Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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valhalla360 wrote:Lantley wrote:For the record a 3000 watt genset does not have the same power as a 30 amp pedestal. A pedestal has 120 volts x 30 amps = 3600 watts vs. 3000 for the genset.
Not a huge difference and not a deal breaker, but a not quite equal either.
Depends how the generator is spec'd...and that's all over the place.
Had a Yamaha 2400 that could spike to over 3000w for startup loads. The aircon typically pulled 1200-1500w, so it worked fine with enough for other light loads (fridge, tv, lights, etc...)
The tried and true Honda 2000w units peak at 2000w with a continuous output of 1600w.
A 30amp campground pedestal is only rated for 24amps (2800w) continuous load.
In terms of generators, 3000w is typically suggested as the minimum size where it can reliably kick over the air/con compressor without modifications to the air/con unit and you aren't running the generator at max rating all the time.
My only point is that none of the 3000 watt gensets are not putting out the power equivalent of a 30 amp pedestal which is 3600 watts.
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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And my point was...it depends on how the manufacturer sets up the spec. You have peak instantaneous/short term output (like the old hondas) vs continuous rating (like my old yamaha).
If the generator is rated on continuous output, a 3000w generator will outdo a 30amp pedestal because the peak rating is typically 20-30% higher.
Reality is this is mostly nitpicking because if it can kick the compressor over, you are generally good to go as no one is or should be pulling 3600w continuously with a 30amp rig (30amp outlet is only rated for 80% continuous). If you are lucky, it will just pop a breaker trying to pull 3600w but it's easy to burn things up in the process.
* This post was
edited 01/25/23 08:02am by an administrator/moderator *
Tammy & Mike
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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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Lantley wrote:This is how I travel occasionally as well. The built in allows you to be fully self contained with ease.
Pin Box mount is not a bad idea, but not quite push button convenience. You have to protect the genset from the elements somehow? You have to get out the cord, put it away, start the genset outside....maybe you have remote start? Hopefully you have electric start and not pulling a cord!
Im not sure if I like the pin box mount idea. nice out of the way to carry it but if you had to run the ac in a truck stop or road side pull out that would make a awful rumble in the bedroom haha.
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Learjet
Louisiana
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StirCrazy wrote:Lantley wrote:This is how I travel occasionally as well. The built in allows you to be fully self contained with ease.
Pin Box mount is not a bad idea, but not quite push button convenience. You have to protect the genset from the elements somehow? You have to get out the cord, put it away, start the genset outside....maybe you have remote start? Hopefully you have electric start and not pulling a cord!
Im not sure if I like the pin box mount idea. nice out of the way to carry it but if you had to run the ac in a truck stop or road side pull out that would make a awful rumble in the bedroom haha.
Adding fuel when the truck is disconnected? Maybe a carrying place...but seems to be a pain in the arse! Back rack or in front of the hitch like I use to do is better.
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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Think hard about location and where your living space is. Gensets even quieter ones can be a pain!
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samsontdog
Oregon, Wash Coast summer, Yuma Az winter
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Johnny G1 wrote:Honda 3000i and you will have one of the best generators, a little heavy but will power pretty well everything including air.
I had a EU 3000 Honda, one yr old, that would not run my 13,500 AC in
Lake Tahoe, it would run for a while then die. I sold it and bought two
EU 2,000 Hondas and no more problems where I run them
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Campinfan
Washtenaw County, Michigan
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When I make the purchase, I am leaning toward a portable unit. When I buy my next RV, I will look at an onboard unit. I would prefer that but at about 8 times the cost of more, plus installation, divided by the amount of times I will probably use it on this fifth wheel, it just makes more sense to use the smaller option now and if my usage of it increases, then I will know what to do next time.
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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It's hard to swallow the price of a built in. A retro fit install is even more expensive. A portable will do the job, it will just require more input from you!
After using a portable for awhile you will get a better understanding of the small additional conveniences the built in provides
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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I have no dog in this fight but I always thought a huge advantage of a built-in was that you could cool the interior off as your going down. Seems like it would be nice to do when driving all day in the heat.
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Cptnvideo
Arizona - most of the time
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ScottG wrote:I have no dog in this fight but I always thought a huge advantage of a built-in was that you could cool the interior off as your going down. Seems like it would be nice to do when driving all day in the heat.
We do that now (run an A/C), but without running a generator. Admittedly, we typically don't drive more than 3 hours per day.
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