Generator Question for R-196

To some extent the answer may depend on how you are going to be able to haul your generator(s) around.

You need at least about 2400 watts to run the air conditioner (with not much else.)  If you want to be able to run the air and the oven and a hair dryer at the same time you need at least 3000 to 3500 watts.  A 3000w generator is a lot heavier than a 2400w generator, and takes a strong person or two to put in the back of a truck.  One healthy person can generally move a 2400w generator around, but even that can be challenging for some people.

Honda, and some others, make 2000w generators that can be used in pairs (for 4000w total).  You can take 1 genny if you know you're not going to use the air, or both of them to have all the power you need.  Of course you have to know how you're going to haul two generators.

One thing I think is vitally important, unless you will only ever camp in isolated sites, and even then for your own sanity, is to get a quiet generator.  Quiet is worth paying extra for, in my opinion.  Honda and Yamaha make quiet generators with very good reputations for reliability and ease of starting.  Related to this, it doesn't matter how quiet they are, most campgrounds have generator hours that prohibit their use overnight.

TT

A typical 1000-1500 watt inverter generator will keep the batteries charged, barely sip gas, and are easy to carry, along with being pretty quiet. 

Again, they wont be able to power a microwave or the roof A/C...but if you are boondocking in pleasant weather, nothing too extreme (hot or cold) then you may be fine with one of those.

If you DO plan on powering the microwave and/or the roof air, then you will need a large and heavy generator, or two compatible gensets and a parallel kit as mentioned above. 

you asked about a generator-which I can't help you with.

However, you also said that 100 watts of solar "won't go very far in boondocking".

I have to disagree totally.  We have been out for many days using a 100 watt suitcase solar panels.  It keeps our 2 6v GC-2 batteries fully charged. We can keep our batteries charged indefinitely if we can get about 3-4 hours of sun each day.

Have you tried using the solar panels? Have you tried to be energy conservative? Everything will work except the microwave and air conditioning.  you can easily boondock without those two power hogs.

Vann