I would like your opinion on the Champion 3500W (4000 peak) generator that Cabela's has on-line. I believe it is around $450.00. I am not willing to spend $1300.00 on a Honda or Yamaha 1100W generator and I know "they are the best and quietest." What I want to know, from experienced RVers, would the Champion be a decent value of reliability, power and "not incredibly loud" option. One more note...I agree that as long as you follow the CG rules for generators, use of your generator is acceptable. Thanks for your input.

My cousin has one and likes it. He always sets it up away from the main site. I have other Champion products that I've owned over the last 5-6 years. Just like anything else, they need to be maintained well. It is louder than an RV type unit, no getting around that, but if you are considerate to other campers I think it will be fine.

i have two of them a 1500 and a 13500 watt small one for rv to charge batteries and larger one for my house both work very well

We built our house 8 years ago with a Champion generator and it is still running great today.

If you haven't come across this already here is the thread that is pretty much dedicated to the Champion Here

Check out Supergen for more information on Champion products and accessories.

Thoughts on Champion Generator (not Yamaha or Honda)

51 Replies

Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
ol Bombero-JC wrote:

Oh yeah - folks cutting generator gas lines at NASCAR events may end up with a baseball bat in the chops - or a Glock in their ear!
("Released" bad guys *love* NASCAR too - take that as gospel from a Probation Officer).

~

Not to mention the legal ramifications. Which can range from vandalism to murder.

I have known a few people that run generators out of medical necessity.
Cutting someone gas lines could possibly cause a medical emergency.
You just don't know what is going on inside a RV.
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2013
Huntindog wrote:
I really don't see how you all can enjoy camping, when you have to worry about what the neighbors think.
Unless I'm at a dog trial....If I can see a neighbor...He's too close. I want to have jump on my quad to go see one,,, if I want to.

That's why I boondock, if you can hear my Champ run, you are too close.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
4AggiesMom wrote:
TucsonJim,

Could you post a picture (or description) of your son's enclosure? Do you think the muffler or the enclosure helps the most?

I have been thinking about making some sort of enclosure for my generator. I would want it to be able to be stored flat in my truck for transport and not be too heavy or hard to set up. Hubby and I have come up with all sorts of ideas, but cannot settle on one. We have looked at HD for soundproofing. There is a sheet of some material that is lightweight, but seems like it might not do the job. So we were thinking about glueing it to some plywood. Any thoughts?

I have searched this website and gotten some ideas on dampening the noise, but can't find much definitive information.

An awful lot of "noise" about UN-necessary noise.

Besides generators, kids, dogs, - and even adults can produce "objectionable" noise!

ALL of those noisy things can be quieted down - some easier than others.....and some because the owners, parents, etc. - have consideration for others.
Unfortunately - lots of folks are "me first", and don't care about their noise pollution - whatever the source may be.

1. The "3000W Chinese Genset Info" thread linked by Rollin Condo on the first page has everything from simple noise abatement (pics & db testing) to propane conversions - and LOTS more.

2. The OP of this thread did lots of extensive noise abatement efforts -

"My $500. almost silent generator with pic. & db readings".

The Champion inverter models are about half the cost of a Yam or Honda, and just as quiet without any noise mods.

BTW - I have a Yam 2400is, a Honda 1000is, and two Champs.
Wish I had discovered the Champs first!..:W

Oh yeah - folks cutting generator gas lines at NASCAR events may end up with a baseball bat in the chops - or a Glock in their ear!
("Released" bad guys *love* NASCAR too - take that as gospel from a Probation Officer).

~
Empty_Nest__Soo
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
I bought one of the Champions for running the sump pump in the stick house when the power is off for extended periods. $299 at TSC.

Is it anywhere near as quiet as the Yamaha 1000 inverter genset I use to charge the batteries when dry camping? No way!

But it's a darn site quieter than most of the construction site gensets many of the other campers at the USFS campground where I go most often use.

In the Summer of 2012, we had a nasty storm (derecho) that knocked out power for 9 days. Temps were sweltering. We moved into the TT and used the Champion to run the AC. Darn glad to have it!

Wayne
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
I really don't see how you all can enjoy camping, when you have to worry about what the neighbors think.
Unless I'm at a dog trial....If I can see a neighbor...He's too close. I want to have jump on my quad to go see one,,, if I want to.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
JiminDenver wrote:
You mean there are "acceptable generators" in campgrounds. I think of them as a necessary evil that has to be tolerated. Would I prefer being next to a inverter over a open frame, sure. I'd really want to be next to the guy with solar to be honest.

Phrase it however you like... the moment your generator generates complaints from fellow campers during generator hours, you've got problems. Especially if people are paying for a campsite, with a campsite host, their expectations to peace and quiet now carry some weight.
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Nov 10, 2013
You mean there are "acceptable generators" in campgrounds. I think of them as a necessary evil that has to be tolerated. Would I prefer being next to a inverter over a open frame, sure. I'd really want to be next to the guy with solar to be honest.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Nov 10, 2013
I have never found an open frame generator that was acceptable from a noise perspective that was suitable for use in a campground. Way too loud. YMMV, but fellow campers will complain to managers about such noise pollution.
thomasmnile
Explorer
Nov 10, 2013
DE88ROX wrote:
sgrizzle wrote:
I would like your opinion on the Champion 3500W (4000 peak) generator that Cabela's has on-line. I believe it is around $450.00. I am not willing to spend $1300.00 on a Honda or Yamaha 1100W generator and I know "they are the best and quietest."

What I want to know, from experienced RVers, would the Champion be a decent value of reliability, power and "not incredibly loud" option.

One more note...I agree that as long as you follow the CG rules for generators, use of your generator is acceptable.

Thanks for your input.

Camping world has them for about 370.clicky From what Ive read doing research on the same genny, they are not that much louder than a honda or yamaha when comparing the same style of genny and measuring actual decibels.

I cant think of where I read it. if i find it I will post.

At full throttle the Champion is louder than a Honda or Yamaha inverter/generator, At 50% load, there is quite a difference. And if like most conventional generators, full throttle at 3600 RPM is the only "run" speed there is...............At full output (3600 RPM), a Honda EU3000I is rated 58db, the 3500w Champion is rated at 68db.
DE88ROX
Explorer
Nov 10, 2013
sgrizzle wrote:
I would like your opinion on the Champion 3500W (4000 peak) generator that Cabela's has on-line. I believe it is around $450.00. I am not willing to spend $1300.00 on a Honda or Yamaha 1100W generator and I know "they are the best and quietest."

What I want to know, from experienced RVers, would the Champion be a decent value of reliability, power and "not incredibly loud" option.

One more note...I agree that as long as you follow the CG rules for generators, use of your generator is acceptable.

Thanks for your input.

Camping world has them for about 370.clicky From what Ive read doing research on the same genny, they are not that much louder than a honda or yamaha when comparing the same style of genny and measuring actual decibels.

I cant think of where I read it. if i find it I will post.