Generator at Costco

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by comfun1

The Champion 3100 is a good looking generator. I like the rv ready receptacle. Who sells and services Champion and do any of the big box stores sell them?

Champion has a network of nationwide shops that will service them.
the 3100 model just came out and is not sold at as many places as their other generators.
Amazon and CW sell them but numerous other online places also sell them.
just use Google.

[Dennis and Julie]

We have 2 of the IU2000 Honda generators that you can parallel, they run everything in our RV without any problems, we wouldn't trade them for anything. And having 2 small generators makes them easier to handle and more versatile for other uses around the house or other places you might need extra power. And yes we know they are more expensive, but decided with the versatility it was the way to go.

[Vinchenzzi]

Since I am new to this whole thing of boondocking, may I ask a question. Are you all saying that when you are camping you have generators that will run at all times when the batteries call for power or are there designated times for running. I have been camping for many years and have never been anyplace that has generators running at all hours or maybe they are as quiet as some say.I'm just curious. We are going on our first boondocking in a couple weeks and I am waiting to see how the wife takes it and the camper batteries (Dual 6 V golf cart bat) hold up. I am bringing along a small generator just to keep Bats. charged so I can run AC. but if all works out may go with what everyone is talking about. Also I don't want to stray off topic but does anyone recommend a certain tote-along for Gray and black water removal?

[bikendan]

for almost all campgrounds, you can only run the generators during certain hours. and it's advised not to run them that entire block of time.
second, are you going to actually be "boondocking" or do you mean "dry camping"?
most do dry camping, where you're in a developed campground that has no hookups.
boondocking is exactly that, camping in the boondocks. usually National Forest areas or deserts where there are no developed campsites/campgrounds.
third, you can't run the a/c on two 6v batteries. and a small generator won't run the a/c unless it's at least 3000w.
fourth, we dry camp almost all the time and we have a blue tote tank JUST for the gray tank. we never need it for the black tank, nor would i use it for that.

[QuietTimes]

NOTE - re original post thread name.

A few days ago Canadian Tire advertised the Champion 2000w inverter genny on sale for $599 down from $699.

Yesterday in Costo I found the exact same genny for $499.

Just in case anyone is out there shopping.

[Vinchenzzi]

Thx for the info but why will you never need for black water? I would think it is the other way around. Also Sorry for the confusion,I will be DRY Camping.

[rotorhead1250]

Lots of good info here. That generator looks like a decent quality unit. I gota disagree with Dan on running you’re a/c. I’ve got a Yamaha 2400 (2000 watts continues) and it will run my air conditioner and I’m camping at 8000ft. Understand that a 2000/1600 watt unit wont run you’re a/c. Heck, it wont like running a toaster but it will. Amazing how much wattage those draw. Anyhoo. Like posted, are you actually in the woods camping? The noise level is the same as my Yamaha, which is quiet. That unit will operate everything electrical (except a/c but should run microwave) will recharge batts and play your music too!

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Vinchenzzi

Thx for the info but why will you never need for black water? I would think it is the other way around. Also Sorry for the confusion,I will be DRY Camping.

one, because it takes us weeks to fill the black tank, so we'll always be able to us the dump station without having to drag a plastic poo tank through the campground and then have to clean it out.

too many people freak out about the black tank, when it's the gray tank they need to worry more about, since it fills up way faster.

unless you've got an army in the RV or a very small black tank, you should be able to at least a week before having to dump it. and most don't stay in one place that long and can dump at the station when they leave the campground.

[R Whitlow]

As far as the sewer tote, I have used two different kinds one with just back wheels and one with front wheels also. I love the one with wheels in the front as it is much easier on your back (don't have to lift the front of the tote to hook up to truck).

[BigBaron]

Originally Posted by rotorhead1250

...I’ve got a Yamaha 2400 (2000 watts continues) and it will run my air conditioner and I’m camping at 8000ft. Understand that a 2000/1600 watt unit wont run you’re a/c. Heck, it wont like running a toaster but it will. Amazing how much wattage those draw.

Be careful. Too low of a current or voltage can cause your A/C compressor motor to burn out prematurely.
2,000 watts at 110V = 18.2 amps
Start up of the A/C compressor may suck more than that. Your A/Cs manual should tell you start-up amperage. Also check the continuous amperage draw.
I'd be interested to hear what your A/C draws amperage-wise.

[markly86]

Just bought 2 champion 2000 watt generators at Costco last week and the kit to connect them. Perfect setup for us. One will power the TT even the air conditioner fan but not the compressor. It's a little sp 189 Surveyor. Both run air And micro at the same time. They are about 50 pounds each so they are doable with my back. Paid $479 ea and $60 for the connector. Bonus I put one in a wheelbarrow and use it in our yard for hedge trimmers etc. Not Hondas but also not over $3000. They are about a decibel or two louder than my neighbors eu2000i Honda which is still pretty quiet for a liquid gas generator.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by markly86

Just bought 2 champion 2000 watt generators at Costco last week and the kit to connect them. Perfect setup for us. One will power the TT even the air conditioner fan but not the compressor. It's a little sp 189 Surveyor. Both run air And micro at the same time. They are about 50 pounds each so they are doable with my back. Paid $479 ea and $60 for the connector. Bonus I put one in a wheelbarrow and use it in our yard for hedge trimmers etc. Not Hondas but also not over $3000. They are about a decibel or two louder than my neighbors eu2000i Honda which is still pretty quiet for a liquid gas generator.

With 4000 watt you can run quite a bit. I think it was the snake turbo that put up a list of what everything pulls. I copied it and hung it inside my cabinet door. I'm kidding about the snake part, but it's good to shake a tree now and then......

[BarryD0706]

It's actually only 3200 watts for two Champions.
(3400 for two Hondas.) That's part of why I'm thinking about the Ryobi's (3600w) but they are louder.

[Ford Idaho]

I bought a B&S 5500 at Sears @ 185lbs I use a snatch block to load it.

I still chain it to the hitch and my high lift.

[KrohnWE]

Sorry for the noob question, but my first generator is on the way (Honda eu2000i) from Camping World, and it just dawned on me that I'm not quite clear on the hook-up. Do you guys recommend plugging the pop-up 30-amp plug directly into the generator to run the converter? Or do you connect the generator to the batteries just to recharge? Or both? We're heading up to Yosemite National Park for a week in mid-October....so want to make sure I can at least knock the chill out of the air at night! Thanks!

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by KrohnWE

Sorry for the noob question, but my first generator is on the way (Honda eu2000i) from Camping World, and it just dawned on me that I'm not quite clear on the hook-up. Do you guys recommend plugging the pop-up 30-amp plug directly into the generator to run the converter? Or do you connect the generator to the batteries just to recharge? Or both? We're heading up to Yosemite National Park for a week in mid-October....so want to make sure I can at least knock the chill out of the air at night! Thanks!

Both ways are just fine.

If you want to run the A/C, furnace or what ever you have that's not 12v plug the 30a into the gen, if not then just use it long enough to charge the battery.

[KrohnWE]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Both ways are just fine.

If you want to run the A/C, furnace or what ever you have that's not 12v plug the 30a into the gen, if not then just use it long enough to charge the battery.

Thank you!

[BarryD0706]

Note that you have to have an adapter to do that. There is no 30-amp plug on that generator.

[BigBaron]

Also a 2,000 W generator may not be enough to run your A/C.

[cpaulsen]

I just bought the Champion 4000/3500 watt generator from HD for $274.00. It runs my AC and microwave at the same time. Weighs 107 lbs.