I've done a ton of research and have narrowed down to 2 generators that I can afford and need assistance choosing one. I know these champion gens are not the quietist but they are all I can afford so please do not suggest a honda or yamaha.3500/4000 watt genI can run the a/c when dry campingI can get one for $269 todayWould have to remove tool box in bed and replace with toneau cover4 gallon tank can run 12 hours at 50%1200/1500 watt genI CANNOT run the A/C when dry campingI can get one for $189 todayI can fit it in my existing truck tool box easily1.5 gallon tank can go 12 hours & 50% so TWICE as efficient when charging battThose are my 2 choices I'm trying to make. The gen will be used mostly for recharging the batterys and running the microwave so the small one would work better for that and I could fit it in my truck tool box which is a deep low pro. The disadvantage would be we couldn't run the A/C if dry camping in a hot parking lot while traveling or in the desert. Also it would sip 1/2 lless gas than the bigger one when charging but gas is pretty cheap right now. For the bigger one I would have to trade the tool box for a toneau which is no problem as i have a hookup and could probably trade easy. It would use twice the gas but allow use of the A/C on hot days. I do have 2 max air vent fans in the camper but have never tried to sleep when it's 85 or 90 degrees out. We do have a nice 12v fan over the bed.Unfortunately I can only choose one or the other so I am asking the experience of the folks here which should I get? We plan to do a years worth of camping with maybe 1/4 to 1/2 dry camping. By the way it is me and my WIFE and We all know wife must stay happy!Thanks in advance!!!

How big is your microwave? Be aware that the wattage of a microwave oven is the output wattage, and the power it requires is a good bit higher, and often the power factor isn't that great either. A 1200 watt generator isn't going to power a 900 watt microwave effectively...except perhaps if it's an inverter microwave, which is generally better behaved on lower power supplies and which will actually lower its power consumption on lower cooking power levels (rather than merely cycling on and off as other microwaves do).I would guess that the bigger generator would be more useful to you. At these prices, I assume these are both open frame contractor style generators, so both will be quite loud and bothersome; you probably won't care to sleep with either one running unless your camping at someplace like a racetrack where there's already lots of noise. You won't make many friends running them in campgrounds, either, but if you're dry camping out away from other people that's not a big concern.

How big is the MW, The little one will use less when charging, But not half as much20 amps at 14v 280 watts, is the same load, no matter the engine sizeYes the bigger one has more engine and generator head to turnBut it is not double the gas when under load , chargingIdle time running, is not used for comparisonAnd 50% load of the big one is more than double 50% load of the small oneThey will both use almost the same amount of gas when chargingThe big one will use a little more, but not double, perhaps 25% more gas than the little one with the same amount of charging loadBtw, the little 1200w will power a 600-800 cooking watt MW

I have been camp hosting in Yellowstone for four years and they are starting to crack down on noisy generators. This last summer we were issued sound measuring equipment to check noise levels. BTW the regs are: 60 DbA, slow at 50'. Most open frame generators don't meet this requirement. If the unit didn't meet the requirement we had to inform the camper that they couldn't use it in the park.So, consider the noise level of the genset you plan to purchase if you want to use it an any national park.

We camp mostly in the Northeast if we dry camp so we forego the AC. My Honda 2000i really loads down when I use the microwave.

DrewE wrote: You won't make many friends running them in campgrounds, either, but if you're dry camping out away from other people that's not a big concern.The Champ 3500 is pretty loud.. I was camped a couple hundred feet from one and it was definitely noticeable. Size of the battery bank and charger is important to know also, as to whether the smaller of the two will handle it. Running a/c when boondocking is pretty rare - everyone talks about it but I see very few campers actually doing it.. And never at night, which would be really rude to your neighbors. I know you say you 'can't afford' a better gen, but does that mean you don't want to afford it? Everybody wants to save a buck, and the generator is often the first place they look to, but in the long run you'll probably just get annoyed with the noise. The sweetness of low price will wear off rather quickly.

4000 watt Generator with A/C vs 1500 watt Gen without A/C???

DrewE
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2015
How big is your microwave? Be aware that the wattage of a microwave oven is the output wattage, and the power it requires is a good bit higher, and often the power factor isn't that great either. A 1200 watt generator isn't going to power a 900 watt microwave effectively...except perhaps if it's an inverter microwave, which is generally better behaved on lower power supplies and which will actually lower its power consumption on lower cooking power levels (rather than merely cycling on and off as other microwaves do).

I would guess that the bigger generator would be more useful to you. At these prices, I assume these are both open frame contractor style generators, so both will be quite loud and bothersome; you probably won't care to sleep with either one running unless your camping at someplace like a racetrack where there's already lots of noise. You won't make many friends running them in campgrounds, either, but if you're dry camping out away from other people that's not a big concern.
MrWizard
Moderator
Nov 26, 2015
How big is the MW,
The little one will use less when charging, But not half as much
20 amps at 14v 280 watts, is the same load, no matter the engine size
Yes the bigger one has more engine and generator head to turn
But it is not double the gas when under load , charging
Idle time running, is not used for comparison
And 50% load of the big one is more than double 50% load of the small one
They will both use almost the same amount of gas when charging
The big one will use a little more, but not double, perhaps 25% more gas than the little one with the same amount of charging load

Btw, the little 1200w will power a 600-800 cooking watt MW
horizon36
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
I have been camp hosting in Yellowstone for four years and they are starting to crack down on noisy generators. This last summer we were issued sound measuring equipment to check noise levels. BTW the regs are: 60 DbA, slow at 50'. Most open frame generators don't meet this requirement. If the unit didn't meet the requirement we had to inform the camper that they couldn't use it in the park.

So, consider the noise level of the genset you plan to purchase if you want to use it an any national park.
mbopp
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
We camp mostly in the Northeast if we dry camp so we forego the AC. My Honda 2000i really loads down when I use the microwave.
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2015
DrewE wrote:
You won't make many friends running them in campgrounds, either, but if you're dry camping out away from other people that's not a big concern.
The Champ 3500 is pretty loud.. I was camped a couple hundred feet from one and it was definitely noticeable.

Size of the battery bank and charger is important to know also, as to whether the smaller of the two will handle it.

Running a/c when boondocking is pretty rare - everyone talks about it but I see very few campers actually doing it.. And never at night, which would be really rude to your neighbors.

I know you say you 'can't afford' a better gen, but does that mean you don't want to afford it? Everybody wants to save a buck, and the generator is often the first place they look to, but in the long run you'll probably just get annoyed with the noise. The sweetness of low price will wear off rather quickly.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
2oldman wrote:

Running a/c when boondocking is pretty rare - everyone talks about it but I see very few campers actually doing it.. And never at night, which would be really rude to your neighbors.

Situations differ.
If you are parked in the woods in the shade, that's one thing.
If you are parked in something that more resembles a big parking lot right out in the summer sun, that's quite another thing; especially if there is little or no breeze blowing.
I can't sleep when it's hot and my interior quickly approaches 100 when it is near 90 out in the sun.

If I was in that situation, I would HAVE to find a way to afford a relatively quiet one......or sell the RV.....or severely curtail it's use.

Have you actually discussed this with your wife ??
She may be able to cast the deciding vote !!!!
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2015
Sam Spade wrote:
Situations differ. ...If you are parked in something that more resembles a big parking lot right out in the summer sun, that's quite another thing; especially if there is little or no breeze blowing.
Of course, but in my 12 years of boondocking in Walmarts to truck stops to sides of the road, I've virtually never seen anyone doing that with portables. Now, if it's a Class A, that's different. If it's hot, peeps usually just endure it or go to campground. A/C on a gen is a hassle, and uses a lot of gas.

Just trying to give the OP some real world observation to help in his choice.
tpi
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
Judging from what OP wrote, I'd suggest the bigger one that would power the AC. And a quiet one if any way you can do it (used, etc.)

I always aim for dry campsites that are seasonably cool enough or high enough that I don't need to run AC. But I do use my built in Onan for summer lunch stops, rest stops, or for a few hours enroute in a parking lot before it cools off enough turn it off. FWIW I used to do the same when I had the trailer using portable in pickup bed. For me this is the most use I give the generator. I don't tend to use it when camped-I have solar.
mlts22
Explorer
Nov 26, 2015
I'd go for the bigger one. More options, and in Georgia, you will need A/C in the summer.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Nov 26, 2015
I see you live in GA so it would be a no brainier for me. I would buy the Champion 3500/4000. In fact the price was so low I bought one for the house. It has a 30 amp rv receptacle.

I doubt the 1200/1500 could run the microwave and charge the battery at the same time.