Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

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Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

July 18, 2021, 01:12:16 pm

I'm looking at getting a portable generator to carry on my grand Villa for Boondocking. I don't currently have an on board one (PO removed it after it quit) and don't really want to invest in a new Onan. I'd rather spend that budget on solar and batteries, down the road. For now I'd like to get the smallest I can get away with that will fit in the basement of my GV.

Any options that you folks like that would fit the Bill?

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #1 – July 18, 2021, 01:13:38 pm

First, a question-- what do you want to be able to run on the generator.

In other words, how many watts do you need?

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #2 – July 18, 2021, 01:33:52 pm

Another question would be, what fuel do you propose to use ?

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #3 – July 18, 2021, 01:53:45 pm

Good question and one I should have answered in the original post. I'm looking at the smallest I can get away with to run a single AC unit. I'm thinking about 3k watts, dual fuel if possible.

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 18, 2021, 01:13:38 pm

First, a question-- what do you want to be able to run on the generator.

In other words, how many watts do you need?

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #4 – July 18, 2021, 01:55:47 pm

I just noticed last month that a lot of motorhomes and trailers have two twin fuel generators w/inverters they pull out of a compartment and then place on the ground to run. They are very quiet and don't smoke or smell.

Our PowerTech is grossly in violation of National Park and many campground noise limits now. When I told our neighbors we were not going to run our generator, they all thanked me.

Check reviews on Amazon or 5 Best Portable Inverter Generators For RVs & Camping In 2021

Pierce

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #5 – July 18, 2021, 02:04:24 pm

I've been looking at something like this but I don't think it will fit in the basement.

https://www.costco.com/firman-2900w-running--3200w-peak-electric-start-dual-fuel-powered-inverter-generator---gas-and-lp.product.100481637.html

Also this one, which is just a bit smaller
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Firman-Whisper-Hybird-Series-3300-Watt-Copper-Brushless-Gasoline-Propane-Portable-Generator/1001330042

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #6 – July 18, 2021, 02:17:50 pm

Another alternative to one generator is a pair-- something like two Honda 2000 wired together.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #7 – July 18, 2021, 02:31:29 pm

I keep coming back to that as a potential way to go but the expense slows me down

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 18, 2021, 02:17:50 pm

Another alternative to one generator is a pair-- something like two Honda 2000 wired together.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #8 – July 18, 2021, 02:55:58 pm

The height of the basement limits choices.

Wonder if a used Onan propane generator may be a reasonable alternative. Craigslist as well as RV wrecking yards would be potential sources.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #9 – July 18, 2021, 03:05:44 pm

I've mostly avoided going down that road because I've been focused on going solar. New Onan gen sets are crazy expensive.

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 18, 2021, 02:55:58 pm

The height of the basement limits choices.

Wonder if a used Onan propane generator may be a reasonable alternative. Craigslist as well as RV wrecking yards would be potential sources.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #10 – July 18, 2021, 05:10:55 pm

Some things to keep in mind:

Be careful of "Marketing Magic"... For example the model will be something like xx3300, this is the "starting" watts with gas fuel. The "running" watts is usually 10% less or 3000 watts. Dual fuel generators are de-rated approx 10% for propane fuel. So a generator sold as a "xx3300" generator when running on propane has a "running" wattage of only 2700 watts - approx 80% of what the model number indicates.

The OEM roof A/C draws approx 1800 watts running, but the start surge is much higher and will throw a fault if your generator can't handle it. A friend of mine bought a small generator and got it home, plugged in and couldn't start her roof A/C. A possible solution for this is a soft-start mod for your A/C. Many posts on this topic on the forum.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #11 – July 18, 2021, 05:17:13 pm

Our Honda 2200 would run the roof ac. Just nothing else at the same time. If the batteries were low enough to demand a higher amp charge it couldn't Handel charging them and running the ac.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #12 – July 18, 2021, 05:18:07 pm

I carry a Hondo 2000 generator as a back up, which has been handy twice while
skiing. In the winter all I need is enough to charge the batteries which the Honda
does fine and as Brett said you could parallel another to run an AC.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #13 – July 18, 2021, 07:11:58 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 18, 2021, 02:17:50 pm

Another alternative to one generator is a pair-- something like two Honda 2000 wired together.

Quite a few RVs had a pair of small generators at Oh Ridge.

Pierce

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #14 – July 18, 2021, 07:14:01 pm

Quote from: SnipeATX – July 18, 2021, 03:05:44 pm

I've mostly avoided going down that road because I've been focused on going solar.

Even if you install a kick-A$$ solar system (lots of panels, big battery bank, high output inverter), you will still appreciate having good generator(s) on board. There are many common situations where solar will not be able to handle the electrical demand.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #15 – July 18, 2021, 07:29:34 pm

Why not buy one of those Hondas now, and add a second one later. Total cost is the same, but spreads the pain out a bit. Also, if one handles you needs you don't need the second one.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #16 – July 18, 2021, 09:01:48 pm

While we use solar 98% of the time, it won't do the trick when we travel at lower elevations in summer where we need AC. Then, the generator earns it's keep. We went coast to coast to Hilton Head Island in early October 2016. Matthew had destroyed all the RV parks so no juice. Warm and humid so we were glad the generator was there.

Should make sure any prospective generator will run at least one AC. Nice to have the load at 75% or less for long generator life.

Pierce

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #17 – July 18, 2021, 11:10:37 pm

We recently had to use our 8KW PowerTech generator while in a National Forest site for an hour every day times six days. We have 900 watts solar but our site had magnificent shade from huge trees all day long. Combined with some cloud cover in afternoon we were having trouble keeping up.

The low rumble from our diesel generator was almost imperceptible from two campsites down. The cheap portables could be heard from the next loop. By wife observed the same. The Hondas seemed to be the quietest by far but then you need two 2000 watt units and fuel cans to run one AC. The 3000 watt is about 100 pounds. No fun to move around.

During the Texas Freeze up our generator ran non stop for almost five days when the rolling blackout in our area rolled once and died. We had lost our propane furnace just before the freeze so we were happy to have a plan C.

Since full timing we often go a month without cranking generator. But we keep running into situations where it is so good to have ready to go. Good luck in parsing your solution.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #18 – July 19, 2021, 08:02:07 am

For fun...combining some posting points together...

Brett - how many watts do you need?

Chuck, Realmccoy - Cloudy day - not much help from solar

Robert - Allowance for possible battery charging - Say 80 amp charge x 12 V = 960 watts (1000 watts)

Pierce - 25% allowance for generator life

Running 1 A/C = 1800 watts + 1000 watts - Total minimum load to cover = 2800 watts

10% adjustment for "running watts"
+
10% adjustment for propane
+
25% adjustment for generator life

Total adjustment 45%

2800 x 1.45 = 4060 watts

Nearest "Marketing Magic" rated generator = 4000 watts

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #19 – July 19, 2021, 08:55:04 am

In an earlier post I mentioned how our Onan Emerald III propane fired generator was so noisy that we could hear it a city block away, at a CG where we were the only occupants.
So we purchased a Westinghouse iGen inverter generator. 2,500 peak watts/2,200 running watts. 53 DBh 48#
Quiet? yes, but I wanted it quieter so we bought a diesel heater exhaust system off the internet. Quieter? Yeah, a little. I then added an exhaust pipe to the end of the purchased exhaust system. Quieter? Oh yes!
Then I had made an enclosure to protect the generator from the elements (rain). Cut a blue food grade plastic barrel 20" up from the bottom, lined it with noise reducing bubble wrap. Opening on one side for the intake and an opening on the other side for the hot air exhaust and engine fumes. Quieter?

Well, the DW and I can whisper to each other while standing with the generator between us. Sitting up on our dining room deck, about 25' away, we have to listen close to hear if it is running on the high speed setting.
(Oh, bought the generator thru Sam's Club for $353.00)

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #20 – July 19, 2021, 10:20:30 am

Where there is a will there is a way.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #21 – July 19, 2021, 10:33:28 am

Excellent. How did you mount the additional muffler/exhaust system? 53 db is really quiet. 60 db is the NP limit.

Quote "36 CFR Section 2.12 Audio Disturbance Under this section the following is prohibited: Operating motorized equipment or machinery that exceeds a noise level of 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet, or, if below that level, nevertheless makes noise that is unreasonable."

Our stock Powertech is over 80db on the A scale at 50 feet. Plus, it really smells at 8000 feet.

What's a Decibel

Pierce

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #22 – July 19, 2021, 10:43:00 am

On the exhaust port (which is VERY short, by the way) there is a spark arrestor. I removed the spark arrestor, slid the 24mm inside diameter exhaust pipe of the diesel heater muffler system onto the short pipe. I then drilled a small hole thru the pipe and the port and screwed in a self-tapping screw to hold everything in place. Works great and I can still remove everything if necessary. The muffler pipe is a ribbed pipe and is somewhat flexible.
I also used the self-tapping screw method to attach a 3' pipe to the outlet side of the "muffler". Notice I put the word muffler in quotation marks for accent purposes. It is nothing more than a man's wallet size can with flow thru--no baffles.
Re the spark arrestor removal from the gen--I figured adding about 5' of pipe from the back of the gen should quell any sparks.
If you go this route, make sure you know or measure the exhaust pipe outlet size.

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #23 – July 29, 2021, 03:54:35 pm

Well, went with the Firman and got it all setup running the AC. Works like a champ. Now if it only fit in the basement, LOL.

Propane powered AC!

Re: Portable generator that will fit in GV basement

Reply #24 – July 29, 2021, 03:57:12 pm

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