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+.

[OhhWell]

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.

[OhhWell]

jaycocreek wrote:
:B

Champion generator review.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
July 27, 2010
DO NOT BUY THIS GENERATOR! I purchased this generator in 2008. Ran great the first year. Powered my a/c in a 24' 5th wheel. Very happy with it, at first. Used it the second year to run power tools, still good. Took it camping this summer, would not power my a/c in a 19' trailer! Generator would bog down and not allow the a/c compressor to start. Had to shut down the a/c to save the compressor. Would rather blow up a cheap generator than a $600 a/c unit. Took it to 2 different shops in town and when I told them it was a Champion Generator, they both said that I got what I paid for. I took care of this unit. Tuned it up, changed the oil, spark plug, cleaned the filter, used fuel stabilizer and all I have now is an anchor for my boat. It still runs my TV, coffee pot and broiler oven (not at the same time) and keeps the batteries charged. But put more than 12 or so amps on it and it quits (my a/c draws 17.2 amps at compressor start up).
Put your money in a higher ended generator and you won't get stuck in 90deg+ temperatures without a/c!

Wow, you found a bad review for a product. That's amazing. Ic an't imagine you could find a bad USER review for what is a good product like the Champion or even a Honda 2000i....

Oh wait, here's one :B

"I bought one of these generators three years ago to use on my boat for charging batteries at anchor. We are on a cruising sailboat and just about to complete a 5 year circumnavigation.

The generator was kept below decks (emptied of gas) whenever we were under way and it looks brand new.

After 350 hours of use it stopped putting out AC power. From what I have been able to determine on line the probable casue of the symptoms I am seeing is a failure of the inverter unit. The engine runs fine. The prices I see on line for the failed component is about $500 which is over half of what I paid for the unit and some accessories.

I dont think 350 hours is acceptable service from a device like this and will tell Honda what I think. Its out of warranty so I dont expect much help with the problem.

Maybe the other brands have the same problem but before I replace it I plan to check repair part costs for other brands."

[JJ_Spectre]

jaycocreek wrote:
:B

Champion generator review.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
July 27, 2010
DO NOT BUY THIS GENERATOR! I purchased this generator in 2008. Ran great the first year. Powered my a/c in a 24' 5th wheel. Very happy with it, at first. Used it the second year to run power tools, still good. Took it camping this summer, would not power my a/c in a 19' trailer! Generator would bog down and not allow the a/c compressor to start. Had to shut down the a/c to save the compressor. Would rather blow up a cheap generator than a $600 a/c unit. Took it to 2 different shops in town and when I told them it was a Champion Generator, they both said that I got what I paid for. I took care of this unit. Tuned it up, changed the oil, spark plug, cleaned the filter, used fuel stabilizer and all I have now is an anchor for my boat. It still runs my TV, coffee pot and broiler oven (not at the same time) and keeps the batteries charged. But put more than 12 or so amps on it and it quits (my a/c draws 17.2 amps at compressor start up).
Put your money in a higher ended generator and you won't get stuck in 90deg+ temperatures without a/c!

So he maintained the IC engine but not the generator. It probably needed a coil or brushes. But hey, if folks are convinced that spending roughly 7times more for a Honda is a better, than more power to them.

[jaycocreek]

:B

Champion generator review.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
July 27, 2010
DO NOT BUY THIS GENERATOR! I purchased this generator in 2008. Ran great the first year. Powered my a/c in a 24' 5th wheel. Very happy with it, at first. Used it the second year to run power tools, still good. Took it camping this summer, would not power my a/c in a 19' trailer! Generator would bog down and not allow the a/c compressor to start. Had to shut down the a/c to save the compressor. Would rather blow up a cheap generator than a $600 a/c unit. Took it to 2 different shops in town and when I told them it was a Champion Generator, they both said that I got what I paid for. I took care of this unit. Tuned it up, changed the oil, spark plug, cleaned the filter, used fuel stabilizer and all I have now is an anchor for my boat. It still runs my TV, coffee pot and broiler oven (not at the same time) and keeps the batteries charged. But put more than 12 or so amps on it and it quits (my a/c draws 17.2 amps at compressor start up).
Put your money in a higher ended generator and you won't get stuck in 90deg+ temperatures without a/c!

[Unyalli]

jaycocreek wrote:
Someone compared the Honda handi to the regular 3k Honda. Not in the same league sound wise. It's the champion of the Honda line.:B

And yet $300 more. An even worse bad decision. :h

[jaycocreek]

Someone compared the Honda handi to the regular 3k Honda. Not in the same league sound wise. It's the champion of the Honda line.:B

[JJ_Spectre]

Wow, that escalated quickly!

From what I can tell from here, the Champion is great unless you plan on living off the grid 24/7 of the camping season, at which point you will see better bang for the buck with the Honda based on fuel economy in a couple of years.

I hope this made your choice easier! LOL

[markandkim]

Like the wind, can you rely on the sun when you need power?

I dont think so!

I can rely on my champion though. Even starts on the first pull and has for many years now.

[Gdetrailer]

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

[NinerBikes]

Buy what you can afford, that makes you happy.

I've owned Honda CR250s, XR 350's, CRV EX-L's, 3 different Honda outboards, an 8 HP, a 15 HP and a 40 HP, a Honda Lawnmower, and I currently own 3 different Honda Generators. I've been happy with every single Honda product I've bought, zero regrets.

YMMV, sorry I've been brand loyal, but Honda has given me no reason to change brands. I'm satisfied with their product, and will pay the premium price... to me, I appreciate the value of good quality products.

[Huntindog]

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

[JiminDenver]

West

Craigslist is a thing of wonder at times but I wouldn't drive 20 hrs to save that little. On average they are $150-200 and only $300 new. I could sell mine for a profit but then I'd have to buy something respectable to exercise once a month.

[westend]

Jim, if you see any more of those Champions for under a Franklin, give me a call, will 'ya. I think it's about 20 hrs to Denver and I'd make the trip, lol.

Generators: I have one, a contractor style and it is a good machine. Bought it at Home Depot a few years back during an extended outage. It is rated to 8 KW and has a detachable fuel tank (nice feature).There is no way I'd bring it within 1/2mi. of a campground. It is miserably loud. When i use it at the house, it is located around the back of the garage and it sounds like it's inside the garage, lol.

I know a couple guys with Yamaha's and they are a fairly good generator, also. Clean power but they aren't silent either. They need gas to run, too.

[OhhWell]

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"

[NinerBikes]

I bought a used Honda EU2000I Companion for $600, ran it for 4 years, and sold it for $750.

Try that with your Champion. I've no idea what the used market is for them, or resale value.


BTW, at 1200 ft elev, temp 83 F, and fully charged batteries, my Kill-a-Watt meter says that my Dometic pulls 13.1 amps, with the 22" LCD TV going also, the charge controller drawing 1.2 amps with the A/C off. So that is about 11.9 amps by the fan and A/C running. It did not start the A/C the first attempt, overloaded the genny, but it did start it the second attempt. It will run on Eco mode, and the RPMS will drop I am estimating about 15, maybe 20%, once put in Eco mode. Took about an hour to pull the temp down to 70 F inside. Once started the Eu2000i is not working too hard if your batteries are in good shape. A little starting help from an inverter off your battery, say 1000w worth, would make things start a bit easier. So would temporarily pairing another Eu2000i or 1000i, just to get the A/C going.

BTW, I burned about 20% of a single tank of fuel doing this, two Eu2000I's will loaf in Eco mode running the A/C if paired, only revving up to handle A/C start up.

The Gen I ran the gas through today , with Techron and Stabil Red, 1 oz to 2.5 gallons, seems to run a lot stronger now with some serious running time on it. These generators just need to be run under a good strong load from time to time, to flush out the gunk in the jets in the carb, to keep them running healthy. YMMV...