Generator - Low cost - quiet - 3000w?

cs2kplus wrote:
I'm hoping to stay in $250.00-$300.00 price range?

I don't think that is a realistic expectation, especially if noise is a consideration.

While you are waiting on yet-again another repeat of all the previous discussions about this........please do a search for "generator" or "quiet" or "noisy" on here and browse through the results.

By the time you finish that, you should have all the information you need......and won't need to wait for answers in this thread.

(I have no actual advice to give because my only gen experience is with an Onan built-in.)

The ones in that price range are all going to be open frame construction style units. Noisy and gas hogs. In order to get quieter you will have to look for an inverter type genny, one that varies its speed to match power needs and has cladding and sound suppression built in. In general pricing for 2kw units will be $480- $1100, for 3 kw from about $775-$1600 depending on model, brand and features. For immediate pick up Home Depot carries some of the champion line.

Low cost and quiet sounds great - but quiet tends to be expensive.

cs2kplus wrote:
I'd like it to be quite as possible for a good price.

Wouldn't everyone? :R

I'm sure you mean "quiet", not "quite" ... and when you do find such an animal be sure to let all the rest of us know about this gem. :W

Unfortunately something has to give in your present scenario. You can get loud and possibly enough wattage to run your AC with an open cage type generator available locally for about the price you have budgeted. If you are boondocking or don't have anyone else camping nearby this option would work if you don't mind the excessive noise yourself. For a few hundred dollars more you could get a Champion 3100 or 3400 inverter generator that will easily run your AC unit, be lots quieter, and save fuel using eco-mode. We prefer RVing off the power grid, although we have sufficient solar, when camping in extreme temps our Champion or onboard generators save the day. Good luck, hope you find something that works for your situation.

Might want to look into renting a generator for the weekend trip,try big and quiet,see if its what you want!
Could be Multiple small and quiet might be the answer.

cs2kplus wrote:
I'm hoping to stay in $250.00-$300.00 price range?

Keep hoping. Bop over to Tech issues and read about generators.

cs2kplus wrote:
Recommendations? I'm hoping to stay in $250.00-$300.00 price range?

Craigslist.

Champion has a 3500 watt open frame with a forest approved muffler/spark arrester. This will not be near as quiet as there inverter generator model. It can be purchased for around $350. Tractor supply usually has them in stock. They also have a 30 amp RV style plug on the panel.

Like another poster said quiet and low cost do not go together unless you can find a used inverter generator. I would get a minimum of 3000 watts.

You might be able to run a 13500AC off 2500w, but it won't do a 15000AC. I had to sell my Honda 3000is because it's really only 2700w. A quiet inverter genset big enough to run a 15000AC is going to be more than $500.