noisy generators

[Road_Phantom]

I have a fiber glass cap on my pickup. Cost being a factor, my thought was to buy a cheaper generator like a "Champion" and crank it on inside the cap with an opened window to keep the noise level down outside. Does anyone else do this and does it work for you? I only need it to turn on for the AC on the hottest of days or charge the batteries. So, it would have to be at least a 3000 W gen.
VS a Honda for $1800, a Champion cost about $300+.

[Huntindog]

Road Phantom

Just checking back to see what you decided upon.

[duane124]

i have the champion 3500/4000.. as well as 2 honda 2000is as well as 2 champion 2000o stackables

they all sound abou the the same with the AC running and a load on... to my ears the Champion stackables are quieter than the others in eco mode with the AC off

so in my opinion, if you are running your genset for AC it doesnt matter sound wise which of the 3 you use

so, the champion stackables are quiter in eco mode

the hondas to my ears are a tad louder but since i have extended run tanks for em, will probably go in the camper because i dont have to refill

the 3500/4000 served me well and is not nearly as loud as some want you to believe...when compared to other gensets under load

as far as champion Customer service, i bought the stackables used off the internet... for some reason they wouldnt parallel... Champion sent me new control modules for free once i shipped em the old ones.. they were falling over themselves trying to make things right in support of their product.. i told em up front how i got the units so Champion customer service gets a 5 star rating from me

jusr rambling

edit: like it matters, just picked up a used motorhome w/onboard 7.5 onan diesel gennie 😉

[Huntindog]

Gdetrailer wrote:

Huntindog wrote:

OhhWell wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
Someone must need a nap.:B

Do you have both generators? I do. You may not like my opinions that were formed from real experience....
My advice to you is.... Get over it.

And don't even try to bully me, by telling me how to post.. Once again... Get over it.

By not qualifying the actual real experience (ie. amount of load on the generators), you spread miss information. A blanket statement about the traditional generator (Champion) guzzling fuel compared to the Honda is false (well, maybe true in a subjective manner) under high loads.

Maybe it is you that should "get over it"

What exactly am I to "get over"?
I have both generators at my disposal and can use whichever one I want..
I choose the Hondas for the fuel savings.

As far as "qualifying" my statements.... Just how far do want me to go to satisfy you? Times, dates, tempertures, altitudes, specific loads ?
There will never be enough "qualifying" to suit some that have a different OPINION...

So I won't bother trying to please those.

But I will say that it is a pretty safe bet that the vast majority of TT owners use their generators mostly to keep the batteries up, and occasional microwave use. For that the Hondas will use SUBSTANTIALLY less fuel... And yes we have done side by side comparisons on this.
My brother powering his rig with the Champion, and my rig being powered by the Honda. I even have more load as I also have a small external freezer that I bring along.

And as far as how much a Honda will use at full load compared to the Champion?
I honestly don't know as I have never run at full load for enough time to tell... But that's OK as those that are dissing me don't know either as they don't have a Honda to test..

Perhaps what we have here is a severe case of generator envy.:B

Huntin' First of all, IF your wattage "needs" are so small then why on earth would you intentionally buy a 4Kw gen?

A 1Kw inverter gen would be all you "need" according to what YOU have posted.. Pretty much stands to reason that if you have a small load then a smaller gen will consume LESS than a bigger gen with the same small load..

Personally, with your such small demands, you should have simply spent the money on SOLAR PANELS. For the thousands of dollars you have spend on gens and fuel you could have easily bought 500W or more in solar panels. Then you wouldn't be griping on how much fuel a 4Kw gen uses..

Besides I am getting the feeling that you never really had a Champion to start with.. I smell a RED troll.. :S

So now you are calling me a liar.
If so, I have been lying a loooong time.
Here are some links to posts that I have made in the past about the Champion.

12/02/07

03/05/09

06/27/11

06/28/11

11/02/11

11/23/11

You may notice that I have had some good things to say about the Champion

Another point that you keep trying to drive is that at full load, the Champion is more economical... You admittedly have no personal experience, but quote specifications.
What you do not realize is that the Hondas when on economy do not go from idle to full speed. They speed up to meet the demand. It often is just off idle. When running the AC, they will ramp when the compressor engages and then slow down. In AZ where it gets hot, that usually only happens once. The AC never shuts off as it cannot cool the TT fast enough to enable the thermostat to cycle it off.
When running the AC, max power is only needed at start up. The rest of the time, less power, sometimes a lot less is needed.

I really hope that you quit spreading this false information, and that this post doesn't make you too BLUE..:B

Here is a link to someone who accidently ran his 15K AC on ONE Honda EU2000.

Can Honda 2000 run a 15K AC?

I will accept your apology, should you decide that is the right thing to do.

[MM49]

OhhWell wrote:

MM49 wrote:

OhhWell wrote:

MM49 wrote:

OhhWell wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
What exactly am I to "get over"?
I have both generators at my disposal and can use whichever one I want..
I choose the Hondas for the fuel savings.

As far as "qualifying" my statements.... Just how far do want me to go to satisfy you? Times, dates, tempertures, altitudes, specific loads ?
There will never be enough "qualifying" to suit some that have a different OPINION...

So I won't bother trying to please those.

But I will say that it is a pretty safe bet that the vast majority of TT owners use their generators mostly to keep the batteries up, and occasional microwave use. For that the Hondas will use SUBSTANTIALLY less fuel... And yes we have done side by side comparisons on this.
My brother powering his rig with the Champion, and my rig being powered by the Honda. I even have more load as I also have a small external freezer that I bring along.

And as far as how much a Honda will use at full load compared to the Champion?
I honestly don't know as I have never run at full load for enough time to tell... But that's OK as those that are dissing me don't know either as they don't have a Honda to test..

Perhaps what we have here is a severe case of generator envy.:B

I have a 5.5k Onan that uses less fuel than your little red box watt for watt and is quieter in the campground when I hook up my Genturi. It also starts with the touch of a button and has a 50 gallon gas tank. Tell me why I am envious of your "cheap" little red generator because I also own a Champion 3500w again? :B

It's a completely safe bet that almost all of the TT owners and campers in my neck of the woods need something with actual capacity in the summer.

You admittedly have no idea what your Honda consumes under a load but we cannot either even though Honda publishes fuel consumption numbers? There is also a gentleman who gave the Honda a real world test here:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24022161/gotomsg/24963199.cfm

Remember that you will need TWO Honda EU2000i's to match the capacity of the Champion. (or about 3 to match my Onan)

The inverter generators are great and I wouldn't mind having one. They are absolutely brilliant if you don't need much power capacity but they don't bend the laws of physics.

It always surprises me how little people know about efficiency. You need to design the system for the load level that is used the most.

The inverters allow a variable size source to be used. The inverter can be a small generator or a large generator and be efficient at the same time.

The large synchronous generator must run at fixed speed. The last thing I would want is an 8hp – 12hp engine running all day to provide 8 AMP VAC to power a battery charger.
Mm49

The "quiet" 2000w inverter genset will need a twin and full throttle to run a TT using its AC in the summer. The part about sizing your generator for the needed load is what started this mini squabble when someone called the champion a gas guzzler compared to the Honda without qualifying the load.

It always surprises me how people can fail to read a thread and jump in in the middle with a derogatory comment. I don't have anything against derogatory comments when they are at least informed derogatory comments. 😄

Buy the correct tool for the job. A Yamaha 3000SEBi.
mm49

That is a very nice genset and definitely better on paper than 2 Honda 2000's. 60db under full load is amazing even though I can't find how far from the genset that measurement was taken. The temporary boost from the battery is a great idea. So much money for these things though!

Low is good on the DB reading, but don't hold it as gospel. When making sound pressure measurements you have to have a standardized filter to compare measurements. The measurements from different manufactures could have energy from different frequencies. To accurately measure the sound pressure it would take some very expensive instruments and an anechoic chamber.
mm49

[pianotuna]

Hi mm49,

In Canada, at least, the Yamaha 3000 iSEB is the way to go.

Or a 2k genny and a hybrid inverter such as the Magnum 3012.

I do enjoy electric start and will be adding a remote this spring.

[OhhWell]

MM49 wrote:

OhhWell wrote:

MM49 wrote:

OhhWell wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
What exactly am I to "get over"?
I have both generators at my disposal and can use whichever one I want..
I choose the Hondas for the fuel savings.

As far as "qualifying" my statements.... Just how far do want me to go to satisfy you? Times, dates, tempertures, altitudes, specific loads ?
There will never be enough "qualifying" to suit some that have a different OPINION...

So I won't bother trying to please those.

But I will say that it is a pretty safe bet that the vast majority of TT owners use their generators mostly to keep the batteries up, and occasional microwave use. For that the Hondas will use SUBSTANTIALLY less fuel... And yes we have done side by side comparisons on this.
My brother powering his rig with the Champion, and my rig being powered by the Honda. I even have more load as I also have a small external freezer that I bring along.

And as far as how much a Honda will use at full load compared to the Champion?
I honestly don't know as I have never run at full load for enough time to tell... But that's OK as those that are dissing me don't know either as they don't have a Honda to test..

Perhaps what we have here is a severe case of generator envy.:B

I have a 5.5k Onan that uses less fuel than your little red box watt for watt and is quieter in the campground when I hook up my Genturi. It also starts with the touch of a button and has a 50 gallon gas tank. Tell me why I am envious of your "cheap" little red generator because I also own a Champion 3500w again? :B

It's a completely safe bet that almost all of the TT owners and campers in my neck of the woods need something with actual capacity in the summer.

You admittedly have no idea what your Honda consumes under a load but we cannot either even though Honda publishes fuel consumption numbers? There is also a gentleman who gave the Honda a real world test here:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24022161/gotomsg/24963199.cfm

Remember that you will need TWO Honda EU2000i's to match the capacity of the Champion. (or about 3 to match my Onan)

The inverter generators are great and I wouldn't mind having one. They are absolutely brilliant if you don't need much power capacity but they don't bend the laws of physics.

It always surprises me how little people know about efficiency. You need to design the system for the load level that is used the most.

The inverters allow a variable size source to be used. The inverter can be a small generator or a large generator and be efficient at the same time.

The large synchronous generator must run at fixed speed. The last thing I would want is an 8hp – 12hp engine running all day to provide 8 AMP VAC to power a battery charger.
Mm49

The "quiet" 2000w inverter genset will need a twin and full throttle to run a TT using its AC in the summer. The part about sizing your generator for the needed load is what started this mini squabble when someone called the champion a gas guzzler compared to the Honda without qualifying the load.

It always surprises me how people can fail to read a thread and jump in in the middle with a derogatory comment. I don't have anything against derogatory comments when they are at least informed derogatory comments. 😄

Buy the correct tool for the job. A Yamaha 3000SEBi.
mm49

That is a very nice genset and definitely better on paper than 2 Honda 2000's. 60db under full load is amazing even though I can't find how far from the genset that measurement was taken. The temporary boost from the battery is a great idea. So much money for these things though!

[MM49]

OhhWell wrote:

MM49 wrote:

OhhWell wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
What exactly am I to "get over"?
I have both generators at my disposal and can use whichever one I want..
I choose the Hondas for the fuel savings.

As far as "qualifying" my statements.... Just how far do want me to go to satisfy you? Times, dates, tempertures, altitudes, specific loads ?
There will never be enough "qualifying" to suit some that have a different OPINION...

So I won't bother trying to please those.

But I will say that it is a pretty safe bet that the vast majority of TT owners use their generators mostly to keep the batteries up, and occasional microwave use. For that the Hondas will use SUBSTANTIALLY less fuel... And yes we have done side by side comparisons on this.
My brother powering his rig with the Champion, and my rig being powered by the Honda. I even have more load as I also have a small external freezer that I bring along.

And as far as how much a Honda will use at full load compared to the Champion?
I honestly don't know as I have never run at full load for enough time to tell... But that's OK as those that are dissing me don't know either as they don't have a Honda to test..

Perhaps what we have here is a severe case of generator envy.:B

I have a 5.5k Onan that uses less fuel than your little red box watt for watt and is quieter in the campground when I hook up my Genturi. It also starts with the touch of a button and has a 50 gallon gas tank. Tell me why I am envious of your "cheap" little red generator because I also own a Champion 3500w again? :B

It's a completely safe bet that almost all of the TT owners and campers in my neck of the woods need something with actual capacity in the summer.

You admittedly have no idea what your Honda consumes under a load but we cannot either even though Honda publishes fuel consumption numbers? There is also a gentleman who gave the Honda a real world test here:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24022161/gotomsg/24963199.cfm

Remember that you will need TWO Honda EU2000i's to match the capacity of the Champion. (or about 3 to match my Onan)

The inverter generators are great and I wouldn't mind having one. They are absolutely brilliant if you don't need much power capacity but they don't bend the laws of physics.

It always surprises me how little people know about efficiency. You need to design the system for the load level that is used the most.

The inverters allow a variable size source to be used. The inverter can be a small generator or a large generator and be efficient at the same time.

The large synchronous generator must run at fixed speed. The last thing I would want is an 8hp – 12hp engine running all day to provide 8 AMP VAC to power a battery charger.
Mm49

The "quiet" 2000w inverter genset will need a twin and full throttle to run a TT using its AC in the summer. The part about sizing your generator for the needed load is what started this mini squabble when someone called the champion a gas guzzler compared to the Honda without qualifying the load.

It always surprises me how people can fail to read a thread and jump in in the middle with a derogatory comment. I don't have anything against derogatory comments when they are at least informed derogatory comments. 😄

Buy the correct tool for the job. A Yamaha 3000SEBi.
mm49

[OhhWell]

MM49 wrote:

OhhWell wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
What exactly am I to "get over"?
I have both generators at my disposal and can use whichever one I want..
I choose the Hondas for the fuel savings.

As far as "qualifying" my statements.... Just how far do want me to go to satisfy you? Times, dates, tempertures, altitudes, specific loads ?
There will never be enough "qualifying" to suit some that have a different OPINION...

So I won't bother trying to please those.

But I will say that it is a pretty safe bet that the vast majority of TT owners use their generators mostly to keep the batteries up, and occasional microwave use. For that the Hondas will use SUBSTANTIALLY less fuel... And yes we have done side by side comparisons on this.
My brother powering his rig with the Champion, and my rig being powered by the Honda. I even have more load as I also have a small external freezer that I bring along.

And as far as how much a Honda will use at full load compared to the Champion?
I honestly don't know as I have never run at full load for enough time to tell... But that's OK as those that are dissing me don't know either as they don't have a Honda to test..

Perhaps what we have here is a severe case of generator envy.:B

I have a 5.5k Onan that uses less fuel than your little red box watt for watt and is quieter in the campground when I hook up my Genturi. It also starts with the touch of a button and has a 50 gallon gas tank. Tell me why I am envious of your "cheap" little red generator because I also own a Champion 3500w again? :B

It's a completely safe bet that almost all of the TT owners and campers in my neck of the woods need something with actual capacity in the summer.

You admittedly have no idea what your Honda consumes under a load but we cannot either even though Honda publishes fuel consumption numbers? There is also a gentleman who gave the Honda a real world test here:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24022161/gotomsg/24963199.cfm

Remember that you will need TWO Honda EU2000i's to match the capacity of the Champion. (or about 3 to match my Onan)

The inverter generators are great and I wouldn't mind having one. They are absolutely brilliant if you don't need much power capacity but they don't bend the laws of physics.

It always surprises me how little people know about efficiency. You need to design the system for the load level that is used the most.

The inverters allow a variable size source to be used. The inverter can be a small generator or a large generator and be efficient at the same time.

The large synchronous generator must run at fixed speed. The last thing I would want is an 8hp – 12hp engine running all day to provide 8 AMP VAC to power a battery charger.
Mm49

The "quiet" 2000w inverter genset will need a twin and full throttle to run a TT using its AC in the summer. The part about sizing your generator for the needed load is what started this mini squabble when someone called the champion a gas guzzler compared to the Honda without qualifying the load.

It always surprises me how people can fail to read a thread and jump in in the middle with a derogatory comment. I don't have anything against derogatory comments when they are at least informed derogatory comments. 😄

[JiminDenver]

Personally I would not want to have to listen to a generator charging a battery at all. It wasn't to bad on a mountain top with no one near us as only we had to put up with it. Hearing them drone on and on in a CG really sucked.

I'm surprised no one has touted the work out benefits of the Honda 2000. Sure it weighs less while moving it but there have to be some built up shoulders and arms out there from the 15 or more pulls on average it takes to get one started. 😉

[facory]

I went that route and bought a 3500 watt Gentron that was made for RV. Did a fine job as far as providing enough power, however it really was noisy and didn't have the Eco throttle. I have since bought a Yamaha 2000i and love it - so do my neighbors. Cost $989 delivered. I now use the Gentron for emergencies I respond to locally.

[jaycocreek]

Here is an interesting comparison of the Honda 3k and the Onan 3600..... I'm a huge Onan fan, loved mine.

[Unyalli]

Great Generator
December 30, 2010
I purchased this generator over a year ago. I have used it on my 24' motor home and it powers everything including the AC and microwave all at the same time !! I have the wheel kit and highly recommend it. I now have about 300 hours on this unit (I added an hour meter) and have used it to power my home when needed (3 times now). It has run flawlessly and is quieter than comparable units I have heard. I recommend this unit to anyone looking for a reliable unit at a great price!

Great Product
May 6, 2010
I bought this generator last summer to run our camp trailer. It did a great job. Ran the a/c unit with no problem. Realiy quiet for the price. Would recommend this prduct to anybody. Thanks Cabelas!!!!!!


RV A/C - No problem
June 22, 2010
Works great! Runs the A/C with no problem on my 32' RV. Not too loud to run while you sleep or watch TV.. can barely even hear it over the A/C while inside the camper.

Great generator
December 5, 2010
I bought this generator during the blizzard in Feb. 2010. Since no one else in a 100 mile radius had any in stock, I had no choice as to what generator to buy. We were not dissapointed in this purchase though. it was 6 days we were without power. The generator ran our house the whole time without being shut off. It would have been better if there was a 220 outlet on this model, But we still got it connected, since there are 3 different 120 outlets on this model. If I had my choice I would defentley buy the one with the 220 rather then this one. but if you know what your doing is will run everything 120 that you want.
Also I have used it several times since then for a few hours at a time, just to be sure everything is working fine.


Here is a link to the page where you can find that one singled out bad review surrounded by hundreds of great reviews.

http://reviews.cabelas.com/8815/522130/champion-3500-watt-generator-reviews/reviews.htm?

[MM49]

OhhWell wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
What exactly am I to "get over"?
I have both generators at my disposal and can use whichever one I want..
I choose the Hondas for the fuel savings.

As far as "qualifying" my statements.... Just how far do want me to go to satisfy you? Times, dates, tempertures, altitudes, specific loads ?
There will never be enough "qualifying" to suit some that have a different OPINION...

So I won't bother trying to please those.

But I will say that it is a pretty safe bet that the vast majority of TT owners use their generators mostly to keep the batteries up, and occasional microwave use. For that the Hondas will use SUBSTANTIALLY less fuel... And yes we have done side by side comparisons on this.
My brother powering his rig with the Champion, and my rig being powered by the Honda. I even have more load as I also have a small external freezer that I bring along.

And as far as how much a Honda will use at full load compared to the Champion?
I honestly don't know as I have never run at full load for enough time to tell... But that's OK as those that are dissing me don't know either as they don't have a Honda to test..

Perhaps what we have here is a severe case of generator envy.:B

I have a 5.5k Onan that uses less fuel than your little red box watt for watt and is quieter in the campground when I hook up my Genturi. It also starts with the touch of a button and has a 50 gallon gas tank. Tell me why I am envious of your "cheap" little red generator because I also own a Champion 3500w again? :B

It's a completely safe bet that almost all of the TT owners and campers in my neck of the woods need something with actual capacity in the summer.

You admittedly have no idea what your Honda consumes under a load but we cannot either even though Honda publishes fuel consumption numbers? There is also a gentleman who gave the Honda a real world test here:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24022161/gotomsg/24963199.cfm

Remember that you will need TWO Honda EU2000i's to match the capacity of the Champion. (or about 3 to match my Onan)

The inverter generators are great and I wouldn't mind having one. They are absolutely brilliant if you don't need much power capacity but they don't bend the laws of physics.

It always surprises me how little people know about efficiency. You need to design the system for the load level that is used the most.

The inverters allow a variable size source to be used. The inverter can be a small generator or a large generator and be efficient at the same time.

The large synchronous generator must run at fixed speed. The last thing I would want is an 8hp – 12hp engine running all day to provide 8 AMP VAC to power a battery charger.
Mm49

[jaycocreek]

I posted that for kicks and giggles as I can't believe some people who have 25-30k+ invested in there rv setup and buy $199 generators. That's cool, but to knock the premium generators in the process to justify the purchase is like saying a 1976 Ford and a1972 kit travel trailer is just as good as there new trailers and trucks.... It is to some.

Like I said, I own both the Champion and Honda and even a Generac and give my opinion based on using both( all three) to this day.

I won't knock something I have never used!