Generator Help from the Braintrust

[1TexasPatriot]

There is a good way to know exactly what you need, plug the trailer up to shore power, turn everything on and put an amp meter on the main feed hot leg. I would bet its no more than 26amps, which equates to just under 3200watts... If you want to make sure..

The thought of doing that frightens me to death

There is little in this world I am afraid of more than electricity...

I was going to size for even 30A. Then upsize slightly for security.

But I didn't want to over-buy, from a budget standpoint or having a generator that weighs more than a VW..

[bboswell]

A quick Google search provided the following for the typical RV

15000 btu AC - 16 a
Microwave - 8-13a
TV - 1.5-8a
Converter - 1-8a
Refrigerator - 5-8a

Going by the you bust 30a easily even if you go with the low values and supports why my trailer will kick the 30a main no matter what my power source is.

Gear up for 30a and be prepared to not run all those things at once.

[Todd-ty729]

You can run a 30 amp trailer on a 50,000 watt generator but the main circuit breaker coming into your invertor panel will determine how many electrical appliances you can use at once.

A good 4,000 watt generator will run a normal 30 amp RV.

Some of the cheaper genny's will not handle a surge very well and cause a breaker to trip somewhere often.

[deerplanter]

The best on the market is 2 honda 2000 hooked up in series, go to your Honda dealer and talk to them. If you use a normal generator you will get a dirty signal they can explain it better than me. They are light weight and very quiet.

[TexaswBOWhunter]

The thought of doing that frightens me to death

There is little in this world I am afraid of more than electricity...

I was going to size for even 30A. Then upsize slightly for security.

But I didn't want to over-buy, from a budget standpoint or having a generator that weighs more than a VW..

Dont guess, what is the size (30a or 50a) of the main breaker in the trailer panel? You should be able to open the panel and the Main breaker should be labeled. Whatever size that is, is what you need to cover.

[TexaswBOWhunter]

A quick Google search provided the following for the typical RV

15000 btu AC - 16 a
Microwave - 8-13a
TV - 1.5-8a
Converter - 1-8a
Refrigerator - 5-8a

Going by the you bust 30a easily even if you go with the low values and supports why my trailer will kick the 30a main no matter what my power source is.

Gear up for 30a and be prepared to not run all those things at once.

I understand, however I will use OHMs law over Google any day....

[1TexasPatriot]

Dont guess, what is the size (30a or 50a) of the main breaker in the trailer panel? You should be able to open the panel and the Main breaker should be labeled. Whatever size that is, is what you need to cover.

No guessing. It's 30a

[wsteffen]

My Honda 5500 will NOT do what your asking. In fact if I run microwave, Fridge, & TV the 30 main will kick when the AC kicks in even if I'm plugged in to the power pole.

I would consider 5500 as your minimum and then be prepared to turn off the AC when using, microwave. hairdryer, curling iron etc.

I don't know what Honda you have, but my EB5000, 4000 watt continuous power will handle everything in my trailer at once. Something is wrong if your main is tripping.

[TexaswBOWhunter]

No guessing. It's 30a

In that case, what I stated earlier is true... Should pull no more than 25 amps at full load so with a good generator, check the specs on the gen you are interested in and see what the "rated" out put is, if it is 3000w or higher you will be good to go...

There are two ratings on a generator, the max and the rated...

Good Rule of thumb:
Max rating= No more than30 minutes
Rated= Extended periods of use

Example:
Honda EU3000-

Max power output= 3000W/25amps
Rated power output= 2800W/23.3amps

If you checked your trailer at full load (with a meter) and it was running less than 23.3 amps, you could use this generator for extended use.

These two are what I use on my 30a trailer.... A good deal too

[Skullworks52]

we run honda/yamaha in our bowfishing boats and when working. just pick your favorite color. and pay the price.

[bboswell]

In that case, what I stated earlier is true... Should pull no more than 25 amps at full load so with a good generator, check the specs on the gen you are interested in and see what the "rated" out put is, if it is 3000w or higher you will be good to go...

There are two ratings on a generator, the max and the rated...

Good Rule of thumb:
Max rating= No more than30 minutes
Rated= Extended periods of use

Example:
Honda EU3000-

Max power output= 3000W/25amps
Rated power output= 2800W/23.3amps

If you checked your trailer at full load (with a meter) and it was running less than 23.3 amps, you could use this generator for extended use.

These two are what I use on my 30a trailer.... A good deal too

Does yours have 12,000 btu or 15,000 btu AC?

[1TexasPatriot]

In that case, what I stated earlier is true... Should pull no more than 25 amps at full load so with a good generator, check the specs on the gen you are interested in and see what the "rated" out put is, if it is 3000w or higher you will be good to go...

There are two ratings on a generator, the max and the rated...

Good Rule of thumb:
Max rating= No more than30 minutes
Rated= Extended periods of use

Example:
Honda EU3000-

Max power output= 3000W/25amps
Rated power output= 2800W/23.3amps

If you checked your trailer at full load (with a meter) and it was running less than 23.3 amps, you could use this generator for extended use.

These two are what I use on my 30a trailer.... A good deal too

Thanks man!!!! I really appreciate it

Honda shopping

[TexaswBOWhunter]

Does yours have 12,000 btu or 15,000 btu AC?

I don't know, I bought the trailer 12 years ago.. I do know it is a 30a system though...

My Honda 5500 will NOT do what your asking. In fact if I run microwave, Fridge, & TV the 30 main will kick when the AC kicks in even if I'm plugged in to the power pole.

I would consider 5500 as your minimum and then be prepared to turn off the AC when using, microwave. hairdryer, curling iron etc.

BB, are you saying the main breaker in your trailer trips even when plugged into shore/land power? If so, PM me...

If that's the case, you have an issue on the load side of your system that no amount of generator power (line side) will fix....

[bboswell]

I don't know, I bought the trailer 12 years ago.. I do know it is a 30a system though...



BB, are you saying the main breaker in your trailer trips even when plugged into shore/land power? If so, PM me...

If that's the case, you have an issue on the load side of your system that no amount of generator power (line side) will fix....

Exactly what I'm saying. Didn't find it odd because I grew up going to rodeo's in a motorhomes that did the exact samething.