Generator Sizing - 2000 or 3000? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Generator Sizing - 2000 or 3000?

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wanted to do a quick survey on portable genset sizing; searching the archives it looks like a mix of 2000 and 3000 watt sizes are used.

Connie and I are getting a residential fridge installed along with AGM batteries and the large inverter. We aren't getting a built in genset since it won't get used too much.

We don't intend to boondock much and at this point I'm torn between a Honda 2000 and Honda 3000 portable. I was originally going to just get the 3000 but given the 150 or so pounds that the EU3000is weighs got to wondering if the 2000 is really big enough. I imagine the only time we'll really boondock is in the Walmart parking lot when we're just stopping overnight while traveling long distances although most of our moves will be complete in one day.

The residential fridge energy usage is 550 kwh/year which is 1.5 kwh per day which works out to an average draw of about 75 watts so figure maybe 300 or so watts for the startup surge when the compressor kicks in. Given this; the 2000 seems plenty to handle the fridge as well as recharge the batteries.

The 2000 would get stored in the genset compartment and pulled out on the ground to use; the 3000 is too heavy to pick up a lot so would end up living in the truck bed with an extension cord when it's being used. I could always add the second 2000 in parallel with the first if it became an issue.

So…is the 2000 probably enough for the above situation? I'm pretty sure it will suffice to start but wanted to make sure that I hadn't missed something in my calculation.

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, don't have the nameplate to look at yet; but the Frigidaire site says it takes 8 amps. That's got to be starting current only though (which is what you have to design for of course) and not continuous since 8.5 continuous is a lot more than the 550 KWH per year it uses total. You may have something with wanting to turn the AC on at the WalMart overnight, not to mention the coffee pot for morning java. The 2000 might be a bit on the smallish side…while likely sufficient it would require figuring out what to turn on and off when to not overload it. Might be better to just bite the bullet and get the larger one to begin with.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Neil and Connie,

First of all, if you use the "Search" function in the bar at the top of the forums, you can type in "generator" and get about 12 different threads regarding generators. One or two of those are titled in such a way as to be related directly with the Honda generators.

We are owners of a Honda EU3000IS and you are right; they are heavy. When we were researching with the possibility of getting a built in Onan, we found that the 3000 would be enough to run one 15K air conditioner, but not both. We are also equipped with an inverter, but have not been boondocking yet to test out the capacity of the inverter with the electric.

We ended up deciding to stay with the Honda since we would most likely be boondocking in the mountains and would no likely need the air conditioners. Our Honda would easily recharge the batteries for the inverter.

Like the others said, I would agree that the 2000 would likely be enough if you don't run the A/C.

Terry

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks, I had already reviewed the other threads and at this point need to think about it a bit. Bill's comment about maybe needing to run an AC unit is a good one so I'll have to give that some thought. It's usually better to think things through before just doing the more inexpensive thing I've found.

jkrobbins · RV-Dreams Community Member

I would opt for the 2000. If you later deceide that it is not enough then parallel them together. I would rather lift 75lbs twice than try to lift 150lbs once. Plus if you only need one then you only run one. If you need both then you use both. Just my opinion. I have a large built in gen in my toyhauler but still carry my 2000 watt yamaha for charging the batteries etc. It is much quieter and uses less fuel. If I did not have the built in gen then I would heve the 2 and put them together. JMHO. Good luck with whatever you deceide.

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

jkrobbins wrote:
I would opt for the 2000. If you later deceide that it is not enough then parallel them together. I would rather lift 75lbs twice than try to lift 150lbs once. Plus if you only need one then you only run one.

There's something to be said for that. I'll have to discuss with Connie and see what she thinks about it. OTOH, the larger one is a lot harder for somebody to steal I guess; and unless it gets real hot there is enough ventilation over truck bed where it could probably just sit in there and run. But the 2000 is less than half the cost so even if I end up with 2 of them the total cost for 4000 is less than the 3000 would be; albeit the 2000's are a little louder in operation. Lots to think about before deciding.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just as a comment here in regards to theft of the generator. Yes, the smaller ones would be easier to steal, especially if it is sitting outside. However, there have been some instances of folks losing the 3000's as well.

One poster told the story of someone watching TV while his Honda 3000 was running. Even though his was chained down in some manner, thieves used something really, really cold (nitrogen?) to spray on the lock. Then one strike with a hammer was enough to shatter the lock and take off with the 150 lb unit.

So, regardless of the precautions we take, sometimes the thieves are just too determined to really stop.

Second thought: doesn't the Honda 2000's have an "eco" switch like the 3000's have? If so, they should be almost as quiet.

Third thought in regards to a gasoline generator: We found out that when we traveled from Oklahoma to the mountains of Colorado, the higher altitude causes the carburator on the engine to run richer. That causes fouling of the plugs, enough to require cleaning or replacement of the plug. So, make sure you have the tools necessary to reach and remove the spark plug.

I learned that the hard way and ended up having to go to three different businesses in two different towns to get all the tools I needed to remove the one on the 3000. For some reason, small towns don't necessarily have a business with everything that one needs.

Good luck with your choice, and enjoy the life.

Terry

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the info on the spark plug fouling; we'll make sure we have spares on hand. I talked to Connie and we decided to start with the 2000 for weight and cost purposes and if it isn't enough capacity and/or we use it more than we think we will then we'll add the second one for a parallel arrangement.

ahoweth · RV-Dreams Family Member

I might through in something here that I have not seen mentioned in this thread. Generator sizing is an interesting issue. One thing to be considered is that most generator manufacturers rate their generators with their maximum surge rating to make them sound bigger than they really are. A 3000 watt generator is probably a surge or short duration load capability and not the long term load rating. That long term rating will be lower and sometimes by as much as 500 watts. Try to get the "steady state," load rating. That is how much the generator can handle for extended periods of time.