Honda 1000 Generator

[Ramblinman]

Hello,

Solar is not an option for me as I live in NW Canada and typically use my FWC in the Spring and Fall. I have been using a Honda 2000 with great success. I would like to repurpose the 2000 and buy a 1000 specifically for the FWC.

I typically use the generator to top of the batteries and run the furnace at night when it is well below freezing.

My questions:

1. Is anyone using the 1000 with their FWC? If so how does it do?

2. Is it suitable to run the lights and heater fan in the camper?

I feel like it will. I would be remiss if I did not canvas the WTW community before making this purchase.

Advise and opinions are welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I have used the Yamaha 1000, which is nearly the same as the Honda 1000, on several RVs. More than suitable for lights, heater and charging the batteries.

Much lighter and smaller than the 2000.

 

[DanoT]

If the batteries are low and the propane furnace needs to run a lot due to cold temps, then the furnace could end up drawing down the house battery almost as fast as it is getting charged by the generator. In other words it could take a long while to get a full charge into the battery.

A 2000watt generator (1600w continuous) would power a battery charger (180-200watts) and 1000watt electric space heater, with the furnace turned off. A 1000watt generator would require a much lower wattage electric space heater.

 

[rubberlegs]

Our solar panel is 90 watts. It takes six hours plus but... doesn’t seem like you need a ton of watts.

 

[Pantone 453]

Anything wrong with this plan:

Small (less than 2 cubic feet) freezer.
Run Honda 1000 a few hours/day or when necessary to keep the freezer cold AND to make ice for a cooler.
Keep meat in the freezer and take out the next days meals the day before and put in the cooler.



Reasoning:
The Honda runs day or night and in the rain, not reliant on the sun to power up batteries.
The small Honda and gas weighs much less than the solar equipment and batteries that would be equivalent to keep the freezer running. I think the weight savings is the most important factor for me.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Anything wrong with this plan:

Small (less than 2 cubic feet) freezer.
Run Honda 1000 a few hours/day or when necessary to keep the freezer cold AND to make ice for a cooler.
Keep meat in the freezer and take out the next days meals the day before and put in the cooler.



Reasoning:
The Honda runs day or night and in the rain, not reliant on the sun to power up batteries.
The small Honda and gas weighs much less than the solar equipment and batteries that would be equivalent to keep the freezer running. I think the weight savings is the most important factor for me.

We did exactly that while boat camping at Lake Powell. I did have a dedicated group 27 battery that was paralleled to the similar house battery to charge when the engine was running. The parallel was switched off if the motor was not running. We typically ran the generator for roughly an hour, twice a day. The Engel was used strictly as a freezer to make ice for the day use cooler, and to keep the other frozen foods safe.

We have friends who use two Engels, one as a freezer, one for fresh foods. They also have a bigger battery bank than out boat did.

To be honest, I hated running the generator because of the noise, but it was very effective.

 

[Wango]

The 1000s are great, have carried them into the backcountry doing SAR work in MT.
And would most likely work for your needs.
I was going to go that route, but went with a 2k, converted it to propane. And it will run a larger heater. Space wasn't an issue due to the truck being a crew cab.
You can't go wrong either way.

 

[Pantone 453]

Thank you!

It looks like my plan will work out fine.

 

[michelle_east_county]

Space wasn't an issue due to the truck being a crew cab.
You can't go wrong either way.

If you're storing the generator in the truck cab, is there an issue with odors requiring an airtight case or bag? Propane conversion would have helped, given there wouldn't be a dangerous small tank of gasoline in it, but it does sometimes seem like that propane and natural gas odorant can linger on things.