We stop at a lot of truck stops and rest areas.We have been running the generator for 3 or 4 Hr to have TV is this ok or should I install a inverter if I do do I need exter batteries and what kind of inverter do I need
Racerguy said
03:31 PM Oct 14, 2007
Go to RV Accessories where you first posted this. You have 2 answers there.
Howard said
07:40 AM Oct 15, 2007
SATBOYZ,
It sounds like you are using the generator for its intended purpose. As long as you are comfortable with the noise and the cost of fuel to watch TV, you probably don't need to spend money on an inverter and more batteries.
However, if you find yourself parking in places where there are "generator hours" or "generator restrictions", more than likely you will want to add an inverter.
Which inverter and how many batteries you need depends on the frequency of parking without hook-ups, the wattage of the appliances you want to run, the length of time you want to run those appliances, and whether you can justify the cost of an inverter and additional batteries if needed.
But if most of your "boondocking" is at truck stops and rest areas where the sounds of the trucker generators drown out your generator (i.e. generators are normal and acceptable), you probably don't need an inverter.
SATBOYZ 1 said
08:30 AM Oct 15, 2007
THANK YOU Howard. The generator on my rig you can hardly hear it when its running. I would like to give an exaple we went to the East coast in September for 20 days and ran the generator for 80 HRs in the 20 days. Are next trip is in June 2008 to Alaska with two of my grand kids and I know the generator would be well used if this was the only way. please if this was you what would you do. remember I only want it for the TV. If you would say go the inverter way what size inverter and how many extra batteries.
It sounds like you are using the generator for its intended purpose. As long as you are comfortable with the noise and the cost of fuel to watch TV, you probably don't need to spend money on an inverter and more batteries.
However, if you find yourself parking in places where there are "generator hours" or "generator restrictions", more than likely you will want to add an inverter.
Which inverter and how many batteries you need depends on the frequency of parking without hook-ups, the wattage of the appliances you want to run, the length of time you want to run those appliances, and whether you can justify the cost of an inverter and additional batteries if needed.
But if most of your "boondocking" is at truck stops and rest areas where the sounds of the trucker generators drown out your generator (i.e. generators are normal and acceptable), you probably don't need an inverter.