RV and camping season is just around the corner. Outdoor adventure’s with friends and family brings a need to have reliable power in the form of a portable generator. The market for portable generators is wide and deep which is overwhelming to many customers in search of the perfect portable generator for their RV. The following FAQ style article will help educate you on making a smart investment for your next portable generator!
What are the different types of portable RV generators?
A portable generator can run on 3 different fuel types:
Diesel – burn cleaner and more efficiently than gasoline. More challenging to find , heavier, and louder.
Gasoline – the most common type. Most convenient but also burn dirtier than diesel.
Propane – use the cleanest and cheapest fuel.
Some portable generators can use two different fuel types like our Champion 2kW Portable Inverter Generator.
When shopping for your next portable generator you’ll want to decide which fuel type is most appropriate to your situation to help narrow your option.
Conventional vs Inverter Generator?
Conventional style generators are typically louder and heavier pieces of equipment that are prone to power surges. Inverter generators are less expensive and quieter which is the perfect option for all RV and camping activities. Inverter portable generators use fuel efficiently by changing the speed of the engine to match the power requirements. If the inverter portable generators are running on low power, it will run slower resulting in less fuel used and less overall noise.
A portable inverter generator produces clean power with extremely low electrical distortion. This is important when powering sensitive electronics and highly effective for appliances. The portable inverter generator changing engine speed produces variable frequency power. Our portable inverter generator produces clean AC power will very low distortion.
What power output do I need for my RV portable generator?
A licensed electrician is your best resource when figuring out how much power you need. However, as a general rule of thumb, most portable generators for RV’s out put between 2,000 and 4,000 watts of electricity.
If you have a small trailer with limited power needs? A 2,000 watt portable generator will serve you well
Do you want to run the air conditioner and microwave? A 3,000 – 4,000+ watt portable generator will be a better choice.
Figure out what things you want your generator to provide power for. We recommend having a local electrician give you a professional recommendation on the best kW size for your needs.
How quiet should my generator be?
Generator Mart lists the decibel rating on each product page for your convenience. A decibel rating in the 60’s is the sound of a normal conversation between people.
Who should use a generator?
Portable generators are dynamic power solutions for your camping adventures. If you do a lot of boondocking a portable generator is the most reliable way to power your camper off-grid. Additional uses for portable RV generators include:
Reliable power while dry camping
Supplies enough energy to run large electronics
Provides AC power and DC power
Charges your batter bank
Should I buy an altitude kit?
If you’re going to be camping in higher elevations, that implies there will be less air for the engine. With less air the generator is going to be consuming more fuel to operate. The majority of portable generators peak altitude performance is around 4,000 – 5,000 feet. If you’re going to be camping in areas that are higher in elevation, it’s wise to invest in a altitude kit.
What’s the best portable inverter generators for RV use?
The Cummins Onan P45ooi with 3700 watts of continuous power weighs less than 100 pounds and runs for 15 hours on a full tank of gas. The 4500 Cummins Generator P4500i is a gasoline inverter portable generator with a remote start emitting just 52 dBA of noise. That’s quite enough to have a normal conversation a few feet away from the residential generator. With a 3.4 gallon fuel tank keeps the generator running at 25% load for 18 hours. Be sure to use normal unleaded gasoline with less than 10% ethanol.
The Champion Power Equipment 100402 2000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator is ideal for camping, tailgating, powering items around the RV or providing backup for a few basics. This unit is not recommended for emergency home backup. Operate your Dual-Fuel generator on gasoline or propane. The EZ Start Dial takes the confusion out of starting an engine, plus it allows you to switch fuels with a quick turn of the dial. Cold Start Technology ensures a quick start in cold weather.