Anyone Using a Generator in the Boonies?

TrailMix
TrailMix Member Posts: 5
in Products and Accessories
I am researching gas powered generators.  If anyone has used one, how big does it need to be to run the A/C, 3-way Norcold Fridge, heat, hot water, lights, etc.  I am looking at the Honda EU - either the 1000 or the 2000.  
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  • TrailMix
    TrailMix Member Posts: 5
    Thanks!!!   I do camp in the southwest so A/C is a must. Also winter camp in the Rockies so heat is always a must!
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    edited May 2016
    You might do a search of the forum. There's been quite a bit of talk about generators, and specifically the Hondas. 

    Here's one: Generator question
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • TrailMix
    TrailMix Member Posts: 5
    I couldn't find anything on the forum.  I have a 2015 S model, if that helps.  Pretty much all the bells and whistles.  I will try the search function again.
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    I have the Honda 2000i and when plugged in and running in non-Eco mode, it puts out a sustained 1600W with a peak of 2000W (can handle for several minutes, but owner's manual is more specific). I know you can search the Honda site and get a copy of the owner's manual. The 2000i is 50 lbs.

    I've always run the frig on gas when I have no electricity and have never tested the generator with both air conditioner and frig on AC power. My frig cools more efficiently on propane and from what our forum HVAC folks say, that is the way it was designed. The pros for the little generators (no matter what you end up getting) are how quiet they run. One of the cons is that they don't like to sit around unused (not running) for long periods of time. The little engines need a little more consistent running than big engines to pull easily on the first try. It also has a tiny gas tank and probably won't run the air conditioning for more than 4 hours at full blast before needing a refill (YMMV). I have a 5 gal extended tank that I've not done a full 8-hr AC test on yet (made for just the Honda 2000's). 

    Oh! And Chan just posted a great link to start you off. :) Best of luck in your research!
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    edited May 2016
    I do a lot of boondocking and/or dry camping. I have the Honda 2000i - 85% of the time it doesn't get set up, solar/propane/battery do the trick. When I've needed AC, I still run fridge and Alde on propane. If you're running everything off the generator as ST_Bob mentions, you definetly need the 2000. That said, if running like I do, I've rarely had the generator kick into high gear when starting up the AC. The times it has, it's just been five seconds or so. In a previous discussion someone mentioned they do just fine with the 1000 and it is cheaper and lighter. BUT - most recommend the 2000 and state that you can burn out the AC compressor if under wattaged on startup. I'm sure they're right "by the book" but since mine rarely kicks into high gear I'm not sure that's true in practice. But now you've been warned :-)
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  • Tabaz
    Tabaz Member Posts: 2,421
    Trail mix - I'm noise-averse in the wilderness. The natural sounds of nature is why most of us boondock. I know my Honda 1000 will run my A/C. But I would never fire it up with other boon dockets nearby. Different if at an organized event.
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
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  • Tabaz
    Tabaz Member Posts: 2,421
    God I hate spell check. See above.
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
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  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Ahhhh, it was you Outback that has the 1000 and can do AC. The 1000 is much more manageable than the 2000 - weight and space.
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  • Tabaz
    Tabaz Member Posts: 2,421
    If I was in the market for a new generator, I would go with a 2000 Watt model.  My Honda 1000 never gets used because my Zamp 200W solar panels provide all the electricity I need - which includes running the 700W microwave oven 3x a day.  Another forum member has the new Westinghouse 2000W generator.  In a side-by-side comparison with my Honda 1000, the Westinghouse is actually quieter.  I believe he paid around $500 for it.  It's definitely worth considering.
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
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  • Mr_Mrs_Gnome
    Mr_Mrs_Gnome Member Posts: 241
    Has anyone seen/tried the new Generac iQ2000 : http://www.generacmobileproducts.com/products/portable/products/iq2000-portable-inverter-generator
    '17 Outback S - TV 2016 Chevy Colorado in "Colorful Colorado"
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  • C&B
    C&B Member Posts: 8
    Mr_Mrs_Gnome said:
    Has anyone seen/tried the new Generac iQ2000 : http://www.generacmobileproducts.com/products/portable/products/iq2000-portable-inverter-generator
    We see them at Costco fairly often for just under $500. We are tempted to buy one each time we see them!  Not sure how they are, but the ratings seem good.
    Chet & Bonnie
    2016 T@B CS-S
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    I thought there was a discussion about the Westinghouse that said it had problems with altitude, incurable because the jets are not removable...? Not sure.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • Tabaz
    Tabaz Member Posts: 2,421
    ChanW - One Amazon reviewer stated that the units will not work at or above 8,000 feet elevation.
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    Ah, maybe that's where I saw it. 
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • Mr_Mrs_Gnome
    Mr_Mrs_Gnome Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2016
    @C&B I've seen the one at Costco, too and it's not the same model. The iQ2000 runs for $799.
    '17 Outback S - TV 2016 Chevy Colorado in "Colorful Colorado"
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  • phulishcat
    phulishcat Member Posts: 89
    I have the Westinghouse 2000, it is much less intrusive soundwise than the Honda, have used it at 6000 ft no issue soon as it warms up enough I will test it over 7000ft. I have not noticed any power loss yet. As OutbackAZ has heard it maybe he will comment on how annoying it is.
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  • Mr_Mrs_Gnome
    Mr_Mrs_Gnome Member Posts: 241
    Sheesh, we live above 6000 ft and do most our camping between 7000 & 10,000. Good thing solar isn't affected adversely by altitude.
    '17 Outback S - TV 2016 Chevy Colorado in "Colorful Colorado"
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    ^^^ details details. LOL
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417
    From what I have read it has more to do with air temperature and humidity changes than proximity to the sun.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    I dunno, the Tab is pretty air tight. It might keep the atmospheric pressure required for survival up there.
    ST_Bob said:
    Solar is enhanced by altitude.  Solar panels work better as there's less air between the sun and the panels.  The lower temperatures as you climb also increase efficiency.  Keep going - by the time you get to low Earth orbit you'll have enough excess power from the panels to really do something.  You won't be alive though due to the lack of air pressure  ;)

    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • Photomom
    Photomom Member Posts: 2,217
    ChanW said:
    I dunno, the Tab is pretty air tight. It might keep the atmospheric pressure required for survival up there.
    ST_Bob said:
    Solar is enhanced by altitude.  Solar panels work better as there's less air between the sun and the panels.  The lower temperatures as you climb also increase efficiency.  Keep going - by the time you get to low Earth orbit you'll have enough excess power from the panels to really do something.  You won't be alive though due to the lack of air pressure  ;)

    Gets really cold up there though.
    John and Henrietta, Late 2016 T@B S Max in Western New York
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    Yeah, but now you turn on the Alde! Oh, right. You might need oxygen for that.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    Don't forget Apollo 13 and the CO2 scrubbers. Anything over 5% CO2 and you can't breathe, even if the other 95% of the air is pure O2.....
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    I think Lawnchair Larry beat us to it...

    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    SQUIRREL! 
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    Ha!

    (My dog pricked his ears high, just when I read that!)

    Flying squirrel!
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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