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PNW_Steve's avatar
PNW_Steve
Explorer
Jul 23, 2019

Champion 3150 inverter generator sound/noise?

Per my other thread, my trusty Honda EU3000is generator failed on my last trip.

It has served me exceptionally for the last 13 years. Running stretches as long as 11 days at a time (24hous). I cannot even guess how many hours it has on it.

The closest Honda shop is 30+ miles away and wants $210 to diagnose the problem. I am going to try and fix it myself.

In the meantime, I needed a generator and I know the Honda has reached an age that has me wanting a backup.

So, after many hours of reading reviews and watching YouTube videos, I pulled the trigger on one of the Champion 3150 inverter generators with remote start/stop.

I unboxed it and set it up per the docs. It is currently running on my back deck.

After all of the good reviews that I read, I am VERY disappointed with how loud it is. Reviewers reported that it was "almost" as quiet as the Honda.

I call BS!

If I had another $1300 in the budget the Champion would be gone and I would buy another Honda.

Has anyone here had any success quieting the Champion? Any suggestions?

Thanks

S.
  • PNW_Steve's avatar
    PNW_Steve
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2019
    theoldwizard1 wrote:
    PNW_Steve wrote:

    The closest Honda shop is 30+ miles away and wants $210 to diagnose the problem. I am going to try and fix it myself.

    Start with the basics. Spark, fuel, air.

    If it has spark, remove the air filter and shoot some spray carb cleaner into the throat of the carb. If it tries to start, you have a fuel problem.

    If you get nothing, one of rockers may have come off of the valves.


    The Honda starts easily and runs like an old Lister 6/1. Pop...... Pop.... Pop.... Pop.... No power output. Eco setting makes no difference.

    I am suspecting the throttle stepper but I am no Honda guru.
  • Boon_Docker's avatar
    Boon_Docker
    Explorer III
    Jul 23, 2019
    According to the Honda website the 3000i is 64 db @ 1.5 meters and 57 db @ 7 meters.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jul 23, 2019
    My figures came from the wobbly wide web at rated load. I'm sure yours did too.

    I do know that my Yamaha did get quieter after break in.

    LittleBill wrote:
    pianotuna wrote:
    PNW,

    The noise levels are 58 db for the champion and 58 db for the Honda.

    I suspect it may get quieter after the 20 hours of break in and that first oil change.


    No its not, the Honda is 50 at <25%, 58% at rated load.
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Jul 23, 2019
    PNW_Steve wrote:

    The closest Honda shop is 30+ miles away and wants $210 to diagnose the problem. I am going to try and fix it myself.

    Start with the basics. Spark, fuel, air.

    If it has spark, remove the air filter and shoot some spray carb cleaner into the throat of the carb. If it tries to start, you have a fuel problem.

    If you get nothing, one of rockers may have come off of the valves.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jul 23, 2019
    Sorry to hear that. I was camped next to one of these and I moved because of it. Under load those things are really loud, sound like a jackhammer.

    My neighbor used it for his coffee and toast every morning when I was trying to enjoy my coffee outside. And of course he had to set it between him and me, where the sound could reflect off the side of his trailer. There were no neighbors on the other side.

    Decibels are not always the best indicator of actual generator noise. The kind of sound and how far it carries are what you hear.
  • LittleBill's avatar
    LittleBill
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2019
    pianotuna wrote:
    PNW,

    The noise levels are 58 db for the champion and 58 db for the Honda.

    I suspect it may get quieter after the 20 hours of break in and that first oil change.


    No its not, the Honda is 50 at <25%, 58% at rated load.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jul 23, 2019
    PNW,

    The noise levels are 58 db for the champion and 58 db for the Honda.

    I suspect it may get quieter after the 20 hours of break in and that first oil change.
  • TurnThePage's avatar
    TurnThePage
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2019
    Have you run it under load? I've noticed that's where my Champion 3400 shines. The sound barely increases. My old Yamaha would scream in comparison.
  • LittleBill's avatar
    LittleBill
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2019
    50 vs 58 db, short of building a ventilation box, there is nothing u can do. make sure you have it in eco mode.

    not exactly sure what you expected. its over half the price cheaper then the honda and has remote start/stop.

    did you really expect it to be identical?

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