Selecting A Generator

[Rob&Roza]

Looking for assistance in selecting a generator to adequately power our 2014 Cardinal 3800FL and all amenities (A/C, hot water heater, residential fridge, etc.).

Please include specifications in your responses. Thank you!

Rob

[BMullins46]

Rob, I am assuming that you plan to dry camp and therefore need the generator. If you're wanting a built-in one look at the one that Cardinal would have installed. For portable ones I don't think you can beat the Honda units, check with Camping world or your local Honda dealer for specs.

[david_iona]

I recently purchased a Champion 2000 watt inverter generator. I selected the 2000 watt since I do not plan to run the A/C or power and all the electrical units in the fifth wheel at one time. I was looking for a quiet unit to use to run the furnace and a few lights in the evening if we decided to dry camp on occasion. I wanted to be sure to have the capacity to charge the battery. One can add another Champion 2000 watt via the dual cable sold for that purpose and have 4000 watts peak and 3600 watts continuous if needed. I purchased mine on line for about $300 less than the Honda and Yamaha units and have used it one time here at home to power a 1500 watt heater when we lost power to the house for several hours a few weeks ago. I am very happy with the unit and can recommend it as a quality unit.

[Olbird]

Rob,

The factory installs a Onan 5.5 LP (5500 Watt Propane) unit, the 5.5 unit will power two A/C units and a little power to spare, if you plan to run two A/C units, electric hot water heater, and any other items at the same time go with a Onan 6.6 LP unit.

I think you will be fine with the 5.5 LP unit and cycle one of the A/C unit if additional heavy power load is required.
I would only go with Propane because Gas or Diesel units will require a fuel tank and Gas fumes need to be address installing a tank on the camper, I have a Onan 2500 LP unit that will run one A/C, lights, converter and refrigerator, if I need to run other items I shutdown the A/C and it works great for me.

The LP Onans are costly about $2,000 - $3000 for a 2500 unit, $4,000 - $5000 for a 5500 unit, $6,000 - $7000 for a 6500 unit.

http://power.cummins.com/onanpowerWeb/n ... Generators

My Onan 2500 LP installed in a 2014 3850 RL



Onan factory installed 5500 LP in a 2014 3850 RL



Picture of the same 2500 LP unit installed in my 2006 Cardinal

[Big Bird]

I double what George says. I had an Onan 5.5 LP installed in the prep box provided by Forest River during manufacturing of the Cardinal. It runs everything we need. We do not dry camp a lot, but when we do it is nice to have. I also use it to keep batteries charged during the winter.

[Rob&Roza]

Thank you everyone for the quick and detailed responses. Happy holidays to each of you.

[jacknife]

Looking for assistance in selecting a generator to adequately power our 2014 Cardinal 3800FL and all amenities (A/C, hot water heater, residential fridge, etc.).

Please include specifications in your responses. Thank you!

Rob

i was checking on line and an outfit out of AZ will sell you an Onan 5500 for $3996.00 with free shipping . just google up gen and you will find them

[hydehunter]

make sure you run it every month as a lot of people have told me if you don't you could be looking at costly repairs,they need to be ran