Questions/Opinions on Generators

eluwak wrote:

mbutts wrote:
I own a Honda, but I've heard the Yamahas are similar in quality & quietness. If I did it again, I'd go with a pair of 2000 Watt units vs. a 3000. It's just too darn heavy for me to move (a bit over 130 lbs. dry).

x2

We have a 10 year old Honda e3000is that weighs 147 lbs dry... It's super nice and quiet, but really requires two people or a cart to move around. Works on the first pull, and if the battery wasn't toast it would electric start too. They have a new 3000 that is half the weight and has wheels now.

Doing 2 2000s seems to be a popular choice for good reasons though. It would be nice to have something I could store on a shelf, and move around easily by myself. We only use it for weather related disasters since we always camp FHU right now.

Another vote for the two Honda 2000 watts that enable paralleling, I had that setup and loved it. Now that I have an on board generator I use the one 2000 almost all the time unless I need more power. My son got the other 2000 at a huge discount. :)

JayGee wrote:
How much power do you need? That Honda price is probably for a 3000 watt, the Yamaha for a 2400, and the 3100 watt Champion inverter? To bring them all to the 3000 watt range the Yamaha price goes about $2000 +/-. So, the Champion is a much better deal RE price per watt but it is a little louder than the others according to their spec sheets.

I know that the Honda is a VERY quiet machine that my NASCAR neighbors run 24/7 with no bother to anyone. I think the Yamaha is about as quiet. I have never been around the running Champion so I have no input there.

The Honda and Yamaha have a rep for being very reliable and the Champion has not been around very long that I am aware of. They may be great, just not proven to my limited knowledge.

I have a Honda 2000 and have had it for a long time with no problem. But if I were buying today and the noise was not too much a factor I would strongly consider the Champion. But I would want to hear one before I spent the money. I hate loud generators.

I need to be able to run AC.

Anybody out there using the champion?

mbutts wrote:
I own a Honda, but I've heard the Yamahas are similar in quality & quietness. If I did it again, I'd go with a pair of 2000 Watt units vs. a 3000. It's just too darn heavy for me to move (a bit over 130 lbs. dry).

x2

We have a 10 year old Honda e3000is that weighs 147 lbs dry... It's super nice and quiet, but really requires two people or a cart to move around. Works on the first pull, and if the battery wasn't toast it would electric start too. They have a new 3000 that is half the weight and has wheels now.

Doing 2 2000s seems to be a popular choice for good reasons though. It would be nice to have something I could store on a shelf, and move around easily by myself. We only use it for weather related disasters since we always camp FHU right now.

How much power do you need? That Honda price is probably for a 3000 watt, the Yamaha for a 2400, and the 3100 watt Champion inverter? To bring them all to the 3000 watt range the Yamaha price goes about $2000 +/-. So, the Champion is a much better deal RE price per watt but it is a little louder than the others according to their spec sheets.

I know that the Honda is a VERY quiet machine that my NASCAR neighbors run 24/7 with no bother to anyone. I think the Yamaha is about as quiet. I have never been around the running Champion so I have no input there.

The Honda and Yamaha have a rep for being very reliable and the Champion has not been around very long that I am aware of. They may be great, just not proven to my limited knowledge.

I have a Honda 2000 and have had it for a long time with no problem. But if I were buying today and the noise was not too much a factor I would strongly consider the Champion. But I would want to hear one before I spent the money. I hate loud generators.

I own a Honda, but I've heard the Yamahas are similar in quality & quietness. If I did it again, I'd go with a pair of 2000 Watt units vs. a 3000. It's just too darn heavy for me to move (a bit over 130 lbs. dry).

If you plan on dry camping near other campers, you may want to consider decibel levels also.