Help choosing a generator

[JonesFamilyJayco]

I added a Colman Mach III air conditioner with 13,500 btu's at the end of last summer's camping season.  After trying it during the middle of a humid day, I am a true believer!  Now, I need help selecting a generator for race track camping (no hook ups).  I would love one that is easy to move and quiet, like the Honda eu2000i model.  Many suggestions I have seen recommend hooking two together, but this becomes way too expensive.  

Is there another generator that would work for my application?  Note: I can run my AC off a standard 120V outlet when I plug it in at home. I do not need the 30 amp plug/power to run the AC.  Could I run it off a single Honda eu2000i if I have nothing else needing AC power?

Thank you for your help!

[mike4947]

The major problem isn't running it off a genset; it's starting it off one. Your standard 15 amp outlet at home will take quite an overload for a second or two the motor needs to "overdraw" to start. With a genset you hit it's peak and try for one more watt and it trips out.
 
We did extensive testing on AC's and Gensets and while there are about 50% of the 13.5K units that will start and run on a 2KW Honda as the temperature or the altitude goes up less and less will start. At around 90 degrees less than 25% would start and even then they had to be shut off for several minutes to let the compressor pressure leak off. We saw running currents from 11.5 amps to as high as 16.5 amps and starting currents ranging from a low of 15 amps to a high of over 30 amps. Make or model didn't make much difference, just some drew more than others.
 
What I'd do is find a way to check the actual amperage draw during starting and see what it'll take to run it and of course run it directly from the genset with nothing else drawing.
 
The only quiet genset we found that would run any AC at any temp was the Yamaha EF3000iSB. While it is big and heavy. It is electric start and can use it's internal battery to boast the starting current up to 3500 watts for a few seconds.
 
If you're not concerned about noise and can move a heavy genset around. Contractor grade 4KW gensets can be had for around $500. But they will sound like a lawn mower at full throttle next to the trailer.

[aw738]

This is one that would power your ac. Lincoln Ranger 8 It does have several problems: 1st cost, 2nd weight (about 500lbs), 3rd physical size, 4th features that you may or may not need, and 5th noise. Dispite all these I would still like to have one.

[copcarguy]

Hey all!
 
I have two generators:
 
The "big one" is a Yamaha YG2800i that runs and starts a 13500 DuoTherm A/C just fine on my TT- with power to spare. In fact, when it's running the A/C the fridge will automatically switch over to AC power from LP. It is also very quiet, I can have a normal conversation near it without shouting. I bring this dry camping and have never had a complaint while running it. It's not too heavy, (64 pounds) and I usually put it in the truck bed and run it in there. I bought it from lightinglightingman on eBay, they are one of the biggest authorized Yamaha dealers in the country. They have a special going on right now on eBay, you get the RV adapter for free, and free shipping! Click here to check it out:
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64005&item=3816436325
 
If you're not an eBayer their "real" website is: http://www.yamahagenerators.com/
 
The RV adapter lets you plug in your 30A connector on the PU directly to the "big plug" on the generator - this is how it can start the A/C. If you just plugged it into one of the "normal" outlets, it won't start it. I highly recommend this product and seller. BTW, Yamaha also makes an almost identical gen called the EF2800i - it's the "civilian" version and the chassis is not as nice and stout as the "contractor" YG series.
 
The "little one" is a Coleman Powermate 1350 - it's basically a 4hp Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine with 2 outlets on the bottom. It is VERY loud, and like previously posted, it sounds like a lawn mower next to the PU. I wouldn't think of bringing this to a campground. I got this on eBay too (where else?) :p for $159.
 
I hope this helped!!

[byrdr1]

JonesFamilyJayco,
You are staying in the Rock City campground I think I read before.
If you dont want the expense of $2K for a generator. Go to Lowes and buy the Toro/Generack(sp) brand 5500 watt. and then buy a female 30a outlet and a metal box and a cover. BUY 3 ft of 10/3 rubber coated wire. buy the male end of the 30a 4 plug. Put the above together and make yourself a 30a RV adapter. I have one and it works fine. You are only hooking one side of 30a 120-240v outlet. So you dont need 10/4 wire because you only want 120v.
Folks on here that haven't been to a race do not understand the racin' crowd..
I have one of the first Lowes generator and it is kind of loud. BUt I use it at the races..Racin' folks is a little more tolarent of the noise than regular campgrounds.
You will here the loud ones at the race track..
Rock City will not be to crowded as the ones closer to the track are. Get your campsite away from the crowds and you will be A-OK.. also buy a locking cable of some type and lock this thing down near your truck or TV and keep it away from the camper.
You can also build a 4 sided box to cover your generator this helps with noise..
3 sides and 1 top..
look on my webshots for the Rockingham NA$CAR pictures and I think you can see the generator on the back side of camper to the left..
Any questions email me and I can give you toll free number to call and I can explain more to you.
Randy
PS I See this was posted last night and I am not sure when you headed to the track..

[JonesFamilyJayco]

Thanks for all of your help.  This has been very helpful and has saved me from making an expensive mistake with an under-powered generator.  

We just returned from Lowe's Motorspeedway and had a great time.  We stayed at Rock City Campground at site D-60.  My son(6yrs) and I really liked it and it made going to the race a great trip.  We live close to the track, but I hope this will become a new tradition.  It seems too quiet to now be at home-I didn't mind the generator noise, so I think I will crank up my lawnmower.

Since I probally will not use the generator much more that camping at the race tracks, I am leaning toward a less expensive (and a little louder) portable generator.  Norther Tool & Equiptment has a 2500 watt generator by Honda that I believe will be a good choice.  It is $549.00 and the Honda Web site said it runs at 76dB.  

I liked the Yamaha YG2800i, and I think it would be a great generator if we were going to use it at places other than the race track often, but the price is a little more than I was planning on.

Thanks again for all the info; I hope more people (especially those that camp at races) will jump in and give there generator info/experience.

[Gone-Camping]

Hmmmm, you don't really want to hear my opinion on generators, even at the track! MOST people that go to races may be more tolerant of those devices, but not ALL of us. Lucky for us, the place where I camp doesn't allow gen set's to run after posted quiet hours...