Genny and Inverter opinions wanted...

[Eric]

Thanks Everyone! There are a few issues I have though... Our bus is a transit unit so i don't have enough room for one of the BIG KAHUNA genny's not to mention 99.9% of the time we will have hookups this will be for the very rare boondocking or something bad like breakdown! Same with the inverter We don't Need the Big ones just something i could have handy if needed. If anyone has an American Branded Genny they know of I would Be Very happy to hear about it. We are doing our rig 99.9% 12 volt so my 110 usage will be limited to my Television/Fridge. And another the bus is a 12 volt model instead of 24.With that in mind would I be better off using one of my little 800watt Coleman inverters for the fridge when traveling? Instead of even bothering with this unit? Thanks for the input guys My genny budget right now is around 1500 but i need something that can mount/sit outside the bus as I am lacking lower compartments.

[Sean]

... And another the bus is a 12 volt model instead of 24.

OK, I'm confused.  Your profile says you have an '85 Cityliner.  The Cityliner is a luxury "parlor" coach with large luggage bays and a 24-volt electrical system.  Perhaps you have an AN3xx or AN4xx series bus instead?

With that in mind would I be better off using one of my little 800watt Coleman inverters for the fridge when traveling?

You certainly won't need a 5kW unit.  However, for a refrigerator, you really should get a sine wave model.  With MSW, you will be using more power than necessary, and shortening the life of the fridge's compressor.  You may also find the fridge does not cool as well, and/or you will need to change its thermostat setting every time you change from generator or shore to inverter and back.  Also, I don't think 800 watts will be enough for a fridge, but hard to say without seeing the fridge's specs.

... My genny budget right now is around 1500 but i need something that can mount/sit outside the bus as I am lacking lower compartments.

For the usage you mention, I would look at one of the compact 2kW inverter-based units such as the Honda EU2000i and its direct competitors from Yamaha and others.  These can be had on eBay (and other places) for less than $1,000.  These are, of course, gasoline units, but since you will need to carry a separate fuel supply for any portable-type generator anyway, that should not be too much of a hardship.

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[Len Silva]

Thanks Everyone! There are a few issues I have though... Our bus is a transit unit so i don't have enough room for one of the BIG KAHUNA genny's not to mention 99.9% of the time we will have hookups this will be for the very rare boondocking or something bad like breakdown! Same with the inverter We don't Need the Big ones just something i could have handy if needed. If anyone has an American Branded Genny they know of I would Be Very happy to hear about it. We are doing our rig 99.9% 12 volt so my 110 usage will be limited to my Television/Fridge. And another the bus is a 12 volt model instead of 24.With that in mind would I be better off using one of my little 800watt Coleman inverters for the fridge when traveling? Instead of even bothering with this unit? Thanks for the input guys My genny budget right now is around 1500 but i need something that can mount/sit outside the bus as I am lacking lower compartments.

Well, that makes a big difference.  I would suggest a gas powered Honda, Yamaha, etc portable generator in the 1000-1500 watt range. They are very quiet and sip fuel at moderate loads.  In addition to that, they will have some resale value when you do decide to go to a permanent diesel unit.  The Chinese diesel will be worth it's scrap value almost the day after you buy it.  (Would you buy a used one?) Use it outside or maybe make a shelf for it that would install in a 2" trailer hitch. An 800-1000 watt inverter should handle the fridge and maybe a TV while on the road.

[loosenut]

Just remember a lot of people over there still use slave labor.

Ed

I visited China last year Lisa, friends and I wandered far and wide.  If the Chinese are slaves they are happy slaves.  If they are oppressed they don't feel the yoke as a noose.  They are not naive, but they see the changes as positive and an improvement happening at an appropriate pace.

That said, do NOT buy something made in China that wasn't specced by a non-Chinese company.  Much like Japan, Korea and a century before them the USA; China is gaining industrial experience by putting out inferior products at a very cheap price.  As the a country's experience grows it produces better products and is rewarded with better prices.

Mike

[Lin]

Mike,

I absolutely agree about China.  I often tell my family and friends how much I appreciate it that the Chinese people have graciously dedicated themselves to a life of oppression and slave labor just so I can have all sorts of cheap crap.

[loosenut]

Mike,

I absolutely agree about China.  I often tell my family and friends how much I appreciate it that the Chinese people have graciously dedicated themselves to a life of oppression and slave labor just so I can have all sorts of cheap crap.

Lin, my dad used to say the same thing only back in the day it was cheap Japanese crap that was filling up the nations basements and garages.

Mike