small generator

[campinwi]

Most of the time I have been camping has been without any electricity. In our op-up, we were able to run lights off the battery, or if the battery died we used flashlights.
Now that we are turning the cargo trailer into a camper, I would like my husband to put some power in it, both ad and dc, like the pop up has.

We were at Menards yesterday and they have a small inverter gnerator on sale for $199. My knowledge of electricity is very little, and I know even less about generators. From what I have read, it seems people frown on the inverter generators.

It would mainly be used to power a few lights, and maybe a dvd player, computer or tv. No fridge or anything else.

The reasons for thinking about this one are;
1. cost
2. only weighs 28 pounds
3. looks simple enough for me to figure out how to work

I'm looking for thoughts of others who have used this sort of thing

[Senior Ninja]

Hi,

Any stats you can include?
Noise level is a biggie.
Two cycle or four?
Capacity?
Hard to tell from here.
Steve

[madjack]

...don't know enough to say yay or nay to an inverter gennie BUT the most popular small genni in the world is a Honda 2000ei...an inverter gennie so it must be doing something right...my opinion on generators is to use the "hair dryer/coffee maker" test...if it won't run either one, I have no use for it...since it will take between 10-15A or around 1800 watts, that is the size I would look for...a smaller gennie would run a few light or a fan and would run a battery charger...so, if that is all you want to run...cool...if not get something that will...oh yeah...noise...any DB rating above the 60's is too loud to use if you have neighbors...for example, the Honda 2000ei runs around 58db.....................
madjack

[asianflava]

Another thing to consider is how long you camp for. You could also take or install a second battery.

We have camped for up to 4 days on the battery in the tear. All we use it for are lights, and a 10in LCD TV/DVD player. We haven't had it run out as long as I charge it before leaving.

[campinwi]

thanks for the info. the one I am looking at is 6.2 amps. the lad said it was 62 decibels. The longest I have camped without power is 7 days. our battery was able to last that long with us only using the lights for very short periods of time.

[wannabefree]

Size the generator based on your need... then double it. Gennys have two load ratings; a constant load and a surge. Genny manufacturers, like most of us, have a compulsion to stretch the truth. The closer the surge rating gets to the constant load rating the more they are stretching the truth (IMHO). Given two gennys with the same constant rating, pick the one with the higher surge rating.

Another thing to consider is noise. Generators are usually rated at a distance of 7 meters (22 ft). 62dB is a little below conversation level if you are 3 feet apart. So with that genny 22 feet away it is going to sound like your mate at about 5 feet. Actually, 62dB isn't too bad, just be sure they weren't measuring it at 100 ft!

Your needs are so miniscule you could consider solar for about the same price. Just a thought.

[Arne]

i bought a honda eu2000.... never regretted the money, and love the quality and quietness.

[Gerdo]

i bought a honda eu2000.... never regretted the money, and love the quality and quietness.

Ditto. I own two. They are great. I have beat them to death and they rairly miss a beat. The only exception is with my newer one. It has flooded on startup at altitude and the cold. I need to get it rejeted.

[wlooper89]

My choice would be to camp where there is AC hookup or short stays on battery power. Set up for charging from the tow vehicle between campsites and a converter where there is campground power. I think you would not care for the 62 DB noise from a generator and maybe nearby campers would not like it either. If you are isolated from other campers perhaps a generator would be okay.

Bill

[Miriam C.]

$200 will buy a lot of battery or solar power..........If you get a small generator then you need to carry fuel. You need to see how much fuel it uses too. You can get a battery that will last longer or get a solar power to do the same. MHO

Now if you really are interested you might as well get one that will power a coffee pot and charge the battery.

[nawlinsteardrop]

I think solar power can be a great way to handle your smaller loads. If you need to run AC 24/7 get a small inverter generator. I have a Troybilt 900i. It will run a few things.

I never really bring it too much.

I prefer hookups during the summer. I only run offgrid on summer trips. To stop and take a nap when driving somewhere.

Too dang HOT in the south...

[Mukilteo]

deleted

[Reddiver]

Nothing is as quite as Solar

[aggie79]

Nothing is as quite as Solar

Especially on cloudy days.

[ELCHILEON]

I was also seriously considering getting a " Solar Panel or Generator " .

After a few " e-mails " discussions with " Cary " at Camp-Inn, I decided to purchase the " Yamaha Conversion " from " U.S. Carburetion Inc. "

http://www.yamaha-propane-natural-gas-g ... 2000is.htm
Here's a photo of a " Yamaha Generator/Inverter " thats been " Converted " to use " Propane or Gasoline " (Dual Fuel ).


Cary, kindly agreed to " Inspect / Prep / Adjust " to make sure it was working properly. They are currently building a Raindrop for me to hook up the Generator/Inverter.

Just an Additional " FYI ":
I've read several threads over on the " Airstream Forum " concerning the problems encountered with trying to figure out how to properly adjust the " Converted Units ", on both the " YAMAHA & HONDA's "

If anyone is interested ?
You should contact " Camp-Inn " for additional advice !
They might be working on other " Options " to consider

L.M.