What is the current thinking on portable generators? Brands, make and modle, do's and dont's? I am starting to look and having a hard time locating good current reviews. Looking for quite and how big is enough? Quality and reasonable price is always a consideration.
We don't have a Gen Set compartment in my 2004 8.5 SC S&S (one of the compromises for length) Have a new A/C unit I want to run boon docking from time to time (when no one else is around - ).
New here, and could not find a topic specifically on this. Did I miss something?
It depends greatly on the size of the AC unit. For 13.5K+, you'll want 2500 watts or more. That implies a 3000 class genset, or 2 2000s in a chained arrangement. For the smaller 9K and 8K units, I think a single 2000 class genset will do the job.
As for me, I have a KIPOR 3500Ti for our OK117DBL, and it works fine with my 13.5K AC. The genset has worked fine for us, though we're not heavy boondockers. If you are or plan to, then I would probably recommend a Honda or Yamaha, unless you're handle with small engines, which I am.
Lots of information and opinions on this subject. Just use "Advanced Search".
Basically, for your own sanity as well as that of others, pay the money and get a four-cyle engine, inverter generator. Cheap contractor generators will work but you won't win friends and influence people.
I recommend getting at least a 2,000 watt generator. Smaller ones can be found but you are already putting down a lot of money and you don't have much to show for the smaller generator. A 2,000 watt generator can run any single corded appliance in your home.
Another vote for getting a good generator, Yamaha and Honda both make fine units. I went with the 2400 inverter Yamaha and have been very happy with it.
I boonbock 95% of the time and this generator will run any one item on the camper. Take your camper to a Honda and Yamaha dealer and run the units on your camper. I liked the way the Yamaha handled the load better.
If you are planing to camp at higher elevations you can expect the generator to lose about 2% of its power for each 1000 feet of elevation so plan ahead for this.
2006 F-350 PSD DRW - 2004 Eagle Cap 950 - Rancho 9000s - Ride Rites and "Homemade Super Bump Stops"
The size difference between the Yamaha 2400 and the Honda 2000 was the deal sealer for me. I ended up getting the Honda as it is easier to carry for one person at 40ish pounds compared to Yamahas 70 lbs. It also fits in my cabinet inside the camper as the Yamaha did not as easily.
2002 Ford F-350 CC LB PSD
2007 Travel Lite 960rx Ultra
1998 Starcraft Superfisherman 170
I have a Yamaha ef2800i it will run a 13500btu a/c and a 15000btu a/c, not at the same time.
I'm sure it is a little louder then a Yamaha 2400, but it weights less
has more rated power, hold more gas, and I don't want to carry 2 gen sets around. I got mine from http://www.yamaha-propane-natural-gas-generators.com/
I don't have the gas tank on mine any more, it runs only on LPG and natural gas. I've had no complaints about it.
Doug
1985 22ft Lazy Daze
Gear Vendors 40in duel Thrush Glasspacks
2005 Honda TRX 400 ATV
1983 Honda 185s ATC
2004 Saturn Ion Redline (can you say sleeper)
One wrinkle in the formula is appliance compatibility to the generator. I bought a Honda 3000 to power my used TT last August, only to find that my Black and Decker under the cabinet coffemaker wouldn't work. Had to buy another brand coffemaker that would work with it.
That Black and Decker Coffee maker is now installed in a new class C I bought and works just fine. The class C has a Onan generator. I don't fully understand what that difference is, something to do with sine wave??????
I'm surprised that more people haven't chimed in pushing the Honda EU2000i. I think it is the most popular unit going. It has a little less power that the Yamaha but the foot print is smaller, it is very light, fits in the Gen Ready box on a Lance Lite 915 and other models I'm told, two of them can be chained together for more power, dealers service coast to coast and north to south. Mine ran over night in the fall up in Maine for the heater. The negatives are, it is a little more expensive initially, will run the Coleman Polar cub fine but you have to switch the refer to propane, won't run a 15000btu or with difficulty an 11500btu AC. It is pretty quiet which is important in a CG unless you want stones thrown at you, fine boondocking. I really like mine. they also have a 3000 and a 1000, the 3000 is too heavy, over 100 lbs, won't fine in the storage area. The 1000 just doesn't have enough power. That's it all I know about the Honda Generators. I'll be as this goes on a lot more will jump in on features of this unit. Good luck.
Bob
Seacraft Skipper
"Semper Paratus"
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 ExCab L/b Air lift A/B.
2002 Lance Lite 915.
1972 20ft Seacraft Sport Fish.
Another vote for the 2000 Honda if it suits your loads. Whatever you do, PLEASE look for the quiet, inverter type generators. Honda, Yamaha are excellent products, with Kipor (it seems) not far behind. Contractor generators do not belong in campgrounds, and probably lots of places when boondocking as well.
I run a Honda 2000 as well. The contractor generators do not come with spark arrestors and you can be fined using one on any US Forest.
Doug
1999 Ford F250 V10 4x4 19.5
1988 Lance ES3000
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) 5" Clayton LAs, locked w/armor
2007 Honda TRX450
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"Homemade Super Bump Stops" 
