What type generator to buy

[acadianbob]

A change in power ratio by a factor of 10 is a 10 dB change. A change in power ratio by a factor of two is approximately a 3 dB change

Honda = 56 dB
Champion = 64 dB

Nearly 6 Times as loud!

[MtnGuy]

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?

As long as you stay at least 1/2 mile from the nearest camper, have a good set of noise cancelling headphones for yourself, and don't worry about the delicate electronics in your trailer, that generator should work fine.

[sherdep]

Originally Posted by 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.

I just picked up a 3650 running watt's and 4550 Surge watt generator from Sams Club - called a Black Max Portable Generator

It is not as loud as the Commercial or job site generator and not as quit as the inverted type but for $320 out the door it so far seems to be the ticket for me - After I am finished uploading a video on Youtube I made of the Generator I will post the link

Ok so it finished uploading so here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni_4N...ature=youtu.be

This is when I first got it and was running for it's 30 minute break in at my office

[acadianbob]

After spending $35K for a truck, $20K for a RV trailer; the little added cost for a quiet generator seems rather inconsequential? It's like the complaining I see about the high cost of RV toilet paper; really, I've seen it in forums!

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by sherdep

I just picked up a 3650 running watt's and 4550 Surge watt generator from Sams Club - called a Black Max Portable Generator

It is not as loud as the Commercial or job site generator and not as quit as the inverted type but for $320 out the door it so far seems to be the ticket for me - After I am finished uploading a video on Youtube I made of the Generator I will post the link

Ok so it finished uploading so here is the link

This is when I first got it and was running for it's 30 minute break in at my office

Wow.....and that is without a load on it.

[sherdep]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Wow.....and that is without a load on it.

With a Load the pitch actually doesnt make a diffrence or change - I will drag it out today and get a video from a distance and walk up on it to show how loud it is.
Besides when the A/C is on inside the camper you do not hear the generator even with it 10 feet off the back of the camper

I wouldnt use this in a Campground but for what I am using it for it will work out great.

wow as in good or bad?

My brother has a 6,000 watt Generator and it is twice as loud as this one.

[Taranwanderer]

That's pretty much what I thought..too loud. I was also looking at the Generac ix2000, which is inverter technology and safe for the electronics, but I couldn't find a db rating for it, which is suspicious to say the least.. Looks like the Yamaha it is...quiet, expensive, and able to run the 13,500 AC.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by sherdep

wow as in good or bad?

Wow as in noisy. I have never done a video on youtube, but when I drag my generator our this spring and gas it up, I will try to do a video at idle, and also when the AC starts up. Of course, I might surprise myself and realize the Yami ain't as quiet as I think it is.

Originally Posted by sherdep

Besides when the A/C is on inside the camper you do not hear the generator even with it 10 feet off the back of the camper

I wouldnt use this in a Campground but for what I am using it for it will work out great.

That is a good way to look at it. Inside with the AC on, you ain't a gonna hear the genny outside. And if you don't use it around other campers, who cares besides you ??

[Hob]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

A change in power ratio by a factor of 10 is a 10 dB change. A change in power ratio by a factor of two is approximately a 3 dB change

Honda = 56 dB
Champion = 64 dB

Nearly 6 Times as loud!

Not meaning to be argumentative but sound level db and power level don't work quite the same. Here is a chart for sound level db and comparisons.

dB SPL in Real Life

To give you an idea of how a dB SPL measurements relate to daily life, a listing of the approximate sound pressure level for various sounds is provided below. (From http://www.state.me.us/spo/landuse/docs/NoiseTABulletin.pdf - with the “Approximate Loudness” column added) (see also dB SPL and dB(A) SPL discussion on next page)
Sound EnvironmentSound Pressure Level (dBA SPL)Approximate loudness with regard to ordinary conversationThreshold of hearing0Don’t hear anythingBroadcast studio interior or rustling leaves101/32nd as loud as conversationQuiet house interior or rural nighttime201/16th as loudQuiet office interior or watch ticking301/8th as loudQuiet rural area or small theater401/4th as loudQuiet suburban area or dishwasher in next room501/2 as loudOffice interior or ordinary conversation60Ordinary ConversationVacuum cleaner at 10 ft.70Twice as loudPassing car at 10 ft. or garbage disposal at 3 ft804 times as loudPassing bus or truck at 10 ft. or food blender at 3 ft.908 times as loudPassing subway train at 10 ft. or gas lawn mower at 3 ft.10016 times as loudNight club with band playing11032 times as loudThreshold of pain12064 times as loud as conversation (twice as loud as night club)

Best Regards,

Hob

[acadianbob]

We boondock a LOT; mostly in the wilderness! So, we need to recharge our battery for about 60 to 90 minutes every day. And DW likes to have juice in the morning to dry her hair. We often come back from a day of hiking, shower, set up the chairs outside, turn on some music (softly), sip some wine, and read/relax in the sun. We are not running our air but we need to charge our battery. We find that the Honda is nice in these circumstances; it doesn't disturb the scene. Set it out about 30 feet and point it away from us and everyone else. Barely hear it. From 100 feet, you can't hear it at all; which the neighbors appreciate. Just saying; even if you are boondocking, the quiet is nice. Something to consider at least if you are contemplating a generator purchase.

Here's another thought. When we know that we are going to need to run our generator, we try to get a site on the outside of the campground. This way we can point our Honda out into the woods and away from the rest of the campers. I've also seen people that have made little boxes that are small "sound walls" that are open on one side. They do an incredible job of directing the sound away from the campground and your site. Learned this from a National Forest Service campground host. I've also seen people do this in the bed of their pickup and then have the top open to direct sound upward. These are usually the bigger generators that are not so portable.

Peace!

[dilgerc]

Our TT has the 1500 ac and I am contemplating buying a genny just to have if we want to use it. Usually we get all the hook ups and haven't ever gone boondocking, but may someday. I would like to know if 2 of the Honda 2000 hooked in parallel for a total of 4000 would run the ac? I think the two smaller ones would be easier to handle as far as getting them in and out of the pick up. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[dilgerc]

Originally Posted by dilgerc

Our TT has the 1500 ac and I am contemplating buying a genny just to have if we want to use it. Usually we get all the hook ups and haven't ever gone boondocking, but may someday. I would like to know if 2 of the Honda 2000 hooked in parallel for a total of 4000 would run the ac? I think the two smaller ones would be easier to handle as far as getting them in and out of the pick up. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thats15000 in the ac

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by dilgerc

Our TT has the 1500 ac and I am contemplating buying a genny just to have if we want to use it. Usually we get all the hook ups and haven't ever gone boondocking, but may someday. I would like to know if 2 of the Honda 2000 hooked in parallel for a total of 4000 would run the ac? I think the two smaller ones would be easier to handle as far as getting them in and out of the pick up. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

yes, the dual Honda 2000 setup will easily run your 15k a/c.
and if you won't the a/c, then you only need to take one.
the new Champion 2000w inverter generators are a new competitor because they can be paralled, like the Honda, and are cheaper.

[dilgerc]

Thanks for the info, so now I'm torn between the Honda eu2000i and the 2000 champion for about half the price. Who services Champion? Honda you can get serviced at most any Honda shop and they are everywhere. Champion 2000 shows to actually be less noisy than the Honda. Honda doesn't have the 30 amp Rv plug that is available on the Champ, altho I have the adapter. Do you have to have the 30 amp plug to run your ac? I like the way the Champ's are stackable. Hmmm too much to consider here. Surely I'm over analyzing this. Help me please, somebody!!!

[bikendan]

Champion has excellent customer service. their open-framed 3500 gennie is well known and loved but it's loud compared to inverter generators.

give their CS number a call and ask about servicing.
i think you have a whole network of service centers available.

both brands have a 30amp outlet in the parallel kit. Honda requires an adapter to the RV plug, not sure about the Champion.
it would be preferable to plug into the 30amp if you plan to run the a/c.

[brookside]

Honda 2000i ran my 13500 but ac no issues with an rv to ac adapter , no need for 30a.

[essness]

Originally Posted by dilgerc

Thanks for the info, so now I'm torn between the Honda eu2000i and the 2000 champion for about half the price. Who services Champion? Honda you can get serviced at most any Honda shop and they are everywhere. Champion 2000 shows to actually be less noisy than the Honda. Honda doesn't have the 30 amp Rv plug that is available on the Champ, altho I have the adapter. Do you have to have the 30 amp plug to run your ac? I like the way the Champ's are stackable. Hmmm too much to consider here. Surely I'm over analyzing this. Help me please, somebody!!!

When I rcvd mine, the air box was busted. Champion gave me three options of places that could fix it that were all with in 30 mins of my house. I know that 2 of those places were also authorized service for Honda as well, the third one I had never heard of.
So, chances are, if they service Hondas, they service Champion products as well.
Good luck

[wlaczo]

I bought the 2000 watt champion today and it seems to work good. I borrowed a friends Yamaha 2000 and compaired them. They sound about the same. The weight feels close and they both start easy. The Yamaha worked better on econo mode. Seems to hesitate less. Hopefully long term they are good.The champion is a third the price as blue and red in Canada. I still have my old Honda EM500 as a backup to charge batteries, super reliable and cheap to run. If I was going on the road touring around full time I would spend the money and get a Honda or Yamaha just for the proven reliability.

[Fire Instructor]

Compare the Champion vs. the Yamaha or Honda under full load, like with a microwave running, and I'll bet you'll hear a bigger difference then. At idle or low-load, they are about the same noise, but inder load is where the "quiet" generators excel!

[wlaczo]

I didn't notice a differance between the champion and yamaha for noise running the microwave. I did notice if used in econ mode the yamaha ramped up much faster and the champion almost died. Doesn't bother me, I don't use the micro anyways. For most people I think the champion would be fine.