3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

professor95 wrote:


The majority of "noise" comes from the crankcase area of the engine. It is distributed by the metal parts.

The Champion, and other similar Chinese open frame synchronous generators, have a much larger engine than the 2,000 watt inverters they are often compared to. The catch 22, or advertising thrust, shows the open frame genny at 67 dBA (21 feet) and smaller engine inverter at 58 dBA.

In some tests I performed maybe two years ago a Kipor 3,000 watt inverter ran at a low 59 dBA in the econo mode while a Chinese non-inverter open frame generator measured from an equal distance with no load had a reading 5 dBA higher.

Under load the Kipor shifted out of econo mode and engine speed increased. The measured sound level was 65 dBA. The 3,500 watt rated Chinese genny with the same load registered 68 dBA.

Bottom line - none of them are really quite, especially when loaded. They all have gasoline internal combustion engines exploding thousands of times per minute. But, the inverter or digital models do come out quieter due to smaller displacement engines for the same wattage output, variable engine speed and a case surrounding the assembly.

The concept of the 3,000 watt class Chinese generator being quite originated as a comparison to existing equipment from Coleman and others with the same wattage and engine size producing readings of 78 dBA all the way up into the mid 80's. These were basically lawnmower or rototiller engines with a cheap muffler that were bolted to an alternator.

The introduction of the Chinese style generator with the huge muffler created an inexpensive, powerful generator that was "in the middle" with noise levels. It was a considerable improvement over what was then used by many campers and, unlike the smaller units, could power a RV rooftop air conditioner.

About the quietest camping generator you can purchase is something like a Honda 1000 and keep the load under 500 watts so it stays in econo mode. Unfortunately, about all you can do at that power level is watch TV.

Very well said. Unless you are really needing inverter power, I have found the inverter style of generator to be very inflexible. There isn't a lot that can be done with them for custom applications due to them being inside a molded case.

Also, the sound pressure readings they use are ridiculous. No one uses an unloaded generator. Who cares that it runs 56db unloaded?

I have access to a Kipor 3100. It is listed in the 56db range, some think it quieter than the Honda. It is the same motor that is found in the Champion 3500 I just bought. It is shrouded with sheet metal with insulation on the inside, a blower fan and of course an inverter for the clean power.

It is quiet when it starts, but when you crank up the air in the camper, hello 65db! Open the little door on the side and guess what? 68db at 21 ft. (Measured it myself with an "A" weighted db meter).

My Champion in the box I put it in (with no insulation mind you) runs at 72db at 21 feet.

Video of meter(BTW, the change in sound is because I recorded it with my Blackberry).

The range is set to 70db, which means at 0 it is 70db. It is reading +2 so that is 72db.

This is ground zero for me. The install location will ultimately be inside the van behind a generator access cover from a motorhome. I am building a double walled insulated/isolated box. Once it is done when I turn on the generator, it will make the whole world drop 3db.;)