What size generator do I need?

suber81083

suber81083

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Upstate South Carolina
We’re going to the keys at the end of May and we’re going to make it a 2 day trip down. We are going to need a generator that will run the a/c and microwave. Just not sure what size to get? If we need to we can cut off the a/c to run the microwave. We are pulling a 2020 Imagine 2600rb 30 amp. Thank you!


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suber81083 said:
We’re going to the keys at the end of May and we’re going to make it a 2 day trip down. We are going to need a generator that will run the a/c and microwave. Just not sure what size to get? If we need to we can cut off the a/c to run the microwave. We are pulling a 2020 Imagine 2600rb 30 amp. Thank you!


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If you have a soft start on the AC, a 2000 watt inverter/generator should do just fine. You will need to turn off the AC to run the microwave.

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suber81083 said:
Ok how do I know if I have a soft start a/c?


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You would have to get in the roof and take the cover off the AC unit. If there is an acrylic box instead of a capacitor, you have the soft start. Google Soft Start AC unit. They sell for about $300.00. What the unit does is ramp up the power slowly instead of hitting it hard when the compressor kicks on. If you have great hearing, you can probably tell by listening, you won't hear the "thump" of the compressor kicking on if you have a soft start conversion.

There is also something called a hard start capacitor, it is a much larger size (in farads) capacitor than what normally comes with the AC units, and works along the same lines. They run about $200.00, I think.

Either option is good. Both prevent a large power hit when the compressor kicks on.

I know with my 2021 320MKS, it came with the hard start capacitor from Grand Design.

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Ok I know I can run my a/c off my house without a 30 amp plug. So I might already have one on mine. I’ll try to pull the cover off today. Thanks again!


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MoonShadow_1911 said:
You would have to get in the roof and take the cover off the AC unit. If there is an acrylic box instead of a capacitor, you have the soft start. Google Soft Start AC unit. They sell for about $300.00. What the unit does is ramp up the power slowly instead of hitting it hard when the compressor kicks on. If you have great hearing, you can probably tell by listening, you won't hear the "thump" of the compressor kicking on if you have a soft start conversion.

There is also something called a hard start capacitor, it is a much larger size (in farads) capacitor than what normally comes with the AC units, and works along the same lines. They run about $200.00, I think.

Either option is good. Both prevent a large power hit when the compressor kicks on.

I know with my 2021 320MKS, it came with the hard start capacitor from Grand Design.

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I am pretty sure that you are way off on the price of the Hard start capacitor.
I think it is in the $20-$40 range. It is often called a soft start kit. It stores electricity so it is available for the surge the compressor needs when starting. What you call a soft start kit is actually called an Easy start. It has some additional electronics in it, and is in the 300.00 range
 
suber81083 said:
Ok I know I can run my a/c off my house without a 30 amp plug. So I might already have one on mine. I’ll try to pull the cover off today. Thanks again!


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No, that's different. Your house 30 amp will provide continuous power. The inverter/generator motor will stall if the AC compressor kicks on because the wattage will be over what the generator can provide. Most 15K AC units have a peak wattage of the around 3500 watts to start the compressor, and about 1800 watts to run. With the soft start unit, or a hard start capacitor, the wattage is greatly reduced to around 2000-2200 watts to start the compressor. Most inverter/generators have a running wattage and a peak wattage, for instance, a 2000 watt inverter/ generator has a peak of 2200 watts. This means for "momentary" power loaf increase to 2200 watts, the inverter/generator will continue to run, without stalling out.

You will also notice I keep referring to an inverter/generator and not just a generator. This is because an inverter/generator provides a full sine wave rather than a modified sine wave. Most new RVs contain more sensitive electronics than older ones. You said you have a 2020 coach, so it probably has LED lights and the like. Those electronics are more sensitive to modified sine wave properties.

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huntindog said:
I am pretty sure that you are way off on the price of the Hard start capacitor.
I think it is in the $20-$40 range. It is often called a soft start kit. It stores electricity so it is available for the surge the compressor needs when starting. What you call a soft start kit is actually called an Easy start. It has some additional electronics in it, and is in the 300.00 range
Click to expand...
That's it! My old 50 year old brain just isn't what it used to be! Easy Start is the device I was talking about!

Ugh! Thanks!

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MoonShadow_1911 said:
No, that's different. Your house 30 amp will provide continuous power. The inverter/generator motor will stall if the AC compressor kicks on because the wattage will be over what the generator can provide. Most 15K AC units have a peak wattage of the around 3500 watts to start the compressor, and about 1800 watts to run. With the soft start unit, or a hard start capacitor, the wattage is greatly reduced to around 2000-2200 watts to start the compressor. Most inverter/generators have a running wattage and a peak wattage, for instance, a 2000 watt inverter/ generator has a peak of 2200 watts. This means for "momentary" power loaf increase to 2200 watts, the inverter/generator will continue to run, without stalling out.

You will also notice I keep referring to an inverter/generator and not just a generator. This is because an inverter/generator provides a full sine wave rather than a modified sine wave. Most new RVs contain more sensitive electronics than older ones. You said you have a 2020 coach, so it probably has LED lights and the like. Those electronics are more sensitive to modified sine wave properties.

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Ok thanks for all the info. So if I get a generator make sure it says inverter/generator? No I do not have a 30AMP plug at my house I adapt it down to a 15 amp(I think) regular wall plug on the outside of my house. What inverter gen do you recommend? Brand that is? Honda, champion, Wen, etc.......


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suber81083 said:
Ok thanks for all the info. So if I get a generator make sure it says inverter/generator? No I do not have a 30AMP plug at my house I adapt it down to a 15 amp(I think) regular wall plug on the outside of my house. What inverter gen do you recommend? Brand that is? Honda, champion, Wen, etc.......


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Any one that fits your budget, that is at least 2000 watts running. If you search the forum, there are a number of threads that cover the pros and cons of several brands.

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You really have options from 2000 + just depending on how much power you are going to use all at once. The converter will pull some decent juice if your batteries are low.

The Champion 2500 watt dual fuel inverter is under $500. It is parallel capable, and from a reputable brand. A lot of people prefer 2x these versus one of the big ones. Your stated needs you would probably only need the one, but would have the option at very little extra expense versus buying a big one up front.
 
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Heavysledz said:
Can you elaborate on the Furrion units having the "Soft Start" function. My new trailer has a Furrion and I don't see any reference to this in their documentation. It would be awesome if it has it from the factory.
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Furrion does not officially document it, but I seen it referenced in other forums. When my A/C comes on, my generator barely throttles up, and it seems to draw a minimum amount of power. I can't recall what my power gauge said at the time, but it is a very gentle startup. I've read posts about Coleman units requiring the soft start add on. Outside of the room sensor being located inside of the Furrion plenum, I am very happy with my Furrion. I took care of that issue by poking the room sensor out past the filter about 2 inches. Also, the Furrion has a "dry" mode which is nice.
 
AZMike said:
Furrion does not officially document it, but I seen it referenced in other forums. When my A/C comes on, my generator barely throttles up, and it seems to draw a minimum amount of power. I can't recall what my power gauge said at the time, but it is a very gentle startup. I've read posts about Coleman units requiring the soft start add on. Outside of the room sensor being located inside of the Furrion plenum, I am very happy with my Furrion. I took care of that issue by poking the room sensor out past the filter about 2 inches. Also, the Furrion has a "dry" mode which is nice.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info....I too like the Furrion thus far. It is quieter (in my opinion) than the Coleman Mach units. I extended my room sensor using the Castle Winch relocation kit but ended up not using the grill as I felt it desensitized the sensor. The way I have it now, it is very sensitive and is always within 1 degree of a stand alone weather station I have sitting o the counter. I am considering getting the premium thermostat to pick up a few extra bells and whistles too...but was hoping they would come out with a bluetooth version first so I could get that instead.
 
Inverter generators are the way to go but they are so expensive. They are much quieter, offer alternate fuel options, and are much better for sensitive electronics. For the budget camper, we purchased a generac 5500 watt generator and haven't had any issues. Just wanted to share our experience :)
 
Stealth13777 said:
You really have options from 2000 + just depending on how much power you are going to use all at once. The converter will pull some decent juice if your batteries are low.

The Champion 2500 watt dual fuel inverter is under $500. It is parallel capable, and from a reputable brand. A lot of people prefer 2x these versus one of the big ones. Your stated needs you would probably only need the one, but would have the option at very little extra expense versus buying a big one up front.
Click to expand...

I've been looking at the Champion 2500 dual fuel. If you have found it for under $500 please let me know where.

Tim
 
Indy Tim said:
I've been looking at the Champion 2500 dual fuel. If you have found it for under $500 please let me know where.

Tim
Click to expand...

I looked again. The dual fuels I see are about $580, 2000 watt $520ish. Lowe’s and Walmart. My bad it seems under 500 is gas powered.
 
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