Generator for a pre-wired 2930RL

KeithH63

Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2022
Messages
23
Location
Littleton, CO
I have a 2024 2930RL that is pre-wired for a generator. Have 660W of solar & two 100Ah LiFePO 4 batteries. So I don't need a generator much, maybe for microwave and 1 AC when we boondock. RV dealer wants $10k to provide & install an Onan 5500. Way too much when everything is pre-wired, but need to make sure exhaust is routed correctly.

So the question is, what generator should I get to install in the front compartment that is pre-wired for it or should I get a small portable one for when I need it? If I get one to permanently mount, thought about hiring a RV tech to pipe the exhaust.
 

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I've never camped with a generator but if I did, I would not want the generator attached to the RV. I don't really care how much vibration/noise control you got, it's got to be noisier in the living space. I would look at a portable generator.

The way my set up is, if I did use a generator, it would only be used to charge the batteries.
 
I've never camped with a generator but if I did, I would not want the generator attached to the RV. I don't really care how much vibration/noise control you got, it's got to be noisier in the living space. I would look at a portable generator.

The way my set up is, if I did use a generator, it would only be used to charge the batteries.
As someone who does use a generator a few times a year and has used both an onboard and paralleled portable inverter's this just isn't accurate.

Portable inverters are quiet if they running at low speed but crank them up to run AC's and they aren't that quiet anymore. I even built a rockwool insulated wood box with intake fans and exhaust ports and they still weren't quieter inside the unit than the onboard. I sleep directly above the onboard and have no issue with noise or vibration inside. Its not silent but definitely not louder than the portables we use to use

1 AC in a solitude if its hot won't wont be worth much. A 2000watt geney probably would run 1 AC with a soft start as long as nothing else is running. If your charging the batteries or have other stuff running its not gonna work well. I ran 2500watt inverters, one if not using AC, 2 paralleled if I needed AC. Then I could run 2 AC's and have headroom left for other items and/or they weren't screaming at full RPM for max power

If your only going to use a geney sparingly than an inverter is probably the way to go. Much MUCH cheaper and more efficient. For me, I'll never go back to portables. The convenience of the onboard is king. Always there, push a button and your done. I've used it on the road to run an AC so the unit is cool when we get to our destination.

10K sounds way steep to me. Seems a QG5500 can be had for around $5,500 online. I don't know what other parts you'll need but the Gen prep takes care of most of it. The exhaust just drops out the bottom and goes back a few feet then out the off door side. Shouldn't be that difficult. If you can find one with a geney installed you could get picks and an idea of what needs to happen.
 
They say the rigs are prepped for generator. This is correct in a way. There still needs to be a transfer switch installed along with other items.

That said, we had our dealer install a 5500 Onan in the front bay. I use this fairly often when sitting in clouds and my solar won't keep my batteries topped up. The unit is quiet, starts at the push of a button and automatically switches from battery to gen power with a pause. The transfer switch is automatic.

My setup is:
660 watts solar from factory.
mppt solar controller from factory.
2X100ah Battleborn GC2 LiFePo4 batteries.
Victron SmartShunt.

I will be adding another 100ah Battleborn. Depending on my draw, I can get a number of days just using lights and keeping my 12v fridge going. Unfortunately, I am addicted to my Kuerig and that takes a lot of power :).
 

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