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twins89's avatar
twins89
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014

Portable Quiet Generators - Yep again

I realize Hondas are the best and the quietest. However, for the VERY FEW times we are off grid and need to use a generator, we don't want to spend the money on a Honda or Yamaha. If those who don't have a Honda or Yamaha could pipe in and add their 3 cents, please let me know what you would buy that would have a 2000 inverter. We would be buying two with parallel ports to run a 15,000 AC.

Briggs and Stratton
Champion
Generac
Other

We would most likely be taking only one unless it was summer and hot. The Rv has fantastic fans and we are very careful with using the battery. Our previous fifth wheel had an onboard genny which we maybe used 8 or 10 times in six years.

Thanks for your advice.
Seeking Advice

25 Replies

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  • Mootpoint's avatar
    Mootpoint
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2014
    My BIL got the new Champion 31 or 3200. Runs his 15,000 AC without any problems. I have a Yamaha 2400. If I were to replace it I would look at this unit.
  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer II
    Mar 26, 2014
    Another voice for Champion. Their inverter units are half the price of red/blue, and are louder... but not that much.

    If you do not mind a unit with no remote start capability , the Champion 3100 watt model should power a 15K AC, but I'd put a hard-start capacitor on the A/C to be on the safe side, if one isn't already present.
  • Handbasket's avatar
    Handbasket
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2014
    Peg Leg wrote:
    Do not get a Brigg's. Had one; heard in the next county and waking the dead come to mind.


    X2 + some! I had an old Coleman open frame generator (3.5 kW?) some years back with a B&S engine. I only ran it occasionally to power a well pump on some land I had. 'Noisy' & 'loud' aren't even _half_ adequate to describe it.

    Jim, "Even if the voices in my head aren't real, they sometimes have some pretty good ideas."
  • Peg_Leg's avatar
    Peg_Leg
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2014
    Do not get a Brigg's. Had one; heard in the next county and waking the dead come to mind.
  • Dave_H_M's avatar
    Dave_H_M
    Explorer II
    Mar 26, 2014
    I bought my Champ 2000i at a nearby farm and fleet for 499.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Mar 26, 2014
    Honda is not the quietest, though you would be hard pressed to tell the difference... Yahama is 1 DB less noise than the Honda. (You need somewhere between 3 and 10 before you notice.

    That said. I agree Champion is the current low-cost favorite.. but be aware it is made in China and there have been some issues. so watch it closely. (or use a surge guard to watch it constantly).
  • Mr_Beebo's avatar
    Mr_Beebo
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2014
    I bought my Champions for about $500 each plus the parallel kit. They put out 1700 watts each, so 3400 running total. I have owned Hondas so I don't go out and buy junk based on price. I did my homework and the Champions are the real deal.
  • Camreal's avatar
    Camreal
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2014
    Just looked at Farm and Fleet. They have it on sale for $799 with free shipping. Impressive.
  • mosseater's avatar
    mosseater
    Explorer II
    Mar 26, 2014
    Don't know how long it's been out, but I see Champion has an inverter gen that has numbers like the the red and blue ones, except price, that is. Anybody know how they are? 3200 w for $900 I think?

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