Thoughts on Champion Generator (not Yamaha or Honda)

[sgrizzle]

I would like your opinion on the Champion 3500W (4000 peak) generator that Cabela's has on-line. I believe it is around $450.00. I am not willing to spend $1300.00 on a Honda or Yamaha 1100W generator and I know "they are the best and quietest."

What I want to know, from experienced RVers, would the Champion be a decent value of reliability, power and "not incredibly loud" option.

One more note...I agree that as long as you follow the CG rules for generators, use of your generator is acceptable.

Thanks for your input.

[Huntindog]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:




Oh yeah - folks cutting generator gas lines at NASCAR events may end up with a baseball bat in the chops - or a Glock in their ear!
("Released" bad guys *love* NASCAR too - take that as gospel from a Probation Officer).

~

Not to mention the legal ramifications. Which can range from vandalism to murder.

I have known a few people that run generators out of medical necessity.
Cutting someone gas lines could possibly cause a medical emergency.
You just don't know what is going on inside a RV.

[JiminDenver]

Huntindog wrote:
I really don't see how you all can enjoy camping, when you have to worry about what the neighbors think.
Unless I'm at a dog trial....If I can see a neighbor...He's too close. I want to have jump on my quad to go see one,,, if I want to.

That's why I boondock, if you can hear my Champ run, you are too close.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

4AggiesMom wrote:
TucsonJim,

Could you post a picture (or description) of your son's enclosure? Do you think the muffler or the enclosure helps the most?

I have been thinking about making some sort of enclosure for my generator. I would want it to be able to be stored flat in my truck for transport and not be too heavy or hard to set up. Hubby and I have come up with all sorts of ideas, but cannot settle on one. We have looked at HD for soundproofing. There is a sheet of some material that is lightweight, but seems like it might not do the job. So we were thinking about glueing it to some plywood. Any thoughts?

I have searched this website and gotten some ideas on dampening the noise, but can't find much definitive information.

An awful lot of "noise" about UN-necessary noise.

Besides generators, kids, dogs, - and even adults can produce "objectionable" noise!

ALL of those noisy things can be quieted down - some easier than others.....and some because the owners, parents, etc. - have consideration for others.
Unfortunately - lots of folks are "me first", and don't care about their noise pollution - whatever the source may be.

1. The "3000W Chinese Genset Info" thread linked by Rollin Condo on the first page has everything from simple noise abatement (pics & db testing) to propane conversions - and LOTS more.

2. The OP of this thread did lots of extensive noise abatement efforts -

"My $500. almost silent generator with pic. & db readings".

The Champion inverter models are about half the cost of a Yam or Honda, and just as quiet without any noise mods.

BTW - I have a Yam 2400is, a Honda 1000is, and two Champs.
Wish I had discovered the Champs first!..:W

Oh yeah - folks cutting generator gas lines at NASCAR events may end up with a baseball bat in the chops - or a Glock in their ear!
("Released" bad guys *love* NASCAR too - take that as gospel from a Probation Officer).

~

[Empty_Nest__Soo]

I bought one of the Champions for running the sump pump in the stick house when the power is off for extended periods. $299 at TSC.

Is it anywhere near as quiet as the Yamaha 1000 inverter genset I use to charge the batteries when dry camping? No way!

But it's a darn site quieter than most of the construction site gensets many of the other campers at the USFS campground where I go most often use.

In the Summer of 2012, we had a nasty storm (derecho) that knocked out power for 9 days. Temps were sweltering. We moved into the TT and used the Champion to run the AC. Darn glad to have it!

Wayne

[Huntindog]

I really don't see how you all can enjoy camping, when you have to worry about what the neighbors think.
Unless I'm at a dog trial....If I can see a neighbor...He's too close. I want to have jump on my quad to go see one,,, if I want to.

[NinerBikes]

JiminDenver wrote:
You mean there are "acceptable generators" in campgrounds. I think of them as a necessary evil that has to be tolerated. Would I prefer being next to a inverter over a open frame, sure. I'd really want to be next to the guy with solar to be honest.

Phrase it however you like... the moment your generator generates complaints from fellow campers during generator hours, you've got problems. Especially if people are paying for a campsite, with a campsite host, their expectations to peace and quiet now carry some weight.

[JiminDenver]

You mean there are "acceptable generators" in campgrounds. I think of them as a necessary evil that has to be tolerated. Would I prefer being next to a inverter over a open frame, sure. I'd really want to be next to the guy with solar to be honest.

[NinerBikes]

I have never found an open frame generator that was acceptable from a noise perspective that was suitable for use in a campground. Way too loud. YMMV, but fellow campers will complain to managers about such noise pollution.

[thomasmnile]

DE88ROX wrote:

sgrizzle wrote:
I would like your opinion on the Champion 3500W (4000 peak) generator that Cabela's has on-line. I believe it is around $450.00. I am not willing to spend $1300.00 on a Honda or Yamaha 1100W generator and I know "they are the best and quietest."

What I want to know, from experienced RVers, would the Champion be a decent value of reliability, power and "not incredibly loud" option.

One more note...I agree that as long as you follow the CG rules for generators, use of your generator is acceptable.

Thanks for your input.

Camping world has them for about 370.clicky From what Ive read doing research on the same genny, they are not that much louder than a honda or yamaha when comparing the same style of genny and measuring actual decibels.

I cant think of where I read it. if i find it I will post.

At full throttle the Champion is louder than a Honda or Yamaha inverter/generator, At 50% load, there is quite a difference. And if like most conventional generators, full throttle at 3600 RPM is the only "run" speed there is...............At full output (3600 RPM), a Honda EU3000I is rated 58db, the 3500w Champion is rated at 68db.

[DE88ROX]

sgrizzle wrote:
I would like your opinion on the Champion 3500W (4000 peak) generator that Cabela's has on-line. I believe it is around $450.00. I am not willing to spend $1300.00 on a Honda or Yamaha 1100W generator and I know "they are the best and quietest."

What I want to know, from experienced RVers, would the Champion be a decent value of reliability, power and "not incredibly loud" option.

One more note...I agree that as long as you follow the CG rules for generators, use of your generator is acceptable.

Thanks for your input.

Camping world has them for about 370.clicky From what Ive read doing research on the same genny, they are not that much louder than a honda or yamaha when comparing the same style of genny and measuring actual decibels.

I cant think of where I read it. if i find it I will post.

[ReferDog]

Don't camp next to me

[thomasmnile]

NinerBikes wrote:


I understand people that are with limited budgets, buy what works best for you... I don't know many that are disappointed buying the Honda.

X2. I have a 5500 watt Coleman generator with a B&S engine in the garage. Provided power for essential things like the fridge, a window AC unit, small TV and lights for over a week (continously) in the wake of Hurricane Charley in 2004. Still runs great, but I would never bring it on a camping trip. Turning 3600 RPM's it's gonna be loud, no way around it. Keep hoping I'll find a deal somewhere on CL or E-Bay for a pair of Honda EU2000I's, but I can't justify the expense for brand new.

Has anyone tried the Ryobi inverter generator that HD is selling for $549? They can be paralleled, though I could probably get by easily with one for dry camping, primarily for charging the house batteries.

[NinerBikes]

I own a Honda lawnmower, had Honda dirt bikes, 2 stroke and 4 stroke, have a Honda outboard, and several Honda generators. The Honda generators, pretty much since inception, remain basically the same, with no change, in what, almost 15- 20 years? That says a lot about the product being a tried and true design.

And not that you'd need to, with a 3000, but you can parallel a couple of Honda's together for more amperage when you need it, and use a single generator without the parallel cables and fuel consumption when you don't need it.

I understand people that are with limited budgets, buy what works best for you... I don't know many that are disappointed buying the Honda.

[bguy]

What?? I can't hear what you're saying!!!!