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Old 07-11-2014, 03:06 PM   #1
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Question Generators

Were trying to figure out which generator to buy. Cost is a big factor. The question is can we get away with a non-enclosed generator that also is an inverter, or must we but an enclosed, more expensive, but quieter one? I want to use campgrounds.
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Old 07-11-2014, 03:31 PM   #2
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I have yet to buy a generator but worked with an electrician who had a Ryobi. I think it was 2000 watt inverter generator and he paid around 600.00 for it. Was very quite but I don't know about longevity. Can buy at Home Depot.
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Old 07-11-2014, 03:46 PM   #3
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Keep the at load dB rating at 60dB or less and you will be fine. IMO the best option is find a used Honda EU2000, mine came from Craigslist for $600. Both Yamaha and Honda 2k watt inverter gensets are 53-58dB, 58 is getting a bit loud for a campground with low ambient noise.

FWIW dB increases exponentially. 63dB is twice as loud as 53dB. If you get into the low coat ~65dB generators you are really making no friends.
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Old 07-11-2014, 04:16 PM   #4
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I use a Yamaha 2000 and have had other campers complement me on how quiet it is.
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Old 07-12-2014, 04:48 AM   #5
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Before you buy one, be sure to figure out how many watts you're going to need to power the things you want to run. A 2,000 watt generator will not run a 13,500 AC unit.
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Old 07-12-2014, 05:46 AM   #6
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Yep, we know. We've been bothering Jayco, the dealer and their techs and you guys to help figure it out. My hubby is very technologically savvy.
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Old 07-12-2014, 08:23 AM   #7
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We do alot of camping off the power grid so found out real quick that use of generators here on the East side of the US all seems to have generator run time restrictions. There is minimal places here on the east side that allows dispersed style of camping at public places. Private places and maybe NASCAR is about the only place we ran into that allowed generators being run 24/7....

With that in mind we decided to beef up our trailer with smart mode charging capability, added more batteries, changed out things like LIGHTS to LED lights that draw less current etc. We figured out what we really wanted to have running when camping off the power grid and increased our battery bank to support power consumption until 8AM the next morning.

The only time we run our 2KW Honda EU2000i Generator is each morning starting at 8AM when allowed to run our to generator to re-charge our battery bank. By connecting the shore power cable directly to the generator and using smart mode charging we can re-charge our battery bank from its run down 50% charge state to its 90% charge state in around three hours generator run time.

Now we are good to do all of this all over again for the next day/night run off the batteries.

Of course this does not allow us to use our air conditioner and some other high wattage appliances but being in the woods usually trumps that anyway...

works great for us since 2009 using this camping style. Next thing for us is add some solar panels to cut down on the use of the generator some.

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Old 07-13-2014, 12:20 AM   #8
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Coming from experience, definitely a invertor generator, you need to stay under 60 dbs or you will not have many friends. Go as big as you can to meet your needs in the future. I have owned cheap generators....they are noisy and generally are unreliable. I now have the Champion 2000 invertor as well as their newest model, the 3100. In my opinion, these generators are way cheaper than the Honda and Yamaha and run really well. They are not noisy, they run at 53 ang 58 dbs respectfully @ 23 ft
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Old 07-13-2014, 05:42 AM   #9
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Thumbs up

Thank you all for your input. We were leaning towards the Champion 3100. Dealer told us he is sending us back money as he overcharged on the registration. So we will use that money towards a decent generator. I think we are just about ready to pick it up. Hitch is on.

-Maxi
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Old 07-13-2014, 09:38 AM   #10
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I bought the champion Inverter 2000 watt. The sound rating is 53 dBA. I paid $530 Canadian, Shipping included from costco. I have been using it 4 seasons now with no issues.
http://www.championpowerequipment.co...rators/73531i/
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Old 07-13-2014, 10:40 AM   #11
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Just fyi, I had a champion 2000 inverter and it ran fine below 6000', at altitude it couldn't handle any load well. The Honda's 2000's have altitude kits for different elevations and mine works great 7k feet up and higher.
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Old 07-13-2014, 11:26 AM   #12
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I'm just waiting for the Champion 3100 inverter/ generator to arrive from Costco online..
Should be 7 to 10 days..
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Old 07-14-2014, 05:42 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dougfir1 View Post
I use a Yamaha 2000 and have had other campers complement me on how quiet it is.
They said they are looking for a CHEAP generator.Everyone knows how quiet the Yamaha's and Honda's are but they are NOT cheap.
By the way I nominated you for the "Super Quiet Genny Camper" of the year award. LOL
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Old 07-14-2014, 08:12 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by Twistzz View Post
Just fyi, I had a champion 2000 inverter and it ran fine below 6000', at altitude it couldn't handle any load well. The Honda's 2000's have altitude kits for different elevations and mine works great 7k feet up and higher.
Just be aware that the higher up you go, the less oxygen there is. All motors (with the exception of turbos, which can compensate) will make less power up high. The concept is called "density altitude" and at 7000 feet, you could be down on power as much as 20% - more if it's hot.

Generators may have carb adjustments (lean) for higher altitudes, this can help with power a bit, but it won't put more oxygen in the air, you're still looking at power loss.
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Old 07-14-2014, 10:39 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by Adk Camper View Post
They said they are looking for a CHEAP generator.Everyone knows how quiet the Yamaha's and Honda's are but they are NOT cheap.
By the way I nominated you for the "Super Quiet Genny Camper" of the year award. LOL
Ok, they want CHEAP. In that case the answer is pretty simple, there aren't any reliable quiet "cheap" generators. In the long run they will be better served by biting the bullet and purchasing one that has been mentioned in this thread. The $100 800w gen from Harbor Freight won't get the job done for them.
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Old 07-14-2014, 12:48 PM   #16
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Ok, they want CHEAP. In that case the answer is pretty simple, there aren't any reliable quiet "cheap" generators. In the long run they will be better served by biting the bullet and purchasing one that has been mentioned in this thread. The $100 800w gen from Harbor Freight won't get the job done for them.
I beg to differ with you Bassdogs on "there aren't any reliable quiet "cheap" generators on the market. The only generator that was mentioned in this thread was Champion. They may not be as quiet and the Honda's or Yamaha's but they do the same thing for half the price. As far as Harbor Freight I'm not sure what brand they sell but I am certain I haven't seen any Champion's there.
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Old 07-14-2014, 03:02 PM   #17
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I beg to differ with you Bassdogs on "there aren't any reliable quiet "cheap" generators on the market. The only generator that was mentioned in this thread was Champion. They may not be as quiet and the Honda's or Yamaha's but they do the same thing for half the price. As far as Harbor Freight I'm not sure what brand they sell but I am certain I haven't seen any Champion's there.
Your choice to make but even the Champion is not cheap. Less than the
H or the Y's but not cheap. Where I misspeak? No reliable "quiet" cheap generators. Champions are not quiet although some say they aren't as loud as the good ones.
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Old 07-15-2014, 05:20 AM   #18
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Your choice to make but even the Champion is not cheap. Less than the
H or the Y's but not cheap. Where I misspeak? No reliable "quiet" cheap generators. Champions are not quiet although some say they aren't as loud as the good ones.
I agree the Champions aren't cheap either but buying one 3100 watt Champion for $800.00 is a lot less than buying two 2000 watt Honda's to achieve the same result. Maybe if Honda lowered their price then even more people would by them and Champion wouldn't even be a consideration.
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Old 07-15-2014, 05:40 AM   #19
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I agree the Champions aren't cheap either but buying one 3100 watt Champion for $800.00 is a lot less than buying two 2000 watt Honda's to achieve the same result. Maybe if Honda lowered their price then even more people would by them and Champion wouldn't even be a consideration.
I have both a Honda and a Champion. And there is no comparison. The Honda is far superior to the Champion in every way. The Champion is a fairly well built but under powered generator. The Honda is quieter and delivers more power. You are talking apples and oranges!!!!
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Old 07-15-2014, 08:13 AM   #20
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I have both a Honda and a Champion. And there is no comparison. The Honda is far superior to the Champion in every way. The Champion is a fairly well built but under powered generator. The Honda is quieter and delivers more power. You are talking apples and oranges!!!!
Since you own both I must certainly be mistaken however if you ever feel like selling that underpowered Champion of yours shoot me a PM and I'll give you top dollar.
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