2500 Watt Inverter / Generator Emerg Plan

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

As Murphy Law states, if something is going to break it will. On a recent trip to a FL State Park, my 50 AMP cable end must have shorted out, and i couldn't hook up to shore pwr. I had left my 30 AMP cable at home with the 50 AMP connector on it.

So, thankfully CW was within reach and $170 i was in business.

I started to think about what if, there was no CW around or i had to spend the night in FL without AC. I really don't want to run the ONAN 5500 over night. All the warning notices in the manual.

The solution for me is the Champion 2500 W generator. This little Jewel weighs 39 lbs, fits nicely in my side compartment.

I will only run one AC unit on this at this time, all CB are tripped, converter, refrig, outlets, water heater. I need the battery ON for the thermostat, i might consider turning the DC converter on after my 5 hr breakin period.

The AC unit can blow 61 Deg out of it. Enough to get me thru the night if emerg happens.

So, now i have triple redundancy, 50 amp cable, 30 amp cable with 50 amp connector, and finally a backup gen. Come on Murphy....

[happy]

Sounds like a winning plan!

Always good to have a back up especially for comfort!!!

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

Reporting back. I ran it for 5 hrs. refilled with Synthetic Oil. Runs smooth. I can run the AC unit, converter, outlets and refrig. Very nice backup for sure. A little lag when the compressor kicks in, but smooths out immediately.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by txc2936@yahoo.com

Reporting back. I ran it for 5 hrs. refilled with Synthetic Oil. Runs smooth. I can run the AC unit, converter, outlets and refrig. Very nice backup for sure. A little lag when the compressor kicks in, but smooths out immediately.

Great..but where do you carry gas?

[Chance]

Originally Posted by txc2936@yahoo.com

…..cut….

So, now i have triple redundancy, 50 amp cable, 30 amp cable with 50 amp connector, and finally a backup gen. Come on Murphy....

You’re tempting fate. Murphy always finds a way.

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

Livin on the edge....livin on the edge. I think i will empty the generator and store it with a cover over it in the side compartment.

Then use this 1 gal container i bought and store it in the aft compartment somewhere. As Murphy goes. The gas can will probably be empty when i need it....but then again, i bet there is a gas station next to the Cracker Barrel i am stranded at....

[Judge]

I have a QD6000 and while it warns you about carbon monoxide it specifically says:

Never sleep in the vehicle while the genset is running unless the vehicle is equipped with a working carbon monoxide detector.

If you have a working carbon monoxide detector.... and you should.... and your exhaust is exiting outside of the chassis.... and your windows are closed (as they should be if your running the A/C), then the Onan is probably a safer solution than dealing with open gasoline.

My exhaust exists near the cab and the bedroom is in the back. I also have a carbon monoxide detector..... and it has never gone off.... and yes I do check it.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Just curious...what are the warnings in the manual about running it overnight? Were these warnings relevant to fumes or generator operation? They are designed to run statically for days with no issues. If the exhaust is placed correctly, as far from the sleeping quarters as can be, there should be no issues.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by txc2936@yahoo.com

Livin on the edge....livin on the edge. I think i will empty the generator and store it with a cover over it in the side compartment.

Then use this 1 gal container i bought and store it in the aft compartment somewhere. As Murphy goes. The gas can will probably be empty when i need it....but then again, i bet there is a gas station next to the Cracker Barrel i am stranded at....

Amazon has pumps in which you can pump right out the main tank

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Scubawise

Amazon has pumps in which you can pump right out the main tank

Except for those with ant-siphon screens......

Why do you think the current gas thieves just poke a hole in the bottom of the tank?

[Chance]

If mostly worried about exhaust danger, in addition to a good Carbon Monoxide alarm, you can consider a generator exhaust Venturi system that discharges generator exhaust above motorhome roof elevation. If generator is used a lot for boondocking, it may be easier to set up than screwing around with portable generators and gas cans.

For what it’s worth, a gallon of gas won’t last long when generator is powering a typical motorhome air conditioner.

[Muggs]

We have slept in RV with internal generator. Only once did we have a situation where monitor went off. Was just a weird combination of wind and other RVs at track. Open roof vent and cracked wind side window ans it was fine.

Second time monitor went off was "end of life warning", I replaced 2 weeks before I traded it in.

I was a champion 3500 and 4000 to run all night. Much easier on gas than Onan.

[BuzzDoc]

When I’m going to run the generator overnight and particularly if camping tight with other particularly if they are tent camping I attach a smoke stack to the generator exhaust.

[txc2936@yahoo.com]

And of course, a nice cover to protect the generator in the side compartment! Added a knee pad inside cover to press up to side compartment door as the door is closed for tightness.