I recently bought my buddies hybrid trailer (ATV deck on front, trailer behind it). I need to buy a generator for it but haven't a clue about generators and/or what is needed.

The trailer has a refrigerator, freezer, stove, microwave, stereo, heat, air conditioning, water heater, exterior lights, etc.

What specs should I be looking for? Any specific recommendations? I appreciate the guidance as this is all new to me.

A pair of Honda EU2000I inverter rated 2k generators with a parallel kit. Run one in the winter and both in the summer to cover the load of the air conditioner.

a solar charger in order to keep the noise down............

Nailed it with the first response! Nothing here...move along.

Depends on the elevation. A generator won't make the same power at 8000' in Colorado as it does at sea level.

My 2400 watt Yamaha was designed by Yamaha to run a 13.5k RV A/C. It'll do that reliably up to about 4500', after that it doesn't have the juice to start the A/C.

If you need something in the 3000+ watt range,two smaller in parallel is the best idea. The 3000+ generators from Honda and Yamaha are heavy. IIRC,they're almost 200lbs a piece.

Depends on what you're powering up & what the power requirements are for the equipment you have... add up the amps & you should be able to figure it out. Before you head out, freeze all the stuff you want to keep frozen & plug in the auxiliary power supply (I'm assuming you have one) & get your refrigerator/freezer cooled down with the stuff you're gonna keep in there...the more the better. My trailer used to burn through gas real quick when I used the water heater, so I only fired it up when I wanted to shower & used the stove top for heating water for dishes...of which I tried to keep to a minimum with paper plates & plastic my stereo was 12 volt, as were the lights...if you don't have an owners manual, you might try to find one on line, but if you LOOK at the individual appliances you'll see they generally have directions glued someplace on them.

ETA: when you stop & fire up the fridge with the gas pilot, it's important to have your trailer fairly level...

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/...modelname=EB3000c&modelid=EB3000CKAN

Honda EB3000

Got mine for around 1100 new 5 years ago, under 70lbs. It's my work gen but it runs my TT also. For normal use I have a solar on my battery with inverter for DVDs, only time I run the generator is if I need the AC, micro or my wife is along and needs her hair dryer/curler thingies.

Kent

Mossy,
I suspect that if you installed a hard start capacitor on your air conditioner your gen set would be able to start it at higher altitude. You just need the extra boost to get the compressor started. Check out: http://arnoldservice.com/compressor_hard_start_boosters.htm

You can also google hard start capacitor and will find a lot of info.

I have a Honda EU3000Is and it seems to work fine. Haven't used it much though. In-laws have it out in East Texas for when their power goes out.

What you REALLY need is a camping spot at least a quarter mile from mine. I hate those @#$%^ generators.

I can run everything on my trailer with the Honda 3000

I like the Yamaha's that come with a propane conversion kit installed. Just as quiet as Honda's but really handy if you are already carrying propane.

ergo my solar panel comment.......

the honda inverters are great little units, I sometimes take my 1 along, but not often.


they make very little noise

also don't run the generator at the cabin, old Yahama, unless vacuuming or needing to run power tools.


quiet works for me

I think a trailer mounted 18-20kw diesel will do everything you need. If your tow rig is diesel, you would be all set.

The generator size/type suggestions are right on for the most part.

However - conveniences and comforts are really nice, but do you recall the sounds of a generator shattering the quietude of the forest or a lake shore? How did we do it so well and so enjoyably for so many years without those things?

Generac 4500. More than you need and a bit pricey compared what's been mentioned. But with this, you can use it for just about anything. Can be permenantly mounted or mounted to a wheel kit so you can use it at home too.

It's the quietest on the market. Rock Chuck won't know you're there.

Get the propane adapter and battey charger. With that set up and four large propane bottles you can easily out last your food and water supply.

If you ever upgrade to a bigger trailer, you already have a gen that can handle about anything.

My 3500 will run my A/C, lights, and TV/DVD. But if the microwave is turned on it boggs and usually trips.

Of course, if you don't use a TV, Microwave, or A/C the little Honda 2000s are just fine.

Walked by a new Honda 2000i (I think) running the other day and you could barely hear it 30' away. It was amazingly quiet! I hate the sound of generators when camping, but I would tolerate this for periods.

+2

One of my generators, the one in my trailer is an Onan propane, good little gen and quite. Has a big muffler and not much mechanical noise.

No problem there I had a Honda EU2000 generator up until about a year ago worked just fine with my 21' Jayco, but some ashhole decided he liked it better than I did and stole it out of my travel trailer along with two flat screen TV's parked in my back yard next to my garage.

I just replaced it with a Champian 3500/4000 at cost of $300.00 and I believe it has 68db noise rating @ 75feet and it will run up to 12 hours on six gal of gas. I fired it up and it is almost as quiet as my Honda EU2000 was, I think the noice diference is only about 10db more than the Honda.

You might want to check out the thread on portable gensets that started over 6 years ago at RV.Net Open Roads Forum. For an inexpensive generator, the Champion brand, specifically their 4000/3500watt model w/120v RV receptacle, appears to have become a popular favorite among those RV folks.

Link to thread: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15131645/srt/pd/pging/1.cfm

Champion 4000/3500 w/RV 120v receptacle: http://www.everygenerator.com/Champion-46534-CXP1009.html

Figure out how much of that you will run at any given time and sum the wattage. Don't guess.



The specs need to meet or exceed the answer above. Probably exceed that wattage to allow for startup surge.

Can't go wrong with Honda generators.

Call the local rental yards. Sometimes they sell extra stock at a good price.

By the way, make sure that whatever one you get, it meets the minimum standards for the Federal Forests if you plan to use them there. Not sure, but if I recall correctly, it must have a certain type of spark arrester and be 68db or less. You can find the rules on the forest service website.

Also check your state parks rules if you need to. They're all different from state to state, but generally don't exceed the federal forest ones.

Most new gens will be equipped to meet these standards if they were built with the intent of being used recreationally. Not all the ones meant for emergencies or construction will. Especially in the noise department.