Selecting A Generator

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Rob&Roza
Posts: 18
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:07 pm
Location: Louisiana
Cardinal Owners: 2014 3800FL
Location: Louisiana

Selecting A Generator

Post by 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
Rob & Roza
and Molly (yellow lab/greyhound)
2014 Cardinal 3800 Front Living
Full-time Living
No tow vehicle; we will hire it when we relocate
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BMullins46
Posts: 1569
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:45 pm
Location: Texas Lubbock
Cardinal Owners: 06 Cardinal 31RKT; 2016 XLR 385AMP
2012 Ford F350 DRW, Lariat 6.7 Diesel.
Location: Texas Lubbock

Re: Selecting A Generator

Post by 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.
Bill & Debbie
06 31RKT, MorRyde LRE/4000; 2016 XLR 385AMP
2012 F350 DRW 4X2 Lariat, 6.7 Diesel, TransferFlow aux fuel tank
Fur babies, Betty and Cocoa
Nights camping
2011-102; '12-111; '13-89; '14-108; '15-142; '16-92; '17-163; '18-81
david_iona

Re: Selecting A Generator

Post by 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.
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Olbird
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Location: Washington Kelso
Cardinal Owners: 3850 RL
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Re: Selecting A Generator

Post by 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

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Onan factory installed 5500 LP in a 2014 3850 RL

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

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George & Julie
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Big Bird
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Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:13 pm
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Cardinal Owners: 2018 Cardinal 3250
Location: California La Crescenta

Re: Selecting A Generator

Post by 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.
Big Bird

Marv and Jackie
Rob&Roza
Posts: 18
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:07 pm
Location: Louisiana
Cardinal Owners: 2014 3800FL
Location: Louisiana

Re: Selecting A Generator

Post by Rob&Roza »

Thank you everyone for the quick and detailed responses. Happy holidays to each of you.
Rob & Roza
and Molly (yellow lab/greyhound)
2014 Cardinal 3800 Front Living
Full-time Living
No tow vehicle; we will hire it when we relocate
jacknife
Posts: 607
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2013 7:07 am
Location: California Ramona
Cardinal Owners: 2013Cardinal 3030
TV 2020 Ram 3500 4x4 HO 6.7 Cummins
Location: California Ramona

Re: Selecting A Generator

Post by jacknife »

Rob&Roza wrote: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
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Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2011 9:11 am
Location: South Dakota Stickney
Cardinal Owners: 2010 3640,2011 Dodge 4x4 dually
Location: South Dakota Stickney to Arizona in the winter

Re: Selecting A Generator

Post by 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
Jim and Karen Higgs
2010 Cardinal 3640
2011 Dodge 3500 4x4 dually
full timing starts 6-1-2012
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