Thread: Honda Generator
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Old 09-02-2010, 04:12 PM   #1
SCBillandJane
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Default Honda Generator

We need some help understanding how a generator is used and what you have to consider before buying one and doing some boondocking. I think it would be best to describe what we think we want to do so you can make sense of the questions.
We live in the southeast with the very high humidity and temperatures, but if we camp in the summer, we are either out west at high altitudes or at an electric site so we can use the air conditioner. At this time we don't plan to use the generator to run an air conditioner, but we haven't ruled it out.
We have a 2003 3124 KS that has the 20 gallon water tank and one type 27 battery side by side under a kitchen counter. There doesn't seem to be any easy way to increase the size of either one. After reading the electrical and boondocking sections of this forum, we have been worrried about running out of battery power soon after arriving at a site with no electricity. Recently we have been running the refrigerator on battery when towing and arriving at the campsite with so little battery power that the electric tongue jack wouldn't work.
We went and saw a Honda 2000 watt generator as recommended by many people on this forum. There was no 30 amp plug spot on the front of the machine. We realized that we were in major need of help as far as generators and camping were concerned. Here are some questions but please help with any other advice you think is helpful.
Asssuming we buy a 2000 watt Honda generator:
1. How do you plug it in to the Trailmanor?
2. How long does it take to recharge the battery?
3. How often do you need to recharge?
4. What time of day is it socially acceptable to run this type of generator?
5. How much gas does it use? How much gas do take with you?
6. We tow with a truck with a covered bed and plan to run the generator in the bed of the truck. Any problems with this or carrying gas in the truck bed?
7. We think that we will be using the battery primarily for the heater fan and some lights, but what else do you think the generator could work while recharging the battery?
8 What is your experience about campgrounds banning or limiting use of generators?
9. Sometimes a family member who travels with us has to use an oxygen concentrater machine for COPD. Is it possible to connect the machine directly to the generator with an extension cord and run it all night?
10. We understand from reading the forum that you must have two Honda 2000 generators to run an air conditioner. What has been your experience if you have done this in areas of high temperature and high humidity?
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Bill and Jane
2003 3124 KS, 2007 Tundra 4X4 TRD
Reese WDH, Prodigy
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