Generator Size

Submitted: Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 09:23

ThreadID: 104530 Views:2522 Replies:6 FollowUps:6

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Stephen H

Hi All,
Just bought a New Van with a Dometic Roof Mounted Air Conditioner. We intend on doing a fair bit of Bush Camping. I was wondering What size Generator I would need to run the Air Con. The Stats on the Compliance plate Are, Frequency Hz50, Normal Capacity KW3.2, Cooling1200Wt, Heating1300Wt..
Any help would be appreciated from you people who explore our wonderful country. Must keep the co-pilot happy.
Cheers Steve.

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Reply By: Robert O - Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 10:08

Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 10:08

I have a Dometic B3000+ air conditioner and run it on a Honda 2.0 with a short 20amp lead (minimizes voltage drop) the Honda runs the AC but is under considerable load, fairly noisey if you are near other camps. One piece of advice, DON'T buy a cheap generator.

AnswerID: 518934

Reply By: Member - Rick P (NT) - Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 10:33

Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 10:33

The Honda eu20 will run your a.c but at full revs and it will use a 1lt of fuel an hour, so be prepared to get up in the middle of the night to re-fuel. Also make sure you turn off your battery charger and electric hot water system. With the cost of fuel now we found it just as cheap to stay in a Caravan Park for the night.
Cheers
Rick P

AnswerID: 518936

Reply By: Garry S3 - Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 13:13

Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 13:13

Air conditioner usually take more than 2 times the rated output for starting up. So you need one that can cope around 2.5kw surge. Honda 2.0 seems to be the only one that can take higher surge than its rating. However, there are portable generator that goes up to 3kw and not as bulky as honda eu30i. I suggest looking into those as I have seen a few which was pretty impressive. If you have the extra bucks to spend, Honda will not let you down. Otherwise, you can get a reasonably good quality 3.5kW generator for 40% of what a Honda EU20i woulda cost

AnswerID: 518950

Reply By: stevie1947 - Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 16:08

Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 16:08

A Yamaha 2.4 will do the job and then some. Fantastic reliable unit.

AnswerID: 518959

Reply By: rooster350 - Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 19:22

Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 19:22

If you really have to run a air conditioner all night when you go "camping" then in my opinion you should stay home in your comfortable house and not annoy others with your noise....bad enough next door to one in a caravan clattering away with listening to one out in the bush...cheers

AnswerID: 518968

Follow Up By: Bushranger1 - Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 20:25

Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 20:25

Hear hear!
Well put. Hardly could be called "Bush Camping"

Cheers
Stu

FollowupID: 798929

Follow Up By: Stephen H - Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 21:35

Monday, Sep 30, 2013 at 21:35

Thanks for the advice you are entitled to your opinions. I have no intension of having a Air Con clattering away all night or annoying others with noise. I am only trying to make Life easier for my Wife who is not well and wants to see our country before her time runs out not stay at home in our Comfortable Home. I've camped in the bush all my life and without Generators and Solar Panels and I respect it's beauty and Tranquillity.
Cheers Steve

FollowupID: 798933

Follow Up By: stevie1947 - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 13:58

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 13:58

Good on u Stephen. You have every right to have a generator to make you and your wife comfortable when conditions reguire it. Some people should keep their opinions to themselves if they can't contribute constructively.
Enjoy your travels.
Steve

FollowupID: 798964

Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 17:25

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 17:25

Gensets are a fact of life.
My wife wants her airconditioner and a microwave so we park in areas where gensets they are legal.
If you don’t like them – stay in a caravan park with mains power or locations where they are banned.

FollowupID: 798987

Follow Up By: Bushranger1 - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 17:51

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 17:51

No Problem then.
I will just keep getting far away in the bush so I can listen to the birds & waterfalls instead.
Never stayed in Caravan parks & never will. Too much noise for my wife & I.
Still remember my friend coming away with us & saying it was so quiet he could hear his heart beat. Now that's nice & quiet I reckon & what getting away is all about.
Each to their own.

Cheers
Stu

FollowupID: 798991

Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 20:27

Tuesday, Oct 01, 2013 at 20:27

Stu, I know where you are coming from.
I could live with a swag and a tent – but when on the road my policy is happy wife, happy life.
On hot days I turn the aircond and genset off about 4 o’clock in the afternoon - a 12 volt fan is used after that.

FollowupID: 799002