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1. I have had a number of motor homes. In fact I am writing this from the motorhome while on a trip. They have excellent generators in them. I never use them. I did start them for a few minutes once a month or two to keep them lubed. The last motorhome I bought I asked if I could order it without the generator and the salesman almost couldn’t find words. But no luck. I am forced to carry the extra weight and run it once a month or so to keep it from going bad. IMHO the trick is to live your life so you don’t need a generator. No gas cans, no extra weight, no noise ( I hate parking near someone who runs their generator all the time). My last trade in had 40K miles on it, two year old and 36 minutes on the generator. The salesman was concerned that it might be broken down and couldn’t believe I simply didn’t use it. I have installed 100W solar on each motorhome to keep the battery charged. But no AC and no noise. I’ve never used the air conditioner either. I suppose it works but even when I’m in a hot climate I don’t use it. Can’t imagine being trapped inside huddled by the air conditioner. To each their own I suppose.

2. Most generators produce 110 volts. For those with wells for water, the submersible pumps require 220 volts. Something to consider when buying your generator.

3. I obviously need to learn in more detail how to repair a generator. I have a 2800 watt Kawasaki that is probably 15 years old. We use it every couple of years during power outages.

4. Anyone working with 3-phase power and generators should be aware that newer high efficiency induction motors can have starting currents that are 6-8 times running full load current.

   For residential type applications the folks at Kubota make an excellent line of diesel generators starting at 7,000 watts. A quick survey of owner comments online will show that these units are prized by commercial and construction operators for long life (10,000+hours) and reliability. The units are also remarkably quiet and can be remote started with the correct kit attached.

5. This article needs a Part 3 to discuss pure sine wave vs modified sine wave generators. I ran my full size frig off my msw generator and measured its wattage at 843 watts. I then measured it off my psw generator and it only used 280 watts, which is what it uses when grid connected. So…msw required three times more power than psw! Big difference. Additionally, many electrical devices will not run properly or at all on msw power (like my frig) and may have degraded circuits because of msw current over time. Discussion of the significant differences in efficiency, operational difficulty, and impact on electronic circuits is imperative in evaluating generator choice.

6. Jon, There is a well pump that handles 110 & 220 AC & DC too! Take a look at Grundfos SQFLEX submersible pumps. The pump does the switching downhole, so it handles a wide range of voltages, switching on its own, based on what you feed it.

7. Thanks Greg X, another good article.

   “Experience suggests the highest fuel efficiency load is fairly high, say 75, 80, maybe even 100% load.”

   Engine efficiency is higher at full throttle because of reduced pumping loss, ie less energy required to pull the air through the carb.

   Also, engine efficiency is generally highest at the engine rpm corresponding to maximum torque output.

8. Greg X: In your article you mention that you ran your generator for a week and used 40 gallons of gasoline. Any chance you could figure out how much propane that would have been had you used that fuel exclusively? I have had a habit of acquiring 30# cylinders of propane. I figure it is at the top end of what is easily carried. I wonder what sort of capacity I am buying with that.

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