non-Honda generators

JiminDenver wrote:

GWolfe wrote:
I have been pleased with my Champion 3100i. I had a hard time justifying the cost of a Honda/Yamaha for the few times a year I use my genny. It ran good at 10,000 ft too.

Did it run your A/C up there. If yes, how big is your A/C?

I didn't try the AC but it ran the microwave and my friends NuWave oven just fine.

I saw the jet kit for it but felt like taking my chances, I mainly used it for recharging the batteries.

JiminDenver wrote:

GWolfe wrote:
I have been pleased with my Champion 3100i. I had a hard time justifying the cost of a Honda/Yamaha for the few times a year I use my genny. It ran good at 10,000 ft too.

Did it run your A/C up there. If yes, how big is your A/C?

FWIW, Champion has an optional carburetor jet available for the Champion 75531i (3100/2800) for use when running at higher elevations. I believe it's recommended for use above 4,000 ft.

GWolfe wrote:
I have been pleased with my Champion 3100i. I had a hard time justifying the cost of a Honda/Yamaha for the few times a year I use my genny. It ran good at 10,000 ft too.

Did it run your A/C up there. If yes, how big is your A/C?

If I need to run a generator in close proximity to others, I will find somewhere else to camp. Either isolated or crowded with hookups, not close together with generators roaring. They all roar, some less than others.


Do people really have trouble with a 196 cc Champion generator at sea level? I am talking about running a typical 13.5k btu AC or 1,100 watt microwave.

2oldman wrote:
Yeah, that happens a lot. I do my best to see who has what generator before parking near them.

My conclusion is that gasoline is a lot easier to understand than solar panels, controllers, wires, inverters and batteries.

I can't argue that. Know your highest load and maybe the altitude and you are off. Solar can be simple and would cover most needs besides A/C but understanding all of the little things to get a truly balanced system takes some effort. Oddly a balanced system requires generator as a back up, so go figure.

JiminDenver wrote:
Have solar or the quietest generator just means you are listening to someone else run theirs.

Yeah, that happens a lot. I do my best to see who has what generator before parking near them.

My conclusion is that gasoline is a lot easier to understand than solar panels, controllers, wires, inverters and batteries.

pnichols wrote: "Huuuuh?? I must be not understanding something in this statememt.

The Onan 4000 in our Class C will run the microwave and the A/C at the same time - no problem. Our Class C is a 30 amp RV and the Onan 4000 installed in it will run everything in it that 30 amp hookups will run. That's why the Onan 4000 33.3 amp generator was installed in it by Winnebago.

Phil, 2005 E450 Itasca 324V Spirit"

Phil: Well forget what you read, you have everything correct, but . . . .

You have to remember that your Onan 4000 watt genny (like mine) came standard with a 9.5 hp, 304 cc (18.5 cubic inch) engine. That's good especially when you need peak start up power for A/C's and other locked rotor amp (lra) applications. Onan provides a 3 hp reserve over its competition at sea level. The Champion comes with a 6.5 hp (196 cc) engine and it uses every bit of the available hp when asked to produce peak loads. Hence the noise and the questionable starting capability. When you go up in elevation/temperature the standard lapse rate is about 3% loss in power for every 1000 ft rise in elevation. Similar for temperature. Standard air pressure is 29.92 in Hg (14.7 psi)and 59 degrees F at sea level. Do the math. Higher altitudes and hot temperatures are certain death for gennys that are "maxed out" at sea level. They just can't produce the needed power to reliably start locked rotor applications. It is that simple. (unless you want to turbo charge it or install a NOx system on it, then, . . . . you'll be fine)

Chum lee

P.S.: A few other things: I just read the published Champion specification that their 3500/4000(peak) watt genny consumes 1.5 gallons of fuel per hour at max power whereas your/my Onan uses only .75 gallons per hour to reliably produce 4000 watts continuous up to about 7000 feet MSL. Then consider the fact that we have the internal remote electric start (the Champion is external hand recoil) option and our fuel supply is connected to the main coach fuel tank which is in my case 75 gallons. (usable up to about 25 gallons remaining) To each your own!

I have been pleased with my Champion 3100i. I had a hard time justifying the cost of a Honda/Yamaha for the few times a year I use my genny. It ran good at 10,000 ft too.

This is true. Have solar or the quietest generator just means you are listening to someone else run theirs.

2oldman wrote:

4X4Dodger wrote:
And while QUIET is a good thing in a generator it is not my first concern.

What is your first concern?

Quiet is nice as I said but since virtually everyplace that allows generators has a set time frame for their use means that nearly everyone is running their generators at the same time. So what good does quiet do? Not much.

My first concern is that I am paying a reasonable price for a product that performs as advertised and that it has a reasonable lifespan. There has to be "value for money".