How many watts generator for camper?

[Rudey]

In your experience, how big of a generator does a person need for a normal ol' camper?

When I say normal, I mean an average size (20'-25'), one air conditioner, heater, frig, TV, microwave.

Shouldn't need anything very big for that, right? Might have to turn off the A/C for a sec if using the microwave, but other than that?

What size do y'all think?

[Jaspro]

Come on Rudey you work for a generator outlet. Just buy the biggest they got.

I am sure a 5000 would do it but if it were me I would get a 6000 or a 7500 if I could afford it.

[Rudey]

See, I'm thinking it wouldn't take near a 5000. I'm thinking closer to 3000.

I'm thinking quiet as possible, and the generators we have DO NOT have quietness as one of their selling points!!!

Is my thinking wrong? Wouldn't a smaller generator be quieter, as a rule of thumb?

[bwssr]

3200 surge, 2500 run. but that is for AC and some lights. 5000surge/4500 run
works for my 24'er....AC fans outside, and lighting up camp

[Jaspro]

Not necessarily. I know the 3000 and 5000 watt generators we sold at TSC when I worked there had the exact same size motor on them. There was no difference in sound. They make a sound suppressor for the muffler on them to help quiet them down. I don't think 3000 would be enough. Also if you look at the newer ones Honda has out they have some very quiet generators.

[Rudey]

I've heard great things about the Honda EU3000 generators as the quietest ever made and enough to run RV air conditioners.

But I don't want to spend $2000 on a friggin' generator!

I've seen houseboats that have generators where they've attached some sort of car muffler to the existing muffler on the generator. Does that work? Or would that maybe cause too much back pressure and harm the engine? Or would it not really do anything?

[Leoncountyhunter]

I am using a 6000watt, 7500watt surge right this moment & I have the air on, lights on, fridge, & my son is using micro wave, 2 chargers pluggen in, & a laptop, & it is effortless. Ran all night long on 1/2 tank of gas. It is loud, but made a shield to deflect sound towards road. Cannot hear from stands. Brrrrr its cold in here. This thing was about $600.

[Jaspro]

I don't know if yall carry them but check out the Honda generators at Northern tool. They are in the $800 range. Really quiet compared to the ones with the Briggs motors on them.

[Hoyt Man]

Northern Tools has a honda generator 5000w 17amps for $865, very quite generator

[Olphart]

Rudey, there was a pretty good discussion about this back in the spring/early summer on this. After one trip out in my 26' camper, I bought a 3500 peak I PowerMax generator (ebay) for $300. I've used it one time to check the A/C, micro, lights, water pump, etc. and it powered it all with no problem and it was quiet. At the time of the discussion, I searched and found they don't offer this model any longer, but they had a 4000w. Just an option.

[Mike Murphey]

Go to the Northern tool web site...they have a list of what power is needed to run pieces of equipment...it should be a great help to help you decide how much generator you need...

[cheez]

I'm no electrical genius, but volts X amps = watts. Everything should have a sticker on it that tells you the volts and amps. Check all you appliances and figure out the math and it will tell you the amps you need from a generator. Or just wing it, buy the biggest generator you can afford and see what works.

[Westex]

Rudey, I have a Coleman Powermate 4000 that I use on my camper. One AC unit, no microwave but I run a coffee pot and lights for trailer and around the camp site. So far it works ok. It is a little loud but we just use a big heavy cord and set it up about 30 ft from the camp and put a sound shield around it. I've never run mine all night with the A/C. We normally shut everything down when we go to bed.

[texag93]

3500w would get you by but if I was gonna buy a general use generator, I would get the 5000w. noise between the two(same brand) wouldn't be noticeable. Hondas are the quietest....and the most expensive.

[texag93]

I'm no electrical genius, but volts X amps = watts. Everything should have a sticker on it that tells you the volts and amps. Check all you appliances and figure out the math and it will tell you the amps you need from a generator. Or just wing it, buy the biggest generator you can afford and see what works.

RVs(most) are 120v/30amp. 3500w / 120v = 29.2A Generators are rated at continuous/max output. 3000w continuous would handle just about any RV situation. Where you will get in trouble is extra lights and things around camp. That is why I would go with a 5000w If the generator has a 30a plug on it, you should be good.