I need generator help/advice!

[bikendan]

i agree that the Champion 3500 would be perfect for your usage.
sells for around $300, has great customer support and is a well-proven unit and well loved for your type of need.

[Gregg Willow]

Originally Posted by ironj

ive seen a 2000i start and run a 13k ac with hard start cap instlled and off of eco throttle.......it was working tho....

I have the 2 Honda 2000's. I can run my 13.5k with one of them. I start the fan first, then go to compressor. I do not have a hard-start. As mentioned, it's working. If I need A/C I use both in Eco mode. Much nicer on the ears and easier on the equipment.

A reply to an earlier post concerning the cost of a Honda, or a Yamaha for that matter, to just be used 2-3 times a year, I use my generators for more than just camping. My house does not have external outlets so I use one of the generators for running my electric smoker (up to 12 hours at a time), my buffer for waxing my vehicles, etc. Plenty of uses other than just camping. YMMV.

With that said, go with your whats available in your bank account. I believe you get what you pay for but there are some good alternatives at good price points.

[ironj]

Originally Posted by Gregg Willow

I have the 2 Honda 2000's. I can run my 13.5k with one of them. I start the fan first, then go to compressor. I do not have a hard-start. As mentioned, it's working. If I need A/C I use both in Eco mode. Much nicer on the ears and easier on the equipment.

A reply to an earlier post concerning the cost of a Honda, or a Yamaha for that matter, to just be used 2-3 times a year, I use my generators for more than just camping. My house does not have external outlets so I use one of the generators for running my electric smoker (up to 12 hours at a time), my buffer for waxing my vehicles, etc. Plenty of uses other than just camping. YMMV.

With that said, go with your whats available in your bank account. I believe you get what you pay for but there are some good alternatives at good price points.

a good lot of the newer ac have a start cap built in.....maybe not as large as a supco but it does make a diff......mine had nothing......

just out of curiousity how does your house not have a single outlet externally?...i have honestly never seen one that didnt? maybe its a texas thing.....when i built mine i had em put like 5 in the garage alone!!!!! lol...kegerator, compressor, extra fridge/freezer, drop lights, garage door openers....heck maybe i have more than 5!!

[Jerry L.]

Do yourself a favor. Spend the $$ on the Honda 2000I and the 2000I companion. You will pay for good, quite and proven gear. Depending on your needs you may only need the 2000I. Parallel the companion in and you have about 4000 watts. I have a 39 ft. Cedar Creek 5vr and the dual set up is my source when boondocking or state parks. You can add an external gas tank for long running times.

[Outlaw]

Originally Posted by Jerry L.

Do yourself a favor. Spend the $$ on the Honda 2000I and the 2000I companion. You will pay for good, quite and proven gear

So...spend $2000+ on a pair of Hondas for a total of 4000W for 2-3X a year use. OR...spend $400 on a 4000W Champion. Hmmm...I'm no mathematician, but that doesn't pencil out to me. I agree...the Hondas are nice, but, I can buy 5 Champions over the next how many years if they wear out! Did I mention I only it 2-3X a YEAR!?

If I were going to use this genny a lot...I'd spend the Honda money. But $1500 difference for my needs at this point is just a waste.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Outlaw

So...spend $2000+ on a pair of Hondas for a total of 4000W for 2-3X a year use. OR...spend $400 on a 4000W Champion. Hmmm...I'm no mathematician, but that doesn't pencil out to me. I agree...the Hondas are nice, but, I can buy 5 Champions over the next how many years if they wear out! Did I mention I only it 2-3X a YEAR!?

If I were going to use this genny a lot...I'd spend the Honda money. But $1500 difference for my needs at this point is just a waste.

Hey now,dont just think of yourself,buy the Hondas and (Loan) them out to other friends too use when your not using them! Justified Purchase! Youroo!!

[RPAspey]

Originally Posted by youroo

Hey now,dont just think of yourself,buy the Hondas and (Loan) them out to other friends too use when your not using them! Justified Purchase! Youroo!!

And if there's a major storm or power outage, you could run a lot of items in your house.


2000 Cherokee 31BH, lifted,LEDs, solar, inverter, etc..aka "boondock ready". '07 Tundra 5.7L DC-LB, modded as well.

[DangerCliff]

Are you sure you need a generator? I can plug my RV into a 15 amp outlet with a adapter at my house and run 13,500 AC. No problem, hooked to a 20amp I can also run fridge and lights. If your friends have a outlet you could hook up to you might not need a gen. You might try hook up at you house and see what all you can run.

[Salmon Hunter]

OUTLAW:
I think for your needs a champion would suit you just fine. For the amount of times you would use it and where it sounds like the perfect solution IMHO.

[Outlaw]

Originally Posted by DangerCliff

Are you sure you need a generator? I can plug my RV into a 15 amp outlet with a adapter at my house and run 13,500 AC. No problem, hooked to a 20amp I can also run fridge and lights. If your friends have a outlet you could hook up to you might not need a gen. You might try hook up at you house and see what all you can run.

Typically I pull the camper home on about Wed. before a camping weekend to load the clothes & food. I plug the shoreline (with adapter) into my 110 garage outlet to start the fridge cooling for food for the weekend.

I've tried kicking on the air...the fan will blow but AC compressor will not kick in!? I was told that it is most likely because my garage outlets are 15A w/ GFI that is probably preventing AC startup!?

Even if your idea of plugging into my friends house DID work...DON'T YOU DARE TELL MY WIFE! This is one way for me to justify getting a generator to power my ice fishing shanty too (year-round use)!

[BigTJohn]

The ice fishing hut ALONE would be worth the Hondas, but the Champion should be fine. Just do it.

[ironj]

Originally Posted by DangerCliff

Are you sure you need a generator? I can plug my RV into a 15 amp outlet with a adapter at my house and run 13,500 AC. No problem, hooked to a 20amp I can also run fridge and lights. If your friends have a outlet you could hook up to you might not need a gen. You might try hook up at you house and see what all you can run.

i was gonna mention the same thing (my 20amp garage outlet runs my 15k ac,fridge, and converter fine)

but it would sure suck to get there and it NOT!

[dcheatwood]

I've been using a Honda clone 3000w gen since 2005, on third RV now. Available for @ $300. runs up to 15,000 btu ac. 59 dbs. 12 hr run time on 4 gals at half load. Works for me.

[Talonman]

I bought the HY2000Si and it has been good to me so far, will start my 13.5AC and ran it for like 5 hours one day to see if it would fail and it did not.

[ironj]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

I've been using a Honda clone 3000w gen since 2005, on third RV now. Available for @ $300. runs up to 15,000 btu ac. 59 dbs. 12 hr run time on 4 gals at half load. Works for me.

which are you using....my neighbor was asking about clones and i really had no clue which were good.....?...there are so many

ive seen many of them but i can never remember the crazy brand names...lol

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by ironj

which are you using....my neighbor was asking about clones and i really had no clue which were good.....?...there are so many

ive seen many of them but i can never remember the crazy brand names...lol

I ordered mine from a place in California in 2006. Its called Eliminator 3000 but my brother has one just like it with different name. I'll post a picture for you.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by ironj

which are you using....my neighbor was asking about clones and i really had no clue which were good.....?...there are so many

ive seen many of them but i can never remember the crazy brand names...lol

Label has worn off.

[youroo]

One of the many lables is (Wildfire). We bought many of these and sold them for (Emergency Power Outages)! They start & run very well,if (Properly) stored and maintained they will last for a (Long) time! BUT- they are NOT (Quiet!!). They are NOT Honda knockoffs. Big spread in (DB-ratings)! Youroo!!

[ironj]

I see those type of generic gennys often.....he was asking more about a clone i guess..like a boily maybe?..or others...I saw one at cosco that was all yamaha internals...599 for 2200watts..but I know I seen them cheaper before

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[jamesroadking]

I have a Champion 3500 watt with the 30 amp RV outlet and it powers the A/C, the refrigerator, the inverter, the big screen TV all at the same time just fine. I'll shut the A/C off for 10 to 15 minutes to let the wife use her hair dryer. It runs at 65 decibels and is Not too noisy with the A/C on.
The best part is it only cost me $299 new about two years ago, Oh, and has not had any problems.