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?

[pianotuna]

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.

[Winged_One]

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

[RonWSl]

I faced that question earlier this week. Spent hours and hours researching the issue. I ended up buying the Champion 4000/3500 which is actually being delivered today. Heck of a deal on Amazon, got it for $425, 2 day delivery, and free shipping because I am on a trial membership of Amazon Prime. I will wire a 30 amp wire into my transfer box this weekend with a short cord. Plan on leaving it in the bed of the truck for now. Hope to set it up and run it tonight when I get home from work. Will let you know how it seems.

Ron S

[bikendan]

if you plan on boondocking at the Slabs, a Champion 3500 would work. you just have to determine if you're close enough to neighbors for them to complain.
it's been years since i've been there but some RV's were close to others and some weren't.

one thing, the environment there can be hell on an open-framed generator, exposed to the dirt, sand and dust.
but when you only pay $300 for the generator, then getting a year out of it is money ahead.

if you were planning on using it in a developed campground, then i'd have to say NO! it's too loud for that type of usage.

[rfryer]

I don’t have one but quite a few people have Champions and seem to like them. Honda and Yamaha seem to have the reputation of being relatively quiet although you pay for them. I wonder, though, if a generator that size could ever be quiet. All I’ll say about them is the further off the beaten path you get the more hostility you’ll find toward generators that aren’t very quiet.

[Bionic_Man]

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.

[wbwood]

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?

[deleted-2]

Thats_Ok wrote:
ONAN bad news??? why is that?

djconklin wrote:
A guy I know used to work there. Apparently new management changed a lot of things. He sold his stock as soon as he retired.

Ah I see.

Thats_Ok wrote:
Sold it however for something quieter.

djconklin wrote:
Hmmm, one user noted how quiet his was!

They are somewhat quiet at idle.
Not with the AC running or any moderate load actually.
Good generators however.

[time2roll]

djconklin wrote:
@#40Fan, I was thinking of camping out in Slab City, off-grid, for an extensive period of time ....

Do you expect to run the air conditioning 24/7 in summer or live with the heat?
Because if you can do without the air like many desert rats you might be better off with some solar panels vs weekly+ run to find fuel.

[pianotuna]

Hi David,

What do you need to run?

[Bionic_Man]

A Honda or Yamaha inverter style generator.

Your neighbors will thank you for it as well.

[wbwood]

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.

[SAR_Tracker]

djconklin wrote:
@#40Fan, I was thinking of camping out in Slab City, off-grid, for an extensive period of time ....

October thru May you won't need the A/C, so a 2kw would work for that time period.... then you could get ANOTHER 2kw generator, parallel them, and have enough to run the A/C next summer.

[2edgesword]

If this is for camping you also want to consider the noise factor. I have Yamaha 2400ishc that's quiet, relatively light (70lbs) and will run an A/C unit.

[djconklin]

Theres nothing wrong with Champion. I have 4 year old 3500/4000 that I used to use with camping but it is now delegated to portable power needs on my equipment/utility trailer. Abuse the******out of that thing and it just keeps on humming along. At ~$300 its a great generator for the money.

Maybe the one user got a lemon.