sheltieRV
cal
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Joined: 05/07/2008
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my 5er has generator prep (enclosed box, transfer switch in battery box, and onan starter/display inside coach). After reading what others have done, I am debating whether I should just get a portable unit (probably Honda 3k). Reasoning that it would be much cheaper and I could make use of the unit for other purposes.
If I do that can the Honda use the transfer switch and the onan starter button and/or display or is my generator prep wasted?
Thanks.
--grant
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Joezilla
Mesquite, TX
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Joined: 01/30/2001
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I'll be watching the responses to this because I am in the EXACT same situation.
Joezilla
2007 Ford F350 dually PSD 2WD King Ranch
2007 KZ Montego Bay 36 REB-3 38ft 11in. 5th Wheeler
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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I think it depends on how much you use your genset and how much you want to compromise.
We tailgate Florida football games where over a thousand RV's run their gensets 40 hours a weekend 7 or more games per year. It is mostly Class A's but there are TT's and fivers. Standalones are not allowed but some get away with running Honda's and Yamahas in their covered truck bed or have built an enclosure in the back. A few TT's have enclosed racks either over the tanks or on the back bumper.
The 3000 and even the 4000 twin Honda people I know wish they had more power. A 3000 will just barely run the AC and doesn't have enough reserve for coffeemakers, hair dryers, etc. And it is running at full load. They also don't like having to mess around carrying gas cans and filling it up.
A 5500 Onan will mostly be loafing running even two AC's.
If your talking a few weekends a year, a portable is probably ok.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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Wingnusa
Scott and Brenda Albuquerque, NM
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We've just gone thru this thought process since I'm retiring in 363 days(not that we're counting). We decided that the loss of storage and having to run the exhaust wasn't worth it. We're planning on buying the Yamaha 3000 for when we want it and maybe even solar panels for boondocking. I'd rather have the generator running on propane but it looks like it'll have to be gas . From talking to several people that have the newer portables, we've been told that the new portables run the a/c and other stuff just fine since they are more electronic. I guess the older generators don't do as well. If anyone disagrees with this please speak up.....
Scott and Brenda Schnelle
Olivia and Jasmine, Mini Schnauzers
2006 KZ Escalade 36CKB
2006 GMC 3500 D/A(LLY), CC, LB
Fulltimer Class of '06
Lifetime Good Sam's members
Lifetime NRA member
USCCA Member
Amateur Treasure Hunter
Amateur Banjo Player
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twheels
State College PA
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Joined: 04/02/2008
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If you are having problems running a Honda 3000 for your A/C your capacitor in your ac probably would take care of the problem of the initial start up problem, Ok now for the portable vs built in, I have a Honda 3000 portable it weighs appox. 165 it is big and bulky for 1 person to handle and if you don't want to loose your storage space you loose it in your truck and if you go off camber in your truck you hit the gen. at least in my truck (Ford F350), you can probably get a conversion kit to go to propane from your dealer,My experience is to go built in we aren't getting any younger but this is just my opinion.PS I still use gas in mine.
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houtrz
Lake Jackson Texas
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Joined: 05/15/2005
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I just ordered a Cedar Creek 5er with the genset built in. My wife and I looked at a motorhome and thats what we were going to buy until I changed jobs and now I"m going to be living in the thing so we decided to buy a much larger 5er.
With that said, I still wanted the convience of a motorhome which in my eyes is a fully self contained RV. The 5er has plenty of fresh and waste water storage but no power other than the battery. After I finish up this job, we'll be able to use the trailer for day use and so on. The genset was something I wanted but didn't want to fool around with a portable unit. Push the button and I have power. Only big problem is space, it takes up your front storage compartment so if you can deal with that all you have to over come is the fuel. You can buy gas pretty much anywhere but propane, thats another story. Look at the propane gensets and do the math. The 30 pound bottles won't run the genset long. I know th at and can deal with it but others might not like the idea. I might end up putting a propane tank into the bed of my truck. I'm researching that right now. You should sit down and figure out how your going to use the trailer. My idea was to use the genset when you stop for a few hours sleep instead of renting an RV spot and day trips to the beach. Good luck
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Glen41
North Texas
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Joined: 01/25/2008
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I'm not there yet, but most people seem to want us to go Honda or Yamaha 3k not-so-portable. Pooh, it will NOT run both AC units and it weighs dang near as much as I do. Down here you need both AC. I have a friend with a toybox. He walks up and pushes a button and the Genny starts. On a Nascar weekend, suddenly everyone is his friend and wants to tap in.
I want to push a button. I don't want to haul around something. I don't want to drag cables. I don't want to pull-start anything. If I lose a little storage, big deal. Noise?, get a life I'm 20 miles from the nearest rv park and 10 miles friom the nearest electrical outlet. I'm not gonna wake you up at 5AM.
If I lose power because of a hurricane, I want to disconnect from the grid and fire up the house.
People. note the use of the word lose versus the word loose. The first means to forget or be without something. The second means to untie or release something. They are not interchangable words. It's your language. If you expect the illegals to learn it, then use it correctly.
That's it. Stick a fork in me. I'm done.
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LeonardTinker
Iowa
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Joined: 04/21/2008
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I looked at the various options for my fifth wheel trailer. 2 2KW units hooked together were one but they do not have electric start capability. They cost on the order of $1000 each plus a couple hundred for the connector cable, 3 KW unit in the truck box was another option but as it happens they are an inch or so too high to allow me to close my access box cover. The 3KW unit cost on the order of $1700. The 3 KW unit will run most of my 120VAC items but not all. I settled on the 4 KW Honda built-in. It cost $2500 and runs everything on the trailer (which has 30 amp electrical service). The remote cable and panel was maybe $75. The fuel tank and hose and fittings were maybe $40.00. I wired the start circuit to the trailer 12 volt battery and simply connect the shore power cord to an outlet on the genset thus avoiding a transfer relay. I ran a fuel line to an outboard motor fitting on the front wall (next to the front conmpartment where the genset is located). I have a 6 gallon outboard fuel tank in the truck box with a 10 foot hose which plugs into the fitting on the wall of the trailer. The genset has a remote control which I fished in the wall and mounted next to the tank monitors. I do need to work a little on noise control (insulation) but generally I have been very satisfied. When we set up in a campground without hookups I set the fuel tank next to the landing gear and put a chain and a lock on it, plug it in to the fuel fitting and when we want power I can start it with the remote inside the trailer. I don't run it after 10:00 pm or before 7:30 am. By the way, so far I haven't put louvers on the compartment door, I just open the door. Eventually I plan to install the louvers though. The exhaust goes out the bottom and exits on the street side of the trailer. It works very well in National Park and National Forest campgrounds since I turned 62 this year and now get in the parks free and get camping at half price!
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up2nogood
Utah
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Joined: 02/20/2008
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I have been both ways,I have no idea why someone wants to mess with portables, unless they use them for other things. I do not miss loading and unloading a portable,matter of fact have not used my portable at all since buying the new 5ver with it installed ( Onan 5500LP ) The one thing I might have done different is going gas instead of propane. I believe hauling gas cans instead of a couple extra propane bottles would be easier. Refilling gas cans would be a lot easier also. I keep hearing about storage, but have yet to run out of room for stuff with that front compartment used for the generator. I haul everything I want. There are pros and cons for some, but for me there really is no pros for portable after having done both. One other thing its real nice to walk in the 5ver and push a button to start and stop . Could go one step farther and add a remote.
* This post was
edited 10/01/08 08:32pm by up2nogood *
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portablevcb
Tijeras, NM
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Joined: 05/04/2006
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After having a built in on a MH it is a pain to use a portable, even the small one we have (Y 2400).
Even when built in I could use it at the house for emergency power. Just run a cord where I wanted it.
Gas vs propane has been covered enough.
charlie
2006 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
2003 Skyline Nomad 24ft Fiver
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog
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