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?

[Stefonius]

wbwood wrote:

Stefonius wrote:

Please, for the love of Mike, spend the extra few bucks and get a QUIET generator.

What about those with built in generators? Also, I don't think it is really fair to tell someone that they are a bad camper if they don't spend money to buy certain type of equipment, especially when their budget does not allow. That would be like telling those who can only afford a pop up to buy a fifth wheel or someone with a 20 year old camper that they need to buy something newer, better looking and more efficient. Who are we to tell other people how to camp? Courtesy goes far more than running a generator when camping.

I'm not telling anyone that they're a bad camper if they don't spend money to buy a certain type of equipment. I'm telling them that they're bad campers if they don't give a (string of asterisks) about whether their actions harm the ability of other campers to enjoy the park. I would no more run a $300 open frame generator than I would play Bach's "Toccata & Fugue in D Minor" on a set of train horns at 7 AM. I also wouldn't dump my black tank on the ground next to your camper. I wouldn't fail to clean up after my dog, or let my children run screaming and unsupervised. You're right - courtesy does go far more than running a generator while camping. Unfortunately, many people were not taught common courtesy by their parents.

[djconklin]

Here, here!

[Atlee]

Thats_Ok wrote:
Not a generator noise related thing:
We stayed across from a younger family with a class C having wheel problems.

Felt sorry for them because they were having to use a really noisy oiless air compressor to run air tools to make repairs.
He felt really bad and kept apologizing to everyone.
It was easy to tell these kids were on a shoestring.

A few of us gathered at his site to help out.
His neighbors hauled his wife and a tire over to Reno to get it replaced.

He said he was afraid they'd be booted for making so much noise.
Had a beer or three with them after the dilemma ended.
We joked about the campground grumps adopting them.

People love to help out!

Well done.

[wbwood]

Stefonius wrote:

Please, for the love of Mike, spend the extra few bucks and get a QUIET generator.

What about those with built in generators? Also, I don't think it is really fair to tell someone that they are a bad camper if they don't spend money to buy certain type of equipment, especially when their budget does not allow. That would be like telling those who can only afford a pop up to buy a fifth wheel or someone with a 20 year old camper that they need to buy something newer, better looking and more efficient. Who are we to tell other people how to camp? Courtesy goes far more than running a generator when camping.

[wbwood]

Bionic Man wrote:

wbwood wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
A Honda or Yamaha inverter style generator.

Your neighbors will thank you for it as well.

We camp to make our neighbors happy?

Something that seems to be largely lost these days is common courtesy. Most people don't camp to hear loud generators running. Leave those crappy industrial generators at the job site.

If you are in a place that allows generators to run, then you can expect to hear them running. If a park says only 53 decibel generators, then fine, that's all that should be run. But if one has an adversity to hearing a generator running where it is allowed, then they should not camp there.

Was camping last weekend on blue ridge parkway and guy across from us had a champion 3500/4000 on the back deck of his small TT. Could I hear it running during the day? A little but it was no more obnoxious than the diesel trucks that passed by occasionally. And once I cranked up our built in Onan, I couldn't hear his at all.

If one wants total peace and quiet while camping, then they need to seek out a private spot and not in a developed campground or popular spot. Like I mentioned about diesel trucks. I don't like them. Their loud, smelly and their drivers often feel the need to bow out their chest with making them louder. But they are allowed and I have to deal with it.

[Bionic_Man]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

How well does it start in cold weather? (-25) I have one as well but have not yet had it a year.

Winged One wrote:
Yamaha 3000ISEB here. Well recommended. And yes, there is a big difference in noise. I guess I just give a******about someone besides myself.

I have used one of my Yamaha 2000's a couple times during hunting season. Starts fine at 0*.

[deleted-2]

Not a generator noise related thing:
We stayed across from a younger family with a class C having wheel problems.

Felt sorry for them because they were having to use a really noisy oiless air compressor to run air tools to make repairs.
He felt really bad and kept apologizing to everyone.
It was easy to tell these kids were on a shoestring.

A few of us gathered at his site to help out.
His neighbors hauled his wife and a tire over to Reno to get it replaced.

He said he was afraid they'd be booted for making so much noise.
Had a beer or three with them after the dilemma ended.
We joked about the campground grumps adopting them.

People love to help out!

[Stefonius]

Bionic Man wrote:

wbwood wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
A Honda or Yamaha inverter style generator. Your neighbors will thank you for it as well.

We camp to make our neighbors happy?

Something that seems to be largely lost these days is common courtesy. Most people don't camp to hear loud generators running. Leave those crappy industrial generators at the job site.

X1000!
Please consider others when firing up a generator. I know you have the right to do as you please in your site, yadda yadda yadda, 'Murica, hell yeah and all that, but a bit of courtesy goes a long way.
Most of the folks I see with extremely loud generators are the same ones who would be the first to complain if I set up Marshall stacks and started playing electric guitar at top volume in the neighboring site.
Please, for the love of Mike, spend the extra few bucks and get a QUIET generator.

[JiminDenver]

We have a Champion 3500/4000 and love it. We got it used for $62 off of craigslist and for as beat up as it looks, it starts on the first pull in any weather and has the power to run the AC at 10,000 ft of altitude.
Is it quiet? Well it is quieter than the Powermate 2500 we had first. Plus usually we are in the trailer while it runs since we use it for the AC only, solar takes care of the batteries.

I would like to get the new Champion 3100i inverter unit. For around $900 they are lighter than their H/Y counterparts. Their noise rating is the same as the Honda Handi.

As far as noise, campgrounds, etc etc, two things.
1. We boondock and I'm sure the same people that I can hear running their generators as a hum on the wind can hear ours the same.
2. Noise is noise and noise travels in quiet settings and that includes inverter generators no matter what they cost and especially if they are working hard. The last time we were out we had neighbors around 1/4 mile from us and I could hear them running a pair of Honda 2000 even though there was a hill and lots of aspens between us.

Good luck with your choice

[2edgesword]

wbwood wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
A Honda or Yamaha inverter style generator.

Your neighbors will thank you for it as well.

We camp to make our neighbors happy?

I think doing what you can to help your neighbors enjoy their camping experience is an element in allowing me to enjoy my camping experience, whether it's the sound of my generator or the volume at which I play music or where I let me grandkids roam.

Having said that I realize that if a campground allows generators to be run during certain hours I don't expect to enjoy real quiet time during those hours.

[Veebyes]

Onan=Oh No! That was the standing joke some time ago, particularly for the marine variety. Very unreliable.

These days? Don't know. I have a Norpro diesel genny (Isuzu engine) in my boat & use a Honda 2000 for the 5er.

[Dog_Folks]

My experience? Honda. Quiet and trustworthy.

Purchased it 1981. 32 Years ago! Took it everywhere and used it for camping and during hurricanes. Gave it to our son in 2006.

Still runs, starts on first pull, and lives in my son's garage waiting for the next use.

That is what I call quality!

[Itching2go]

Picked up a champion 2000i inverter generator for our trip to Yellowstone this summer. Couldn't see paying twice as much for a Honda. One pull start every time, and worked fine for us to charge batteries and run a few small appliances. Didn't go with two and the parallel kit as we didn't need to run the AC. Neighbour had a Honda, and they seemed to be pretty comparable from a noise perspective with both being fairly quiet, especially if your on the opposite side of the exhaust. Personally, I wouldn't want to run any open frame generator. Just too much noise for my comfort level, and I do care about those around me.

Just my experience...

[ceaser_22000]

I have a portable champion 4000 for durability it is great I have had it two years and over the course of two years taking it camping and using it at the house it has ran fine, this winter we lost power in JAN. ran for 4 days straight and ran everything I needed. It also started fine this winter in the cold with even with 10w30 for oil

[Winged_One]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

How well does it start in cold weather? (-25) I have one as well but have not yet had it a year.

I have only had it this spring and summer, so I cannot address that question. Sorry.