OK, I saw the light. Honda EU2200I

[pdqparalegal1]

I have a fairly new Champion 3500/4000 gen that has worked OK for my needs when it has been needed. Would run it in back of truck and noise was acceptable to me inside camper.


I moved it to a permanate mount on tongue of trailer.


Last trip we were packed really close together and our closest neighbor was nice lady in a pop up. Canvass doesn't make a good sound barrier. I have to run it at night for an oxygen concentrater . My small engine repair guy loaned me his OLD Honda 1000, better but still loud.


I bit the bullet and got a Honda Eu2200i. Love it so far. Have modified it so far to direct the exhaust up and over the TT, Added a 6 gal boat fuel tank for extended run,



So I have come back from the dark side. Champion is now home backup for power outage.



Everyone play safe.

[5picker]

There really is no comparison between open frame 'contractor style' generators like the photo of the Champion you posted and enclosed, inverter generators such as your new Honda.

I'm surprised someone didn't complain sooner.

Best of luck with your new purchase.

[DustyRoads]

Much better for sound. From my perspective you never should have been using an open frame at a campground. Plus an inverter is a much better option for your medical devices.
Glad you switch. If money was the issue there are several less costly options.
Good luck and thank you for being a good neighbor.

[dward51]

I've been using a pair of the older EU2000i's since 2002 or 2003 and love them. Made my own parallel kit before they were as widespread and inexpensive as they are now. With both in parallel I get 33 amps continuous out of the pair and can run the 15k AC full blast in a hot southern summer with 100* outside temps. The EU's are not only quiet but fuel stingy in eco mode.

Congratulations on coming over to the Honda side....

[hkreck]

I looked at the EU2000 then went with a Honda EG2800i very quite and I can swap it out between the TT and house. Only weights 67 lbs.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by hkreck

I looked at the EU2000 then went with a Honda EG2800i very quite and I can swap it out between the TT and house. Only weights 67 lbs.

You may know this but while that is an inverter generator, it is an open frame type with DB ratings of 61 DB and up. Too loud for most National Park Campgrounds (and many states) with a 60 DB limit.

[boondocking]

Honda EG2800i :
62db @ 1/4 load
67db @ full load

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by boondocking

Honda EG2800i :
62db @ 1/4 load
67db @ full load

Yep, too loud. Not worth paying that much, for an open-frame generator. 62 tbsp @1/4 load is much louder than the Honda 3000i inverter "enclosed" generator.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by hkreck

I looked at the EU2000 then went with a Honda EG2800i very quite and I can swap it out between the TT and house. Only weights 67 lbs.

The EG2800i at 62db is NOT quiet. It's closer in loudness, to the open-frame contractor-style Champion 3500($300), than to the much quieter Honda 3000i.

[Tundra 2014]

Here in TX and it Florida on the coast I have been in campsites where we have been checked w/ a DB meter. The goal is below 60 DB. The open frame generators can not meet that goal and are asked to turn it off or leave. I wanted the smallest generator that would run my A/C and meet the goal. I have a Generac IQ 3500 that will run my 13.5 and 7.5 A/C @ 59 DB. I wish it were lighter @ 115 lb. empty. I also have a pen made out of foam insulation, plywood and PVC that gets it off the ground 24". This makes it even quieter and keeps the weather off it.

[michael621]

Originally Posted by 5picker

...I'm surprised someone didn't complain sooner...

Yes, glad that was not my neighbor in the campground!

[jimmoore13]

Many campgrounds will demand that you shut down even the quietest generator during quiet hours...typically 10 pm to 8 am. Or they will evict you if you refuse to comply.

You have several options that won't get you evicted or breathless:

1) portable battery powered concentrator: example... https://smile.amazon.com/Inogen-Batt...2999442&sr=8-8
Many suppliers who supply tanks and such rent them. You might arrange a seasonal rental.
You can recharge the batteries with the generator during the day. And you can secure spare batteries to extend the service.

2) tanks - for many, these are the only option. They are silent and portable.

3) battery support for items like a CPAP. Examples: https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=cpap+ba...nb_sb_ss_i_5_7 You might need several of these for a 120 volt concentrator.

4) install a serious battery bank in your RV (e.g. 4 x 6 volt golf cart batteries in series/parallel) and an inverter with transfer switch to supply power to the coach. https://theinverterstore.com/product...SAAEgI9HfD_BwE
The battery bank can supply about 225 amp hours at 12 volts and run such heavy draws as a residential fridge.

I truly get your health needs, and I empathized. My dad was on oxygen for years, and I expect that will be my fate, too. But your health needs do not supersede campground rules or common courtesy. You have the options above or you can camp where there is shore power. Running a generator overnight ANYWHERE near another camper is well beyond rude, and your need for oxygen overnight can be accomplished with readily-accessible methods, including old fashioned tanks.

Yes, taking care of your own business may cost you a chunk, but it's not other campers' responsibility to sacrifice their experience to accommodate your health problem.

The fact that your Champion hasn't been sabotaged is a testament to others' patience -- not your right to deprive others of the peace and quiet that is part of camping.

I'm glad you now have a proper inverter generator, and I applaud you for buying it, because if you fired up that Champion within earshot at any time of day, I'd have filed a complaint to the campground manager...or worse if there was no manager to handle the situation. Other than boondocking, there are few campgrounds that will tolerate using a construction generator. But even a Honda 2KW inverter is unbearably noisy overnight...even from 1000 feet away.

I urge you to respect your fellow campers and find another way. There are plenty.

[pdqparalegal1]

First weight police and now noise police 🙄
Camped next to a class A diesel pusher. Heard his gen every time AC came on. Noise is subjective. Some opem frames are noiser than others. Champion is one of the quieter ones. I purchased a Honda, what more do you want? I refuse to feel bad for doing whatever I need to survive. 🥃

[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by pdqparalegal1

Some opem frames are noiser than others. Champion is one of the quieter ones. I purchased a Honda, what more do you want? I refuse to feel bad for doing whatever I need to survive. 🥃

People are pointing out that you shouldn't have been allowed to camp at most campgrounds with that generator. As far as your survivial, it seems that you could do other things to ensure your survival, such as staying at electric campsites. i know this seems mean, but your need for something doesn't over ride everyone elses ability to enjoy things as well.


enjoy your new generator, but why did you go with the Honda over the Champion inverter generator? they get similar reviews at half the cost

[benchmarks]

⛺️just boondock and have some respect. [emoji491]head. 🤫

[hybridlife]

To the OP...I have the EU2200 and love it! Look into the micro-air easy start for your A/C and you can run your A/C off your single EU2000. I did the install last year and it has been a game changer.

m

[KyDan]

To the OP- how much power does an oxygen concentrator use??? Seems like a good set of batteries could do the job and no need to run genny at night??

[Jeffjeeptj]

Compliments to the OP. You saw a way to improve things so you could enjoy camping while minimizing impact on others. Kudos!

In 2003 I bought a pair of EU2000s to run the AC on my Hybrid TT. The 2000s are still running strong. I did have to replace a carb due to my stupidity with Ethanol gas.

I recently bought a new TT with a 15K AC. It would trip a single Honda, but, run fine on two. After installing a Micro-air I can run the AC on one for a short time, but the AC pulls 14.7 amps, exceeding the 13.3 amps continuous max of the 2000. You can tell from the sound of the Honda that it is not happy. A 2200 would be near its limit, so, I will be keeping the pair of 2000s.

At 67 Y.O. I do not want to lift much more than one 2000 at a time.

Again, Kudos.

[Tundra 2014]

To original poster, Noise may be "Suggestive", but if I brought my 6500 watt open frame generator and camped next to you, you might get the point. I am old and 1/2 deaf, would not bother me any all. I just try to be a good neighbor, below 60 DB is the goal.

[mikestahoe]

Glad your running a Honda, now rather than chastise you any further (lol) here is some useful information if you wanted to consider using battery(s) to power your CPAP - looks like a couple of 6volt or a 12 just might do the job. Combine that with a charger/inverter and your on your way to a “hassle free” snooze!


Caution - Very technical notes

How much electricity will the CPAP draw?

You should ask your manufacturer how many amps your unit draws at your prescribed pressure level at 115 VAC. You then need to figure out the draw in amperes at 12 volts (the actual voltage may vary from 10 to 12.7 volts). To figure the current required by your unit at 12 Volts.

At a 10 cm water pressure setting a CPAP which draws 2.5 amps would need 20 amp-hours in 8 hours. Therefore, the battery should be at least 35-40 ampere hours to support one night of sleep.

At a 20 cm water pressure setting a CPAP which draws 4.5 amps would need 36 amp-hours in 8 hours. Therefore, the battery should be at least 54-72 ampere hours to support one night of sleep.

Respironics units would require a 30-40 amp-hour battery for two nights; such a battery weighs about 20 pounds.

The true current draw of your CPAP can be measured using an ammeter. Or estimate it based on Shane Finn's note below, that is, take half the power figure stated in VA and you have approximate watts. Divide the wattage by 12 volts to get the approximate ampere draw of your inverter. Multiply the ampere draw of your inverter by the number of hours you plan to use it, then multiply again by 1.5 or 2 for a reserve factor.

Example: ResMed Sullivan III device rated at 80VA. 80*0.5=40 watts. 40 watts divided by 12 volts=3.33 amperes drawn by the inverter. 8 hours * 3.33 = 27 amp-hour rating. For a reserve factor, use 1.5 * 27= 40 amp-hour rating of the battery. To be even more conservative, compute the inverter current assuming 10 volts: 40 watts divided by 10 volts = 4 amperes drawn by the inverter. For 8 hours, we need a 32 amp-hour battery and for a reserve, a factor of 2 gives a 64 amp-hour battery. A 95 ampere-hour battery should give ample electricity for two nights without recharging, perhaps if one sleeps six hours the battery could last for three nights. 3*6*4=72 amp/hrs--within the capacity of the battery.

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