Powering Your Midsize Camper: How Many Watts?

The number of watts a midsize camper requires depends on the appliances you plan to use and the camper's size. A midsize travel trailer between 20 and 30 feet will need around 2000 watts for lights, a furnace, water heating, and a water pump. If you add appliances like a microwave, instant pot, and induction burner, you'll need a generator that can supply up to 35000 watts.

If you're looking for a generator to power a midsize camper, you should also consider the startup power spikes of your appliances. Some devices, like microwaves, fridges, and pumps, need double their listed running wattage to start internal motors and compressors. A generator with a buffer capacity will allow for most surge demands.

Additionally, the location of your campsite will determine the maximum wattage available to you. In the US, campsites typically have 50, 30, and 20-amp electrical services, which provide a maximum wattage of 6000, 3600, and 2400 watts, respectively.

How many watts does a midsize camper require for a 30-amp connection?

A 30-amp RV has one 30-amp service leg for powering appliances and outlets of 120 volts. To calculate the required wattage, we use the formula: Watts = Volts x Amps. This means that a 30-amp camper can use a shore power connection of 3,600 watts. A 2,500-2,800-watt generator is often a good minimum threshold for 30-amp RVs that have an AC unit.

Camper vans can use between 2,000 and 12,000 watts, depending on the camper size and the appliances used. Small trailers, campers, SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans might need a generator of around 2,000 watts, while large motorhomes and RVs need more power.

• Small refrigerator: 500W to start and 300W to run, but bigger refrigerators can take up 800W
• 6-gallon water heater: 1,000W or more
• TVs: 60W for a 30” LCD
• Air conditioning unit: 2,000W when it starts up, and around 1,500W to keep it running

Starting watts, also known as surge current, are the initial surge of power needed for an appliance to start or turn on. Running watts are the operational requirement of the device.

A generator for a 30-amp RV should provide at least 3,600W, and it’s helpful to find one with a slightly higher power rating. For example, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro has a 3,600W capacity and should be able to meet most of your needs.

How many watts does a midsize camper require for a 50-amp connection?

A 50-amp service is more common in larger RVs with higher load requirements, such as double AC units, washer/dryers, etc. A 50-amp RV plug has two 120-volt hot wires, a neutral wire, and a ground wire. This means that a 50-amp RV can handle up to 12,000 watts, providing a substantial increase in power compared to a 30-amp service.

Calculating the Required Watts for a Midsize Camper

To determine the required watts for a midsize camper with a 50-amp connection, you need to consider the wattage requirements of the appliances you plan to use simultaneously. Here are some typical wattage requirements for common appliances used in campers:

• Air conditioner: 1,200 to 2,400 watts
• Dishwasher: 1,200 to 2,400 watts
• Stove: 900 to 2,500 watts
• Hair dryer: 1,200 to 1,875 watts
• Clothes iron: 1,000 to 1,800 watts
• Washer: 1,000 to 1,500 watts
• Coffee maker: 900 to 1,200 watts
• Microwave: 750 to 1,500 watts
• Toaster: 800 to 1,400 watts
• Refrigerator: 400 to 1,000 watts
• Blender: 450 to 700 watts
• Radio: 50 to 200 watts
• Gaming console: 70 to 180 watts
• Laptop: 20 to 50 watts

Factors Affecting Camper Generator Performance

It's important to consider that environmental conditions can impact the performance of your generator. High humidity, extreme temperatures, and high altitudes can affect the efficiency of your generator. For example, in humid environments, the engine may have to work harder, leading to reduced power output. Similarly, very low or very high temperatures can impact engine performance and fuel consumption. At high altitudes, there is less oxygen supply, resulting in lower combustion efficiency and increased fuel usage.

Choosing the Right Generator for a Midsize Camper

When selecting a generator for your midsize camper, it's crucial to choose one that can handle the power requirements of your appliances. A 2,000-watt generator is typically suitable for average camper use, supporting lights, cell phone charging, TVs, stoves, laptops, and other basic appliances. However, if you only need to power essential items, a smaller 500 to 1,000-watt generator may suffice. On the other hand, if you want to run multiple heavy-duty appliances simultaneously, you'll need a larger generator, with 3,000 watts or more.

Additionally, consider the starting watts and running watts of your appliances. Starting watts refer to the high power required for a brief moment when starting a device, while running watts refer to the operational power needed during regular use. Make sure your generator can handle the starting watts of your appliances to avoid overloading the generator.

Tips for Safe and Efficient Use

To ensure safe and efficient use of your generator, it's important to distribute the electrical load evenly across both legs of the 50-amp service. This helps prevent overloading and optimizes performance and appliance lifespan. Additionally, when using high-amperage devices, try to run them individually to avoid overloading the system. Finally, consider investing in energy-efficient appliances, such as LED lights and convection microwaves, to reduce power consumption and make the most of your available power.

What are the pros and cons of a portable camper generator?

A mid-size camper typically requires 2,000 to 4,000 watts of energy. Now, here are the pros and cons of a portable camper generator:

Pros

• Reliable power source: Portable generators provide a dependable source of electricity, especially in remote locations without access to the electrical grid.
• Convenience: They eliminate the need to rely on traditional camping methods like campfires, allowing for more conventional meal preparation and electronic device charging.
• Emergency preparedness: Portable generators are versatile and useful during power outages, natural disasters, or other emergencies, helping to keep essential appliances running.
• Quiet operation: Many portable generators are designed to operate quietly, ensuring that fellow campers are not disturbed. Certain models feature noise-cancelling technology, significantly reducing sound emissions.
• Freedom to camp anywhere: With a portable generator, you are no longer restricted to campsites with electrical hookups. You can camp off the beaten path and still have access to power.

Cons

• Limited power capacity: Smaller generators may not be able to power larger appliances and multiple devices simultaneously.
• Fuel consumption: Fossil fuel-powered generators can be fuel-intensive and may require frequent refuelling, which can be challenging and costly.
• Emissions and environmental impact: Fossil fuel-powered generators produce harmful emissions, including carbon monoxide and other pollutants, which can be hazardous to both humans and the ecosystem.
• Noise: Traditional fuel-powered generators can be noisy, producing up to 60 decibels, which may disturb you and your fellow campers, especially during extended use.
• Maintenance: Non-battery-powered portable generators require regular maintenance, such as changing the oil and air filter.
• Weight: On average, small portable generators for camping can weigh between 100 and 150 lbs, which can be cumbersome to transport.

What are the pros and cons of a built-in camper generator?

The wattage requirements of a mid-size camper vary depending on the appliances and devices you intend to use. A 2000-watt generator is a good medium-capacity generator for average camper use. It will support lights, cell phone charging, TVs, stoves, laptops, and other appliances. However, you can use smaller generators of 500 to 1000 watts for powering just the bare minimum, and large generators of more than 3000 watts can power all your favourite appliances.

Now, let's discuss the pros and cons of a built-in camper generator:

Pros of a Built-In Camper Generator:

• Built-in generators eliminate the need to carry extra fuel, as they run off internal propane tanks.
• They are more convenient to operate, as they can be started with the push of a button from inside the camper.
• Built-in generators are usually wired into the camper's electrical system, making them a permanent installation that can provide backup power or directly power your camper.
• They are often quieter than portable fossil fuel generators, making them more suitable for use in campsites with noise restrictions.
• Built-in generators can be difficult to steal, as they are integrated into the camper, making them a less attractive target for thieves.
• They can provide a higher power output, making them suitable for larger RVs or campers with more power-hungry appliances.

Cons of a Built-In Camper Generator:

• One of the significant drawbacks of built-in generators is the challenge and expense of maintenance and repairs.
• They are married to the camper, which means they cannot be used for other purposes, such as powering your home during a power outage or for outdoor events.
• Built-in generators may produce more noise than portable generators, which can be a concern for campers who value peace and quiet.
• The high capacity of built-in generators often results in larger and heavier units, which can be a disadvantage for campers with limited space.
• Built-in generators are typically more expensive than portable generators, and the installation process can be complex, requiring expertise.
• In the event of a malfunction, built-in generators may activate the CO alarm, even if the exhaust is directed outside.

How do I calculate the total electrical power demand for a midsize camper?

To calculate the total electrical power demand for a midsize camper, you should first make a list of all the appliances, electronics, lighting, motors, and other items you plan to run while camping off-grid. This will provide the basis for adding up the maximum rated wattage of each component to estimate the total anticipated power draw.

You can find the operating voltages and rated load of each device, typically in watts or amps, on the nameplates of the devices. While individual small items may draw limited watts, remember that running multiple systems simultaneously can add up quickly.

For example, concurrently running a 1500-watt air conditioner, a 1200-watt microwave, and a 1000-watt coffee maker would require at least a 3700-watt generator.

When initially energised, certain devices, such as microwaves, fridges, and pumps, may briefly need double or more of their listed running wattage ratings to start internal motors and compressors. Therefore, it is important to consider these startup power spikes when calculating the total electrical power demand.

• AC units: 1,200 to 2,400 watts
• Dishwasher: 1,200 to 2,400 watts
• Stove: 900 to 2,500 watts
• Hair dryer: 1,200 to 1,875 watts
• Clothes iron: 1,000 to 1,800 watts
• Washer: 1,000 to 1,500 watts
• Coffee maker: 900 to 1,200 watts
• Microwave: 750 to 1,500 watts
• Toaster: 800 to 1,400 watts
• Refrigerator: 400 to 1,200 watts
• Blender: 450 to 700 watts
• Radio: 50 to 200 watts
• Gaming console: 70 to 180 watts
• Laptop: 20 to 50 watts

Once you have the total running wattage of all the appliances, you can calculate the total required wattage by adding the highest surge wattage to this figure.

For a midsize camper, the total electrical power demand will likely fall between 2,000 and 4,000 watts.

Frequently asked questions