Hello all! I've recently gotten into camping with my travel trailer and last year when I bought it I picked up a Champion 3100 electric start gen. It's worked fine, it just seems loud. I'm now interested in the Honda eu3000is as a replacement. I'd sell the champion and get the Honda. Does anyone have direct experience with these two gens in person? I want to know if you feel it's significantly quieter than the champion and worth the upgrade. I figure I can get $700 for the gen I have. It's got less than 10 hours on it. Thanks for the advice! Scott

I've used both in business and the Honda is quieter to my ear. If you haven't listened to a Honda 3000, maybe a dealer will have a demo you can try. Bring your Champion and test them side-by-side. A smart phone app that has a sound meter could compare their output sound levels against each other. The specs state that the Honda is also 20 pounds lighter. I think the weight difference is a bigger issue than the sound issue personally.

the 3000is is a nice generator. very quite, etc. Several camping friends have them. But they all do agree they are HEAVY. several have said if they had to do it over they would just get a pair of honda 2000's, now the honda 2200. Cost is about the same for a pair of 2200's and you can carry them around easily.It is one of the quitest generators around, even quiter than the honda 2000/2200.If the weight isn't an issue, it's a very good choice.Haven't been around the champion so no way to compare.

The 3000 is quite quiet.That said, batteries and an inverter are much quieter.

I can't tell you about the champion but I have a 3000 Honda with remote start bolted at the front of my truck bed. The first year of using it I didn't have solar so I ran it for all my charging while boondocking. I built a ventilated metal cabinet out of 12 gauge steel with a hinged top and a vent at the top drivers side and a 10 inch 120 volt axial fan at the passenger side. I usually opened the lid at a 45 angle or so but often ran with it closed. A few times people asked me how I was doing it because they never heard the Genny. We always had lights on, 40 inch television, satellite etc. I had the 12 gauge sheared to size and welded everything myself. The fan was pricey so the whole thing cost about $200.Now that I have a lot of solar I removed it for weight saving. Even without the cabinet when I park the truck with the hood to the pinbox we forget that it's running. I routed a 10 cable with twist lock that is about 25 ft long from the transfer switch out under the bedroom overhang past the pinbox.Depending on how and where you use it you might try a few other tricks like foam shielding etc.Somewhat involvedEasier

Time to review the full strategy.Do you camp in the sun ever? 200+ watts solar would reduce generator time for charging a battery and maybe put the generator out of business.Do you really need the microwave or air conditioner to run on generator? MW is convenient and still all can be heated on the stove or oven. I honestly look for hookups if the air is needed.How many batteries do you have and what converter is doing the charging? Many OEM converters just trickle charge at 13.6 volts. You could cut your generator time in half or better upgrading the converter. More battery can also make generator time more productive.LED lights are the easiest way to conserve battery, do you have them?Trading generators might still be part of the plan. I am just suggesting to look at all areas to improve your experience.

Generator question - worth it to sell Champion gen for Honda

70 Replies

Lantley
Nomad
May 29, 2018
Huntindog wrote:
Lantley wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
Lantley wrote:
Ski Pro 3 wrote:
Just an FYI, I have a Honda 1000 inverter genny I take along as well. The thing is so small and light, it really doesn't take up any space. I use it when I don't need the AC or microwave. It will run my DW hot rollers and hair blow dryer (on low) as well as full charge with the AC battery charger built in. I have solar too, but like you said, trees and clouds sometimes shadow a bit too much if it's been cold and the heater blower ran much at night and for more than 3 nights.

If I had the bucks and was starting over, I'd seriously consider the Honda 2200 and see if it could handle the AC. I know it will handle the microwave. But I have a Yamaha 2400 inverter genny and I doubt I could get enough for it to be cost feasible. It's not too loud, but I have been approached at Yosemite about it even though it was only running during the legal hours. It's tough to stay quiet when there are tent campers in the vicinity and I don't want to impose on anyone else's experience any more than I want them to impose on mine.

I think you hit the nail on the head. While I agree some gensets are quieter than others and only inverter gensets should be used for camping. There is no such thing as a totally quiet or silent genset.
They all make some noise.
The questions becomes is quiet acceptable or is silent the standard. As inverters grow in popularity and capability silent is becoming the new standard.
Any long term genset use is frowned upon now that silent inverter power is readily available.
To the OP trading your Champion for a Honda is admirable, but putting your effort and money into a nice inverter, solar package is the wave of the future.
Step off of your soap box for a minute.
The OP wants to run the AC. At concerts, and when boondocking.
Solar/inverters are not realistic solutions for him.

Why does this subject always end up with some holier than though speech.

Not about being holier than thou at all. Trading from one inverter genset to another is just spinning your wheels. Getting to a point where you can avoid/limit genset use is the wave of the future. Solar/inverter use is changing the rules and the game.
If the OP needs to run his A/C just keep using whatever inverter genset he has.
If the OP wants to spend some money to improve what he has, don't waste/spend it on another inverter genset. Put that money towards quiet inverter power with solar. I did not know inverters and solar power could not be used at concerts or when boondocking....

As usual, Holier than though people don't see themselves that way.... You talk about the "standard", and how it is now silent...

Sorry, I didn't get your memo. Who put you in charge of the "standard"?
I don't believe that anyone has the right to proclaim what the "standard" is.
For your information.... I set my own standards. And it doesn't include solar.
Solar doesn't fit my lifestyle, and it is difficult to see it ever doing so.
I make my power generation choices to suit me. Not someone touting a "standard"

Solar doesn't work at night, or in bad weather.
That is what it takes to meet MY "standard"

If you are OK, with those shortcomings, then solar can meet YOUR "standard".
And I will be happy for you

BTW, I absolutely love it when out in the woods and the weather turns nasty. I know what that means. All of the fair weather hunters will be packing up their useless solar panels and heading home. At some point, the weather breaks. And the woods are empty. The hunting then is fantastic.

Relax its OK you don't have to buy into solar. Nevertheless it's coming with or without your approval. People are ditching their generators and going off grid everyday. Lots of video of large battery banks and rooftops loaded with solar panels.
I don't own any solar panels and have no intention of buying any.
But I'm not in denial that solar and free renewable energy is the wave of the future.
Yes the rules are changing because silent AC power is now possible at affordable prices.
Those fair weather hunters have come to realize you can hunt in silence without the constant drone of the gensets.
I understand solar may not fit your needs. For the most part solar does not fit my needs either. But we are not the future.
Solar is not a fad. It is already shaping our future. Solar panels are no longer weird things on residential roofs.
Those useless solar panels you see while hunting are no longer an oddity. They are commonplace.
Solar may not be ideal on foul weather days, but solar panels generate lots of clean, free energy on good days.
It's apparent you notice the solar revolution is here.
I imagine you notice the mindset is changing as well. Hunters would rather leave than run gensets. Technology will continue to push the silent revolution with or without the genset die hards like yourself.
Don't despair when cars were first introduced some were reluctant to give up their horses. Saddle up while you can,and enjoy your genset.
As the woods continue to get quieter gensets will continue to seem louder. Eventually like the horse gensets will fade away and become a novelty.:W
pianotuna
Nomad III
May 29, 2018
Hi,

My brother doesn't have solar. Today he had to drive 110 miles (mostly gravel) to get fuel. Hmmmmm too bad he didn't invest in solar!

Huntindog wrote:
Solar doesn't work at night, or in bad weather.
That is what it takes to meet MY "standard"

If you are OK, with those shortcomings, then solar can meet YOUR "standard".
And I will be happy for you

BTW, I absolutely love it when out in the woods and the weather turns nasty. I know what that means. All of the fair weather hunters will be packing up their useless solar panels and heading home. At some point, the weather breaks. And the woods are empty. The hunting then is fantastic.
Huntindog
Explorer
May 29, 2018
Lantley wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
Lantley wrote:
Ski Pro 3 wrote:
Just an FYI, I have a Honda 1000 inverter genny I take along as well. The thing is so small and light, it really doesn't take up any space. I use it when I don't need the AC or microwave. It will run my DW hot rollers and hair blow dryer (on low) as well as full charge with the AC battery charger built in. I have solar too, but like you said, trees and clouds sometimes shadow a bit too much if it's been cold and the heater blower ran much at night and for more than 3 nights.

If I had the bucks and was starting over, I'd seriously consider the Honda 2200 and see if it could handle the AC. I know it will handle the microwave. But I have a Yamaha 2400 inverter genny and I doubt I could get enough for it to be cost feasible. It's not too loud, but I have been approached at Yosemite about it even though it was only running during the legal hours. It's tough to stay quiet when there are tent campers in the vicinity and I don't want to impose on anyone else's experience any more than I want them to impose on mine.

I think you hit the nail on the head. While I agree some gensets are quieter than others and only inverter gensets should be used for camping. There is no such thing as a totally quiet or silent genset.
They all make some noise.
The questions becomes is quiet acceptable or is silent the standard. As inverters grow in popularity and capability silent is becoming the new standard.
Any long term genset use is frowned upon now that silent inverter power is readily available.
To the OP trading your Champion for a Honda is admirable, but putting your effort and money into a nice inverter, solar package is the wave of the future.
Step off of your soap box for a minute.
The OP wants to run the AC. At concerts, and when boondocking.
Solar/inverters are not realistic solutions for him.

Why does this subject always end up with some holier than though speech.

Not about being holier than thou at all. Trading from one inverter genset to another is just spinning your wheels. Getting to a point where you can avoid/limit genset use is the wave of the future. Solar/inverter use is changing the rules and the game.
If the OP needs to run his A/C just keep using whatever inverter genset he has.
If the OP wants to spend some money to improve what he has, don't waste/spend it on another inverter genset. Put that money towards quiet inverter power with solar. I did not know inverters and solar power could not be used at concerts or when boondocking....

As usual, Holier than though people don't see themselves that way.... You talk about the "standard", and how it is now silent...

Sorry, I didn't get your memo. Who put you in charge of the "standard"?
I don't believe that anyone has the right to proclaim what the "standard" is.
For your information.... I set my own standards. And it doesn't include solar.
Solar doesn't fit my lifestyle, and it is difficult to see it ever doing so.
I make my power generation choices to suit me. Not someone touting a "standard"

Solar doesn't work at night, or in bad weather.
That is what it takes to meet MY "standard"

If you are OK, with those shortcomings, then solar can meet YOUR "standard".
And I will be happy for you

BTW, I absolutely love it when out in the woods and the weather turns nasty. I know what that means. All of the fair weather hunters will be packing up their useless solar panels and heading home. At some point, the weather breaks. And the woods are empty. The hunting then is fantastic.
Huntindog
Explorer
May 29, 2018
As for the debate between whether a Honda is worth the extra money over the Honda:
At the dog trials I compete in, just about everyone runs a generator. The overwhelming choice is Honda Over the years I have seen many fellow competiters show up with other brands. Within a short time most all of them end up with a Honda.

Now these people likely have a different need as far as reliability and more disposable income than the general population... And they do not mind spending it, when it will make their time afield more trouble free. They are not there to roast marsh mellows over a campfire. So the most reliable equipment gets their money.

A walk thru the miniciti that is a trial can be enlightening as to what works.
This applies all things, not just generators.
I remember when the Fords had the F450s and the 6.0s, and many showed up with them. They quickly faded into history as the people started having trouble with them.

As for myself, I have Hondas. My hunting partner has a Champion. It works OK. But a few years ago, he got a used Honda.
He still has the Champion, but never brings it anymore. Nothing wrong with it. He just prefers the Honda. And the Champion used isn't worth enough money to bother selling it.

The free market is pretty good at pricing value. Used Hondas sell quickly for good money.
Champions do not. Same goes for the Ford 6.0. They have little value.

As for whether the OP will be better off with the Honda. It is his money and his choice. He certainly would have been best off if he had bought the Honda in the first place.
rbpru
Explorer II
May 29, 2018
When I want to obtain a peaceful, quite and serene environment, I take my canoe, tent, and camp gear to the MN Boundary waters or Canada's Quetico Park.

No motorized crafts, and you enter by hiking, canoeing or dog sledding and ski's in the winter.

That is about the only place I have been that is truly quiet. No trains, plains traffic in the distance. I am sure there are other places where people go for the same environment.

Still to answer the OPs question, unless it is extremely noisy, a few decibels of noise makes little difference to the neighbors. They will either hate it or ignore it. Weight, quality, durability and cost are most important. Often folks just buy the Name Brands to simplify the search; other like to save a few bucks.

Good luck
RSD559
Explorer
May 29, 2018
No. The point of this post was whether he should sell his Champion 3100 and buy a Honda EU3000is. Some people like, and are willing to pay more for stuff with an "in" brand name. Like an iPhone or iPad. It's his money. Some people feel more secure with a long proven product. I can understand. I'm fine with my Champion. And I can't justify the added expense of a Honda or Yamaha, for as little as we use it.
SoundGuy
Explorer
May 29, 2018
Sunnysidebeach wrote:
The 28 RLS Keystone Bullet running on the Honda 3000is made life easy, and it felt like we were camping for the week instead of living in the misery of the tropical heat.
I could fill it up at 6pm and then shut it down in the morning just after 6 am.. It would take just about 3 gallons of fuel.. 3 gallons for 12 hours at night is not bad at all. In the day time heat, the Honda would last about 8 or so hours on the same 3 gallons of fuel.

SoundGuy wrote:
So if a EU3000iS ran 24 hrs day that would be 7.5 US gals of fuel, or here in Canada ~ 28.4 litres, which at a current average of ~ $1.35 Cdn per litre would work out to ~ $38 Cdn a day, or $266 Cdn a week just for fuel. :E Obviously if you need power but don't have it there's not much choice other than to run a genset but I wouldn't exactly call that "fuel efficient" considering I can rent a 30 amp electric site in our Ontario provincial park system for about the same and not have to bother with a genset at all. ;)

Atlee wrote:
How would you use an Ontario park, if the Ontario park didn't have electricity for a week?

The OP said his area of Florida was without power due to a storm. I suspect it is rather cheap compared to sitting in the house sweating profusely, with no electricity what so ever.

Also, he was talking about gas prices in Florida last year, not gas prices in Ontario last year.

So what is the point of your post, other than to be argumentative for the sake of it? :h In my own post I merely said I question Sunnysidebeach's claim that running a genset like the EU3000iS 24/7 for a week is necessarily "efficient". Obviously if you're at home, lose power, and already have a genset on hand and the fuel to run it then you're going to use it BUT in a similar situation when camping this isn't a live or die situation. :R $266 to fuel a genset like this for week while camping without shore power is hardly what I'd call "efficient" when a campsite with power costs about the same, doesn't require a genset at all nor any fuel to keep it running for such a long duration. As for losing power while camping this seems to happen to us several times each season and to that end I installed a 1000 watt PSW inverter in the trailer so we can continue to camp as we usually do, obviously without A/C. This is camping, not a life or death situation, just as it was during the 2003 Northeast Blackout that left some without power for up to 2 weeks. We were camping at the time so what did we do? - just kept on camping, with no generator running 24/7 and go figure, we apparently survived. What a miracle. :S
Atlee
Explorer II
May 29, 2018
How would you use an Ontario park, if the Ontario park didn't have electricity for a week?

The OP said his area of Florida was without power due to a storm. I suspect it is rather cheap compared to sitting in the house sweating profusely, with no electricity what so ever.

Also, he was talking about gas prices in Florida last year, not gas prices in Ontario last year.

SoundGuy wrote:
Sunnysidebeach wrote:
The 28 RLS Keystone Bullet running on the Honda 3000is made life easy, and it felt like we were camping for the week instead of living in the misery of the tropical heat.
I could fill it up at 6pm and then shut it down in the morning just after 6 am.. It would take just about 3 gallons of fuel.. 3 gallons for 12 hours at night is not bad at all. In the day time heat, the Honda would last about 8 or so hours on the same 3 gallons of fuel.

So if a EU3000iS ran 24 hrs day that would be 7.5 US gals of fuel, or here in Canada ~ 28.4 litres, which at a current average of ~ $1.35 Cdn per litre would work out to ~ $38 Cdn a day, or $266 Cdn a week just for fuel. :E Obviously if you need power but don't have it there's not much choice other than to run a genset but I wouldn't exactly call that "fuel efficient" considering I can rent a 30 amp electric site in our Ontario provincial park system for about the same and not have to bother with a genset at all. ;)
Atlee
Explorer II
May 29, 2018
Lantley wrote:
..... I did not know inverters and solar power could not be used at concerts or when boondocking....

They can't be used at night. You would have to store all that excess energy from daylight hours. To do that, you would need a lot of battery storage. I know I do not have the "real estate" available for a huge battery bank. I suspect most folks would be like that.

Folks who have RV's that have a lot of basement storage could probably set up some type of huge battery bank. Or if lithium batteries ever got to mainstream use so the price of each battery was affordable, then we might be cooking with gas, I mean electricity.
Lantley
Nomad
May 28, 2018
Huntindog wrote:
Lantley wrote:
Ski Pro 3 wrote:
Just an FYI, I have a Honda 1000 inverter genny I take along as well. The thing is so small and light, it really doesn't take up any space. I use it when I don't need the AC or microwave. It will run my DW hot rollers and hair blow dryer (on low) as well as full charge with the AC battery charger built in. I have solar too, but like you said, trees and clouds sometimes shadow a bit too much if it's been cold and the heater blower ran much at night and for more than 3 nights.

If I had the bucks and was starting over, I'd seriously consider the Honda 2200 and see if it could handle the AC. I know it will handle the microwave. But I have a Yamaha 2400 inverter genny and I doubt I could get enough for it to be cost feasible. It's not too loud, but I have been approached at Yosemite about it even though it was only running during the legal hours. It's tough to stay quiet when there are tent campers in the vicinity and I don't want to impose on anyone else's experience any more than I want them to impose on mine.

I think you hit the nail on the head. While I agree some gensets are quieter than others and only inverter gensets should be used for camping. There is no such thing as a totally quiet or silent genset.
They all make some noise.
The questions becomes is quiet acceptable or is silent the standard. As inverters grow in popularity and capability silent is becoming the new standard.
Any long term genset use is frowned upon now that silent inverter power is readily available.
To the OP trading your Champion for a Honda is admirable, but putting your effort and money into a nice inverter, solar package is the wave of the future.
Step off of your soap box for a minute.
The OP wants to run the AC. At concerts, and when boondocking.
Solar/inverters are not realistic solutions for him.

Why does this subject always end up with some holier than though speech.

Not about being holier than thou at all. Trading from one inverter genset to another is just spinning your wheels. Getting to a point where you can avoid/limit genset use is the wave of the future. Solar/inverter use is changing the rules and the game.
If the OP needs to run his A/C just keep using whatever inverter genset he has.
If the OP wants to spend some money to improve what he has, don't waste/spend it on another inverter genset. Put that money towards quiet inverter power with solar. I did not know inverters and solar power could not be used at concerts or when boondocking....