Motorhome Generator : All you need to know

If your motorhome does not come equipped with a generator, you will need to purchase one, if you want to make it more attractive to renters when you hire out your campervan, or before going on your next road trip. While many motorhomes have onboard campervan generators to address this issue, relatively few trailers do. Because few people know what to look for in a camper generator or which one to get, we are here to help.

Here is what you need to take into consideration in a motorhome generator.

Types of generators

There are many types of generators. Some use diesel, petrol, propane, or electric, while others can combine between two types of fuel which can be helpful when you need a backup plan. It is important to know beforehand which generator you want to use and that can depend on the prices of each fuel in the country you are traveling to. This also can just be a question of preference and sustainability. Electric power outlets are easier to find than gas stations, especially in remote areas. 

Capacity

It is displayed in Watts and can vary from 1000 to 5000+ watts or more of electricity. This simply means that the power you need depends on the size of your campervan. We usually recommend 1000-2000Watts for small motorhomes or campervans and more than 3000 Watts for motorhomes with appliances such as heater or microwave etc. Make sure the total Wattage of the appliances you are using does not exceed the power capacity of your generator. It is also important to mention that Generators with inverter technology, although a bit more expensive, can protect sensitive electronics such as laptops from power surges. Nevertheless, you should know that some appliances require more power to start them up and then use less power. For example, a microwave might use 1500W to start but only keep using 1000W afterwards depending on its size. It is important to know exactly how much power your appliance will use to decide on your generator as this can be a very important factor.

Portability and noise

The weight of motorhome generators vary according to its capacity. The weight can range from 10kg to 40 kg. Fuel and Electric generators are both heavy because if it is not the fuel that fills the generator then it is the heavy Lithium-ion batteries. However, size is something to take into consideration because you do not want it to take too much space in your campervan and give less room for other important items. Some generators also have wheels and a soft handle on them for easier transportation when you wish to carry them away to the power outlets for example. 

Noise level is something that campervan owners also look for when choosing a generator. Those with inverter technology have reduced size, weight, noise and fuel consumption.

Output options 

Generators typically contain at least a pair of AC outlets (the same as those used in buildings to connect to mains electricity) and a couple of USB outlets.

Some power generators have as many as 17 outlets.  Just make sure to also purchase a parallel cable to link them. You can choose your generator depending on your needs and the number of appliances you wish to connect to it. For instance: chargers, microwave, air conditioner, phone charger, toaster etc. 

Finally, probably the most essential thing is to get the correct adapter for your campervan’s outlet and your generator’s plug. As for how to connect your generator, it is straightforward and there are many How-To tutorials on the internet that will guide you through the process. 

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