Beartoo
Perham MN
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Joined: 08/31/2002
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I have the "Champion 3500 Watt" and it is great for the price. This week "Pamida Stores" have them for $279.99. If you have the bucks "Honda " is great.
DH - Bear
DW - Marge
Dogs, Rufus and Nelie
01 F 150
1999 Coachman TT
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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Joined: 11/21/2005
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cedarcamper wrote:I need to get a generator for my popup. I'm mostly interested in recharging the battery and maybe running a few small appliances (the biggest would be a small tv/dvd). I'd like it to be quiet and not too heavy. Any recommendations?
I've heard the Honda's great, but I just have a hard time spending that much. Do people like the Champion generators? Am I Ok with a 1500 W model?
based on your needs and preferences, you should get a honda 1000 or 2000. you don't need the extra power that the champion has and it's noisier(but not the worse) and it weighs over 100lbs.
i would pay the extra difference for the 2000. that way, if you upgrade in the future, you'll have a gennie that will definitely run everything but your a/c.
Dan- Firefighter , Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur , Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever , 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
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Wildwood TT
Texas
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Joined: 07/06/2008
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Is a generator necessary if I never plan on boondocking my TT?
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MFinCA
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
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Joined: 06/09/2004
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Wildwood TT wrote:Is a generator necessary if I never plan on boondocking my TT?
Short answer: No
Longer answer: Even if you wanted to try boondocking, you don't need a generator as long as you don't want to run anything requiring 110V. For a few days, the battery(s) will work the lights and the heater (but not for too long). Most RV refrigerators can be run off of propane and use very little battery power.
We went for 8+ years of RVing without a generator. We were boondocking once a year for 2-3 days at a county park and just ran off of the battery.
We bought a Champion RV generator in December '06 for use at a NASCAR race. We've used it at 3 races now, and I've used it at a few BBQ competitions that don't have hookups. I have it at home as a backup supply because we live in earthquake country.
So you don't need a generator if you never boondock.
MFinCA
2004 Homestead Settler 255RS
1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2500
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Recharge and one small TV.. Honda 1000 Inverter type, Yahama 1200 Likewise Both very light, very quite, KIPOR 1000, also light, not louder but the quality of the sound is more annoying..
You might even try a Genrac 1000 (Heavier, not as efficient bit louder but still not too loud) (they also sell 'em as a 900 watt)
If you go to 2,000 watts you can likely add a microwave to the "run"
3,000 should power an AC but ... sometimes won't. (Actually I powered an AC with a Genrac 1000 but.. 1: it put out more than the label said and 2: it was a very small AC (Sears window job)
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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Padlin
W. Ma.
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Joined: 06/15/2006
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Wildwood TT wrote:Is a generator necessary if I never plan on boondocking my TT?
If you have no intention of going more then a couple days in places that do not have electric hookups then no. If you frequent state or federal parks that do not have electric and want to stay for a week, then it's easier if you do.
Bob & Deb
W Ma.
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windriderjr
Massachusetts
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Joined: 03/20/2007
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We used our generator (Honda EU3000is) almost all the time last year while staying in State Parks. I found most of the reason we used it was to allow DW to watch TV. We hardly ever needed the A/C or microwave as I do most of the cooking outside. Even with such a quiet generator, I found the sound annoying. I got a small 400 watt inverter and wired it into the converter. I mounted it near where the TV is mounted. Now, we can run the TV for about 4-6 hrs and recharge with the generator for a couple of hrs around dinner time when we are most likely to use the microwave. The inverter sells for $45- at CW. I saw them in Costco for $10-. I spent more for the #8 wire to install it 
DW and I in our Gulfstream Amerilite 21MB
Chevy Silverado 2500 HD - Duramax Diesel 6.6L - Allison Tranny
"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area." - Major Mike Shearer - British Army - Basra, Iraq
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Adam-12
Northern CA
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Joined: 03/11/2008
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Here's a simple solution to determine what type of generator you would like to have.
Take out your gasoline fired lawn mower. Fire it up and run it at full power. Now, place your tent, tt or camper next to your generator.
Go inside your camper and close the door. Would you like to have that loud lawn mower engine noise in your campground for any length of time? No you wouldn't.
The test is even more effective if you conduct it at let's say, 9pm. That will simulate very quiet conditions within your camp ground and really piss off your neighbors. Just like in a real camp ground.
You'll discover that the lawn mower is wayyyyyy toooo loud to run and disturbes the peace and quiet of a nice camp ground. Now, while you're listening to that LOUD lawn mower engine, realize that the Champion, Colemans, etc... all sound like that LOUD lawn mower!
Would that LOUD lawn mower noise maker bother you or perhaps your camping neighbors? YES IT WOULD. So would the Champion and other cheap generators.
Don't be cheap by buying a LOUD "lawn mower" powered generator. Get a nice Honda or Yamaha. They are very quiet. Nothing beats them. You get what you pay for. You'll thank yourself after your purchase.
I'm partial to the Hondas because they are even lighter in weight than the Yamahas.
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weathershak
Delaware
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Joined: 12/11/2006
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Adam-12 wrote:Here's a simple solution to determine what type of generator you would like to have.
Take out your gasoline fired lawn mower. Fire it up and run it at full power. Now, place your tent, tt or camper next to your generator.
Go inside your camper and close the door. Would you like to have that loud lawn mower engine noise in your campground for any length of time? No you wouldn't.
The test is even more effective if you conduct it at let's say, 9pm. That will simulate very quiet conditions within your camp ground and really piss off your neighbors. Just like in a real camp ground.
You'll discover that the lawn mower is wayyyyyy toooo loud to run and disturbes the peace and quiet of a nice camp ground. Now, while you're listening to that LOUD lawn mower engine, realize that the Champion, Colemans, etc... all sound like that LOUD lawn mower!
Would that LOUD lawn mower noise maker bother you or perhaps your camping neighbors? YES IT WOULD. So would the Champion and other cheap generators.
Don't be cheap by buying a LOUD "lawn mower" powered generator. Get a nice Honda or Yamaha. They are very quiet. Nothing beats them. You get what you pay for. You'll thank yourself after your purchase.
I'm partial to the Hondas because they are even lighter in weight than the Yamahas.
OOOOOPS too late for me. I went out yesterday and purchased a 4000 watt Champion generator for $299.00. It took 15 minute prep time and it was ready to run. I ran it for 2 hrs hooked up to the TT with the AC cranked up and my neighbors mower 150' away was louder. I just can't justify spending $2000.00 for 2 2000 watt Hondas with parallel kit to lug around. I camp at Assateague during the winter and would like to during the summer months. We went there a couple of weeks ago for a day trip and most of the RV's had Champion,type gen sets running. With the exhaust aimed toward the dunes, it was not bad at all. Well I just joined the club.
Don't like the view?? Then change it and Go Camping
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VernM
Marion County, AR
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Joined: 06/21/2006
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How many of your neighbors while camped at Assateague did you check with about the noise your generator was making?
VernM
GMC Conversion van/Wells Cargo MiniWagon trailer
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