Generator Questions

[Lifespalette]

Our new Jay Series 1206 has a 13500 BTU AC unit. I'm thinking a 3KW generator is going to be about the minimum we can go with and even then we'll probably have to do some selective usage practices......all will be good as long as the coffee maker functions as needed in the mornings, and believe me it's needed.

With that said, I'm wondering what manufactures some of you more experienced RVer's would recommend. I know the Honda units (Ultra Quiet) would be the first choice as far as noise (dBs) acceptability in most CGS, but quite frankly I'm not in the mood to drop a couple of grand on one.

Does anybody have other recommendations for other units that would provide 3KW -4 KW that would be acceptable in the occasional CG environment if needed. Most of the time we'll use the CG hook ups I'm sure, but want some options as backup.

Are units with dBs in the high 60's to low 70's acceptable........don't want to be socially ill mannered to neighbors. The last time I went camping with a friend for some fabulous fly fishing time, some camper pulled in with his PUP and fired up some monster to power his PUP, the fans, the lights and the 42" flat screen TV and entertainment center for he and his buddies who within hours were blitzed for a weekend of football games on TV and obnoxious loud behavior (I'm guessing the wives wouldn't put up with it and made them take their bro partying elsewhere). Anyways the thing was as loud if not louder then some large units I've heard on construction sites. Since this was primarily at fish camp the rules were some what relaxed so to say, but still by 9:00 that first night, there seemed more then enough bothered fishing campers to form a good size lynch mob.............don't want to be that guy.

Would something in the 68 - 73 dBs be acceptable?
_________________________________________________
Seve

[clubhouse]

Every 10 dB increase doubles the audible sound level. My Honda EU2000i running at rated load, not in eco-mode, is 58dB. I find this to be pretty loud when running is an area with low ambient noise. Therefore IMO 68dB to be too loud in a campground and 73dB would be out of the question.

While camping during Fathers Day weekend there was a family running a Champion 4000 watt that is rated at 68 dB running at 1/2 load. My site was ~100 yards away and it was loud, although I don't think they were running at only 1/2 load. They were powering a Travel Trailer plus several outside items. Either way they were not a popular family that weekend.

You may want Yamaha ef2400is. Many have had success running a 13500BTU AC with it and it is rated at the same 53-58 my honda is.

I know the Honda EU3000is is very expensive, but is super quite. Even quieter than a EU2000. I suggest what every you buy, spend some time watching craigslist in your area to find one. I purchased my EU2000i for $600, and it was in excellent shape. Recently there was EU3000is posted for $1000 -- I bet that could have been had for ~$900 which in my opinion would be a great buy.

[Seann45]

Champion has a quiet inverter style one. You can pick it up at Costco for about $500.00 you will need 2 + a hook up kit..

[Lifespalette]

Thanks clubhouse for the suggestion. Looking at the Yamaha series, still pretty expensive but if I buy online would be saving approximately $400 over the equivalent Honda series.

Looking at the 3000 Watt EF3000iS, dBA would be about 60 at full load, 53 dBA at 1/4 load.........maybe my best bet. As I said the majority of the time, we'll hook up to CG utilities where available, but having a back up would be wise in the event a reservations goes missing or mixed up and utilities aren't available or I take a fly fishing trip (not really boondocking, but most of the time the rough sites only have water at best).

During the renovation work on the house (electrical and hvac) we'll be staying in the PUP in the back yard and have a requirement in the drawings that a temp construction service be provided with a 30amp RV receptacle to be included. This will be a short stint (a week to week or 2, at most) but after that, we'll be free to take advantage of several weekends come fall to get away. Have already told the wife the come late Sept. and Oct. I'll be planning a fly fishing getaway to eastern TN for some therapy......even have my Doctor's written prescription in hand to avoid any hassles.

[Adk Camper]

Champion also makes a 3100 watt inverter generator for around $800 and that will run a AC.
The Honda's and Yamaha's are no question top generators and quiet but I've also seen a lot of Champion generators at the campgrounds also.
When I was in the market for a generator I looked at all the popular brands and also compared price. I ended up buying the Champion 4000/3500 for three reasons. 1. It will power my 15,000 btu AC along with a few other select item's on at the same time. 2. I only need to haul one generator instead of two like the Honda 2000's. 3. PRICE, $300.00 vs $2200.00
Plus it will be a cold day in hell before I spend $2000.00 plus on a generator. As far as noise I haven't had anyone approach me including the park ranger and tell me my generator is too loud. Noise is a matter of perception, what one person may think is loud another may not.

[Lifespalette]

Well, I think we've decided to go ahead and just bite the bullet. Going with the Honda. But instead of going with the EU3000, that weighs in at approx. 140 lbs, I think we're going with 2 EU2000 (50 lbs each) and just running them in parallel when we need to run the AC unit and when we don't, we'll just run one. Getting to old to have to deal with lugging a 140 lbs unit in and out of the back of my Dodge Ram.

I told my wife that buying the PUP was getting to be the cheapest part of this adventure..............it's everything else you have buy.

[misterEd]

Don't forget 2 gens mean more gas cans sitting around and being transported .
Just saying... FWIW.

[tnchuck100]

Originally Posted by Adk Camper

... I ended up buying the Champion 4000/3500 for three reasons. 1. It will power my 15,000 btu AC along with a few other select item's on at the same time. 2. I only need to haul one generator instead of two like the Honda 2000's. 3. PRICE, $300.00 vs $2200.00
...As far as noise I haven't had anyone approach me including the park ranger and tell me my generator is too loud.

They may not have said anything to you simply to avoid confrontation. But you can bet a $300.00 4000 watt generator makes enough noise that any neighbor within 50 feet is not a happy camper.

[Rustic Eagle]

Not in the 3KW - 4KW range, but my Yamaha EF2400iSHC runs my 13.5 A/C just fine

Bob

[SkyBound]

All you guys that say the eu2000i can't run your AC - how about if it's just on low? It seems that it would be enough power to do it as long as you didn't have a bunch of other stuff drawing power too.

[tnchuck100]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

All you guys that say the eu2000i can't run your AC - how about if it's just on low? It seems that it would be enough power to do it as long as you didn't have a bunch of other stuff drawing power too.

As a matter of fact my EU2000i will start my 13,500 BTU A/C if it is on low, no other loads present and zero-head pressure (ie: has not run in a good while). But.....it WILL NOT cycle. Once it is started you need to keep it running.

That approach is not practical. Such is the reason I use 2 EU2000i's to do the job right.