5 Tips for choosing a portable generator

5 Tips for choosing a portable generator. In this weeks Tech Tip Tuesday we're covering our top 5 Tips for choosing a portable generator for your RV!
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[@dondartt684]

You really know what you are talking about. Weight is the most important. If you get hurt, you will be sorry it was so heavy. It’s about balance, and we are all different.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

thanks.

[@justinkoby52]

I am going with the two smaller unit option for 3 reasons: 1) Easier to move, even my 11yo can carry the generator 2) Only run what I need (if running basics, just run 1 gen. Needing A/C? Run both) 3) If boondocking and one fails at 11pm, I can run most stuff until morning and do repairs in daylight (I'm an IT guy by trade, I like redundancy)

[@4WorldPeace2]

Additionally, generators specify starting watts and running watts. Using a skil saw for example, 120 volts x 15 amps = 1,800 watts; these are the running watts required to keep the skil saw running after start-up. To calculate the starting watts, increase the running load by 20% or 1,800 watts x 1.2 = 2,160 starting watts. So the minimum generator required to start-up and run a skil saw would be 2,200 starting watts / 1,800 running watts. I ended up choosing a 2,500 / 2,200 clean power generator which can also keep the food at home cold and frozen when the power is out as well as run the flat panel led tv also. If possible, buy a little extra power and you won’t be sorry.

[@lostxrulez]

This channel is awesome thank you for taking the time and doing these video's. I am learning alot of different thing about Rv's. Well done!

[@jimhanty8149]

Very good points … thank you…

[@WhiteFox011]

When topping off any gasoline powered device, make sure that you allow it to cool down, BEFORE adding fuel. Because it not, IF, you spill fuel, it is WHEN!

[@22howards]

Good info and better outtakes

[@1984vette1]

I learn all sorts of stuff

[@n1uno1965]

Thank you! Simple advice!

[@RVingwithG]

A SCRIPT would be a good idea!

[@davelauraphillips8814]

So, if I take a class, do I get to be part of the studio audience? It would eliminate the need for a laugh track!

[@ronbraz9043]

Would you do a podcast on a propane generator installed. Like an Conan

[@Bill_Maine]

@National RV Training Academy Any opinion on the benefits or lack thereof with dual fuel generators?

[@RVHelper]

Should we use our surge protector EPO when using a generator?

[@cloudsintheozarksoutdoors9538]

7500 watt duel fuel Propane/Gasoline permanently mounted in the bed of my truck. I've never ran gasoline through it, system stays cleaner, and the generator will potentially last years longer running on Propane. My generator has a 30 amp RV receptacle built in which means I'll still be limited for my 50 amp RV but I'll be able to run anything I need to run and not worry about having to mess with toting around heavy 5 gallon cans of gasoline. I have two 30 pound tanks already onboard and one 100 pound propane tank should see me through an extended power outage.

[@thomasskirsky2988]

I did the duel fuel 3500 watt inverter setup with two of them, low decibels. This way you can just run one 30amp for most needs or run them in parallel for enough to run an ac unit. One of them will go 10 hours on a tank of propane. You do get a little more output on gas, but they are a pain to start and maintain on gas, unless you get ethenol free 89 octane or higher. However, I use gas as a backup, but have them plumbed right to the RV's propane system. Just carry a spare tank or two.

[@dekitoca]

Can you name some portable generator?

[@douglasjames3914]

Would a 2200W generator keep the batteries charged to operate the TV and furnace?

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Most TVs are 120v so they don’t run on batteries. However, the generator will produce 1700-1800 watts running. A led style tv pulls around 100-200 watts and the fan on the furnace will pull about 150 watts. The converter will be on if you are running your generator and it can pull up to 1000 watts. Let’s add another 300 watts fir lights and thermostats. So yes if the genny is on you will have the power you need. Do you have an inverter?

[@tomstrickland5504]

Can anyone tell me what watt gen I need for just 13500 ac unit....I don't want to run anything but the ac...I get different story evertime

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

You can run 1 AC off of a 3500w generator. If you have soft starts you can run both.

[@Doc.Holiday]

Unless an RV is running air conditioning a generator is not required. Solar panels with an optional inverter will provide all other power requirements. IF you need Air Conditioning then do your neighbors a favor and go somewhere totally off by yourself so that you do not disturb the quiet enjoyment of nature sought by others. If you supplement your batteries with additional amp hours equivalent to the weight of a generator and fuel then you will have ample power even to run a AC “coffee maker” with an inverter. Again, the only reason in this day and age to have AC generator power in an RV is to power air conditioning. People who do not want their natural quiet enjoyment interrupted are not “generator snobs”. They just want to enjoy nature and not listen to a gasoline generator. Generator runners need ask themselves if they are not the snobs

[@housesOTR]

Doesn't the volume double every 3 dB?

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

A perceived “doubling” of sound is every 10dB. If you combine two sound sources, in phase, you’ll end up with a 6dB increase. In the audio industry, a 3dB increase would require a doubling in power. For example 100w to 200w.

[@housesOTR]

@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy I believe we are talking about the same thing from two different perspectives. I'm theoretical and you are practical. Here is a quote that shows we agree. "The relative loudness that we perceive is a subjective psychological phenomenon, not something that can be objectively measured. Most of us perceive one sound to be twice as loud as another one when they are about 10 dB apart; for instance, a 60-dB air conditioner will sound twice as loud as a 50-dB refrigerator. Yet that 10-dB difference represents a tenfold increase in intensity" www.noisehelp.com/decibel-scale.html

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

To go back to original statement about 3dB. We’re actually talking about three different things. Perceived Sound (10dB) SPL (6dB) Power (3dB) The Sound Pressure Level SPL of these two generators would, worst case, increase 6dB. Not all frequencies will sum the same based on the distance between the generators. For example: if the generators are 5’ apart, and I was standing to the left or right of the generators, 100hz would be 180 degrees out of phase and would cancel, however, if I stood in the center directly in front of them I would get a perfect summation at 6dB. As soon as I move off axis I’d start to get into what is called comb filtering. That’s just one frequency...

[@housesOTR]

@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy I totally agree. I like it when two great minds get together!! Decibels are a pain as there is so many ways to talk about them. I use dBi, dBm also and that really gets people going. Thanks for the back and forth and thanks for the "2 minute" videos.

[@michaelsolis2674]

Small Portable isn't going to do anything. I have a 6000 doesn't it take at least 3000 to 3500 just to start the ac compressor. I'll stick with my unit I have