Champion 3,650 vs 3,500

Hm..I guess I'll have to keep some vegi oil on hand for the idiot that ran the Honda EU3000is 24/7 right next to us a few years ago. Then again they were hunters and it may not have turned out that well. (Not to mention we were in a flamible box)

Thanks. Your original post did not include a lot of pertinent information but vandalizing someone's property is not cool either. The Rangers usually handle such problems very well. My luck, the hockey fan would have used a hockey stick on me while I was messing with his generator.

TomG2 wrote: "Great story. Your hero also could have slashed some tires, shot holes in their radiator, and put poison out for the cat.

My question is, who "Boondocks" so close that their neighbor's generator bothers them? I get clear away from people or park where there is electricity. Are you talking Walmarting here?"

Well no, my "hero" as you say, did NONE of what you suggest. We were at the BLM campground first. The hockeyfans parked in between us. My "hero" did pick up some of their free range dog poo though. The campground host later told me that the ranger was coming that day to throw them out, but, they left before the ranger got there. (no genny, no hockey)

Note to self: In the future do not read/respond to anything written by TomG2. Instead, leave immediately. If MEXICOWANDERER shows up, invite him over for dinner and a cold beer.

Please, back on topic. Sorry for the hijack.

Chum lee wrote:
..snip....
It does bring back a fond memory though. A few years ago I was boondocking and my nearest neighbors had a Champion 3500 genny. They loved their cold beer, AC, and their satellite hockey. Yes, even at 1:30 am! The Champion rose to the challenge. Well at least for a while until my other neighbor poured about a quart of vegetable oil in the gas tank. (he admitted this to me the next morning) The Champion coughed, spitted, coughed some more, then died, along with everything else. They left the next morning taking their now deceased Champion genny with them.

If you are camping alone in the middle of nowhere and the Champion genny floats your boat, go for it.


Chum lee

Great story. Your hero also could have slashed some tires, shot holes in their radiator, and put poison out for the cat.

My question is, who "Boondocks" so close that their neighbor's generator bothers them? I get clear away from people or park where there is electricity. Are you talking Walmarting here?

Yeah bring it down here...

In the morning...

No generator...

No chain...

No tree...

No topsoil...

A "slightly larger engine" isn't going to be significantly more difficult to pull.

If they look the same, there probably isn't enough difference between the old and new to say so. They simply found the design was capable of handling a higher load.

If they look significantly different, that means they found a cheaper factory in China that would paint their generators yellow for Champion. Quality may have (and probably did) suffer as a result. With rising input costs, the only way to keep the price of the finished product the same would be to reduce quality.

Sold my Honda EU2000i in one day on Craigslist. Purchased a Champion 3500. Where and when I want power, 3,500 watts works better for me than 1,600. The noise is not a factor. BTW, the main differences between the 3,650 and the 3,500 units are that the smaller models has a fuel gauge and gets slightly better fuel consumption.

pianotuna wrote:
All the open frame generators are too loud. Inverter ones are a bit better. I'd prefer solar for everything.

I get that, but want a generator to use out at the farm for power outages. I will make sure you are not nearby at the time. I am curious if anyone has actual experience with the newer larger model.

All the open frame generators are too loud. Inverter ones are a bit better. I'd prefer solar for everything.

It is listed at the same 68 db as the 3500/4000. It can be taken down to 65 db with a sound tent.

We use ours while boondocking out in the middle of no where and we are the only ones dealing with the noise. It's barely noticeable inside with the A/C and TV going. Outside it is obnoxious for at least 100 ft or more. I would not feel comfortable using it in a tight camp ground right next to someone.

Outside of that, Champions are the best bang for the buck going. Easy to start, dependable and long lasting.