Inverter vs Generator

[Bobdando]

Good morning all,

I’m new to this forum, my wife and I just bought a new travel trailer which has a converter and not an inverter. I’ve looked into the cost of buying an inverter and the installation, and I have also looked into the cost dual fuel inverter/generator. I’m leaning towards the generator but was wondering if anyone had other opinions? I’ve found with the generator on sale that costs are comparable.
Thanks!!

 

[Lloyd S]

First off, welcome aboard.
Remember, if you go with the inverter you will need a battery bank big enough to support what you want it to do.

Yes there are generators out there for sale that can be pretty appealing as far as price.
BUT, you do have to consider the noise factor. Some other campers might not appreciate a loud genny running. Especially if you get one big enough to run the camper. One that big can get pretty heavy also.
Myself I've got two Honda 2000's I can hook in parallel if needed. They run quiet, and don't use to much gas.

 

[Bobdando]

Thank you!! Have not thought about using a smaller one then adding one if needed, our camper has a 100 watt solar panel as well. We will be off grid for a week in July at a state park in New York. My main concern is the refrigerator, it will be interesting to see how it does. The fridge has an “Off Grid” setting perhaps I’ll test it this week and see how it does here at home. Thanks again, I’ve been reading a lot of interesting threads!!

 

[Lloyd S]

If your fridge can operate on LP, that would be the way to do it.


Put your make, model, and year of your camper in your signature. Then we will all know what you are referring to for future questions.

 

[007matman]

My opinion may differ a bit.. no offense intended.

Solar is great and could be considered ideal if you're camping in 70 degree weather and full sun. However, most of us don't camp in that weather or have a wife and kids that demand AC. Most solar systems don't have the storage capacity to run things like AC for a week at a time.

I totally get the noise factor.. it's annoying to listen to the drone of a generator all day. However, if you're camping in a campground that allows them, you can bet your whole weeks wages that even if you don't have one, your neighbor will. So, even if you don't like the noise of one, you'll still need to put up with it. Solar might get you through the night so I guess that's one benefit there (some campgrounds that allow them require them to be off at night).

In regards to the one generator vs two in parallel debate. Two equals twice the maintenance, half the fuel tank capacity and lugging around two 50-60lb generators vs one 100lb generator with half the maintenance and a greater run time. For me, it was the larger inverter style generator that I leave in the back of the truck most of the time with overnight stays and will pull out for longer ones.

I know that dual fuel sounds great. However, they have less run time and are less efficient. Most people that have them only run them on gas. You also need to ask yourself, that's easier to refill? Gas or Propane? Personally, I think the answer is obvious.

For me, I went with a Champion 4650 w/remote start.. we have had it for over 2 years now and I think it's great. Quiet as many smaller generators I've heard and it'll run for 10-12 hours on a full tank. Plenty of time for me to get my beauty sleep (not that it helps).

Good luck. Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[007matman]

I'll add a disclaimer here..

I just noticed your profile.. looks like you maybe have a small single axle travel trailer? My experience comes from hauling around a 38' and a 32' larger camper. I'm also not sure what your AC unit is like.

However, you'll likely still need a larger generator to run everything BAU. It'll require a 30A power source which you will only get with having dual smaller or a single larger generator.

 

[Bobdando]

Will do thanks, the fridge is electric only runs off of shore power and the battery

 

[660catman]

I myself have two Firman 1700/2100 watt inverter generators. I have shoulder issues so I prefer the two smaller generators to handle. With the parallel kit I can run the 15k btu ac no problem.
And also on what 007matman said about campgrounds. Too many trees block the sun so solar panel is not working to full potential. I camped beside a guy with a 200 watt Renogy amd he was showing me output in the shade. Very poor and he still ran his 2200 watt Honda.

 

[Bobdando]

Thanks I appreciate your advice, we have a 100 watt solar and I’m concerned about it not charging the batteries. Heading to a very shady campsite in the Adirondacks in a few weeks. Do you you gas or are they dual fuel?

 

[660catman]

Thanks I appreciate your advice, we have a 100 watt solar and I’m concerned about it not charging the batteries. Heading to a very shady campsite in the Adirondacks in a few weeks. Do you you gas or are they dual fuel?

Mine are gas only.

 

[007matman]

The dual fuel would be nice to use in a pinch but I've yet to camp someplace that's more than 10 min away from the nearest gas station.

Efficiency goes down and price goes way up when using propane so it probably won't be your go-to.

 

[Bobdando]

Thank you!!

 

[Lloyd S]

My old rig had a 130 watt panel. When we use to go for an extended period of time in the fall, (up to 30 days dry camp) it could not keep up charging the two 6V batteries.
The Honda was a definite necessity. My fridge was running on LP. The furnace fan was the biggest juice hog.

 

[Bobdando]

Thank you!!

 

[DavisK]

I started with a 3000W Champion generator, but I could not get it out of the bed of my truck alone. So, I went with a pair of Honda 2000i inverters, a parallel kit and an external 6 gallon fuel tank, which allowed me to refuel the generators without shutting them down. That was important when camping at Virginia International Raceway in the hot, humid August weather. They would sometimes struggle if I tried to use the microwave while the 15,000 BTU air conditioner was running. This last fall I bought a Genmax 2200 watt inverter and made my own parallel cable to add it to the pair of Hondas and prevent any brown outs.

This year I got rid of my 30 amp Sunset Trail and now I own a 50 amp Rockwood with 2 15,000 BTU air conditioners. Before I go camping in a field in the heat of the summer, I will have to figure out this power issue again.

 

[007matman]

I started with a 3000W Champion generator, but I could not get it out of the bed of my truck alone. So, I went with a pair of Honda 2000i inverters, a parallel kit and an external 6 gallon fuel tank, which allowed me to refuel the generators without shutting them down. That was important when camping at Virginia International Raceway in the hot, humid August weather. They would sometimes struggle if I tried to use the microwave while the 15,000 BTU air conditioner was running. This last fall I bought a Genmax 2200 watt inverter and made my own parallel cable to add it to the pair of Hondas and prevent any brown outs.

This year I got rid of my 30 amp Sunset Trail and now I own a 50 amp Rockwood with 2 15,000 BTU air conditioners. Before I go camping in a field in the heat of the summer, I will have to figure out this power issue again.

What if you got an extension cord and left it in the back of the truck?

I'm in a similar situation and was looking at it today. Based on Champions website I can use my 4650 with a 2500 (which is only 42lbs) and get a parallel kit/cable to output 50A.

 

[660catman]

I started with a 3000W Champion generator, but I could not get it out of the bed of my truck alone. So, I went with a pair of Honda 2000i inverters, a parallel kit and an external 6 gallon fuel tank, which allowed me to refuel the generators without shutting them down. That was important when camping at Virginia International Raceway in the hot, humid August weather. They would sometimes struggle if I tried to use the microwave while the 15,000 BTU air conditioner was running. This last fall I bought a Genmax 2200 watt inverter and made my own parallel cable to add it to the pair of Hondas and prevent any brown outs.

This year I got rid of my 30 amp Sunset Trail and now I own a 50 amp Rockwood with 2 15,000 BTU air conditioners. Before I go camping in a field in the heat of the summer, I will have to figure out this power issue again.

The Honda 2000i’s have running watts of only 1600. The 2000 is startup. Running your AC needs approximately 1500 watts. Using the microwave and other items in camper will strain them. Remember, your converter is working too. My Firman 1700/2100 used as a single works hard just using my air fryer.

 

[DavisK]

The Honda 2000i’s have running watts of only 1600. The 2000 is startup. Running your AC needs approximately 1500 watts. Using the microwave and other items in camper will strain them. Remember, your converter is working too. My Firman 1700/2100 used as a single works hard just using my air fryer.

I was using 2 of them, which should produce 26.67 amps continuous and 33.33 amps startup power. That is almost what is theoretically available from a 30 amp shore power connection. Adding the 3rd inverter means the set can produce 40 amps continuous.

My 3rd inverter is actually a Genmax 2000i, not 2200i. It has the same specs as the Hondas except it is quieter, weighs less, has a larger tank and consumes less fuel.

Genmax makes a 3300i, which is rated for 3300 watts peak and 3000 watts continuous. It only weighs 47 lbs. and will run for 6 hours @ 25% on its 1 gallon tank. They also make a parallel adapter that allows you to connect 3 inverters. It has a 30 amp RV socket and a 50 amp RV socket. That setup may be my solution in the future.

 

[660catman]

I was using 2 of them, which should produce 26.67 amps continuous and 33.33 amps startup power. That is almost what is theoretically available from a 30 amp shore power connection. Adding the 3rd inverter means the set can produce 40 amps continuous.

My 3rd inverter is actually a Genmax 2000i, not 2200i. It has the same specs as the Hondas except it is quieter, weighs less, has a larger tank and consumes less fuel.

Genmax makes a 3300i, which is rated for 3300 watts peak and 3000 watts continuous. It only weighs 47 lbs. and will run for 6 hours @ 25% on its 1 gallon tank. They also make a parallel adapter that allows you to connect 3 inverters. It has a 30 amp RV socket and a 50 amp RV socket. That setup may be my solution in the future.

I just realized you have two AC units. We all have different needs. I have only one 15k btu AC unit here in Canada. I have a 50 amp parallel kit with a 50 amp RV plug and 30 amp twist lock plug. I have enough power with my setup.

 

[BOPO]

Just bought a 5000 watt inverter from Harbor freight. Camped at a friends house in their yard, with four other campers, for a long weekend. We ran the single 15000 BTU A/C all weekend and had no issues with power. Microwave and A/C were no problem. The Inverter is quiet and the next door neighbors did not notice the noise( there were four inverters running, all Harbor Freight Predators, 2 5000's, and 2 3500's). We went over and asked if they were OK with all the inverters running. They said no problem and to be honest, you really couldn't hear them 30 yards away. We all got over 18 hours of runtime on one tank of gas. These are the Cat's meow for remote camping. Something to think about...