Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Generator to run 16ft camper

Put in for a few south Texas draw hunts and the places don't have electricity. What size generator do I need to run a small air conditioner and a couple of lights on a 16ft trailer? Is renting one cost prohibitive? powdr

An a/c that plugs into a wall outlet can't be over 1500 to 1800 watts so any generator with a 2000w steady output will work. Don't confuse steady output with surge output. They will rate the surge quite a bit higher but the generator can't maintain it.

The first trick is to find out the amp draw on your AC and everything else that could be running at the same time. Add it all up and go from there.


Try to find a quiet one.

Honda Eu2000I should work perfectly, my buddy runs his cabin with his all the time.

I have an eu2000i. It is a great unit but it is not rated to run a typical RV AC unit. You can pair two eu2000's and it will handle it with ease, or spend the same amount of money and get an eu 3000 that will run a trailer. The smart money is on double eu2000's. More power, lighter, and able to be split up makes it a better choice than the single 3000 unit most of the time.

You are looking at a bit over $2,000 for any inverter setups (eu 2000's are about $1,000 each). Unless you are camping in a dry wash somewhere alone you do not want to be the jerk that runs a cheap construction type generator all night long keeping the entire campground up.

Edit to add, if you have a smaller window type AC u it, the 2000 may run it. Check the amperage draw on the AC.

powdr,
I just recently bought a Powerhouse 2000WI inverter generator for my 18 ft. camper and used it for the first time a few weeks ago. I did not try to run the AC unit with it, so I'm not sure it would work for you, but the generator did do a good job for everything else. It's as quiet as the Honda (according to the dB ratings of both) and can be had for about 1/2 the price. Same weight, too, so it isn't difficult to move around (about 50 some pounds). As others have said, you'll have to check the amp draw on your AC to determine if it will work with whatever generator you get.

Great place to ask and purchase if you are looking

Wise Sales

I sell generators among other things, but I wanted to be sure of what to use for my own 25' camper. I found out my AC needed 19+ amps to start and 16A to run. That eliminates household current at 15A. Don't try to under-power things. You need extra current to run things all at once. I settled for a 3500w generator. I work on all kinds including Honda. I even sell Honda. I decided on a different brand for my application. Don't let anyone generalize things. If you need any suggestions let me know. I can warn you away from many things. Probably not familiar with them all, though. Marty

If you REALLY need AC to sleep, that is an issue, but maybe try using 12v lights and living without the AC - cheaper, quieter and less bother. A supplemental 12v RV batt is a lot simpler, and quieter, than making 120v.

A very good generator came bult in to our 25 ft. MoHome which has been used for all sorts of travel and hunting. Have started the gen once - to make certain that it worked.

Another vote for the Honda EU2000I(and it's companion) and another vote for Wise sales.

We took a cheap route... for one that serves many uses.. mostly for running 3000 watts of lights on the airboat for bowfishing.

China freight 3500 watt.

Runs teh RV, 28 foot with AC, runs the window unit in the bedroom in a power outage in the summer, plus a few lights easily.

Took the cheap 300ish buck generator down to the muffler shop and had em add on an extra muffler.

Pretty quiet now and when it goes bad, I don't have to worry about taking it to a shop to work on it.... just uncrate the next one....

What ever wattage choice, make it a Honda. Cry once and never again.

Yep. Buy two and the cord to parallel them.



Travis

This or just get a bigger gen. I can't see a 2kw gen running the AC, fridge, lights, etc for a 16' trailer.

Do this first, though.

Well you have plenty of time to find out plus you have to get picked for the hunts. Wait until you get that e mail before you do too much.
Renting, don't know what they charge but a buy cheap gen in more than likely in the $400 range today. Used to be $300 on sale. Will have plenty of power for what you want but the suckers are loud, real loud. If you go that route get the extra muffler as Jeff did.

Your going to have to compare the rently/purchase difference for what the local guys charge.
Looked at my todays add for cabela's. $329 plus tax. 4000 watts. That's Fort Worth or you could go to Buda wherever Central Texas is to you.

If it cost more than $100 bucks to rent for a 4 day trip, I'd buy.

Yep. I've got the Honda EU2000i and it's a great little unit, but it doesn't have enuff oomph to run a large camper with air, on it's own. Two of them in parrallel would be perfect if you've got the wallet. They are amazing machines.

what ever you get make sure it has more than enough amperage to run the AC. low power the ac and you will damage it.

And enough to *start* the AC!

Need around 1.3 to 1.5 times the running amps for starting surge.

Last I checked, Onan was the only brand certified for Fed Forests.

That may have changed. Last week I was camping and since we were alone, I pulled out the 4000w generac to charge the battery and enjoy the AC since it was on. Local Fed ranger happened by and nicely advised me I couldn't run it. I showed him the old Honda 1500 and asked if I could use it just to charge the battery. He looked like he was gonna say no, but said OK but it wasn't rated for the forest either. But that thing is about as old as you'll find still running