Re: [VAL] AC for my Argosy while boon docking?

["Tom" <thomm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Any way you can mount the 3kw generator on the trailer A-frame?  I've just
begun my quest to have a totally self-contained Airstream RV.  I plan to use
a "thin" gasoline engine directly coupled to the AC generator head mounted
behind my propane tanks and in front of the trailer body.  My *choice* of a
gasoline engine would of course be made by Honda -- and I'd also replace the
stock muffler with one of the *quiet* models being made today.

The generator head I've got in mind would be 6kw in capacity which is more
than I need for now.  But, should I ever put a second AC on the rooftop of
our 34' FK Excella 1000 model I'd need the extra power.  And, if a fellow
camper needed some power I'd have it to spare. ;)

In my research I've found I need 2 HP to produce 1kw of power -- so the 6kw
would need 12 HP for an engine but maybe you could get away with an 11 HP
engine.  Recently I purchased the biggest single cylinder engine horizontal
shaft engine made by Honda today, the GX390 model for just over $350.00 and
it's only been used for under 2 hours it's entire life as it was used by a
researcher making muffler designs.

Now I need the generator head which can be bought new for about $300, a gas
tank if I wanted a larger one than the one that comes with the GX390 engine,
a very small control panel with outlets and breakers I can design and make
myself.  I plan to have a custom frame welded to hold all of this and then
I'll add outside sheets of aluminum or stainless steel to form a box which
will have about 3/4" of rubber insulation material on all inside surfaces to
deaden the sound.  With a sound insulated box, a custom "quiet muffler" I
should be able to run my generator without disturbing my "close-by"
neighbors.

There really is space behind our propane tanks for a generator if you are
willing to do most of the work yourself.  Once I get "my design" down to the
real deal I may offer to do this for others "for a fee".  After all, none of
us can do anything for nothing and time is our most sacred commodity.

As Jim did on his Airstream which is totally electric with his water cooled
RV Honda engine setup, I will also have a couple of fans running inside the
"box" whenever the generator is switched on to provide cooling air to the
unit.

It is also possible that I will make some type of contraption so that I
could actually wheel the generator TO the trailer and then have it "lift"
itself with bit of engineering and some muscle strength (very little, don't
plan to imitate a gorilla here!) and leverage.  This way I could remove the
generator when needed if the need should ever arise.  I do believe that our
trailers are much more useful to us if we can  have *all* the extras
available to use whether it is boondocking at Wal*Mart or a Flying J for the
night or real boondocking with all the comforts of home on hand.  Parking my
trailer during the daytime in the heat without air conditioning is not an
option -- for us.

Tom
WBCCI 5303