I just purchased a new Champion 2000 watt generator for $420. I was at a football game this weekend dry camping. I ran the generator for 42 hours straight. At this point my cost per hour is $10 per hour. If I do the same in two weeks my cost per hour will be down to $5 per hour. How low do I need this to go to consider it a good investment?Obviously if I had purchased a Honda after the weekend my cost per hour would be much higher. This is not a debate about which one will last longer. I’m more interested in what others think in terms of how hours you think I need to get for this to be a good investment. In my mind, 940 hours or $.50 per hour would be a good deal.Let me know what you think.Dave

Glad I wasn’t camped next to you during those 42 hours is what I think. Consider a solar system...adequate panels, controller and batteries.

What about factoring gas, oil and spark plugs, plus any other possible maintenance/repair items in?

If you had a diesel powered standby genset like I have, your cost would be much, much higher. I don't look at per hour cost. I look at convenience.

And the loss of income on the purchase price. Generators are the MOST expensive way to acquire power.

Does it really matter? You got what you wanted for a reasonable price. Do you do this with other things too?B.O.

Generator Cost Per Hour | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Oct 01, 2018
Glad I wasn’t camped next to you during those 42 hours is what I think. Consider a solar system...adequate panels, controller and batteries.
KM_Rolling
Explorer
Oct 01, 2018
What about factoring gas, oil and spark plugs, plus any other possible maintenance/repair items in?
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Oct 01, 2018
If you had a diesel powered standby genset like I have, your cost would be much, much higher. I don't look at per hour cost. I look at convenience.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 01, 2018
And the loss of income on the purchase price. Generators are the MOST expensive way to acquire power.
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Oct 01, 2018
Does it really matter? You got what you wanted for a reasonable price. Do you do this with other things too?

B.O.
FLY_4_FUN
Explorer
Oct 01, 2018
Im not sure that rv'ers consider any of the conveniences they purchase for camping as "investments". I upgraded to twin 6v batts to extend my dry camping. That wasnt enough so I bought a Honda genset as a backup. Sometimes running the Honda is not allowed, or not practical so I invested in solar. As long as you are feeling like the genset was a good purchase then its all good.
rk911
Explorer
Oct 01, 2018
RedLionCookie wrote:
I just purchased a new Champion 2000 watt generator for $420. I was at a football game this weekend dry camping. I ran the generator for 42 hours straight. At this point my cost per hour is $10 per hour. If I do the same in two weeks my cost per hour will be down to $5 per hour. How low do I need this to go to consider it a good investment?

Obviously if I had purchased a Honda after the weekend my cost per hour would be much higher. This is not a debate about which one will last longer. I’m more interested in what others think in terms of how hours you think I need to get for this to be a good investment. In my mind, 940 hours or $.50 per hour would be a good deal.

Let me know what you think.
Dave

you must've thought it was a "good deal" when you bought it so why be concerned with that now. if you're simply trying to determine operating costs in order to develop a budget simply do what you're doing...add up your expenses including purchase, gas, oil, repairs, orher maint, etc and dvide by the number of operating hours. you'll also have to fugure in how often you use the genny. once a yr vs every week..that sort of thing. only you can determine if $.50 p/h, $.60 p/h, etc is good, bad or whatever.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Oct 01, 2018
Your cost per hour is inversely compared to how much your neighbours like you. With the Honda, they will wonder why you are not using your generator when it is actually running and they would love to meet you again, but with the Champion they will wonder why they don't know anything about you because after a weekend with you as their neighbor they have gone somewhere else to make friends.
camperdave
Explorer
Oct 01, 2018
First time I was boondocking in the snow and was able to charge my battery up in the morning after running the furnace all night it was worth it!
dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Oct 01, 2018
With two Hondas I have to agree with the sentiments listed so far. I am also gathering solar parts and pieces. It isn't about ROI, it is about going boondocking somewhere, having a great view, and ALL the conveniences of home.

Edit: If you are a numbers person, then just have fun. Don't forget to add gas and oil to your figures.