Generator for Home and RV

[DarkRam]

Hello, All

For those of us in Texas, we know all too well about rolling-blackouts (past and future).
We recently purchased a Reflection 315RLTS; which has two AC's, residental frig, microwave, so the subject matter will cover two issues.

I would like to carry the generators in the back of my truck which has a bed cover, that way there protected from prying eyes and easy to move around (about 70lbs) and I want to be able to use these for the house in case we have blackouts (summer time and winter).

After doing some research, I found that inverter generators are quieter & lighter. I'am looking at two Generac GP3500IO, and using the parallel cables will give me 7000W. I was told that I need 5500w for the trailer.

Would like to hear some opinions from veteran RVer's. Appreciate the help.

 

[geotex1]

We have a pair of Champion 3500W dual fuel inverter gennies. When combined, can power everything in the camper. Also use the for home backup. Cannot run the house, particularly central air, but no problem with what we actually need (freezers, fridge, well pump, septic pumps, essential lights, and above all else, the coffeemaker!

 

[Overtaxed]

Inverter generators generally do not have 220V outputs, so they aren't the best for feeding a house. You can do it, of course, and with a little electrical knowledge, you can actually get both legs hot (still only 120V though), but, just speaking generally, if you're looking to power up your house, you typically want a genny that has a 240 50A plug on it, that's the easiest thing to backfeed with.

 

[DarkRam]

I understand that, I'm only going to plug the refrig/freezer (110) into the ginnie.

But, would you recommend hooking up two (parallel) to use on an RV.
The parallel cable that Geberac offers will give you a 50 amp plug.

 

[Overtaxed]

I understand that, I'm only going to plug the refrig/freezer (110) into the ginnie.

But, would you recommend hooking up two (parallel) to use on an RV.
The parallel cable that Geberac offers will give you a 50 amp plug.

Depends what you need to run in the RV. If you want to run everything at once, multiple ACs, etc, yeah, you're going to want to parallel them.

If you're only powering 110 and don't intend to backfeed, an inverter is a good solution. Just most people, when they are talking about powering up a house, are looking to backfeed; that's easier with a 220 generator.

 

[jleonard]

I have a Generac 3000i. It runs the 15K A/C on the trailer and will also serve duty for home use if needed to keep the fridge going and for fans, lights, etc.
I haven't used it much so far, but at 62 lbs I can handle it and it's quiet. Seems pretty well made.

 

[ItchinToGo!]

I have the Cummins 4500i inverter generator that I use for my RV and house. I installed a generator sub panel in the house so that I can run essential loads, refrigerator, freezer, ceiling fans, lights, network equipment, and furnace. Installed a 50 amp plug on the outside of the house so I can use the same cord for the house and the RV. I will be installing soft starts on the A/C unit on the RV and that generator should run both of them.

 

[DarkRam]

I'll have to check that one out. Still haven't made a firm decision. Thank you for the info.

 

[Jerryr]

The Westinghouse igen4500 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Westinghouse-iGen-4500-Watt-Inverter-Gasoline-Portable-Generator/1002780982 looks exactly like the Commins 4500.

It’s highly rated and available from Lowe’s via internet with free shipping for about $950. There’s a Dual Fuel version for about $100 more that will also run on propane. I just received the DF version this week from Lowe’s. With a 10% veteran discount.

For our remote cabin where we frequently have power outages from downed trees on power lines that last 3-6 hours I use a Honda 2000 converted to propane. I use that to run the cabin freezer, refrigerator, dsl internet and WiFi, dish TV Hopper, Flat screen TV and a fan. All off extension cords for the hours needed. If need be I can also n a 5000 btu window unit off it to sleep in cool room.

The Westinghouse will be used to power the RV if needed.

 

[gbkims]

I chose a Champion 4650W Dual Fuel (200994) that's 20"H and just fits under my tonneau cover.
I'll use it for RV and brief outages at home.
I got it from reading about good customer service from Champion. I got good response from them when I called to ask about getting a spare part.
Later I started watching the various youtube videos on the different generators, Johnnys Weekends and Gavin’s Garage look at several ones.

In the Feb. Texas freeze the 1st power outage was 38.5 hours.
I had an older Yamaha EF2400IS converted for propane and used it to keep the essentials going (~14.5A Load) since I several tanks of propane on hand already.
It connected to an outlet strip in the house like the Reliance thru-the-wall kit does.
For summer outages I'll get the older 120/240 generator setup to run from natural gas and an inlet/interlock at the house load center.
And will think about getting a larger tri fuel ~12000W.

Up until the Feb. freeze, in 30 years of living her that was the longest power outage we'd had.

 

[Loretta2.0]

I carry the Predator 3500W Inverter Generator. I know. I know it is a Harbor Freight product but it was reasonably priced ($599 when I bought) and it has served me well. I installed Soft Starts on both me AC units and I can run the whole rig on the one gen. If I want the microwave I have to turn off one AC. The gen fits nicely in my truck bed, under the cover and in front of the hitch. Boondocking is much more pleasant these days.

 

[rjweidman]

Go with a dual fuel. Don't have to worry about lugging around a gas tank. If your camping you always have propane. I use the Champion 3400 dual fuel. It has a standard 30 amp plug. It will run one air conditioner no problem.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

I carry the Predator 3500W Inverter Generator. I know. I know it is a Harbor Freight product but it was reasonably priced ($599 when I bought) and it has served me well. I installed Soft Starts on both me AC units and I can run the whole rig on the one gen. If I want the microwave I have to turn off one AC. The gen fits nicely in my truck bed, under the cover and in front of the hitch. Boondocking is much more pleasant these days.

Careful with those harbor freight generators... I picked up a brand new one back when hurricane Sandy hit and we without power for several days. Brought it home filled the oil and fuel and then backfed my house with it. Morning came and my lights were flickering from dim to bright so I thought it was running out of gas, went to fill it and saw it still had about a quarter tank of gas. I shut it off, disconnected the backfeed cable, restarted it and checked the output voltage... It was putting out 70volts one minute and 265volts a minute later! No damage to the house wiring or electronics but it did cook my inverter in my travel trailer! No more Harbor freight generators for me!

 

[Rich T]

Agree with others re the dual fuel. We have a 3500 Watt Champion inverter unit. Have only run it on propane (you get a little less power) but it has a 30 amp RV plug and it will easily run one of my AC units (no soft start as yet) and a few other things without tripping the breaker. Have also used it for power failures at home. It will run our frig, entertainment center (dish receiver, tv etc) and the fan on a propane heater in living room, coffee maker (vital as previously stated) without breaking a sweat. I'm sure it would do much more with some power management. We were out of power several times this past winter, about 24 hrs was the longest, it did fine and was very economical on propane. It has come in very handy for both RV and home. It has a 12 volt battery start which is nice, I know some of these units have a remote on/off, that would be even better
Rich

 

[JDWHSKY]

I just purchased a DuroMax 12,000 watt dual fuel (gas & propane) to use for the house and TT. I'm waiting for my "Generlink Transfer Switch" which will allow me to connect to the entire house via electrical meter (google it) if needed. Yes, the generator is heavy (230 lbs.) but my F250 has a front hitch, used for her scooter and ramp which she no longer needs, so the generator will replace the scooter. Best of both worlds.

 

[rootusrootus]

I use a Champion 4250W dual fuel open frame inverter (200914). Plenty for the trailer and the house as a backup in a pinch (all our appliances are gas, so we really just need power for the furnace blower, fridge, freezer, and some lights). I second the notion that if you *really* want to properly backfeed a house, you probably need a 240W generator, as modern houses frequently have MWBCs and you shouldn't light up just one leg.

 

[Jamaddog]

I run 2 2200 Honda generators in parallel and we’re able to run the 15k ac and anything else in our 315RLTS. Just can’t run ac and microwave at the same time.

 

[Kevin.lanes]

I will jump in on the champion dual fuel, I feel very fortunate as I got mine last year. We have used it a few times, I find it more reliable than most 30amp services we get at campgrounds.

 

[Linndoren]

My experience

I used a Honda 3000 for work daily for four years, no one issue and with the eco mode on it will run for about 12hrs on one gallon of gasoline. Also I run sensitive electronics for my profession and it provides very clean electricity. My recommendation would be to parallel two of these as they are still lighter than a 7k generator will provide you reliable and clean electricity and they are quieter than any of the other "quiet" generators ran on my job sites.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

I use a single Honda 2000 for my 337RLS, hooked up to a Moeller 6.5gallon fuel tank I can run my bedroom AC and other small items for almost 4 days at about 20hrs/day. When it's really hot out the key is to set the AC to about 66° on "high cool". This way the AC unit only starts once and after the compressor kicks in I can turn on the low idle feature on the Honda 2000, saving fuel and extending the run time. If the nights are cool enough we'll switch to the "high fan" mode.
For my house generator we use a Ridgid 6800 Gen-smart Generator, 8000 surge Watts, 6800 running Watts, 120/240 volts, 30Amp/240Volt twistloc receptacle and backfeed the house through the garage panel. Best home generator I've ever owned.