Portable Generator Opinions

MarkeMark · 03-23-2015, 09:27 AM

I'm looking for an all around good portable generator for my 32rlds which has a 50 amp max service with a single 15k air conditioner. The generator will primarily be used for emergencies and for medium duty when I'm working on the RV at the storage facility. I'm looking at the Duromax XP4000S which fits my budget. Thoughts, opinions and words of wisdom are requested. Thank You.

Amazon.com : DuroMax XP4000S 7.0 HP Air Cooled OHV Gasoline Powered Portable RV Generator, 4000-watt, Red : Patio, Lawn & Garden

or which does not have a 30 amp socket.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Smarter-T...3500/203064219

gypsmjim · 03-23-2015, 10:44 AM

Those units both are probably Chinese. I had a similar unit a few years ago and I wasn't happy with it. It ran poorly and was so noisy you couldn't hear yourself think. I also had a "name brand" unit with a Kohler engine and it was quite acceptable. of course, it cost twice as much. I currently have a Yamaha inverter and would never go back to a conventional model. Of course, it costs 5 times as much.

clubhouse · 03-23-2015, 12:49 PM

Strongly urge you to get an inverter type generator.

Honda and Yamaha are the "Gold Standard", but Champion has a compelling offering too. The Champion 3100W is quiet, clean power, and offers a 30A RV socket.

Cabelas and costco frequently have them on special.

The contractor grade units you identified will be unbearably loud in a campion environment. The inverter units are so much quieter.

Double check the 30A plug on what ever unit you get is 120v not 240v. 240v will kill your RV.

Quahog · 03-23-2015, 01:04 PM

As pointed out in another thread, Costco has the Champion on sale through the end of this month for $699. Here's the link: http://www.costco.com/Champion-2%2c8...100139466.html

clubhouse · 03-23-2015, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quahog

As pointed out in another thread, Costco has the Champion on sale through the end of this month for $699. Here's the link: http://www.costco.com/Champion-2%2c8...100139466.html

Great deal and if I didn't ready have a Honda eu2000i I would have this for $700

gypsmjim · 03-23-2015, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quahog

As pointed out in another thread, Costco has the Champion on sale through the end of this month for $699. Here's the link: http://www.costco.com/Champion-2%2c8...100139466.html

I guess it sounds like a good deal. And I realize its about 1/2 the price of my Yami of the same size. But.....

......The Yami is a little quieter, its enough lighter to make it managable for me, and it gets significantly longer running time on a tank of gas.

Quahog · 03-24-2015, 05:40 AM

Me too, Clubhouse. And I would have taken the other $300 and...

Quahog · 03-24-2015, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsmjim

I guess it sounds like a good deal. And I realize its about 1/2 the price of my Yami of the same size. But.....

......The Yami is a little quieter, its enough lighter to make it managable for me, and it gets significantly longer running time on a tank of gas.

Perhaps I am missing something but are you talking about a 3kW geni or the smaller version?

pawpaw · 03-24-2015, 05:57 AM

I recently purchased this unit. It's fuel injected! No more issues with a carburetor or a choke. It's very quiet!

PH4000Ri/E | Powerhouse Generators

Good luck with your decision.

Paw Paw

cariboocreek · 03-24-2015, 06:24 AM

I have the Honda 2000. Quiet and is easy to move around. In the US you can get the paralleling unit and run a pair of 2000's together. To run a 15k ac unit you will need at least a 3000 and I am not even sure if that would do it.

gpfox32 · 03-24-2015, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quahog

As pointed out in another thread, Costco has the Champion on sale through the end of this month for $699. Here's the link: http://www.costco.com/Champion-2%2c8...100139466.html

My genny search is done! On its way as of 5 min ago. Thanks for posting this Quahog. This is even $200 less than Camping World's internet sale on the same model. BLM land here we come

GP

gypsmjim · 03-24-2015, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quahog

Perhaps I am missing something but are you talking about a 3kW geni or the smaller version?

Oops I read the ad wrong. Mine is a 2800 peak and the one cited is a 2800 sustained. So, my weight comparison isn't valid.

Nevertheless, for my type of camping (100% boondock) the Champion is more than I need and the fuel tank / run time is not sufficient.

clubhouse · 03-24-2015, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsmjim

Oops I read the ad wrong. Mine is a 2800 peak and the one cited is a 2800 sustained. So, my weight comparison isn't valid.

Nevertheless, for my type of camping (100% boondock) the Champion is more than I need and the fuel tank / run time is not sufficient.

What model Yamaha are you talking about?

From what I can see on Yamaha's site there is nothing that matches what you describe -- lighter, quieter, longer run time and 2800 watt peak as compared to the Champion.

They do have a 2800 peak, but it's much louder per Yamaha's ratings. What I think you are referring to is the EF2400iSCH which is a great generator, but it outputs 2000w sustained and 2400 peak. This is clearly in a different class inverter than the Champion referenced that you puked on.

Please at least try to be accurate. Comments like these just lead to confusion.

gypsmjim · 03-24-2015, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clubhouse

What model Yamaha are you talking about?

From what I can see on Yamaha's site there is nothing that matches what you describe -- lighter, quieter, longer run time and 2800 watt peak as compared to the Champion.

They do have a 2800 peak, but it's much louder per Yamaha's ratings. What I think you are referring to is the EF2400iSCH which is a great generator, but it outputs 2000w sustained and 2400 peak. This is clearly in a different class inverter than the Champion referenced that you puked on.

Please at least try to be accurate. Comments like these just lead to confusion.

I didn't vomit, but I DID say "oops" and recanted what I said originally because, as I said, I misread the rating for the Champion thinking it was peak. That's why I said my comparison wasn't valid.

The Yami I referred to was the ef2800i, which is 19% lighter than the Champion that was cited, and has an 84 % longer runtime. Those are accurate figures.

clubhouse · 03-24-2015, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsmjim

The Yami I referred to was the ef2800i, which is 19% lighter than the Champion that was cited, and has an 84 % longer runtime. Those are accurate figures.

I agree the Yamaha is considerably lighter and the larger fuel tank allows longer run time between fueling. The Champion burns fuel at 5 hrs per gallon vs the Yamaha at 5 1/2 hours per gallon. However the 68dB rating for the Yamaha makes it a non starter for me.

Darn, the more I read about this Champion the more impressed I am for what your get for the money. If the sales didn't end so soon I would be tempted to sell my Honda EU2000i on CL and get the Champion. It would be damn close to a straight trade base on what the Hondas are getting around here these days.

slabat · 03-29-2015, 08:42 AM

I had the same delimma recently and decided on two honda 2000's in paralell. I decided on that because I could easily handle them myself and I wanted to have an inverter genie for the noise level.

Lolead · 03-29-2015, 09:50 AM

Just to add another "what" to this thread, I do not think there is an industry standard when it comes to how a generators "db" are rated. Reminds me of how stereo equiptment power was rated at one time, perhaps still is. Makes it more difficult to make a decision based on noise ratings. For me the best measurement was hearing units run with my own ears ! Good hunting.

AKGperson · 03-29-2015, 12:04 PM

Take a deep breath, Clubhouse, and relax - LOL.

Ken

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