[Rhodes22-list] Airstream Genset

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 14:03:56 -0500

Brad, 

  Yes, it would be to power the blower on the LP furnace. It is DC, and can
be operated without an electrical hookup from just the battery.  However,
the draw would be significant on a cold night.  The whole night would
probably more than the battery could handle.  I'm sure the Honda would
produce more power than would be needed.  In fact, I probably would run the
furnace for a while on battery alone, then start the generator to recharge
the battery. (our current Airstream has only 1 battery)

We have a 25' Excella.  It is great for two, although we felt a little
cramped with all of the baby stuff in the living room.  We've been
considering a much larger version (like 34' or so) in order to handle
additional children when that becomes important.

If it were just me, I'd live without the heater. I've done my share of cold
weather and high altitude backpacking.  However, there is the fresh water
system to consider (as well as Dylan).   

-----Original Message-----
From: brad haslett [mailto:flybrad@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 1:48 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Airstream Genset

Doug, you mentioned in an earlier post that you towed
an Airstream.  I lived in one part time (32ft) for two
years but didn't tow.  If I did you can bet it would
have been with the biggest rig I could get my hands
on.  I heated my Airstream electric only with three
small heaters.  Experimenting with the Honda I have
discovered it will power one electric heater at the
750watt level no problem.  It sounds like what you
want to do is power the blower on the LP furnace,
correct?  The Honda would probably handle that easily,
the blower motor doesn't draw that much power but I
can't remember whether its AC or DC.  The Honda
produces both but the DC side is for battery charging
only.  The most efficient way to consume DC would be
to let the Honda's AC side power the campers/boats
charging system.  On the AC side you will face the
same issue I am on the boat.  When you're powering a
high draw application, you have to make sure no one
plugs anything else in or turns something else on. No
damage will be done but the genset will trip its
breaker. There were a couple of times I lost power in
my space for the Airstream and the Honda would have
saved me a trip to a motel.

Brad Haslett
"CoraShen"
--- "Gardner, Douglas L. (LNG-DAY)"
<douglas.gardner@lexisnexis.com> wrote:
> Hey Brad, 
> 
>    No offense taken, and actually my response read
> much more strongly than I
> intended.  My main thesis was supposed to be that
> casual observers can't
> decide if a vehicle is appropriate for an individual
> or not. I've been known
> to throw my share of comments about soccer moms
> buying a Ford Excursion to
> drive to the grocery.  The fact is, I can't tell
> from the grocery store
> parking lot if they really need the huge SUV or not.
>  (well, actually I can
> look at the hitch to see if its been used, and I can
> look to see if there is
> a brake controller under the dash, but that is about
> it.)
> 
> Rik's main points are well founded.  Given that the
> question is: what do I
> need to tow a R22?  Then the answer is: Something
> rated to tow 5,000lbs or
> better. 
> Like I said, my Jeep Cherokee Classic can handle
> that, although I wish it
> was just a bit heavier. 
> 
> Personally, I loved my Ford Aerostar. 
> Unfortunately, given the extremes of
> my needs (commuting vs. the occasional heavy
> towing/hauling) there is no
> room in the stable or the budget for a minivan.  Too
> bad.  I really liked
> having one.  I don't understand what some of my
> friends have against them.
> They are great vehicles for the family and
> occasional light hauling.  I
> could even fit my garden tractor in mine!
> 
> Oh, and about the generator/microwave...  I say GO
> FOR IT!  I'm not going to
> do that on the boat, but you and Rik have me
> seriously thinking about that
> little generator for the camper!  That would widen
> our horizons a lot if I
> could generate enough juice to run the furnace in
> the camper overnight
> without electrical hookups!  I have a catalytic
> heater in there, but won't
> use it overnight with kids nearby.  The furnace is
> the way to go...
> 
> --Doug
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: brad haslett [mailto:flybrad@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 12:00 PM
> To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] diesel insults
> 
> 
> Doug, NO! You shouldn't be insulted.  My comments
> were
> not directed to you personally or anyone else on the
> list.  A list member asked for information about
> diesels and as a long time diesel driver I shared
> some
> personal experience.  Thats all.  If you like your
> truck, be happy and live in peace.  I work with 4500
> guys and gals with a larger than average number who
> drive full size diesel pickups that they have little
> legitimate use for (that doesn't mean there isn't
> one).  I poke fun at them all the time and take the
> return fire from them about my "pizza delivery
> truck"
> (Toyota Tacoma) in good spirit.  Forgive me if my
> politically correct, sensitivity meter was unplugged
> that day but it will probably happen again.  A lot
> of
> folks on this list think my genset-microwave combo
> either 1 - can't be done or 2 - is silly to begin
> with, and have stated so in so many words.  I find
> it
> all rather funny and take no offense.  If they
> outright called me an idiot I wouldn't get insulted,
> I'd just take them off my Christmas card list!
> 
> Brad Haslett
> "CoraShen"
> _________________________________________________
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www.rhodes22.org/list

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