COMPARISON OF CATEGORIES BETWEEN PORTABLE AND RV GENERATORS |
| Category | Typical | Portable | RV | Portable | RV | Winner |
|
|
3,000 Watts |
2,800 Watts |
5,000 Watts |
5,000 Watts |
2,800 Watt |
5,000 Watt |
| Models | Portable vs RV | Honda EB5000 | Onan MicroLite 2800 | Honda EB5000 | Onan Marquis Gold 5000 | | |
| Time of Need | On Road and Parked | Can't be used while mobile. | Usable always | Can't be used while mobile. | Usable always | RV | RV |
| Size | Compact is Preferred | 26L x 18W x 21.1H | 24L x 16.5W x 12.3H | 26L x 18W x 21.1H | 24L x 16.5W x 12.3H | RV | RV |
| Weight | Lighter is Preferred | 134.5 lbs | 113 lbs | | | RV | RV |
| Remote Control/Start | Automatic Preferred | No Auto-start | Auto-start Standard | No Auto-start | Auto-start Standard | RV | RV |
| Auto Choking | Automatic Preferred | No Auto-choke | Auto-Choke Standard | No Auto-choke | Auto-Choke Standard | RV | RV |
| Remote Panel and Cables Available? | Start GenSet from inside RV | No | Yes, Option | No | Yes, Option | RV | RV |
| Move In/Out | Permanent Desirable | Required to Run in Open Air | Operates in Closed Compartment | Required to Run in Open Air | Operates in Closed Compartment | RV | RV |
| Setup or Connecting | Permanent Desirable | Pull Out, Reconnect with Each Use | Always Connected | Pull Out, Reconnect with Each Use | Always Connected | RV | RV |
| Transfer of Power | Manual | Manual Only | Manual Only | Manual Only | Manual Only | - | - |
| Unattended Operation | Unattended desirable | Short Periods Only | Runs Unattended | Short Periods Only | Runs Unattended | RV | RV |
| Operation by Family | Desirable | Usually difficult | Automatic Operation | Usually difficult | Automatic Operation | RV | RV |
| Weather Protection | Desirable | Requires shelter or move out/in | Operates in Closed Compartment | Requires shelter or move out/in | Operates in Closed Compartment | RV | RV |
| Security | Desirable | Easy to steal if left out | Locked in Compartment | Easy to steal if left out | Locked in Compartment | RV | RV |
| Security During Operation | Highly Desirable | Must go outside to start and refuel | Runs Automatically in Compartment | Must go outside to start and refuel | Runs Automatically in Compartment | RV | RV |
| Fuel Tank Type | Strongest Preferred | Usually plastic | Usually steel propane tank or built-in RV Tank | Usually plastic | Usually steel propane tank or built-in RV Tank | RV | RV |
| Fuel Tank Size | Larger better than smaller | 3.4 gallons | 50+ gallons | 4.5 gallons | 50+ gallons | RV | RV |
| Run Time per Tank | Longer is better | at 1/2 load 10 hours
at full load 57 hours | at 1/2 load 160 hours
at full load 80 hours | at 1/2 load 11.2 hours
at full load 5 hours | at 1/2 load 83 hours
at full load 40 hours | RV | RV |
| Refueling | Automatic Preferred | Every 10 hours @ 1/2 load | 80+ hours | Every 5-11 hours @ 1/2 load | 40+ hours | RV | RV |
| Storage of Fuel | Desirable, if safe | Fuel cans outside
or inside | In RV Tanks | Fuel cans outside
or inside | In RV Tanks | RV | RV |
| Fuel Tanks | RV manufacturer | No | Yes | No | Yes | | |
| Fuel Economy | @ Full Load | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | RV | RV |
| Refueling System | Automatic Preferred | By hand with cans, stop generator | Refueled With RV | By hand with cans, stop generator | Refueled With RV | RV | RV |
| Fuel Type | Propane or Diesel Preferred | Gasoline | Propane, Diesel, Gasoline | Gasoline | Propane, Diesel, Gasoline | RV | RV |
| Preferred Fuel | Propane or RV Engine Fuel | Propane, No Pourable Fuels | Propane, Diesel, Gasoline from RV Tank Only | Propane, No Pourable Fuels | Propane, Diesel, Gasoline from RV Tank Only | RV | RV |
| Generator Cost | Lower is better than higher | $2,822 | $3,500 | $2,011 | $4,200 | RV | Portable |
| Estimated Install Labor (electrician) | Lower is better than higher | $100 | $400 | $100 | $600 | RV | RV |
| Other Parts | Cords, plug | $50 | None | $50 | None | RV | RV |
| Total Initial Cost | Lower is better than higher | $1,972 | $2,066 ($94 more) Propane or Diesel Higher | $2,161 | $3,033 ($872 more) Propane or Diesel Higher | Portable | Portable |
| Cost Per Hour to Run @ 1/2 Load | Lower is better than higher | 0.34 gallons per hour or $0.60 hr | 0.30 gallons per hour or $0.52 hr | 1.0 gallons per hour or $2.00 hr | 0.60 gallons per hour or $1.20 hr | RV | RV |
| Estimated Life Hours | Longer is better than shorter | checking facts | checking facts | checking facts | checking facts | RV | RV |
| Years of Life | Longer is better than shorter | checking facts | checking facts | checking facts | checking facts | RV | RV |
| Cost Over 10 years | Lower is better than higher | checking facts | checking facts | checking facts | checking facts | RV | RV |
| Noise | Lower is better than higher | 49-59 dBA | < 59 dBA in compartment | 72 dBA | < 65 dBA in compartment | RV | RV |
| Oil Capacity | Larger better than smaller | < 1 Quart | 3 quarts | 2 Quarts | 3 quarts | RV | RV |
| Adds to value of RV? | According to RV Dealers | No | No $2,000 | No | Yes $4,000 | RV | RV |
Even though the Portable is cheaper overall, by almost double in the 5,000 watt size and only $204 more in the 10,000 watt size; you have to ask yourself, is it worth the savings. If you, (or your family members if you are out of town, sick or injured), must struggle one time to haul the portable out, plug it in and refuel it in foul weather at night every 4-11 hours, is it worth the difference in savings. Read the list over a few times and you should conclude that unless you love to get cold and wet, stay up late and play survivor, your better off to have an installed system that is totally automatic. REMEMBER: Cost is only one factor. Carefully consider the safety, security, setup and storage issues shown on the chart. Please read the summary at the enc of this chart as well. Whether you agree or now we want you to be informed. No matter what you decide to purchase we would like to have your order. We have residential generators from 8,000 watts (8 kW) to 45,000 watts (45 kW), in propane, natural gas and diesel. We have portable generators from 1,000 watts (1 kW) to 15,000 watts (15 kW) in gasoline, diesel, propane and natural gas. The majority of portable are gasoline powered. We will be offering portable kits which include a generator, transfer switch, cord and outlet box for one low price. To see our kits click Portable Kits. COMING SOON! If you are considering a portable for a residential use, see our chart at
Portable vs Stationary. For more information about fuels see
Generator Fuels. We have lots of information for you. Look at all these interesting topics. |