Attention: TDR Forum Junkies When we had our class A (An 1988 37' Winnebago Elanden), we had a generator, and used it a couple of times when camping in the booneys. We didn't think we needed one when we bought the 5er, since we might boondock maybe 1-2 times a year, and we figured we could get by w/o generator.
Well, I guess we <em>can</em>, but we are now thinking about adding a generator back to our inventory, so that we can boondock for more than 2 days, if we want to (we found a great place with miles and miles of hiking and horse trails, but no electric hook-ups). Looking at the price of Onan RV generators, I figured I'd see what available on the portable market, and for how much.
I know a lot of people are using two Honda EU2000i in tandem (giving 4000W continuous, I believe). Personally, I think 4000W is a little on the low side, and, at $2000 they're not the most inexpensive solution either. On the positive side, they're light, and according to what I heard, very quiet.
Looking at what's available at Home Depot and Lowes, I found three potential candidates:
<b>Coleman PM0545005</b>, 5000W continuous, 6250W max, 11 hours @ 50% load on a 5gal tank of gas; 141lbs.
<b>Troy-built Lowes Item# 45428</b>, 5550W continuous, 8550W max, 10 hours @50% load on a 5gal tank of gas; ???lbs.
<b> Generac Heavy Duty 5500</b>, 5500W continuous, 8500W max, 12 hours @ 50% load on a 5gal <em>removable</em> tank of gas, ???lbs.
I figure with the 12000BTU A/C I need at a minimum 7550W max load, making the Coleman a little 'underpowered'. (Opinions?)
The Generac is nice because it has larger wheels, and the handle is above the wheels, i. e. you tilt down and push/pull (raises the non-wheel side). The Troy-built has smaller wheels and a handle on the other side, so you have to lift the weight and then push/pull. Both have 10hp Briggs & Stratton engines. In summary the Generac is larger, and seems to be easier to move around; which would be a plus for emergency power around the home (a requirement), but a negative to take along in the bed...
Anybody has any opinions? Suggestions? Hints?
Thanks.
Well, I guess we <em>can</em>, but we are now thinking about adding a generator back to our inventory, so that we can boondock for more than 2 days, if we want to (we found a great place with miles and miles of hiking and horse trails, but no electric hook-ups). Looking at the price of Onan RV generators, I figured I'd see what available on the portable market, and for how much.
I know a lot of people are using two Honda EU2000i in tandem (giving 4000W continuous, I believe). Personally, I think 4000W is a little on the low side, and, at $2000 they're not the most inexpensive solution either. On the positive side, they're light, and according to what I heard, very quiet.
Looking at what's available at Home Depot and Lowes, I found three potential candidates:
<b>Coleman PM0545005</b>, 5000W continuous, 6250W max, 11 hours @ 50% load on a 5gal tank of gas; 141lbs.
<b>Troy-built Lowes Item# 45428</b>, 5550W continuous, 8550W max, 10 hours @50% load on a 5gal tank of gas; ???lbs.
<b> Generac Heavy Duty 5500</b>, 5500W continuous, 8500W max, 12 hours @ 50% load on a 5gal <em>removable</em> tank of gas, ???lbs.
I figure with the 12000BTU A/C I need at a minimum 7550W max load, making the Coleman a little 'underpowered'. (Opinions?)
The Generac is nice because it has larger wheels, and the handle is above the wheels, i. e. you tilt down and push/pull (raises the non-wheel side). The Troy-built has smaller wheels and a handle on the other side, so you have to lift the weight and then push/pull. Both have 10hp Briggs & Stratton engines. In summary the Generac is larger, and seems to be easier to move around; which would be a plus for emergency power around the home (a requirement), but a negative to take along in the bed...
Anybody has any opinions? Suggestions? Hints?
Thanks.
