Generator that won't break the bank..
Is there anything in the $500 range that has a respectable decibel level?
Forum Discussion
krobbe wrote:
Boon Docker wrote:
"Campground friendly Honda"
LOL :B
I guess I have to spell it out for you.
Campground friendly means: Something that doesn't piss off the surrounding campers with an annoying racket in which one cannot hear themselves think.
LOL
Thanks for the clarification.
So I Do have a campground friendly generator, a Champion 2000 at 53 db.- I'd rather listen to a construction generator than an old Dodge diesel truck at idle.They are annoying...:B
proxim2020 wrote:
I agree with rbpru, pretty much any generator is going to be noisy.
Absolutely true ... a generator - any generator - is a mechanical device and it's going to make noise when running. There's no such thing as a truly "quiet" genset no matter what the manufacturers may claim. :RI think most campers are understandable of generators that have a reasonable DB level. It's one of the necessary evils when there's no hookups.
Not necessarily ... with the right approach one can successfully construct a generator quiet box that will dramatically reduce the noise, to the point where it truly is difficult to tell from as little as 20' away that it's even running. Proof is in the (video) pudding, when I built my own Honda EU2000i Quiet Box ... problem is, not many would bother and simply run their own "quiet" genset in open air where it can easily be heard by other campers. :M- You can look at the Champion 3500w/4000w or the 3650w/4250w. Both have a DB level of 68. I have the 3650w/4250w. Without any sound abatement the noise level is respectable. With the box I've built the sound level is pretty quiet for my immediate area.
I agree with rbpru, pretty much any generator is going to be noisy. Generators are a lot like campfire smoke, music, and parties. It will annoy some no matter what the level. I think most campers are understandable of generators that have a reasonable DB level. It's one of the necessary evils when there's no hookups. - Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a quiet generator. There are only noisy and less noisy.
However, this is a moot point, those who spend the big bucks for a low noise genny never hear it inside their TT.
Not necessarily the same for the tent camper four spots away when things quiet down at night.
Having spent a few 90 degree 70 percent humidity nights in a TT I can certainly appreciate the convenience. Likewise laying in a tent with two or three quiet units running is anything but quiet. Boon Docker wrote:
"Campground friendly Honda"
LOL :B
I guess I have to spell it out for you.
Campground friendly means: Something that doesn't piss off the surrounding campers with an annoying racket in which one cannot hear themselves think.
LOL- "Campground friendly Honda"
LOL :B - The Champion 3100 is no more noisy than a builtin RV generator. I have fun the AC and refer on mine, and you can barely hear it inside the trailer with it a few feet off the tail. I have heard RV generators(MH)that were louder. I have also heard the Champion 2000, and nearly bought two of them since they can be ganged to run the whole trailer. The noise coming out of it was so soft I didn't know it was running until I got right next to it. What I really appreciate about the Champion is the weight, or lack of it. Fueled up its about 83 pounds. My 8K generator takes two people to pick up, the Champion I can pickup and carry it anywhere.
Theres more to the generator than price and noise, consider the weight factor too. 4X4Dodger wrote:
I bought a Champion DUAL FUEL (runs on propane too)3800 - 4750 and it runs everything on my trailer all at once with NO problem.
Quiet is overrated. First of all my experience is those with the so called "quiet" generators seem to think they can run them anytime they want regardless of the posted hours.
Before I turn mine on I go to my neighbors and tell them I am going to run my generator and apologize for the noise. NEVER have I had a bad reaction. To a person everyone has said "Oh no problem we all have to do it!" But THANKS for telling us"
I paid about $600 at CW on sale. But look at Home Depot. But be sure to get the RV type with the 30 Amp outlet.
How valuable quiet is probably depends on how and where you use it. As I said before mine is loud, but we generally do dispersed camping out west in Idaho and Oregon where there are no neighbors to listen to it. Or if we're vacationing somewhere and are using a campground whether it's Disneyland or the Oregon coast or what have you, the loud generator is no issue because there are hookups.
Back east where there just isn't the same amount of public land available, not to mention the more dense population, you're going to be stuck closer to people. That's the nature of the beast, and in that scenario I imagine a quiet generator is a bigger deal.
But where it doesn't matter much I agree that it's harder to justify spending the extra money.4X4Dodger wrote:
Quiet is overrated. First of all my experience is those with the so called "quiet" generators seem to think they can run them anytime they want regardless of the posted hours.
First of all, Quiet is always better. No one wants to hear a loud, noxious generator reverberating throughout the campground whether inside or outside operation hours. And I have not personally heard any genny running outside the posted hours for very long. Usually it is just an oversight by a wayward camper. Grouping us quiet genny users as inconsiderate is absurd. Sounds like you have "Quiet Genny Envy".
Before I turn mine on I go to my neighbors and tell them I am going to run my generator and apologize for the noise.
I don't feel a need to ask permission as most are aware of the operation hours. Also, most won't hear my genny purring along while my batteries charge as I point the exhaust away from any campsites.
I paid about $600 at CW on sale.
An extra $400 would've bought you a campground friendly Honda.
