which generator would you recommend?

[djconklin]

I was looking at a Champion B46517 4,000 watt generator. But I was warned off because one guy (I know great sample size) said his "broke within a few hours and could never be fixed properly. I'd never buy a Champion again."

I've heard bad news about Onan, so I'm not sure I'd got that route.

Which model would you buy if you were to buy one today?

[bikendan]

TyroneandGladys wrote:

bikendan wrote:

EsoxLucius wrote:
The generators previously cited to run in the low 50's dBA do so at no load. Who uses a generator like that?

those of us that use a generator for recharging our batteries!

my Honda 2000 idles at that db level, when i'm recharging the batteries, which is the most common use of generators when camping.

Unless you are in an area where it is 87 degrees at 4 in the morning

if that's the case, you need to stay in a place with hookups!
all the campgrounds i know of, don't allow generators running at 4 in the morning.:R

[TyroneandGladys]

bikendan wrote:

EsoxLucius wrote:
The generators previously cited to run in the low 50's dBA do so at no load. Who uses a generator like that?

those of us that use a generator for recharging our batteries!

my Honda 2000 idles at that db level, when i'm recharging the batteries, which is the most common use of generators when camping.

Unless you are in an area where it is 87 degrees at 4 in the morning

[deleted-2]

Bionic Man wrote:

Why would you trade for a 3000 instead of just running the EU2000 parallel? More power, more versatility, less weight.

Could go the parallel route it is way cheaper.

I just want one generator to fiddle with I guess.
Had 2-4 generators around here.
Gave 2 generators away earlier this year.

Neighbors got my trusty Honda ex1000 then I gave a new Champion 3500\4000 to the guy that bought our fifth wheel.

[Bionic_Man]

Thats_Ok wrote:
I might trade in our eu2000i companion for the eu3000i...

Dunno how I'll be able to deal with the weight of the bigger Honda.
My back is about done.

Why would you trade for a 3000 instead of just running the EU2000 parallel? More power, more versatility, less weight.

I have a pair of Yamaha's that I run parallel. It works great!

[deleted-2]

I might trade in our eu2000i companion for the eu3000i...

Dunno how I'll be able to deal with the weight of the bigger Honda.
My back is about done.

[bikendan]

EsoxLucius wrote:
The generators previously cited to run in the low 50's dBA do so at no load. Who uses a generator like that?

those of us that use a generator for recharging our batteries!

my Honda 2000 idles at that db level, when i'm recharging the batteries, which is the most common use of generators when camping.

[EsoxLucius]

Volt Magazine wrote:
One last thing - generators are rated on the A sound scale - and you will see on most models a rating in DBA which is the sound decibels the generator runs at. A human conversation takes place at between 60 and 65 dba - a quality quiet generator runs below 58 dba. The best generators such as from Honda run in the low 50's.

dBA ratings are usually at 7 meters (23 feet). Hence, a 59 dBA Honda generator will yield about 70 dB when standing next to it. That's about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. No generator is quiet, some are just less loud than others.

The generators previously cited to run in the low 50's dBA do so at no load. Who uses a generator like that?

[Mr_Beebo]

Bought a pair of Champion 2000s this spring for a little over 1k. They start everytime and when placed behind our camper at night and during conversation around the campfire, are not even noticable. It boiled down to x amount for the honda and the yamaha, or half for the champion,and I took the champion.

[mlts22]

The OP wants to boondock at Slab City. I've personally not been there, but I've met people who spent a winter there because of economic issues. This is information I've learned secondhand, so take this stuff with a grain of salt:

I was told to not bother with a top tier generator like a red/blue. No matter how it is locked down, it will walk off.

The ideal would be an inbuilt Onan generator. These (for the most part) will tend to stay working and not vanish as easily as portable generators. Out of sight, out of mind. Just make sure it is installed correctly with sound insulation as well as the exhaust resonator. Onans have issues (the boating friends of mine highly recommend Kohlers), but they are decent, especially if decently maintained.

The next best thing will be a custom-fabricated generator enclosure with high security padlocks that not just provides the needed ventilation (for air cooling), filtration (the sand there is harsh, even with most generator air filters), sound deadening, as well as security (out of sight, out of mind again). I will leave it up to the experts of what generator to put in, but I'd probably go with a 3000-4000 watt no-name Chinese inverter model that has a remote, because it will hurt less if the enclosure is forced open and the goodies emptied.

If the OP were boondocking at another location, I'd recommend a different type of generator, but Slab City has its own environmental issues. I'm sure others have had a different experience, but from the people I've met who boondocked at the Slabs, security can be a major issue.

[Fixed_Sight_Tra]

I have a Honda EU3000is which is very reliable and quiet, electric start cranks it up even when it's cold out, I use my toyhauler year round in the denver area as an office and classroom. I did get a percolator for camping so I wouldn't have to start the gen to make coffee early in the morning however the gen will run the AC and Mr Coffee at the same time.

That being said I got it as a package with the trailer. I don't think I would spend $2500 for one. It's nice but dang...

[Volt_Magazine]

Thought I'd throw in my two cents as the Editor of Volt which focuses on generators and power requirements.

The biggest development in quiet generator technology is the growth in invertor generators which are much quieter than standard gas plants. Invertor generators work by creating DC power and then converting it for use as AC power when required. This provides much cleaner electricity and is ideal for sensitive electronics like televisions or computers.

The reason these are quieter is because the engine doesn't have to work as hard. Every traditional gas generator has to run at 3600 rpm to produce electricity where a inverter generator runs only when needed and can run at a lot lower rpm rate.

Another important consideration is the new environmental concerns in California regarding generators which are often called CARB which stands for California Air Resources Board - but many states are also adopting similar rules for proper emissions standards. The goverment website it http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm

One last thing - generators are rated on the A sound scale - and you will see on most models a rating in DBA which is the sound decibels the generator runs at. A human conversation takes place at between 60 and 65 dba - a quality quiet generator runs below 58 dba. The best generators such as from Honda run in the low 50's.

There is a lot more to read on which models run quiet etc and what to look for on our website at QuietGeneratorGuide.com

[wbwood]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi rockport,

Why not the champion inverter genny? It is not that expensive, and much quieter.

They are good. We bought one last year that we were going to use with the tt we had. Costs a couple hundred dollars more than the 3500/4000 champion but half the power. Probably wont run your ac but good for charging batteries and running other things. Plus as pianotuna mentioned, its quiet. Rated the same as the Hondas and yamahas but half the cost.

[pianotuna]

Hi rockport,

Why not the champion inverter genny? It is not that expensive, and much quieter.

[rockportrocket]

Personally I would first consider my budget. Then I would consider noise level.

Nothing wrong with champions. Most everyone on here that has owned one likes it. You are going to have those one here that will harass you about having a generator while camping or for not opting for a $1000 honda or yamaha. The fact is, is that if the campground allows generators and you need or want to use it, then by all means, as long as it's within the rules. If they don't like it, then they should find a place that doesn't allow them or at least a loop in campground that doesnt allow them.


I think you must be the ones parked next to us in Fla one summer in a cargo trl converted to a room. Champion ran 24/7 and it didn't even have a muffler.

[eabc5454]

We have an onboard Onan, but we only have 20 hours on it. It's been great so far, and it's pretty quiet. We have used it going down the road to run the A/C and make coffee.

As an aside, I changed the generator oil last night (I've never done stuff like that), and I'm quite proud of myself! My daughter's boyfriend supervised, but I got greasy and saved money!