GEN SIZE

[viffer07]

help please, i am building a rolling man cave out of a haulmark 8x14 ct. it has a 13.5k btu roof air, 700 watt nuke oven, tv, vcr, stereo and a battery(12 volt) maintainer. it will probably have other electrical stuff like a fan or a small electric heater when its cold so no need for the ac unit. the ? is approx what size gen will do the job. i live in south texas where it gets down to 99 in the cool part of summer, so no ac is out of the question. i have checked on line and found the hondas are very costly. does anyone use a gentron rv gen as this brand seems to be

[Shadow Catcher]

"Gentron generators are engineered in the U.S. and are manufactured in China by (Jiang Dong). JD Manufactures has been making engines and generators since 1945. JD . GENTRON generators come with a one year parts and labor warranty . More information about GENTRON can be found on www.GentronUSA.com"
I have a 7,000W generator made by Jiang Dong that had a capacitor that failed, it was imposable to get the part (odd size inside the housing) so an external replacement was adapted.

[bc toys]

you will need a 2k watts generator look on crags list people put them on there thinking they are trashed but most of them just have carburetor clogged just a good tune up and cleaning and you got a great gen

[Mukilteo]

You should go with a inverter generator. Its safer for electronics like computer boards. Be it the newer power converters, computers, TVs , stereos, camera and phone chargers . the list go's on.

[Dave S]

OK, My two bits worth..........which is worth about two cents today.........You are going to have to figure your power needs (the draw from AC sources like toaster, coffee, microwave, aircond........(and when you will want/need them together) but except for A/C or heat you probably wont need more than a 2K unit. Then comes the hard part.........physical size, noise generation, economy......NOISE GENERATION, and noise. I got a Honda 2000 as a less noisey backup for my 73 GMG Motorhomes onboard Onan generator. It does the job well, is ecomomical (about a gal of gas for about 8 hrs of use), runs most of what I need (except AC, and I have propane heat) and is quiet (about 59dB).......any neighbors I may have thank me. I was so impressed with the 2K that i wanted a lighter one to carry with my Tear. I found a used 1K (hard to find in my area) and decided that I didnt need more power than that for the Tear, and it is semi-small but about half the weight of the 2K (about 25 lbs). That makes it easy to pack and store, and it is as quiet, or moreso, than the 2k. Two added benefits are that the Honda is an inverter type power plant, and it has a built=in battery charger. Ususally very easy to start (some cold days and long time non-starting need extra pulls) and, so far, rock solid dependable (3rd year, much use). Yep, new ones are pretty spendy.....but used ones can be around 6-800 (for a 2k) or 4-600 for a 1K. I researched all the other brands and while some (a few) can match the Honda (yamaha ?) for quiet operation, weight, economy (whats gas now??) and dependability, non can beat them. I camp twice a year with the NASCAR RV/Trailer group at P-Nix Arizona and have had the opportunity (misfortune in some cases) to hear many, many other portable brands, as well as many on-board units and I have seen very, very few that compete with the little red guy..........and hell, Im not even a salesman for them, nor have stock in them.....quiet/quiet/quiet.....hope this helps the thought process a bit. Dave in Washington (the wet one)

[viffer07]

I'VE BEEN PRICING HONDA GENERATORS ON LINE A 3000 RV GEN WITH RECOIL START IS OVER 2GRAND. FOR THAT I CAN BUY 5 OF THE LESS EXPENSIVE BRAND. WITH A 2YEAR WARRANTY THAT EQUALS TO ABOUT 10 YEARS OF GEN USE. I KNOW HONDA IS A QUALITY ITEM CAUSE I OWN 2 HONDA MOTORCYCLES BUT 2000.00 FOR A GENERATOR, IT OUGHT TO POWER A 747 JET.

[rowerwet]

Royobi sells an inverter generator that is rated as very quiet, still haven't heard about reliabillity, they are sold at Home depot

[GerryS]

I'VE BEEN PRICING HONDA GENERATORS ON LINE A 3000 RV GEN WITH RECOIL START IS OVER 2GRAND. FOR THAT I CAN BUY 5 OF THE LESS EXPENSIVE BRAND. WITH A 2YEAR WARRANTY THAT EQUALS TO ABOUT 10 YEARS OF GEN USE. I KNOW HONDA IS A QUALITY ITEM CAUSE I OWN 2 HONDA MOTORCYCLES BUT 2000.00 FOR A GENERATOR, IT OUGHT TO POWER A 747 JET.

Your trade off is sound. I have a Yamaha, and the note is almost soothing. The cheap generators are loud and "metallic" sounding. It's like sleeping in a logging camp, not to mention mixing oil with gas.

The 800 watt generators from (bottom of the) harbor freight are definitely cheap. Mine will probably turn to rust in my garage now.