Generator comparisons

[hbillsmith]

Originally Posted by KRSmitty

How does an "inverter" generator differ from a "normal" generator? I eventually plan on getting one of the generators from Harbor Freight.

Difference can be summarized in these points:

- At same power level, inverter is more expensive, sometimes double.
- At same power level, generator can be almost 3 times as loud, not suitable for shared campgrounds but just fine for NASCAR race tailgating
- Inverters provide cleaner power for electronics. Think LED TV, laptop, satellite
- Generators like Harbor Freight are cheap and serve a good purpose for storm stand by and construction site. Not so much for camping except perhaps remote boondocking.

[Humteddy2]

I would highly advice you to purchase an inverter. Besides protecting your electronics, the annoying loud rattle of a cheap generator will make you no friends at a campground. Spend the extra money. You and your neighbors will be much happier.

http://www.yamahaef2000is.com/conven...generator.html


Humteddy2

2014 Silverado Z71 LTZ 1500
2017 Surveyor 285IKDS

[Humteddy2]

I've been to over 60 NASCAR races and trust me, they are not a welcome addition to the neighborhood there either.


Humteddy2

2014 Silverado Z71 LTZ 1500
2017 Surveyor 285IKDS

[B and B]

Some inexpensive generators are 2 cycle as well, stink in addition to the noise.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by KRSmitty

How does an "inverter" generator differ from a "normal" generator? I eventually plan on getting one of the generators from Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight doesn't have a quiet generator.
Their 2000w inverter generator is rated at 64db, almost a loud as open-frame non-inverter contractor generators.
And it costs almost as much as the Champion 2000w inverter generator, a much quieter and dependable choice.

[rsdata]

Harbor Freight doesn't have a quiet generator.

Very subjective statement... my two cents!!!

My HF 2200 watt Predator generator was much quieter than other Motor Home camper generators around me when staying at a non electric campground this past winter. It was quieter than 4 MH campers that parked next to me in 5 days.

That is my noise comparison. And I can move it further away with an extension cord, unlike built-in gensets in Mhomes that pollute the campsite area with noise right next to me.

As quiet as a Honda? NO, not close, but quiet enough, and less than 1/2 the cost for more available power. At idle, during the day, with wind blowing in the trees it is barely noticeable. I put 4 tanks of gas through mine in 5 days running 4-5 hours a day to keep fridge running on AC and recharge batteries. I turned on the Air Conditioner twice, just to see if it would work, and it did, with the HARD start Cap mod I did to my AC last fall.

For portable and affordable power check out the 2200/2500 watt Predator from HF and sign up for coupons that you might find that put the price around $400 instead of the normal $500.
some reviews here... certainly other reviews abound

https://youtu.be/wFF073UpZuM

https://youtu.be/CwmVuuOtJQI

[rclogg]

I bought a Lifan 4000Watt Inverter. EFI, remote and electric start, 12hrs run time @ 50% load and just as quiet as a Honda my Honda 2000ie (We carry both). $1200 shipped to Home Depot, 30 day return to the store. Used a Home Depot CC and got 12 months - 0%.

Energy Storm 4000iER EFI Inverter Generator – Lifan Power USA

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by rsdata

Very subjective statement... my two cents!!!

As quiet as a Honda? NO, not close, but quiet enough, and less than 1/2 the cost for more available power.

There's a 10db difference between the the Honda 2000i and your Predator.
That's a huge loudness difference.

And the Champion 2000w is close in price, parallel capable, much quieter and has great customer/warranty support.

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by KRSmitty

How does an "inverter" generator differ from a "normal" generator? I eventually plan on getting one of the generators from Harbor Freight.

Your standard non-inverter generator has a motor connected to an alternator. The motor has to run at a fixed speed (High) to generate 60 cycles. Any sudden change in load changes voltage out and frequency. This is one of the reasons they are so noisy and are not friendly to some electronics.

In an inverter generator the motor turns a DC generator and an inverter ( DC to AC converter) electronically controls both the voltage and the frequency. Because the electronics are more precise and can react much faster than a moving motor, the voltage and frequency is very stable. An inverter Gen can run at idle ( eco mode) when there is little or no load and hence run quieter and longer. A standard in generator must run at full speed even if the load is small.

The additional electronics are much of the additional cost.

[ryand]

So so many opinions on this topic....me personally I have the Yamaha 2400. I initially purchased it for Nascar races and to have around the house. It works well and is quiet. We run it round the clock at the track and it runs my 13.5k AC. Quiet enough to sleep with it on next to the trailer and the neighbors all do the same with their quiet units. Had I done some more research I would have purchased 2 2000 units for the weight and the fact that if I trade up trailers this generator will not run a 15k AC. The others that were not well known 5 years ago like champion and so on would get serious consideration as well.


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[vort]

The Briggs and Stratton P3000 looks nice and can be paralleled. Thoughts?

[phillyg]

I think the $500 COSTCO genset you mentioned is a contractor-type v. a quieter inverter. If so, I think you'll find it very noisy unless you're boon-docking by yourself and don't care. Whatever you do, make sure the one you buy will run everything you need it to. I was able to run an older 12k AC on a prior FW with Honda EU3000, but it will not run even the smaller of the two ACs in our current FW.

[M&K Hoffman]

I also give a to the Champion 75531i. Quiet and dependable and will run one AC unit.

[Tigertrump]

Rclogg, would you suggest this to run a tt TH rather than a 4K onan unit?

[B and B]

Originally Posted by rclogg

I bought a Lifan 4000Watt Inverter. EFI, remote and electric start, 12hrs run time @ 50% load and just as quiet as a Honda my Honda 2000ie (We carry both). $1200 shipped to Home Depot, 30 day return to the store. Used a Home Depot CC and got 12 months - 0%.

Energy Storm 4000iER EFI Inverter Generator – Lifan Power USA

This is same as a Powerhouse except the Powerhouse has wheels I took off anyways to fit under my Tonneau..

[The_Rhino]

I just bought (2) WEN 56200i 2000-Watt 79.7cc Inverter Generators for $379.99 each on the Woot! website.

IMO they are Yamaha clones right down to the engine. They are probably made on the same Chinese assembly line with only slight cosmetic differences for branding purposes. I can't risk $2000 worth of generators getting stolen so I'm sticking to these.

[rclogg]

Originally Posted by Tigertrump

Rclogg, would you suggest this to run a tt TH rather than a 4K onan unit?

I couldn't afford the Onan, plus this is back up for the house.

[hbillsmith]

Originally Posted by rclogg

I couldn't afford the Onan, plus this is back up for the house.

When you say "backup for the house" you entered new territory. You should tally up the amp draws of what you will be running in the house. If you go too small you may limit yourself. Lifan sells the 7000 watt version of the previously mention 4000 inverter. Ive seen it on the Internet for $1,650 (Lowes I believe). Its quiet, more power, 47amp. Downside is weight, its on wheels but weighs about 200# as I recall. The 4000 and 7000 Lifans are fuel efficient, carboraterless fuel injected like the large Honda 7000is.

[fella10]

Originally Posted by The_Rhino

I just bought (2) WEN 56200i 2000-Watt 79.7cc Inverter Generators for $379.99 each on the Woot! website.

I saw that sale and also wanted to get two, but waited too long, ..... did some research during the day and found a site with noise ratings for small gen. and that model was the lowest listed 51dba, ...... Woot has sold that one several times in the past, but usually $10/$20 more, .. that was a good deal,....... hope they serve you well..................

[RangeMaggotBob]

I've read for a while now about all these generators, and every once in a while somebody says, "Not as quiet as a Honda, but close". Personally, and this is just me, I'm going with the two Honda 2000s. They seem to always run, very seldom any problems, and there's a zillion Honda dealers in the U.S., and they are so darned quiet! Normally, I'm pretty cheap, and my wife constantly lets me know this, but this time I'm going to bite the bullet. But they sure won't come down a single penny on their prices! Still right around $999.99, give or take a few pennies.