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Topic ClosedWhat size generator do we need?
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: What size generator do we need?
    Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 4:41pm
Originally posted by techntrek

 ... But, I'm not worried that someone will break out an axe and chop down the tree I've chained my genny to.
 I've read of this exact thing happening on another forum.

Yikes.  Not good at all.

Oh well, I guess that's why I carry insurance.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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Posts: 1446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 2:08pm
I know I've been lucky and shouldn't count on my luck to always be there, but where the heck do you guys camp?  I'm sure crime happens everywhere but it must be lower in national parks without hookups.  I'd have a different attitude about what size cable to use on my generator if I camped at some of the zoos around Disney or Dollywood, etc, I suppose.  I go out of the way to avoid the kinds of "campgrounds" where you have to worry about hitting someone else's trailer when you let your slide out.
 
There's always someone who's camped more than the other guy, but I've camped a good bit.   I don't think I've ever even heard of thieves where I camp.  Not that I leave my stuff just lying around either....
 
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 9:01am
Originally posted by Outbound

 ... But, I'm not worried that someone will break out an axe and chop down the tree I've chained my genny to.
 
I've read of this exact thing happening on another forum.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2014 at 9:31pm
Originally posted by fwunder

Chain it up? Too what?

I use a masterlock cable and usually loop it through my genny's frame and up an over the crossmember at the rear of the trailer frame.  On occasion, I've looped the cable through the "A" at the trailer tongue or around a large tree.

To be honest, I've never been too concerned about theft while in a campground.  I do try to store the generator out of site to passerby's and always secure it to something, tho.  But, I'm not worried that someone will break out an axe and chop down the tree I've chained my genny to.
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2014 at 9:12pm
I researched the best way to secure the EF2400 and the frame extends to the handles.  So (as I saw others do) I drilled a hole through that metal just below the handles - one on each side.  Very heavy chain runs around whatever, padlock runs through the holes and both ends of the chain.  I would not run a chain around the handles since they can be easily removed.
 
Edit: you can see this in one of the pictures here, along with a pic of the chains running to the truck.  http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3689&PID=35302&title=my-generator-mount
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 1446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2014 at 8:36pm
I secure my Yamaha 2400iSCH with a pretty heavy 10 foot cable made from MasterLock I think.  It's made for going through your trailer hitch/receiver pin hole and then through the triangle of you trailer tongue to keep people from stealing your boat, I suppose, while you're in the gas station men's room.  Anyway, it works great going through the frame of the generator and either through the trailer tongue or sometimes just one of the stabilizers depending on how I'm parked.  It would take me about 60 seconds to steal my own generator locked up like this but so far I haven't had any problems.  Knock on wood.

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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2014 at 7:25pm
Good stuff Outbound. I have a new Yamaha 2400iSCH. Your comments on noise are well advised. Even the quietest generators are louder than you think. Any sailor in a quiet anchorage will tell you how [embarrassingly] sound travels!

OK, so how and when do I secure this thing? I would probably only run it when I'm in or around the Pod, so that's not a big deal unless the perp is much bigger than me. But how about when I'm not using it? Just throw it in the back of the TV? That seems to make the most sense. Chain it up? Too what? Chain my guard cat (8 lbs. but tough as nails!) to it?

So who has actually, really, not second hand story had their genny stollen and what were the circumstances?

Thanks!

fred
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2014 at 6:44pm
Lots of great thoughts on this thread.  One caution about generators: they're a lot noisier than you might think.  Particularly when you're encamped in the woods and there's nothing but a bubbling brook and a few birds making background noise; even the quietest Honda generator will seem noisy from 400'.

From a good camping neighbour point-of-view, you're pretty much limited to the very quiet (and rather expensive) Hondas or Yamahas.  Forget any idea you may have of purchasing a contractor-grade generator from Costco for $499 - your neighbours will lynch you.

Recommended models for running your air conditioner with ease:

A bit noiser and a little bit less reliable (but a lot cheaper):

It is also possible to swap-out the start capacitor on your air conditioner and run with a smaller generator (running at max load or near max load, which means considerably louder).  This generally works, although the start load increases on hot days and you may find a 2000 watt generator tripping its breaker as the air conditioner cycles.
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Posts: 171 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2014 at 1:45pm
Originally posted by Tars Tarkas

Yamaha makes a 2400w generator that will start and run the AC.  It's about as quiet as a Honda or Yamaha 2000w generator.  Except for starting the AC 2000 watts is enough for everything else.  Where you camp also affects how much noise you might want to make.  Most other brands and most larger generators will make a lot of noise.  Aside from your own aural comfort your neighbors will appreciate your low decibel choice of a Honda or Yamaha.  If you are camping where you don't need to care about the noise I'm pretty sure 3000 watts will cover just about everything you are likely to want to do in a Pod.Think about how you are going to haul this thing and its gasoline around.  It's no small consideration, especially when your TV is something like a Rav4.  And unless you can leave it where it is when you haul it you need to think about how you're going to move it to and from where you use it.  A 3000w generator can weigh more than a lot of people care to lift in and out of things.TT



My Honda 2000i would start and run the AC on my 171. Cool thing about the Honda is they have a fuel pump, so with a connector cap, you can plug in an outboard motor tank and run 24/7 if needed.. Just stop for oil changes. Yamaha and others do not have this feature.
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 10:17am
Honda's 3000 watt inverter unit is quieter than the 2000, based on their own decibel rating (full load and 1/4 load).  I believe this is achieved by over-sizing the engine on the 3000 and then running it at a very low idle.
 
A note that I posted a Yamaha 2400 for sale in the Flea Market section yesterday.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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