What Size Generator Do I Need To Run My 50 Amp Rv

Determining "what size of generator practice I need to run my fifty Amp RV?" may feel like a secondary question for new converts to the RV lifestyle. Afterwards all, shore power is available at most parks and resorts, right? In reality, in many rural or remote parts of America, it may still be difficult to connect to fifty amps of shore power.

To keep your appliances powered beyond battery life, you volition need a generator. For an RV that works with 50 amps of power, you should get a generator of at least iv,000 watts, and ideally of at to the lowest degree eight,000. A 50-amp system can take a wattage of upward to 12,000.

What Will a 6,000-Watt Generator Ability on My RV

The wattage or "size" of a generator determines how many appliances you can utilize at the same time inside your RV. When computing the size of generator that you volition demand, yous should differentiate the long-use or permanent-use appliances, which will always be on, from those that you will only utilize for brusque periods of time.

Ideally, you should have enough wattage for all your permanent appliances (A/C, lights, refrigerator, WiFi router) and a couple of small appliances (oven, microwave, Goggle box, stove).

Finally, y'all volition take to summate the wattage of all these appliances and ensure it doesn't exceed half dozen,000.

Long-term appliance consumption:

x,000 BTU A/C system: 2,000 watts on startup, 700 watts to run
Refrigerator: 600 watts on startup, 180 to run
Satellite internet receiver: 250 on startup, 240 to run
Lights: 12 to 40 watts for each light bulb, depending on the model
Microwaves: betwixt 1,000 and 1,500 watts
Electric grill: between 1,500 and 1,700 watts
Coffee maker: approximately 800 watts
Television set: between 200 and 600 watts

How Many Watts Does a 50 Amp RV Apply

Watts are the same as amps multiplied by volts. RVs usually come equipped with two hot wires that can handle 120 volts each. This adds up to a maximum of 1,200 watts:

120 10 50 = 6,000 watts per wire

In addition, your RV also includes a ground wire and a cold wire. However, these exercise not play a role in electricity usage.

Yous should as well retrieve that the maximum wattage is non the aforementioned equally the wattage that you will actually need. Permit's take the consumption numbers we showed above as a reference.

A 6,000-watt generator should allow you to keep your A/C, fridge, and net working at the same time, plus five twenty-watt light bulbs alongside the microwave and TV. Notwithstanding, y'all would need to look before powering up your electric grill.

Does this mean that you will absolutely need a larger wattage? Realistically, it may be easier to wait a few minutes until y'all are washed with the microwave and so starting upwards the electric grill.

What'south the Best Generator for a 50 Amp RV

The all-time generator for your l Amp RV should be i that is just big enough to meet your consumption requirements, with no more than than 1000 watts to spare.

In addition, you should as well expect at the post-obit features:

Size and weight

When you are traveling long distances in an RV, each pound and square inch of space counts. This is why you don't desire to saddle yourself carrying a generator that is significantly larger than what you actually demand.

Notwithstanding, fifty-fifty with generators of the same "size," you volition have a diverseness of layouts and dimensions available. Look for what is more efficient and what fits your RV's layout best.

Fuel

At that place are 3 fuel options for RV generators:

Diesel, which is cost-constructive and hands available
Gas, which can be bought at any gas station but can be hazardous to store
Propane, which may cost the same as diesel, merely is significantly harder to discover while on the road

If you will exist traveling through remote or poorly-served areas, a diesel or gas generator is probably your safest bet.

Propane is harder to find, but it tin can exist stored safely for much longer. If yous are planning to stock upwards in advance, you volition demand to business relationship for the weight and infinite of your propane tanks.

Noise levels

Generators are never silent. Many high-end generators advertise "repose operation," which in reality only means that they will generate less noise than a standard generator.

If y'all tin afford it, you should consider buying a generator that is as tranquility as possible. The permanent racket produced by a generator can begin to grate on your nerves after a few weeks. Plus, in shared facilities such as campsites, they may upset your fellow campers. Fifty-fifty if y'all are traveling in the wilderness, the noise made by an RV generator will bring an unfortunate reminder of city life.

Can I Run a 50 Amp RV on a xxx Amp Generator

Information technology is possible to run a 50 amp RV on a 30 amp generator, but it requires an adapter. This is known every bit a dogbone adapter, and it is ordinarily sold separately.

At that place are two caveats to using a thirty amp generator instead of a 50 amp ane:

First, your total wattage will be capped at three,600 watts. Y'all will only be able to connect the generator to a single 120-volt wire rather than two. 30 x 120 = iii,600 watts.

Some high-end appliances (especially kitchen appliances, such equally microwaves) are designed for 50 Amp energy. If yous use a 30 amp generator, you lot may not be able to operate them reliably.

Tin I Plug My fifty Amp RV Into a Generator

Ultimately, the connectedness between your RV's wiring organization and a generator will work in the same way as if y'all were connecting to shore power. They connect to the AC system of your RV and volition power any appliances designed to work with AC power.

If you take any appliances that work with DC power, yous volition need to add a transformer to your set up-up. This installation volition have to be done, or at to the lowest degree checked, past a licensed electrician.

Determination

A l amp RV can have a generator of up to 12,000 watts. The capacity that y'all will actually need volition depend on the types of appliances y'all accept on your RV and that you plan to utilize at the aforementioned time. Commonly, this generator should be of at to the lowest degree 4,000 watts. If you lot programme to take A/C, yous will need between 6,000 and viii,000 watts.

Get some pen and paper and first thinking about the type of lifestyle that you want while traveling on your RV.