I have a fiber glass cap on my pickup. Cost being a factor, my thought was to buy a cheaper generator like a "Champion" and crank it on inside the cap with an opened window to keep the noise level down outside. Does anyone else do this and does it work for you? I only need it to turn on for the AC on the hottest of days or charge the batteries. So, it would have to be at least a 3000 W gen. VS a Honda for $1800, a Champion cost about $300+.

It'll take a lot more than that cap to cut the noise enough to do you any good. Plus there's a small problem of cooling, not to mention the matter of enough fresh air to run the engine. Since hot days and AC are when you'll be running it, cooling is going to be a major issue. You won't save much folding green burning up that $300 generator every couple days.

Remember you get what you pay for.

Our road mechanic tried to run a generator inside the utility truck with the back door open but could only get about 1 hr before it didn't like the air inside the closed space started acting up.

I've seen a few generators on pickup beds. My observation is that the bed acts like a sounding board, making a loud generator even louder.I think the best fix for a loud one is to get a very long extension cord, and find a ditch or a tree at least 70' away.

Road Phantom wrote:I have a fiber glass cap on my pickup. Cost being a factor, my thought was to buy a cheaper generator like a "Champion" and crank it on inside the cap with an opened window to keep the noise level down outside. Does anyone else do this and does it work for you? I only need it to turn on for the AC on the hottest of days or charge the batteries. So, it would have to be at least a 3000 W gen. VS a Honda for $1800, a Champion cost about $300+.Have you ACTUALLY heard a REAL Champion (or any other Chinese clones like it)?Although the knock offs are a bit louder they actually are not all that bad, in fact I think they are extremely quiet when comparing it to a old school Briggs and Stratton contractor type.I would say that my Chinese gen is about as noisy as a gas powered golf cart (and we know that golf courses demand quiet carts).I have even gone as far as measuring the DB level and comparing it to my trucks which have a 5.4 gas engine with unmodified exhaust systems.Hands down the gen IS quieter than my pickup truck at idle, the truck easily was 10 DB LOUDER than the gen at 21 ft..Running a gen under a cap is asking for trouble. Heat build up which was mentioned will happen fast since you will not have much cross ventilation.Then CO is another issue to consider.. Your cap will be open to your trailer and the trailer will be only a few feet away from the truck when connected. Basically ALL the exhaust WILL exit the back of the cap and could potentially seep into your trailer.If using the gen while truck and trailer are connected ALL the noise WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE TRAILER making it seem louder than it is.With all that said, I have a two piece "topper" on my truck and the gen is at the front of the bed. I lift the front topper and have modified the gen exhaust with an added tail pipe which directs the exhaust up and out of the bed.I then drop the tailgate to allow the gen to circulate cooling air out of the bed.I do not CAMP with the gen running, it is only used when stopping for the night (overnighting without power) to cool down the trailer before getting some rest.Some folks have made special noise reducing boxes which are open to the sky. This redirects the noise upwards and helps to quiet the gen.But, if you absolutely can not stand ANY engine noise what so ever then I would recommend get yourself a roof full of solar panels.In this case even the expensive brand name gens will be too noisy for you (They DO MAKE NOISE in spite of what some folks tout).

noisy generators | Good Sam Community

85 Replies

mlts22
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2014
I ran the numbers for a battery bank and solar panel system to try to run even a 1500 watt A/C just from it. The result would have required a trailer carrying a solar panel array frame and mounting that would take 4-6 hours to set up, heavy duty charge controllers, 48 volt batteries, and a beefy inverter.

Just the fact that you need enough panels, batteries, and charging capacity for six times the capacity of the A/C due to usable sunlight only hitting only a part of the time.

As for the Honda 2000 watt generators, one can get extended run tanks for them so the 0.9 gallon tank can end up a 6-15 gallon one.

Solar has its place (a means to keep the house batteries at 100% SoC, or close to it) However, I'd definitely be bringing along a generator, and there are many choices. Another possible option which I've seen people use is a Yamaha 4500 watt inverter model. It is big enough to easily absorb the locked rotor amps from an A/C unit, as well as completely saturate a 30 amp connection. Plus, you can get remote start for it. There are a lot of generator choices, and everyone has their own opinion and a way that works for them.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 07, 2014
Hi,

Only if you have a massive number of amp-hours of battery bank and a relatively huge solar system. You would need a trailer full of batteries and solar panels on the roof of the rv plus panels on the battery trailer.

TheAmRheins wrote:
Will solar run an AC for 3 days and nights at a Nascar race in August?
Caveman_Charlie
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2014
TheAmRheins wrote:
Will solar run an AC for 3 days and nights at a Nascar race in August?

No , Sorry
Huntindog
Explorer
Mar 07, 2014
Gdetrailer wrote:
Huntindog wrote:
Road Phantom wrote:
I have a fiber glass cap on my pickup. Cost being a factor, my thought was to buy a cheaper generator like a "Champion" and crank it on inside the cap with an opened window to keep the noise level down outside. Does anyone else do this and does it work for you? I only need it to turn on for the AC on the hottest of days or charge the batteries. So, it would have to be at least a 3000 W gen.
VS a Honda for $1800, a Champion cost about $300+.
Between my brother and I we have 3 Honda EU2000s and 1 Champion 3500. My brother bought the Champion in a pinch. It was back when I had just bought my first EU 2000, and he had a Coleman. We were Elk Hunting and his Coleman died. So He ran into town and got the Champion.

The Champion is of course louder than the EU2000s, but it is quite a bit quieter than most of the contractor type generators.
It served him well for several years. A long extension cord can manage the noise easily... Of course we don't use campgrounds where there are neighbors that may object. Except for dog trials, we only boondock in dispersed camp settings out west... If I can see another camp.... They are too close.
About three years ago I picked up a couple more EU2000s with the parallel kit for a very good price, and gave my brother the first Honda.
He still has the Champion, but never uses it anymore. He has discovered the great benefit of the Honda's fuel economy. The Champion goes thru fuel at a astounding rate.
The Honda sips it. Since the 3500 watts of the Champion is rarely needed, he can now carry less fuel to our remote camp sites.

We figure that the Hondas will likely pay for themselves in fuel savings.

So yes, the Hondas intial price is higher, but the overall price of ownership is not.

Of course, the more you use it, the faster the payback is.

I just thought I would bring up a point to consider that is rarely written about here.... It's always about the noise.

Fuel "economy" argument is invalid if running a Honda at FULL LOAD.

The only time this is a valid statement is if you are at 1/4 load and using economy setting along with only using ONE 2000W Honda..

Here is Honda's OWN "specs"

Honda 2000w inverter gen
4 to 9.6 hr on 1 gallon of gas DEPENDING ON LOAD (4hr at RATED output and 9.6 hr at 1/4 load)

2 paralled will double the fuel to TWO GALLON for 4 to 9.6hr

47 lbs for one. (two is 94 lbs)

Sound level of 53db to 59 db (53 only while in economy mode and if you paralle you double the loudness so that would be 56 DB to 62DB or adding 3DB)

Parallel "kit" extra expensive "option"

.96 gallon fuel tank, requires refueling OFTEN under heavy loads.

98CC engine 2.8 HP

I have a Chinese 4000W gen (very similar to a Champion 4000W using a 6.5HP knockoff engine).

Recently this winter we had a major power outage (power company had a substation failure). Ran my 4000W gen for 6hrs strait, used a little less than half of the 4 gallon tank. Ran with a little over 1/2 load during the outage.

It would have taken TWO of the 2000W Hondas together to run my loads so the Hondas would not have been running in econo mode. So, Two Hondas would have used TWO GALLONS of gas for FOUR HOURS, my cheap knockoff gen ran for SIX HOURS on just under two gallons.

Put it another way.. The Honda 2000W gens have engines at 98CC with 2.8 HP, the 4000W gens use 6.5 HP engines with about 230 CC.

In a nut shell pretty much the SAME amount of fuel will be used when TWO Honda 2000W gens are paired and not running econo mode..

Then you look at fuel tanks, .98 gallon requires refilling often (every 4 hrs) when running full loads, my cheap gen will easily run up to 12 hrs on half load for one tank fill..

Cost, well lets say that for the $299 I paid for my cheap knockoff I have no problem feeding mine a bit more gas for YEARS.

Weight.. Well my gen weighs in at 105 lbs with full tank.. Two Hondas will weigh in nearly the same. The only saving grace for the Hondas is the fact that you have two which might be a bit easier for one to move but it makes it much easier for THIEVES also..

If you have the money to burn then Hondas will do that for you in a grand fashion.. If you don't (like myself and others) and don't mind a little bit more noise then the cheaper knockoffs are a great way to get some power on the cheap..

Champion has built a good reputation so don't knock it...
First off, I have never "knocked" the Champions. In fact for some, I recommend them.

But... The fuel economy point is valid for most users. Feeding a Champion for "years".... Well that all depends on the price of gas... The trend is up not down.. It is a pretty safe bet that gas will become increasingly costly.
The Champion 3500 runs at max RPM no matter what the load is. No economy mode.
In most cases this WILL result in more fuel being consumed as it is being wasted.

The Hondas having a economy mode only run at the RPMs needed for the load.

My twins run my 15K AC at idle, only ramping up briefly when the compressor engages.
The small fuel tank is really not a issue for most users as the .98 gallons will usually outlast the 4.5 gallons of the Champion.
If more is needed, then a extended run tank can be added. I have one and it is really conveinient.

My take on the Champions, is that they are a great value for those whose needs are infrequent, or perhaps they need max power most of the time.

For my needs, I require low power levels over long periods of time and frequently. Ocassionally I may need max power for a little while.

Everyone needs to look at ALL of the different concerns when evaluating their generator choice.

Like I said, We actually own a Champion and 3 Hondas.... If the Champion made the most sense for us,,,,, why would we not be using it?
Mr_Beebo
Explorer
Mar 07, 2014
No it will not, and it won't work for my needs or lifestyle either. Not bashing. I've had the Honda EU3000 and currently have 2 of the Champion 2000 stackables. They Honda and Champion both have differences in sound, but are just as quiet to me. I think the brand has been around long enough to confirm they are no fly by nights and can hold their own with the red and blue teams. The difference to me now is that I can purchase the yellows for 50% of what the others cost.
TheAmRheins
Explorer
Mar 07, 2014
Will solar run an AC for 3 days and nights at a Nascar race in August?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 07, 2014
Hi,

There is a myth that inverter generators consume less fuel for a given load.

The advantage of the inverter generators are clean output, and lower noise.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Mar 07, 2014
Huntindog wrote:
Road Phantom wrote:
I have a fiber glass cap on my pickup. Cost being a factor, my thought was to buy a cheaper generator like a "Champion" and crank it on inside the cap with an opened window to keep the noise level down outside. Does anyone else do this and does it work for you? I only need it to turn on for the AC on the hottest of days or charge the batteries. So, it would have to be at least a 3000 W gen.
VS a Honda for $1800, a Champion cost about $300+.
Between my brother and I we have 3 Honda EU2000s and 1 Champion 3500. My brother bought the Champion in a pinch. It was back when I had just bought my first EU 2000, and he had a Coleman. We were Elk Hunting and his Coleman died. So He ran into town and got the Champion.

The Champion is of course louder than the EU2000s, but it is quite a bit quieter than most of the contractor type generators.
It served him well for several years. A long extension cord can manage the noise easily... Of course we don't use campgrounds where there are neighbors that may object. Except for dog trials, we only boondock in dispersed camp settings out west... If I can see another camp.... They are too close.
About three years ago I picked up a couple more EU2000s with the parallel kit for a very good price, and gave my brother the first Honda.
He still has the Champion, but never uses it anymore. He has discovered the great benefit of the Honda's fuel economy. The Champion goes thru fuel at a astounding rate.
The Honda sips it. Since the 3500 watts of the Champion is rarely needed, he can now carry less fuel to our remote camp sites.

We figure that the Hondas will likely pay for themselves in fuel savings.

So yes, the Hondas intial price is higher, but the overall price of ownership is not.

Of course, the more you use it, the faster the payback is.

I just thought I would bring up a point to consider that is rarely written about here.... It's always about the noise.

Fuel "economy" argument is invalid if running a Honda at FULL LOAD.

The only time this is a valid statement is if you are at 1/4 load and using economy setting along with only using ONE 2000W Honda..

Here is Honda's OWN "specs"

Honda 2000w inverter gen
4 to 9.6 hr on 1 gallon of gas DEPENDING ON LOAD (4hr at RATED output and 9.6 hr at 1/4 load)

2 paralled will double the fuel to TWO GALLON for 4 to 9.6hr

47 lbs for one. (two is 94 lbs)

Sound level of 53db to 59 db (53 only while in economy mode and if you paralle you double the loudness so that would be 56 DB to 62DB or adding 3DB)

Parallel "kit" extra expensive "option"

.96 gallon fuel tank, requires refueling OFTEN under heavy loads.

98CC engine 2.8 HP

I have a Chinese 4000W gen (very similar to a Champion 4000W using a 6.5HP knockoff engine).

Recently this winter we had a major power outage (power company had a substation failure). Ran my 4000W gen for 6hrs strait, used a little less than half of the 4 gallon tank. Ran with a little over 1/2 load during the outage.

It would have taken TWO of the 2000W Hondas together to run my loads so the Hondas would not have been running in econo mode. So, Two Hondas would have used TWO GALLONS of gas for FOUR HOURS, my cheap knockoff gen ran for SIX HOURS on just under two gallons.

Put it another way.. The Honda 2000W gens have engines at 98CC with 2.8 HP, the 4000W gens use 6.5 HP engines with about 230 CC.

In a nut shell pretty much the SAME amount of fuel will be used when TWO Honda 2000W gens are paired and not running econo mode..

Then you look at fuel tanks, .98 gallon requires refilling often (every 4 hrs) when running full loads, my cheap gen will easily run up to 12 hrs on half load for one tank fill..

Cost, well lets say that for the $299 I paid for my cheap knockoff I have no problem feeding mine a bit more gas for YEARS.

Weight.. Well my gen weighs in at 105 lbs with full tank.. Two Hondas will weigh in nearly the same. The only saving grace for the Hondas is the fact that you have two which might be a bit easier for one to move but it makes it much easier for THIEVES also..

If you have the money to burn then Hondas will do that for you in a grand fashion.. If you don't (like myself and others) and don't mind a little bit more noise then the cheaper knockoffs are a great way to get some power on the cheap..

Champion has built a good reputation so don't knock it...
mlts22
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
Champion sells a 3000 watt inverter model that is decently quiet.

Trick to having a generator under a pickup truck cap is placing it on a rubber mat to deaden vibrations, and to set up fans to keep air moving, because the larger generators will overheat without a lot of ventilation. I'd probably get a box fan and put it on the exhaust side, which will help disperse the CO gas, as well as pull in enough air to keep the generator decently cool.

As for noise, my 3000 watt Yamaha inverter generator is quiet enough that I don't hear it over the guy 100 feet away with the open-framed contractor generator. So, even though I paid about 6-7 times more for a quieter model, it has worked and worked well.
2oldman
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
Caveman Charlie wrote:
I sometimes wonder if a bigger/better muffler would help the generator run more quiet too.
Slightly. The noise from cheaper gens is mostly from the dynamo.

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noisy generators

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