Generator size

[Gonefishing]

Okay I’m looking at buying a 5th wheel. Has two ac’s not planing on doing any off road camping. But thinking of a generator anyway. Thoughts power at camp site goes out. Have to make emergency stop and spend night at rest area or truck stop. What’s are the suggestion for size would have to run ac, coffee maker. Wife not keen on having to turn something off to to something else on. Suggestions please I’m thinking propane vice gas.

[TucsonJim]

To answer your question, you'll need to do a power survey,. For example:

Air Conditioner = 15 amps
Drip Coffee Pot = 10 amps
Converter/battery charger = 10 amps
Microwave = 12 amps.
Total = 47 amps

47 amps converted to watts = 120V x 47 amps = 5,640 watts. But you should always leave some buffer and not run at max capacity.

So if you were to run all of those devices at the same time you'd need a generator of approximately 6,500 watts. Most of us "load shed" or turn off devices when we're trying to use a generator. For example, I'll brew the coffee with all other major draws turned off. Then when the coffee is done, I pour it in a carafe to keep it hot and then turn on the AC.

If you load shed and just want to run one AC, you can get by with about a 2500 to 3000 watt generator.

Jim

[SBARLAG]

When I talk with my customers about a generator post-rv purchase, I suggest a couple of things. 1-try a few camping trips and find out how much you would really use the generator before incurring the expense, 2-consider a portable generator, Honda or Cummins Onan, much more cost efficient than a retro-fit 4000w/5500w and useful around the house as well. Happy Labor Day everyone!!