What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
Just curious to how much power is needed to run a T.V. and air conditioner in a travel trailer.
Speak kindly to me, beloved master. Revel in my unconditional love, and give me every minute that you can spare, for my time with you is short.
-
- Rank: 5X Champion
- Posts: 876
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:22 pm
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
For most travel trailer a/c units you'll need at least 3000 watts; maybe more depending on the size of the a/c unit, the conditions and the other power draws.
Without a/c, you can get away with 2000 watts or sometimes even less.
Lots of good info here:
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/prod ... wmuchpower
FYI,
Dave
Without a/c, you can get away with 2000 watts or sometimes even less.
Lots of good info here:
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/prod ... wmuchpower
FYI,
Dave
- Greg Jennings
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 5743
- Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:59 am
- Location: Springboro, OH
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
From spending the night around a lot of campers with generators, I *highly* recommend the Honda.
Greg J.
Greg J.
FC Snips Spot-On Shooter SH
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=3149
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=3149
- kninebirddog
- GDF Premier Member!
- Posts: 7846
- Joined: Sat Dec 25, 2004 12:45 am
- Location: Coolidge AZ
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
We have the honda 3000 I wouldn't go any less to run the AC optimally and the generator not having to run at a higher rpm through out the time you are running the AC the more efficient they run the less gas you will use..
You will not be able to run the AC and the Microwave at the same time with the 3000 but it will run the Ac most anything other TV computer etc etc etc
You will not be able to run the AC and the Microwave at the same time with the 3000 but it will run the Ac most anything other TV computer etc etc etc
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"When I hear somebody talk about a horse or cow being stupid, I figure its a sure sign that the animal has outfoxed them." Tom Dorrance
If you feel like you are banging your head against the wall, try using the door.
"When I hear somebody talk about a horse or cow being stupid, I figure its a sure sign that the animal has outfoxed them." Tom Dorrance
If you feel like you are banging your head against the wall, try using the door.
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
Yamaha builds one in the 3000 watt class, I have a Yamaha EF2400iS...starts and runs the 13.5k btu Coleman Mach 3 AC....I'm very pleased with it.
Dan
-
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 2511
- Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:12 am
- Location: ILLA NOISE..................
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
Couple things here one is something Dave touched on, and that is the type of AC unit and the draw it is going to have? Is it a standard RV unit (newer, older, it does matter some) or is it a Window AC unit mounted into a travel trailer...(I've seen it done).....Secondly here is the type of generator, you have generators and inverter generators such as what Daves Link (I'm guessing here did not read it), Greg, and Wyndancer provided in the form of Honda and Yamaha, argueably 2 of the best units on the market if not the best IMO.
You can get a standard 5000 watt portable generator from Coleman, Generac, etc.... that weighs 150-200 pounds on a cart with wheels from anywhere around $600-$800 bucks......and it will do just fine be louder and bulkier to move but work nonetheless.....
You can take a 3000 watt Inverter Generator from Honda or Yammmerhammer, it will barely make a noise, weigh much less than a standard portable generator, have a cleaner ac power distribution which really does help with more sensitive electronics such as laptops or newer appliances, the thing with these Inverter Gens is, one the better AC sine wave for sensitive stuff but they can also be connected with another generator to double the output, such as buying a 2000 watt now and linking another 2000 watt gen to it later for 4000 watts at half the size twice the fuel efficiency and extremely quiet, now these are going to run anywhere from $1000-$1300 depending on the size and make.......IMO really good units......Oh and the linking cable to put 2 of em in parralell will cost as well some.
3rd......you can get a RV generator that runs off propane, gas....rated at 3000-5000 watt anywhere from $1800-$2500.....
You did not mention a heater, so I am going to guess you do not have one or will not use it........There are a few mods you can make to an RV Air unit if it is older to make it a more efficient and draw less current, but I reccomend taking it to a RV dealership for that.
Hope that helps cornfuse ya some more.
You can get a standard 5000 watt portable generator from Coleman, Generac, etc.... that weighs 150-200 pounds on a cart with wheels from anywhere around $600-$800 bucks......and it will do just fine be louder and bulkier to move but work nonetheless.....
You can take a 3000 watt Inverter Generator from Honda or Yammmerhammer, it will barely make a noise, weigh much less than a standard portable generator, have a cleaner ac power distribution which really does help with more sensitive electronics such as laptops or newer appliances, the thing with these Inverter Gens is, one the better AC sine wave for sensitive stuff but they can also be connected with another generator to double the output, such as buying a 2000 watt now and linking another 2000 watt gen to it later for 4000 watts at half the size twice the fuel efficiency and extremely quiet, now these are going to run anywhere from $1000-$1300 depending on the size and make.......IMO really good units......Oh and the linking cable to put 2 of em in parralell will cost as well some.
3rd......you can get a RV generator that runs off propane, gas....rated at 3000-5000 watt anywhere from $1800-$2500.....
You did not mention a heater, so I am going to guess you do not have one or will not use it........There are a few mods you can make to an RV Air unit if it is older to make it a more efficient and draw less current, but I reccomend taking it to a RV dealership for that.
Hope that helps cornfuse ya some more.
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
You need power to run heat in a trailer?
Speak kindly to me, beloved master. Revel in my unconditional love, and give me every minute that you can spare, for my time with you is short.
-
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 2514
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:20 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
On furnaces only to run the fan & on newer ones the electronics, including the electronic start. Many trailers have air cond. units with a heat setting that requires elec. to operate.Birddogz wrote:You need power to run heat in a trailer?
Mark
Willows Back In The Saddle
Tall Pines Hits The Spot
Tall Pines Queen Eleanor
Bo Dixie's Rocky
TALL PINES MOONBEAM
______________________________________________________
If it ain't broke - fix it
Willows Back In The Saddle
Tall Pines Hits The Spot
Tall Pines Queen Eleanor
Bo Dixie's Rocky
TALL PINES MOONBEAM
______________________________________________________
If it ain't broke - fix it
-
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 2514
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:20 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
If you have an older trailer it'd be a good idea to get LP leak & CO detector(s).
Mark
Willows Back In The Saddle
Tall Pines Hits The Spot
Tall Pines Queen Eleanor
Bo Dixie's Rocky
TALL PINES MOONBEAM
______________________________________________________
If it ain't broke - fix it
Willows Back In The Saddle
Tall Pines Hits The Spot
Tall Pines Queen Eleanor
Bo Dixie's Rocky
TALL PINES MOONBEAM
______________________________________________________
If it ain't broke - fix it
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
The manufacturers call that the "heat strip"....some call it the "Chill Chaser"....others call it useless.BigShooter wrote:On furnaces only to run the fan & on newer ones the electronics, including the electronic start. Many trailers have air cond. units with a heat setting that requires elec. to operate.Birddogz wrote:You need power to run heat in a trailer?
lvrgsp covers it in detail.
and good advice on the CO2 and LP detectors. The LP detectors are date coded. I suppose the CO2 and fire detectors are as well. Check the good through date, and replace if need be.
Dan
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
You can ask the question here:
http://www.trailerlifedirectory.com/forums/default.aspx
or find that answer and 1,000 others in the archives. It is great site with a lot of knowledgeable folks, I mean knowledgeable.
Before you post you need to get the watts of all the equipment you plan to run at the same time. I can get by on a 2,000 watt gen, but can only run the ac and nothing else, or most everything else and not the ac. The big culperts are the ac and the microwave.
Neil
http://www.trailerlifedirectory.com/forums/default.aspx
or find that answer and 1,000 others in the archives. It is great site with a lot of knowledgeable folks, I mean knowledgeable.
Before you post you need to get the watts of all the equipment you plan to run at the same time. I can get by on a 2,000 watt gen, but can only run the ac and nothing else, or most everything else and not the ac. The big culperts are the ac and the microwave.
Neil
-
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 2511
- Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:12 am
- Location: ILLA NOISE..................
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
The other thing with the Inverter gens is a boost or a start up surge kinda thingy....(call it whatever ya want) basically it can handle a bigger surge, or start up than a conventional as some call them generator, now Yammmmerhammer also has a boost on theres that increases the load capacity quite significantly through the continous operation, not just isolated to the surge. It is somehwhat new to me and have not had time to play with it, it is supposed to be able to handle a AC and Microwave as Neil suggested at once, from what I hear its the bees knees......I'm not an RV guy so to say but gens I dig on quite a bit.....
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
I don't have a travel trailer but did do quite a bit of research on this subject for backup generators to keep at my home or take camping and ended up with two Honda EU2000i units along with an extra 5 gallon fuel tank.
I purchased mine at Wise Equipment Sales. They gave me a good deal and the units showed up fast too. Here's a link for what I have:
http://www.wisesales.com/honda_genset.html
Good luck!!
I purchased mine at Wise Equipment Sales. They gave me a good deal and the units showed up fast too. Here's a link for what I have:
http://www.wisesales.com/honda_genset.html
Good luck!!
Ramblin Roxy's Rawhide Evolution http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4637
Slick's Cut Rubyhttp://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4827
Slick's Cut Rubyhttp://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4827
-
- GDF Junkie
- Posts: 2514
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:20 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
[quote="Wyndancer" and good advice on the CO2 and LP detectors. The LP detectors are date coded. I suppose the CO2 and fire detectors are as well. Check the good through date, and replace if need be.[/quote]
I think you mean carbon monoxide (CO) like I wrote not carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon monoxide ties up hemoglobin molecules so they cannot transport oxygen molecules from the lungs. Carbon dioxide is what humans exhale.
I think you mean carbon monoxide (CO) like I wrote not carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon monoxide ties up hemoglobin molecules so they cannot transport oxygen molecules from the lungs. Carbon dioxide is what humans exhale.
Mark
Willows Back In The Saddle
Tall Pines Hits The Spot
Tall Pines Queen Eleanor
Bo Dixie's Rocky
TALL PINES MOONBEAM
______________________________________________________
If it ain't broke - fix it
Willows Back In The Saddle
Tall Pines Hits The Spot
Tall Pines Queen Eleanor
Bo Dixie's Rocky
TALL PINES MOONBEAM
______________________________________________________
If it ain't broke - fix it
Re: What generator power level is needed for a travel trailer?
I think you mean carbon monoxide (CO) like I wrote not carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon monoxide ties up hemoglobin molecules so they cannot transport oxygen molecules from the lungs. Carbon dioxide is what humans exhale. [/quote]BigShooter wrote:[quote="Wyndancer" and good advice on the CO2 and LP detectors. The LP detectors are date coded. I suppose the CO2 and fire detectors are as well. Check the good through date, and replace if need be.
Nice catch Al Gore....
Dan