Previous post on generators

[rving4us]

I posted a few weeks ago about using my champion generator, and several got upset that this subject had been discussed several times, so this next question is directed to the ones that actually have experience with what I'm asking, others don't bother. Since the non inverter type was deemed to noisy I started researching the inverter type. Honda has the 2000 that can be combined with a like kind to produce 4000 watts. The champion also has the same set up with inverter type generators. Having known people that had problems with the Honda not stating after sitting all summer, and knowing my champion will start easily. I tend to think the Honda is name only. Also, the Honda is $999.00 each and the champion are $675.00 each.
Finally the question will the champions give the same power and perform as well as the Hondas, and are just as quite? I have heard the Hondas run, but not the Champions.
Thanks
Cary

[2oldman]

Frank_White wrote:
Been reading the forum for 4 years now and this has bugged me, inverter generators are quiet not quite.

Actually they are quite quiet.

[JiminDenver]

Actually inverter generators are quieter than open frames but by no means are they quiet.

[Frank_White]

rving4us wrote:
I posted a few weeks ago about using my champion generator, and several got upset that this subject had been discussed several times, so this next question is directed to the ones that actually have experience with what I'm asking, others don't bother. Since the non inverter type was deemed to noisy I started researching the inverter type. Honda has the 2000 that can be combined with a like kind to produce 4000 watts. The champion also has the same set up with inverter type generators. Having known people that had problems with the Honda not stating after sitting all summer, and knowing my champion will start easily. I tend to think the Honda is name only. Also, the Honda is $999.00 each and the champion are $675.00 each.
Finally the question will the champions give the same power and perform as well as the Hondas, and are just as quite? I have heard the Hondas run, but not the Champions.
Thanks
Cary

Been reading the forum for 4 years now and this has bugged me, inverter generators are quiet not quite.

[2oldman]

rving4us wrote:
I tend to think the Honda is name only.

That's a specious observation. And the reason they don't start after sitting around for months is that the owners didn't follow the proper storage procedures. Yes, Hondas can be fussier about gas.

[greenrvgreen]

I have the Champion 3500/4000 and I love it. Over five years old and well over 1000 hours--more like 1500--and it continues to start on the first or second pull. I no longer bother to store it inside, it sits out in the winter weather just waiting for the opportunity to be of service. Every few weeks I'll give it a half-hour of exercise and make sure the gas has a little Seafoam in it. IMO, it is a marvel of practical technology.

And it is 100 lbs of bulky, day-ruining weight.

When looking for a LIGHTER-weight, inverter gennie, I figured I'd get the CPE 2000, until I read the posts. I didn't want to have to parallel two gennies just to power the basics, and the units were still that bulky, difficult to heft shape. I realized I really wanted a 3000-class gennie.

After research, I took a chance on the Powerhouse 2600/2700 for $1,000. This is a suitcase-shaped inverter gennie that will stream 2600 watts all day, similar to the Honda 3000. It is 80 lbs, and because of its narrow shape and carry handle it is reasonably luggable. It also comes with a completely useless set of wheels and drag handle, which I removed.

The sound is much less annoying than the Champ, at least according to the comments I've gotten. It is a much lower note, and somewhat quieter than the Champ. The eu3000 actually sounds more "clatterey" in comparison, although I think it is still a bit quieter than the Powerhouse.

I would definitely recommend this gennie, both for its cutting-edge design and its reliability. I would note that in the very first shipments there were comments about some gennies arriving DOA. I bought mine from Cabela's (with its rock-solid return policy), and I plan to buy my second one there, and a parallel kit. Just as soon as I can figure out what to do with 40 amps continuous output!

[the_bear_II]

I have the 2 Honda 2000i with the parallel kit. Both are over 10 years old. They both sit for 9 to 12 months without being started and no fuel stabilizer used. Each will start after a couple of pulls and run all day.

From time to time I will forget to open the gas cap vent, this makes it tougher to start and the generator and it will only run for a short time. Open the vent and all is good.

I bought these because they were quieter than any other 2000 watt on the market at the time. I would definitely by Honda generators again when needed.

[full_mosey]

Gennys:

The first was the 800W HF and it was too loud for a campground. Used once.

The second was a Briggs&Stratton powered 2000W inverter that at least looked like I was trying to be quiet! It worked fine for four years.

I read the entire CPE2000 topic here and then bought the Yamaha EF2000IS in Apr 2013. This is my third genny and I did not want to take any more chances.

The Yammi is quieter at full throttle than the B&S idling on eco.

I started the Yammi to show someone how quiet it was. Of course, you start with eco off. After marveling at how quiet is was, you should have seen his jaw drop when I switched the Yammi to eco. 51DB is quiet!

HTH;
John

[Mr_Beebo]

rving4us wrote:
Also, the Honda is $999.00 each and the champion are $675.00 each.
Finally the question will the champions give the same power and perform as well as the Hondas, and are just as quite? I have heard the Hondas run, but not the Champions.
Thanks
Cary

I have owned a Honda EU3000, a Honda 6k for the house, and now own 2 Champion 2000s with the link. They are rated at 1700 watts per unit x 2 for 3400 watts total. Mine were purchased at a Rural King for $499 apiece. They are rated at 53 db. They sound different than a Honda but not louder, they just have a different exhaust signature. They start very easily and run everything for me from power tools to the 13500k ac on our Rockwood. I looked long and hard at inverter gennies. I did not want something less than a quality, durable long lasting product. I was prepared to spend the money for a Honda or a Yamaha. The champion 2000s are the real deal. After about 2 months I sold the Honda EU3000 as I no longer had a need for it. That is my first hand account. Hope that helps.

[rving4us]

I know that I'm real happy with my 4000/3500 champion, and it is a little louder, but like I said I don't want to offend anyone, so that is why I was looking at the inverter types. Thanks for the excellent reply's.
Cary

[Ron3rd]

From what I've read on this forum, Champion inverter genny owners are happy campers. Seems to be a very good genny for the money.

[byways]

I have run two of mine (CPE 2000i) for a year now and never overloaded once. I paid under $500 for each of them, on sale at a farm store chain in Illinois. Without using AC, I just use one. Just make sure the hot water is switched to propane and you will be fine. I run my converter, microwave, TV, blow dryer (wife), curling iron and clothes iron off of one generator with no problem. Good luck with your inquiry.

[bradyk]

I can reply to that as you can see in my signature I have the older open style and 2 of the newer Champions. Yes the open one is a lot noisier but for the price I paid many years ago and what it does we still use it out boondocking in the bush. Runs everything but does take 2 of us to take it out of the truck and we just run a long cable back to the trailer. I also have 2 of the newer 2k inverter models too. They work very well for us to run the toaster, coffee pot, OIC stove top and charge batteries etc. Very quiet just like the Honda as well. Keep in mind they only really have a max continuous wattage of 1600 and a complaint from many has been it is not even close to the 2k that they advertise in big print but what it says in small. Link 2 together and you have lots of power. I usually only take one of them most of the time as in the mountains we don't need the ac so it is more for the small appliances and charging and works great for that. Very quiet too and if I leave it in the back of the truck you almost can't hear it running inside so grat for rainy days watching movies too and doesn't bother others. Picked mine up at Costco a few years back on a great deal they had them on for 399 so made sense to go that route form me. The Honda's are great units too but up here they run a lot more than in the U.S. so I decided to go the Champion route and love them.
Feel free to pm me if you have any questions you would prefer to answer offline.

[beemerphile1]

rving4us wrote:
...will the champions give the same power and perform as well as the Hondas, and are just as quite....

Assuming that you are referring to the CPE2000i. No, it is not as powerful, will overload easily, and is a little bit louder.

I own two of the Champions although I only paid $268 each when Sam's Club was having a seasonal closeout sale.

I have run mine side-by-side with Hondas and they are a little louder, not too much.

The CPE2000i is rated by the manufacturer lower than the Honda and they will overload quicker. I am not very happy with mine and find myself having to parallel them when only one should be able to handle the load.

Here is a huge thread on the CPE2000i, everything you could want to know;
The Official unofficial CPE 2000i Generator Thread

[Dave_H_M]

Carey

that is a good post as I am on the brink of ordering a Honda EU2000i Companion. I am going to start searching for or if Champ advertises their decibel level.

[naturist]

I do not own either brand of generator, I have a Generac 5500 watt open frame and an ETQ 1800 watt inverter generator. I cannot speak to most of your questions, but I can tell you that all engines, not just small ones, in all devices, not just generators, need to be run from time to time lest they become inoperable. The cylinders will rust if not oiled from time to time, the fuel systems contain rubber seals and hoses that will dry out and rot if not exposed to fresh fuel, in short, folks complaining that their generator won't start after a long period of sitting idle have brought the problem on themselves.

This is one reason lawn mowers are often hard to start the first time you run 'em in the spring, and that is often after only sitting idle for 3-4 months since last use in the fall. Let it sit for a whole year, and it will be dead, too.

I own those two generators, a weed whacker, a snow blower, a tiller, two chain saws, two lawn mowers, and three vehicles. So I made myself a log book to keep track of which ones I've used or at least run for a bit to keep 'em functional, and I make it a point to run each from time to time during the off-season even when not using it. Saves a LOT of headache, 'cause they always start when I need 'em to. And sometimes I find one breaking during the off-season, when repairs are cheapest and quickest (and I'm in no hurry, either) because nobody else is having their stuff repaired at the same time.