time instead of one heavy one. With the parallel kit. If your just charging batteries or need lights, you can only start one (either one) to save on gas. Then if you need the air conditioner you can start both. I like them because I can also use them around the house if I need to run work tools I just use one.

GandL06zinger · 06-25-2022, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 660catman

FYI, the Firman WO1782 gens I bought are 46 lbs each. At the time they were 569 a piece and are now 769 each CDN dollars at Lowes. It was another hundred for the 50 amp parallel kit. The 30 amp was around 80 bucks.

Excellent. Great info. Thank you for that. I guess the two would be better than one for size and weight. And if they fit into the front compartment, that would be even better. I will be checking them out. How often do you do an oil change or get them serviced?

jmnsn57 · 06-25-2022, 05:06 PM

My 13.500 will run on a 15A household circuit all day long. That said, fridge and hot water is on propane. What is different? Temp settings, AC unit, Or something I am missing.

Papa-T · 06-25-2022, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GandL06zinger

Excellent. Great info. Thank you for that. I guess the two would be better than one for size and weight. And if they fit into the front compartment, that would be even better. I will be checking them out. How often do you do an oil change or get them serviced?

I don’t use them very often so I check the oil but only change it ever couple years. In the off season I do run them periodically to keep them in top shape. I don’t know about the new ones since I’ve had mine for about 18 years. With mine if you use a surge protector with the generators you have to put in a neutral bond plug so the surge protector doesn’t kick off due to an open neutral ground warning. You can look up neutral bond plug on YouTube and make one yourself.

660catman · 06-25-2022, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GandL06zinger

Excellent. Great info. Thank you for that. I guess the two would be better than one for size and weight. And if they fit into the front compartment, that would be even better. I will be checking them out. How often do you do an oil change or get them serviced?

Oil change once a season. I carry mine in the truck as my front compartment is full already. No issue with height in there with hitch. Again each being lighter is a choice I made.

660catman · 06-25-2022, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmnsn57

My 13.500 will run on a 15A household circuit all day long. That said, fridge and hot water is on propane. What is different? Temp settings, AC unit, Or something I am missing.

You may have a soft start installed. Startup watts on a 13500 is way lower than a 15000. 15k needs 3500 watts to start and around 1700 to run from my research.

660catman · 06-25-2022, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa-T

I don’t use them very often so I check the oil but only change it ever couple years. In the off season I do run them periodically to keep them in top shape. I don’t know about the new ones since I’ve had mine for about 18 years. With mine if you use a surge protector with the generators you have to put in a neutral bond plug so the surge protector doesn’t kick off due to an open neutral ground warning. You can look up neutral bond plug on YouTube and make one yourself.

I’ll have to look into that as I just ordered a surge protector. Thanks for the info.

**Lloyd** · 06-25-2022, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 660catman

I’ll have to look into that as I just ordered a surge protector. Thanks for the info.

You can find it in our Document section on the forum . I put the info for neutral bond plugin there a few years ago.
Look here.
Systems | Electrical, Plumbing, Freshwater and Charging

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