noisy generators

Here is an interesting comparison of the Honda 3k and the Onan 3600..... I'm a huge Onan fan, loved mine.

Great Generator
December 30, 2010
I purchased this generator over a year ago. I have used it on my 24' motor home and it powers everything including the AC and microwave all at the same time !! I have the wheel kit and highly recommend it. I now have about 300 hours on this unit (I added an hour meter) and have used it to power my home when needed (3 times now). It has run flawlessly and is quieter than comparable units I have heard. I recommend this unit to anyone looking for a reliable unit at a great price!

Great Product
May 6, 2010
I bought this generator last summer to run our camp trailer. It did a great job. Ran the a/c unit with no problem. Realiy quiet for the price. Would recommend this prduct to anybody. Thanks Cabelas!!!!!!


RV A/C - No problem
June 22, 2010
Works great! Runs the A/C with no problem on my 32' RV. Not too loud to run while you sleep or watch TV.. can barely even hear it over the A/C while inside the camper.

Great generator
December 5, 2010
I bought this generator during the blizzard in Feb. 2010. Since no one else in a 100 mile radius had any in stock, I had no choice as to what generator to buy. We were not dissapointed in this purchase though. it was 6 days we were without power. The generator ran our house the whole time without being shut off. It would have been better if there was a 220 outlet on this model, But we still got it connected, since there are 3 different 120 outlets on this model. If I had my choice I would defentley buy the one with the 220 rather then this one. but if you know what your doing is will run everything 120 that you want.
Also I have used it several times since then for a few hours at a time, just to be sure everything is working fine.


Here is a link to the page where you can find that one singled out bad review surrounded by hundreds of great reviews.

http://reviews.cabelas.com/8815/522130/champion-3500-watt-generator-reviews/reviews.htm?

OhhWell wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
What exactly am I to "get over"?
I have both generators at my disposal and can use whichever one I want..
I choose the Hondas for the fuel savings.

As far as "qualifying" my statements.... Just how far do want me to go to satisfy you? Times, dates, tempertures, altitudes, specific loads ?
There will never be enough "qualifying" to suit some that have a different OPINION...

So I won't bother trying to please those.

But I will say that it is a pretty safe bet that the vast majority of TT owners use their generators mostly to keep the batteries up, and occasional microwave use. For that the Hondas will use SUBSTANTIALLY less fuel... And yes we have done side by side comparisons on this.
My brother powering his rig with the Champion, and my rig being powered by the Honda. I even have more load as I also have a small external freezer that I bring along.

And as far as how much a Honda will use at full load compared to the Champion?
I honestly don't know as I have never run at full load for enough time to tell... But that's OK as those that are dissing me don't know either as they don't have a Honda to test..

Perhaps what we have here is a severe case of generator envy.:B

I have a 5.5k Onan that uses less fuel than your little red box watt for watt and is quieter in the campground when I hook up my Genturi. It also starts with the touch of a button and has a 50 gallon gas tank. Tell me why I am envious of your "cheap" little red generator because I also own a Champion 3500w again? :B

It's a completely safe bet that almost all of the TT owners and campers in my neck of the woods need something with actual capacity in the summer.

You admittedly have no idea what your Honda consumes under a load but we cannot either even though Honda publishes fuel consumption numbers? There is also a gentleman who gave the Honda a real world test here:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24022161/gotomsg/24963199.cfm

Remember that you will need TWO Honda EU2000i's to match the capacity of the Champion. (or about 3 to match my Onan)

The inverter generators are great and I wouldn't mind having one. They are absolutely brilliant if you don't need much power capacity but they don't bend the laws of physics.

It always surprises me how little people know about efficiency. You need to design the system for the load level that is used the most.

The inverters allow a variable size source to be used. The inverter can be a small generator or a large generator and be efficient at the same time.

The large synchronous generator must run at fixed speed. The last thing I would want is an 8hp – 12hp engine running all day to provide 8 AMP VAC to power a battery charger.
Mm49

I posted that for kicks and giggles as I can't believe some people who have 25-30k+ invested in there rv setup and buy $199 generators. That's cool, but to knock the premium generators in the process to justify the purchase is like saying a 1976 Ford and a1972 kit travel trailer is just as good as there new trailers and trucks.... It is to some.

Like I said, I own both the Champion and Honda and even a Generac and give my opinion based on using both( all three) to this day.

I won't knock something I have never used!

Huntindog wrote:
What exactly am I to "get over"?
I have both generators at my disposal and can use whichever one I want..
I choose the Hondas for the fuel savings.

As far as "qualifying" my statements.... Just how far do want me to go to satisfy you? Times, dates, tempertures, altitudes, specific loads ?
There will never be enough "qualifying" to suit some that have a different OPINION...

So I won't bother trying to please those.

But I will say that it is a pretty safe bet that the vast majority of TT owners use their generators mostly to keep the batteries up, and occasional microwave use. For that the Hondas will use SUBSTANTIALLY less fuel... And yes we have done side by side comparisons on this.
My brother powering his rig with the Champion, and my rig being powered by the Honda. I even have more load as I also have a small external freezer that I bring along.

And as far as how much a Honda will use at full load compared to the Champion?
I honestly don't know as I have never run at full load for enough time to tell... But that's OK as those that are dissing me don't know either as they don't have a Honda to test..

Perhaps what we have here is a severe case of generator envy.:B

I have a 5.5k Onan that uses less fuel than your little red box watt for watt and is quieter in the campground when I hook up my Genturi. It also starts with the touch of a button and has a 50 gallon gas tank. Tell me why I am envious of your "cheap" little red generator because I also own a Champion 3500w again? :B

It's a completely safe bet that almost all of the TT owners and campers in my neck of the woods need something with actual capacity in the summer.

You admittedly have no idea what your Honda consumes under a load but we cannot either even though Honda publishes fuel consumption numbers? There is also a gentleman who gave the Honda a real world test here:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24022161/gotomsg/24963199.cfm

Remember that you will need TWO Honda EU2000i's to match the capacity of the Champion. (or about 3 to match my Onan)

The inverter generators are great and I wouldn't mind having one. They are absolutely brilliant if you don't need much power capacity but they don't bend the laws of physics.

jaycocreek wrote:
:B

Champion generator review.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
July 27, 2010
DO NOT BUY THIS GENERATOR! I purchased this generator in 2008. Ran great the first year. Powered my a/c in a 24' 5th wheel. Very happy with it, at first. Used it the second year to run power tools, still good. Took it camping this summer, would not power my a/c in a 19' trailer! Generator would bog down and not allow the a/c compressor to start. Had to shut down the a/c to save the compressor. Would rather blow up a cheap generator than a $600 a/c unit. Took it to 2 different shops in town and when I told them it was a Champion Generator, they both said that I got what I paid for. I took care of this unit. Tuned it up, changed the oil, spark plug, cleaned the filter, used fuel stabilizer and all I have now is an anchor for my boat. It still runs my TV, coffee pot and broiler oven (not at the same time) and keeps the batteries charged. But put more than 12 or so amps on it and it quits (my a/c draws 17.2 amps at compressor start up).
Put your money in a higher ended generator and you won't get stuck in 90deg+ temperatures without a/c!

Wow, you found a bad review for a product. That's amazing. Ic an't imagine you could find a bad USER review for what is a good product like the Champion or even a Honda 2000i....

Oh wait, here's one :B

"I bought one of these generators three years ago to use on my boat for charging batteries at anchor. We are on a cruising sailboat and just about to complete a 5 year circumnavigation.

The generator was kept below decks (emptied of gas) whenever we were under way and it looks brand new.

After 350 hours of use it stopped putting out AC power. From what I have been able to determine on line the probable casue of the symptoms I am seeing is a failure of the inverter unit. The engine runs fine. The prices I see on line for the failed component is about $500 which is over half of what I paid for the unit and some accessories.

I dont think 350 hours is acceptable service from a device like this and will tell Honda what I think. Its out of warranty so I dont expect much help with the problem.

Maybe the other brands have the same problem but before I replace it I plan to check repair part costs for other brands."

jaycocreek wrote:
:B

Champion generator review.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
July 27, 2010
DO NOT BUY THIS GENERATOR! I purchased this generator in 2008. Ran great the first year. Powered my a/c in a 24' 5th wheel. Very happy with it, at first. Used it the second year to run power tools, still good. Took it camping this summer, would not power my a/c in a 19' trailer! Generator would bog down and not allow the a/c compressor to start. Had to shut down the a/c to save the compressor. Would rather blow up a cheap generator than a $600 a/c unit. Took it to 2 different shops in town and when I told them it was a Champion Generator, they both said that I got what I paid for. I took care of this unit. Tuned it up, changed the oil, spark plug, cleaned the filter, used fuel stabilizer and all I have now is an anchor for my boat. It still runs my TV, coffee pot and broiler oven (not at the same time) and keeps the batteries charged. But put more than 12 or so amps on it and it quits (my a/c draws 17.2 amps at compressor start up).
Put your money in a higher ended generator and you won't get stuck in 90deg+ temperatures without a/c!

So he maintained the IC engine but not the generator. It probably needed a coil or brushes. But hey, if folks are convinced that spending roughly 7times more for a Honda is a better, than more power to them.

:B

Champion generator review.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
July 27, 2010
DO NOT BUY THIS GENERATOR! I purchased this generator in 2008. Ran great the first year. Powered my a/c in a 24' 5th wheel. Very happy with it, at first. Used it the second year to run power tools, still good. Took it camping this summer, would not power my a/c in a 19' trailer! Generator would bog down and not allow the a/c compressor to start. Had to shut down the a/c to save the compressor. Would rather blow up a cheap generator than a $600 a/c unit. Took it to 2 different shops in town and when I told them it was a Champion Generator, they both said that I got what I paid for. I took care of this unit. Tuned it up, changed the oil, spark plug, cleaned the filter, used fuel stabilizer and all I have now is an anchor for my boat. It still runs my TV, coffee pot and broiler oven (not at the same time) and keeps the batteries charged. But put more than 12 or so amps on it and it quits (my a/c draws 17.2 amps at compressor start up).
Put your money in a higher ended generator and you won't get stuck in 90deg+ temperatures without a/c!

jaycocreek wrote:
Someone compared the Honda handi to the regular 3k Honda. Not in the same league sound wise. It's the champion of the Honda line.:B

And yet $300 more. An even worse bad decision. :h

Someone compared the Honda handi to the regular 3k Honda. Not in the same league sound wise. It's the champion of the Honda line.:B