Help with decision!!!

[Jamyb01]

I need your help making a decision on a new Generator. I have a 2017 Jayflight 24rbs and have currently been running a champion 3550 Generator but the noise was just to much so I'm getting a inverter style.. I have been looking at the Honda EU3000, westinghouse igen 4500 and the onan cummins 4500. I've been racking my brain on justifying the extra $1000+ dollars for the Honda and will it run everything in my trailer? The champion ran everything without any issues but was just so dang loud. So I guess the question is Is the honda A $1000 better?

[RogerR]

Have you looked at the Harbor Freight Predator 3500 for $679 w electric start?


Looks pretty good for half the price. Probably won't last as long but hard to tell. A lot of it is based on hours of use and if you do upkeep (oil, filter, regular exercise, quality gas, etc. )

Then you could also look at the cost of adding a soft start to your AC and going with a 2,000 watter.

[Jamyb01]

I have looked at the Predator 3500 but none of the harbor freight stores has any.How hard is the soft start to install? And whats the cost of it?

[RogerR]

Try reading some posts via the search function, I put in soft start installation and selected "posts" and got quite a few reviews and how too posts. Not done it myself. Price varies with brand and application. $300??

[Mark Geer]

I have a Honda 3000. It is 4 yrs. Old no trouble at all . I have 2 friends that have them one is 10 years old and the other one is 12 years old. They change oil and filter once a yr. The just start and run . We dry camp at 4 Stockcar races every year 4 days each race.you can't beat a Honda by it and have it forever.

[Jamyb01]

I think that's what I'm gonna do but you would think for that much money Honda would throw in some wheels and a hour meter geez!! Lol

[Colorado]

I’ve been using the HF 3500 for several years and it’s been great. Properly break it in and buy a quality spark plug. The days of Honda and Yamaha having the corner on quality and charging $$$$ is gone. If you’re concerned about longevity then buy the extended warranty. Here’s the soft start capacitor very easy to install. https://www.ebay.com/itm/122196493117

[Dbunke]

My last $600 Chinese generator lasted 14 years and finally crapped out on a 100 degree night trying to run all night. I bought the Northern tool version of the Harbor Frieght 3500. Exactly the same just blue instead of red and comes with a 2 year warranty and it performed great. I upgraded campers and the new one has an on board onan so I sold the 3500. I would not hesitate to buy a cheap one and skip the honda.... you can buy 3 of them for the price of 1 !

[Screwby]

I use a Honda 2200 on my 23RB with no issues at all. The only change I had to make was installing a Micro-Air easy start on my AC. I love the fact that I don’t have to haul around a huge generator to stay off grid. I can grab the little Honda and toss it in the storage bay or the bed of the truck one handed and go. It sips gas and it’s only drawback compared to my Champion is it can’t run off propane but could if I did the upgrade conversion. Not saying get the Honda if you don’t want but something comparable will do all you’d need if you throw on a Micro-Air to mitigate the AC load IMO.

[smoothy]

Although I do not have a HF generator I do however purchase the predator motors for go karts and mini bikes and I do have to say they are workhorses. My boys beat the snot out of them and they just keep on running. So I would not hesitate purchasing the generator

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by Screwby

I use a Honda 2200 on my 23RB with no issues at all. The only change I had to make was installing a Micro-Air easy start on my AC. I love the fact that I don’t have to haul around a huge generator to stay off grid. I can grab the little Honda and toss it in the storage bay or the bed of the truck one handed and go. It sips gas and it’s only drawback compared to my Champion is it can’t run off propane but could if I did the upgrade conversion. Not saying get the Honda if you don’t want but something comparable will do all you’d need if you throw on a Micro-Air to mitigate the AC load IMO.

I also went with a 2200W gen this time around. There is nothing better than being able to lift that thing with one hand in and out of the truck.

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

I also went with a 2200W gen this time around. There is nothing better than being able to lift that thing with one hand in and out of the truck.

I think any item gains so much versatility when it’s manageable. I love my Champion Dual Fuel 3400, but it weighs a ton. My wife can’t lift it, I don’t like to lift it especially into my truck bed. There’s a time and a place for a larger generator, mines been put on 5th wheel duty. It lives in the front generator/battery bay and can stay there. But for a smaller travel trailer I don’t see the need for a big heavy generator that’s going to throw your back out if your not careful.

[Riverman]

In the last two years Honda's had major recalls on their inverter generators. I wonder about their quality in the years to come?

A Champion inverter or a HFT Predator works well at way less cost. But, it's your money.

(I bought the Champion)

[Jamyb01]

Originally Posted by Riverman

In the last two years Honda's had major recalls on their inverter generators. I wonder about their quality in the years to come?

A Champion inverter or a HFT Predator works well at way less cost. But, it's your money.

(I bought the Champion)

I loved my previous champion but it was a open frame generator that was loud. All I've seen on the champion inverter is YouTube videos and they sound really loud.. Are they that loud?

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by Jamyb01

I loved my previous champion but it was a open frame generator that was loud. All I've seen on the champion inverter is YouTube videos and they sound really loud.. Are they that loud?

My Champion isn’t loud at all. I think it compares to my Honda 2200 honestly. It may be a bit louder but it’s also a 3400 vs 2200. The inverter style is WAY quieter than any open frame construction type genny.

[Jamyb01]

Originally Posted by Screwby

My Champion isn’t loud at all. I think it compares to my Honda 2200 honestly. It may be a bit louder but it’s also a 3400 vs 2200. The inverter style is WAY quieter than any open frame construction type genny.

Thank you very much

[Jamyb01]

Well I went with the Honda Eu3000is. Main reason was I needed one now and it was the only one available. I will say that it is extremely quiet .

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by Jamyb01

Well I went with the Honda Eu3000is. Main reason was I needed one now and it was the only one available. I will say that it is extremely quiet .

Well I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed. That’s a nice generator. If it’s like mine and all the other Honda’s I’ve been around you can stand next to it and carry on a normal conversation.

[Midnightmoon]

Very nice choice.

[Jolvi]

Have the Champion Dual Fuel 3,400 brother in law had a Honda EU2000 that had been converted to propane. When we were at Joshua Tree I used the Champion to power up trailer so wife could dry her hair and such and he said he could not tell the difference in noise level between them..