Requirements for adding a generator

[seraphim]

I'm doing a final test drive this morning, and should all go well I'll be owning my first RV - a 95 Falcon 190 with about 26000 miles on it.

It doesn't have a generator (supposed to be ready for one), and I'm the handy sort, but I don't have the electrical layout in mind for an RV.

Question involves types of generators. I saw a discussion about brands such as Honda, but I can find a 9hp 4500 off brand unit for under $600 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90300). Are there any special requirements for a generator that an off-brand may not have, or are the output figures the only variable that needs considered.

BTW, I can construct any required mounts or other hardware onve I know what I'm trying to do *grin*

[markopolo]

Welcome to forum Seraphim.

Size (dimensions and weight) and noise are what I'd be most concerned about.

Generators are a must have only for air conditioning. All other "usual" 110v RV items can run off an inverter with a sufficiently sized battery bank.

Most B vans have a 2500 watt (propane) or 2800 watt (gas) Onan.

If you plan to run an air conditioner I would size the generator according to the air conditioner power requirements. Using this method, you won't be able to run a microwave oven and the air conditioner at the same time but you will be able to get away with a smaller generator.

Noise:

Don't underestimate this. I find my Onan embarrassingly noisy (to me) at around 60db. The most I run it for is an hour when my camping neighbors are away from their site.

Built-in gas RV generators will have a fuel pump. Portable generators like the one on your link rely on gravity for fuel supply. Built-in generators are constructed with air flow and cooling already factored in.

If you don't have or need air conditioning or microwave and just want a generator to charge your battery(ies) and run a laptop, TV etc. then a 1000 watt Honda or Yamaha would be perfect. Quiet, light weight, small.............

Where will you put your generator? Undermount, hitch mount, in a generator compartment?

[zigzagguzzi]

Was the falcon 190 an Airstream mh? If so , call a good Airstream dealer and they can tell you what kind od generater was used in them. That might help you decide. Could have had an LP unit. zz

[seraphim]

Marco

A/C is a necessity due to allergies, and my wife is a bit paranoid about using propane gas. Generally, we wouldn't need a generator for the type of camping we'd do, but I wouldn't mind having one for the odd possible emergency.

I haven't thought about how to mount it yet - we just signed the paperwork and will pick up the unit tomorrow afternoon. If there's a compartment large enough, I'd like to insulate it and out the generator there: I could either mount it and hardwire it in, take it out to use it (possible theft problem?) or manufacture a slide out frame (pimp my RV *grin*).

Any thoughts on pros or cons of each would be appreciated. I'm going to pour over all the manuals tonight and try to figure out what's what.

Zigzag

The unit was constructed by Intervec - which went out of business in 1997. Phoenix (aptly named) kind of rose from the ashes, but I don't know if they have access to any records from Intervec: I'm not sure there is any true connection between the two companies.

[markopolo]

I've seen photos of older (pre-1990) Intervec Falcon's with a generator compartment on the drivers side of the vehicle.

A permanent mounted generator with electric start and that taps into your vans fuel tank (above the 1/4 tank level) would be ideal.

The photos showed a fairly large compartment. It looked to be lockable and maybe had a screen vent.

Here's some info on the Accuride Slides I used in a generator project:

http://classbforum.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1000#1000

&

http://classbforum.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1089#1089

They can support up to 500 lbs.

I put the generator on my rear hitch but under the van or in a side compartment would be much better.

Lots of info on the Boliy generator I used here:
http://classbforum.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=32

There has been mixed results with the Boliy brand some people are very happy & some have lots of problems. Mine ran fine. I sold it when I bought my current RV.

[seraphim]

I went over the excellent tutorial section here, and I think I'm opting to mount it in the body, but I'm thinking of constructing the slide out mount, which will lessen noise, vibration and possible CO problems - at least when the vehicle is parked.

I bought the Falcon, BTW, and pick it up in 8.5 hours *grin*. Now my wife has something to carry her recumbent bike with...

Thanks for the links. I like to tinker, and if I come up with any useful ideas, I'll be sure to post them here. Someone may find something useful.

[WAPITI]

Hi Marco,

I agree with you on the need for a generator.I don't have one,
nor do I need one. The inverter and batteries take care of all my
needs. Nothing erks me more than campingin a nice, quiet,
backwoods campground, and someone pulls in next to us, and the
first thing they do is fire up there noisy generator. I'm there to
enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, listen to birds or the wind
in the trees, and these people have their noisy equipment running,
and stero blasting. This is what I came to get away from!!! There
are others, more considerate, who have small, quiet running gen
sets (1000 watt or so), set them off in behind them with a long
cord. These, I don't mind so much. We've been camping in all kinds
of weather, and for the most part, air conditioning isn't neccesary.
But, these are campgrounds in Canada, and most are cool enough
or shady enough.

So, whoever is contemplating getting a power plant, think about
others around you, and act accordingly. If you have apower plant
and must run your air conditioner, try to be considerate of others
around you.

Brian

[seraphim]

brian

I agree with you about the campsite settings. AC, however, is a requirement for us with my wife's allergies - they can be severe - and I'd like to have a generator in case of emergency: we want to travel in all weather conditions, and one never knows.

[seraphim]

zigzag

I'm sorry - missed your post.

Falcons were made by Intervec and they went out of business around 1997. Some of the employees, I understand, started the Phoenix RV, not in Elkton. I heard they supported the Falcons for a while.

I spoke to the techs at Tom Raper - and excellent dealership, BTW - and they suggested a lower cost alternative for emergency apps.

[WAPITI]

Seraphim,

Hi, I hope I didn't offend you. I agree, there are circumstances where you need air conditioning, ie. hot climate, allergies, etc., and if I ever go south to camp, I'm sure I'll be looking for some kind of cooling device, but for us right now we can manage without it. We normally spend the day at a campground outside, hiking, fishing or some other outdoor activities. By the time we're ready to hit the sack, it's cool enough in the van. There are people, however, who never venture out of their coccon(van) during the day, and have the air conditioner going all day. To them, I say, go to an electified camp site, and leave the wilderness sites to those of us who will appreciate them.

Brian

[seraphim]

Brian

No, I wasn't offended at all.

We enjoy the quiet of nature, and enjoy hiking/biking, etc., but we've really never been true campers, though we'd have liked to. We just can't be. We have to time our outdoor events according to nature *grin*

Gail has allergy medicines, of course, but they tend to leave her drowsy and unable to enjoy outdoor excursions. Mostly, in our Class B, we're going to be travellers. A generator will probably never be used, and some of our best times for enjoying the outdoors is winter - no allergies. We can go to a primitive site and use propane to fire up the furnace and cook with. AN open fire is out of the question due to smoke. During the hot months or allergy season, we'll find a place with hookups or a hotel, and most of our entertainment will be of the indoor variety. For us, though, an AC is a filtering device also. The guy next to us may be as inconsiderate with the smoke from his fireplace as some are with their generators *wink*.

Still, we like to go off the beaten path most times. I don't enjoy a crowded campground, even if we don't spend much time at it. I can imagine a situation when a generator may be needed. It's nice to feel totally self-sufficient.

[Mike]

Marco said: All other "usual" 110v RV items can run off an inverter with a sufficiently sized battery bank.

I'm still trying to understand the "inverter" part of my '02 Chevy RT 190P with regards to power to the 2 110v receptacles (1 in the galley and the other at the back over the bed). I've read the manual and sent a note to Roadtrek about whether they can draw from the coach batteries and power small low-draw appliances at 110v (as yet, no reply). I know they are powered off the generator (tried them last weekend). and I assume when plugged into shore power (haven't tried this yet). Am I missing something, or are they the only 2 situations where they are live? Is there a switch somewhere I need to set to allow them to draw from the coach batteries? Could a fuse be blown (just thought of this, I'll be checking that shortly)? The breakers on the panel all appear to be "ON".

A Confused Newbie (Mike).

[Mike]

Mea culpa,
Got an answer from Roadtrek service this morning. Apparently, they only started putting inverters in to allow a small draw from the 110v receptacles in 2004 and after, so my 2002 doesn't have that capability.
Sorry for bothering.

Mike.