If you’re planning a caravan trip that involves free stay camping, then chances are you’ll need some power to run your appliances(caravan generator). Many caravan owners will pack a portable generator as an option to charge their deep cycle batteries, or to run those appliances that generally require a bit more power such as caravan air-conditioning units, washing machines, microwaves, kettles, hair dryers and the like. Our team of generator experts sell portable generators for caravans to customers every day from all over Australia. So here, we have compiled responses to the most commonly asked questions by customers wanting a generator for their caravan. If you’re in the market for a caravan generator, then the below will likely help you make the best choice for your upcoming trip: 1.     What size generator do I need to run my Caravan A/C unit? If you need to run a caravan or motorhome A/C unit, the most popular caravan generator models are typically between 2000 – 3000 watts.

However, every A/C unit is different, so you need to find out the wattage requirements for your particular unit before you invest in a generator. how to hook up gauges on ac unitYou’ll find wattage information on the A/C data plate or in the product manual, otherwise just get in touch with the manufacturer; air handling unit constructionpopular brands such as Air Command, Dometic, Coleman and many others have helpful service departments to help you find the wattage information you need for your model.combination heat and ac window units It is also important to note that many A/C units have a start-up power requirement and a continuous running power requirement. The start-up power can be 3 to 4 times the running power (often this is not stated in the manual), so use the higher number when determining your caravan generator size.

Get the right info from your A/C unit (starting and running wattage), and you’ll get the right generator. We find that the Yamaha EF2400iS is the best suited generator to run caravan air conditioners…some people can get away with a smaller generator, but this is less common – again, it comes down to making sure you have the correct wattage information for your particular air-con unit, and getting in touch with the manufacturer of that unit is often the most reliable and accurate way of obtaining the required wattage numbers. If you want to run other appliances at the same time as the A/C, you need to find out all the running power watts for your other appliances too (e.g. fridge, computer, TV,  lights etc.), then add that total to the A/C start up power wattage amount to determine what caravan generator size you need. Check out our buyer’s guide to generators for a step-by-step example to help you select the right sized generator for your specific uses. 2.     Can you recommend the best generator for a caravan trip?

No doubt about it, the number one caravan generator is the Yamaha EF2400iS. Because it’s ultra quiet for its power output (around 54 decibels at quarter load) and extremely fuel efficient – you’ll get around 9 hours of run-time at around quarter load. We’re not the only ones who think so – the Yamaha EF2400iS was recently ranked as the number one generator against its counterparts in the Caravan & Motorhome on Tour Magazine. (Read all about the battle of the generators here) The reasons the Yamaha EF2400iS is the most popular model of caravan generator is largely because it can run most caravan A/C units. That said, some people will opt for a Yamaha EF2800i which has little bit more power if required. In any case, to be 100% sure you get the right caravan generator size for your appliances, you can refer to our buyer’s guide. You may be able to use a smaller unit such as the Yamaha EF 2000iS or you may need a larger unit such as a 3000w model … but as mentioned, its best to know your air con wattage particulars first, before you select your caravan generator.

Another unit worth considering is the new Cromtech Outback 2400w generator (more on this below). All of these generator models are inverter generators, meaning they are suitable to run all your other sensitive electronic appliances like TV’s, laptops, mobile phones etc. If you only require a generator on your caravan trip to top up your deep cycle batteries and not to run larger appliances, then you can consider a smaller option such as the Yamaha EF1000iS. This model is definitely the most popular for charging your battery packs (often used in conjunction with your solar set up) – its extremely lightweight at less than 13 kilos and is the quietest generator on the market. Just remember it is recommended to use a battery charger between the AC outlet of your generator and your batteries – that way, the power charge is correctly regulated. If you want to run a few more appliances as well, then the Yamaha EF2000iS is worth your consideration. 3.     We are interested in a generator for our caravan – what can you tell me about the Chinese brands?

Are they just all the same and should they be avoided? In many areas, Chinese manufacturing has come a long way. Even some premium brands are using parts manufactured in China and Taiwan these days. However, not all Chinese generators are made equal – some are more reliable than others. Cromtech is one such brand. Manufactured in China and backed by Australian manufacturer Crommelins, Cromtech generators are getting a good reputation for certain types of uses. There are two things we especially like about them: Our most popular Cromtech generator for caravans is the Cromtech 2400w Inverter Generator. It produces a peak of 2400 watts, is super quiet and a 5-litre fuel tank for 6 hours continuous run-time. When it comes to choosing between a ‘value for money’ brand (like Cromtech) or a premium brand (like Yamaha), there are a few important questions to ask before you buy… Essentially, Cromtech is a good value for money option if you only need the generator for occasional or ‘just in case’ use.

If you will be using your generator more frequently, intend to go on extended remote trips or use your genset for more than just caravanning, then it makes sense to opt for a premium brand; designed for more intensive use and they come with longer warranties – you can justify the higher spend with the higher usage! 4.     Do you think a generator cover is necessary to maintain the unit in the best condition? Most of the time we would have the generator stored within our caravan. Generator covers are designed to protect those generators stored in a garage or shed from dust. The cover should never to be used when the unit is operating and they are not weatherproof. If your generator will be stored in a small caravan storage enclosure, a cover is not essential. Here’s a quick tip: if your generator is on the ground, always sit it on a board when running. This prevents the ground dirt and dust being sucked into the machine. 5.     Do I need a generator for my caravan or can I just use a solar power set up?

We plan to be free camping, not using power from caravan parks. It all comes down to what appliances you intend to run and how much power they require. Some people get by on solar power alone. Others may own a generator as a backup just in case the sun isn’t shining for a while. While some like to run appliances, such as air-conditioning units or some coffee makers, washing machines, kettles, microwaves etc. – all of these types of appliances can require more power. More often than not, solar power isn’t enough for these types of appliances and you’ll need generator power (especially to start them up). To determine the power required to run your appliances, start by checking both the starting and running wattage of each appliance. This can be found in the product manual, on the product data plate or from the manufacturer of that product. Once you know the power required, you can determine whether your solar set-up will be enough or if you also need a generator. If you decide you need a generator, check out our step-by-step buyers’ guide to make sure you get the right one to run your particular appliances.

6.     Any other advice regarding selecting a generator for a caravan? Just be weary that with any generator, there are some external factors that will slightly affect it’s performance. The most common one is temperature – running a generator in hot weather (over 30 degrees celsius) will slightly de-rate the generator’s power output. As a rule of thumb, for every 5 degrees in temperature above 25°C, the generator’s capacity will be reduced by around 10%. Another factor that can slightly reduce the power capacity of a generator is extension leads. The longer the lead from the appliances to the generator, the more the power will be affected, noting that anything over 3-4 metres will slightly de-rate the power of the generator. Also just be conscious of additional demands that you may be unintentionally placing on the generator when running a particular appliance. For example, we often speak to customers who are trying to run their caravan air-con but having trouble as power is also being drawn to charge their battery system.