GENERATOR USE
We get questions everday about how the generator works what it runs and what its limitations are. Here we have tried to answer a few of those questions.
Let's start with what the generator runs. The generator runs your overhead air conditioner, microwave, outlets and TV, when you are not hooked up to an external power source. A lot of private RVs do not have generators, it can be considered a kind of luxury item. The fridge, stove, heat and hot water work off of propane. The lights work off of the an auxillary battery.
If you are staying at a campsite that has electrical hook ups you will plug into their power and you will not use the generator. If you are staying somewhere where you do not have access to electrical hook ups you will turn on the generator when you need it. You will not run the generator all the time. You will turn on the generator for a few minutes while you turn on your microwave or if you want to plug in an appliance like a hair dryer. The two things that will use a lot of time on the generator are the overhead air conditioning and the TV. This is why some consider a generator a luxury item (does anyone need TV and air conditioning while camping? Well actually I do, but that's another topic).
People call wanting to know how many amps they need when they are going to a campsite. Most RVs will need a 30 amp hook up. Some of the larger RV's with washer dryers will need a 50 amp hook up.
Some people rent an RV to stay outside a friend or relatives house. In this case you can plug your RV into the house. You can run some of the appliances (with limitations) off of a 15 or 20 amp household 3 prong receptacle. The setup is pretty straight forward; all you need is a 30 Amp Female to 15 Amp Male Adapter and plug that adapter into your home electrical. Just a reminder, you will not be able to run a lot of your appliances all at one time, due to being hooked up to 15 Amps. You could run one Air Conditioner. You cannot use the Microwave at the same time as the Air Conditioner as you will trip the circuit breaker in the house. I also would not plug anything into the house electrical circuit you are going to have your RV plugged into.
When you are renting an RV you will usually need to pay for the use of the generator. It varies by location, but is around $3 per hour of use.
The generator runs off of the gas in your gas tank. When your gas tank gets down to one quarter of a tank the generator shuts off. This is a safety feature so that you are not left stranded somewhere on an empty tank.
Hopefully this has answered some of your questions about what a generator runs and how it works..