What type generator to buy

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by ikemeyer

First of all, I would never run a generator around fellow campers at a campground regardless of sound level. Most of them prohibit it.

You wrote nothing in your previous post to this thread stating that your generator would not be used around other campers. Most of us try to be good camping neighbors, and steer people away from noisy generators. If you are camping where the nearest house or camper is over a mile away, go for the Champion. Hopefully Champion owners will chime in here and give the information you asked for.

[Hybrid21SS]

we are thinking about one now but only because we just recently bought our first TT and had to secure other camping reservations that could fit it and most do not have electric. But next year if we reserve early it should not be a problem so not sure if the need exists for us. We have already used the TT for weekends with no power and batteries lasted fine. Plus soon it gets cool here in central NY and AC wont be required. I might end up getting a larger unit for house back up instead. We have lost power a few times last winter but we mostly burn wood so heats not a problem.

[ChrisZazzara]

Originally Posted by Hybrid21SS

we are thinking about one now but only because we just recently bought our first TT and had to secure other camping reservations that could fit it and most do not have electric. But next year if we reserve early it should not be a problem so not sure if the need exists for us. We have already used the TT for weekends with no power and batteries lasted fine. Plus soon it gets cool here in central NY and AC wont be required. I might end up getting a larger unit for house back up instead. We have lost power a few times last winter but we mostly burn wood so heats not a problem.

Bite your tongue on the "soon it gets cool here in CNY" part. We just got summer kicked off here in Syracuse...

And, we really like fall camping (and springtime, too) so I guess my point is. Perhaps a generator is really a good idea.

I just purchased a Yamaha 2000 knowing it will do what I want for most tasks, and it's an expandable thing because I can always add another to the mix at any time to double my generating capacity. Having a pair allows for much more flexibility in my book, and you'll find that two cost less that one of the same KW capacity.

[Hybrid21SS]

Originally Posted by ChrisZazzara

Bite your tongue on the "soon it gets cool here in CNY" part. We just got summer kicked off here in Syracuse...

And, we really like fall camping (and springtime, too) so I guess my point is. Perhaps a generator is really a good idea.

I just purchased a Yamaha 2000 knowing it will do what I want for most tasks, and it's an expandable thing because I can always add another to the mix at any time to double my generating capacity. Having a pair allows for much more flexibility in my book, and you'll find that two cost less that one of the same KW capacity.

We love camping...But I love snowmobiling even more !!! We are not far from you. We are down in Marathon. I like the idea of a small unit. But the small pairs are so darn expensive. Maybe a single small is good for our camping needs and can at least run the fridge and freezer at home when we lose power for longer periods. Will have to think about it some more.

[ikemeyer]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

You wrote nothing in your previous post to this thread stating that your generator would not be used around other campers.

It's sad to hear how my reply with a simple ask on this forum turned into this! With that said, it was based off of boondocking... apparently you have your own interpretation of what that means.

Goodluck to you!

[kev2504]

I would buy the Generac myself. I have the GP6500E and it works flawless, but it is too big / noisy for camping.

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by herk7769

None at all. I LOVE my remote start. Worth every penny not having to get dressed at 7 AM to start the generator when quiet hours end to make coffee. Just press the start button and watch the volt meter for 120 VAC. You have to watch the voltmeter since you can't hear the generator running from inside the camper.

Well I did follow your advice and I did get the wireless remote control and it's well worth it's money....again thanks for the recommendation, I appreciate it..... who knows maybe one day will meet?

[kenair]

Hi, Last week, I camped next to a guy that was using the Dometic Smart start on his 10K a/c in his Escape traverl trailer with is Honda 2000 - another a/c start option. Here is his thread Honda EU2000i and Dometic Penguin A/C with SmartStart

My Yamaha 2400 will start my 13.5k a/c in my 2006 Surveyor SV260 9 out of 10 times if I start the fan first, I wish the Yamah 2400 had a swtich to take it off auto throttle and run it at thing.

A loud generator in a camping area will make you shunned neighbour - a quiet generator is small price to pay for goodwill after the RV cost.

[18CrewDually]

A generator for us would be great, especially in a parking lot while the dogs are in the 5'er. I could run the A/C and have no worries of someone getting in through an open window. This realization came while at Cabela's yesterday. While there I found this: Cabela's: Champion 3,500-Watt Remote-Start Generator

[MtnGuy]

Yeah, I witnessed a Champion running the other day at Big Meadows. I heard it long before I spotted it. Be kind to your fellow campers, get a low dB machine.

[buccello]

Ike, there great to use the way you are looking to do. I have a Honda 2000 I use it at state parks. On the road I have a Champion 4000/3500 works great. It doesn't matter when your parked next to a truck with ref running.

[essness]

I have a Champion 4000/3500 and we use it at the race track. As buccello said, all things relative, I'm the quiet guy.
I wouldnt use it at a campground though.

[ng2951]

The Champion is certainly one of the better contractor style gensets for the money. Hard to beat.

But if you want quiet the dual Hondas, 2400 or 3000 Yamahas are what they say they are. Excellent units and lots quieter than the Champion.

I have both the Yamaha 2400 and dual Hondas. For a 13.5K A/C the 2400 is hard to beat at $1,100. I doubt it will run a 15K. They will run from 10PM to almost 7AM with the a/c running all night. I think the Boleys are the same unit except in red.

You can build an extended run tank, but it is not as easy as doing it for the Honda.

The dual Honda are a great setup. The 15K a/c my Puma has cycles the fan on and then waits almost 10 seconds to turn on the compressor. You can put the Hondas in eco mode and they ramp up just fine for the a/c. In eco mode the gensets seem to run slower and I guess more fuel efficiently.

The hardest part of building an extended run tank was getting the 3/8" brass fuel T locally. It is easy enough to find them on the Internet, just not locally.

Its neat with the extended run tank as the internal tanks do not need to be full. If the generator will start the genset has no problem sucking fuel from the big tank.

[toshu]

Ng,
Could you please provide details on your extended tank? I also just bought the yamaha 2400.

[thull87814]

I'm trying to keep my cost down also. I live in Texas so I have 15K a/c. Does anyone have experience with the Boliy 3600 and a 15K A/C? How about the noise level. So far I have been able to dry camp without a geny (but not in Texas during the summer. We have just made sure that we have electric). We are planning a trip out west in a couple of weeks. Most of our stops have power, but some don't. I thought that I might bring one along just in case. Also I thought that I would have something available in case of a power outage. From what I have read so far the 2600's honda and Yammy probably won't work with my A/C. I have seen the Boiliys for under 1k. Any advice out there?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by thull87814

I'm trying to keep my cost down also. I live in Texas so I have 15K a/c. Does anyone have experience with the Boliy 3600 and a 15K A/C? How about the noise level.

there are a lot of Boliy posts on RV.net's Tech section. lots of info there on them.
they are pretty quiet but their warranty/customer service is iffy. most are happy with theirs.
might power a 15k a/c but depends on brand and age.

[Taranwanderer]

I know I'm resurrecting this thread from a 5 month hibernation, but here's a new take: anyone have any luck with the Coleman CMO4143 1850W portable generator? It's 4-stroke, 64#, 64db, and $199 delivered to my door. I know it's not going to run the AC, but it'll do everything else at a fraction of the cost of the Honda, with a little more noise...thoughts?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

I know I'm resurrecting this thread from a 5 month hibernation, but here's a new take: anyone have any luck with the Coleman CMO4143 1850W portable generator? It's 4-stroke, 64#, 64db, and $199 delivered to my door. I know it's not going to run the AC, but it'll do everything else at a fraction of the cost of the Honda, with a little more noise...thoughts?

do you have a link to one? Coleman has made more than one 1850w generators and they're famous for their loudness.

the previous ones, like from Home Depot, were really loud.
even 64db is much louder than the Champion 2000w's db rating.
64db is close to an open-framed generator's noise level.

and the 1850w will be peak so you may not be able to run a microwave with it.
are you planning to use it boondocking or in a campground?

[Taranwanderer]

Here's the eBay link:

Coleman CM04143 1850W 2.4Hp Portable Gas Generator (871613005566) | eBay

Specs say it's 1200W with 1850W peak. It would be mostly for boondocking, maybe only occasional campground use.

[bikendan]

well, it's not going to be good for much other than recharging batteries.

it's still pretty loud for such a small unit.