Why do I need a generator?

[RetiredTorng]

If I need fill up house battery, I can always start my engine and feed the house battery. The engine is much quieter. A generator needs extra maintenance, why do I need a generator? Besides, I can have more storage room!!

 

[16ACE27]

There's no telling why YOU may need a generator, but for US it is to run the AIR CONDITIONER when boondocking.

 

[ducksface]

To run the AIR CONDITIONER when boondocking.

Truly, if you have a drive engine the only reason is to run the a/c.(battery and 12v a/c is fast becoming viable)
but for now;
One is none.

The redundancy is worth far more than the added space gained when removing the generator.

There was a time when I considered triple alternators and removing the generator.

Experience changed my mind.
Feel felt found:
I know how you FEEL.
I FELT the same way.
Then I FOUND out.

A generator is a hanger-on legacy device.
We are on the very cusp of them becoming a novelty in engine driven rvs.

 

[dssking]

My 23A didn't come with a generator and I do wish it had one. It's a Canadian Model (that's why). But I will carry my portable EU2200 which will suffice. I've added a second house battery and inverter and it runs everything that I need (powers all of the plugs in the RV). As you state, the only thing missing is the AC. If I had a ton of house batteries or went lithium, it would be able to run the AC for a while.

 

[Lt Keefer]

I would not have an RV without a generator. The only way to have reliable onboard electrical power capable of powering every electrical device is to have a generator.

 

[galOnTheGo]

In the first 2 years we were out we never used our generator. we took it out. In the subsequent 2 years we never missed our generator, glad it is gone. We have 6 100amp lithium batteries and have 400 watts of solar on roof. never short on power. 4+ years full time now. mostly boondocking, without hookups. I dislike the sound of a generator in the morning, or bedtime, or anytime, UGH!

 

[Number Three]

So if you DO take it out, you'll probably find that you'll want to install a solar/battery/inverter system to replace it. You can always use the space that the generator occupied for the battery pack, charger and inverter, but there goes your "extra space".
And have you priced such systems? Yeah --- Generators are cheaper. And since the RV likely came with one that you've already paid for, Why pay again, and a premium at that?

 

[bry899]

.... Why pay again, and a premium at that?

The noise is the biggest issue with the generator.
But the OP has a small Class C (22E), Before removing the generator he should try using the dash AC. I also have the 22E, and the dash AC works great cooling everything when on the Highway, though we never tried this at a campground.
As ducksface has mentioned in numerous posts the fuel consumption of the V10 is very close to the Onan 4000.
Also the engine is quieter then the Onan

 

[ericmac450]

When we first started traveling, we almost never ran the generator. Our kids were little and never complained about being hot in the "house" while traveling. We did always try to heat or cool the house before we left for a trip and supplement the dash heat/AC with a fan while traveling. Over the last year, we have traveled more and driven more with the AC and generator running.

 

[lwmcguire]

Our neighbors use their 605 HP Cummins for their air compressor.
I use my Vair 12v
They do use their 12K generator instead of the 605HP alternator to top off batteries

 

[AlaskanJohn]

We primarily boondock, so the ability to fire up the microwave, run the AC for a bit, or simply top off the batteries is a nice feature. While I wouldn't call it absolutely critical, I would not leave home in an RV without one.

 

[09 Challenger]

I like to run down the road when it’s 90 degrees with gen and ac running and a hour away from stopping kick on electric water heater when I’m done setting up everything is cool and shower Is hot

 

[ducksface]

I like to run down the road when it’s 90 degrees with gen and ac running and a hour away from stopping kick on electric water heater when I’m done setting up everything is cool and shower Is hot

Exactly as it should be.
Advantage to ourselves when advantage can be had

 

[JimC-THOR]

The noise is the biggest issue with the generator.
But the OP has a small Class C (22E), Before removing the generator he should try using the dash AC. I also have the 22E, and the dash AC works great cooling everything when on the Highway, though we never tried this at a campground.
As ducksface has mentioned in numerous posts the fuel consumption of the V10 is very close to the Onan 4000.
Also the engine is quieter then the Onan

I also have a small coach: A 22GO[C]. I've toyed with the idea of using the {Chevy} motor and dash air to provide AC instead of the generator and roof air. Anyone know of any short or longtime ill effects from letting the engine idle all night? Back in the days before fuel injection and electronic ignition, I understand the ill effects. I just don't know about now. It seems like emergency vehicles often idle with AC and inverter loads running for hours on end. Is there something special about them or are maintenance intervals shortened? One issue I know I would have is if the automatic levelers are engaged, the alarm would sound constantly.

 

[16ACE27]

It seems like emergency vehicles often idle with AC and inverter loads running for hours on end. Is there something special about them

Yes, they're diesels.

Idle engines run rich, period. Computerized fuel injected engines are not as bad as the old carburetor engines, but the effects are still there.

 

[KissKissnVince]

If I need fill up house battery, I can always start my engine and feed the house battery. The engine is much quieter. A generator needs extra maintenance, why do I need a generator? Besides, I can have more storage room!!

I like to start mine when boondocking to extend the slide outs

 

[Sandman_SD]

The noise is the biggest issue with the generator.
But the OP has a small Class C (22E), Before removing the generator he should try using the dash AC. I also have the 22E, and the dash AC works great cooling everything when on the Highway, though we never tried this at a campground.
As ducksface has mentioned in numerous posts the fuel consumption of the V10 is very close to the Onan 4000.
Also the engine is quieter then the Onan

Other than the downside of cost, would it be possible to add HD alternator and soft-start to allow running the rooftop air conditioner with the engine?

 

[RetiredTorng]

Truly, if you have a drive engine the only reason is to run the a/c.(battery and 12v a/c is fast becoming viable)
but for now;
One is none.

The redundancy is worth far more than the added space gained when removing the generator.

There was a time when I considered triple alternators and removing the generator.

Experience changed my mind.
Feel felt found:
I know how you FEEL.
I FELT the same way.
Then I FOUND out.

A generator is a hanger-on legacy device.
We are on the very cusp of them becoming a novelty in engine driven rvs.

If I need fill up house battery, I can always start my engine and feed the house battery. The engine is much quieter. A generator needs extra maintenance, why do I need a generator? Besides, I can have more storage room!!

My engine has a generator and an air conditioner, I believe it's run with DC. I look forward to the day that I can have a DC operated A/C in my RV.

 

[16ACE27]

My engine has a generator and an air conditioner, I believe it's run with DC. I look forward to the day that I can have a DC operated A/C in my RV.

Your RV has an alternator and compressor based A/C run by the engine. Both are designed to operate at RPMs associated with road driving. The efficiency of both is greatly reduced at idle, especially in a hot environment.

 

[Mark54]

My engine has a generator and an air conditioner, I believe it's run with DC. I look forward to the day that I can have a DC operated A/C in my RV.

I have a 12VDC roof AC on my Tellaro- installed in 2024- works great. Mabru unit. Fits on old AC opening just fine.

Mabru RV 12000 -12 Volt DC Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU)

Extremely energy efficient 12 volt DC (battery powered) alternative to traditional, 120 volt AC rooftop air conditioner units. Now available in white or black. The black units are glossy black on the exterior and matte black on the interior. Only uses 22-55 amps (at 12 volt DC) when running -...

www.vanlifeoutfitters.com

Not cheap, but I don't have to use inverter to run it.
(Replaced the Coleman 120VAC roof unit)
About 6-1/2" tall, and connected to my buss bars that have been moved up inside the coach. With 600A batteries, can run by itself for about 10-24+/- hrs, depending on how hot it is outside.
264-660W, (L-H) instead of 1100W, and MUCH quieter. (33dB rating)
Had to trim out interior with 1/4" cherry plywood to hide the mounting bracket. Built in thermostat (doesn't use BMPro or interior t-stat)
Note extra solar panel too- helps with battery regen.