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Old 12-09-2017, 06:57 PM   #1
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Need Dual fuel inverter generator ideas for a212hw

I just picked up my A212HW today, flawless walkthru and can't wait to take it out.

The champion 3400 dual fuel inverter generator was on my wish list and the customer service guy suggested getting honda since champion is too loud.
He said that most campsites have noise restrictions and well probably be kicked out if I run it plus my company will need to shout over it's noise. He also indicated you can run honda in the campsite and it's much quieter.

I read that the champion is about 59 decibels on load and honda 2000 is 53. Considering 6 dcbs really that much louder? Plus honda's much more expensive. The guy told me I can get 2 for about $2.1k....the 3400 is only $1k.

I'm looking for dual fuel, honda doesn't seem to make them and twice the cost. Anyone have any ideas and experiences/ pros & cons??

I'm a bit confused now.
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Old 12-09-2017, 07:27 PM   #2
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1. Check at what distance from the genny the sound rating is taken. Noise level drops as the square of the distance, so readings taken twice as far away are only 1/4 as loud.

2. Keep in mind that a full 20 Lb. propane bottle only holds 4.7 gallons, and propane has a lower energy value than gasoline so genny output is usually lower.

3. I have a 12 year old Honda E3000is that has been used quite a lot and have had no problems with it at all. Sits on the front of the frame and starts the Cool Cat with no problem. Very quiet.

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Old 12-09-2017, 07:40 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by AZ Camper View Post
I read that the champion is about 59 decibels on load and honda 2000 is 53. Considering 6 dcbs really that much louder?
YES, 6db is that much louder!
But 59 is still under most campground restrictions.
59db is louder than a Honda or Yamaha but quieter than open frame contractors style generators that start around 65db.

Suggest you educate yourself about the logarithmic scale of decibel ratings and then you'll have a better idea what to choose.
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Old 12-09-2017, 08:40 PM   #4
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1. Check at what distance from the genny the sound rating is taken. Noise level drops as the square of the distance, so readings taken twice as far away are only 1/4 as loud.

2. Keep in mind that a full 20 Lb. propane bottle only holds 4.7 gallons, and propane has a lower energy value than gasoline so genny output is usually lower.

3. I have a 12 year old Honda E3000is that has been used quite a lot and have had no problems with it at all. Sits on the front of the frame and starts the Cool Cat with no problem. Very quiet.

Sound rating was at 23 ft for champion 3400. How long can you run the e3000i on one tank? I'm seeing the 3400 runs on propane for up to 14 hrs vs 4 hrs on gas. Also how big and what does your genny weigh?
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Old 12-10-2017, 12:26 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by AZ Camper View Post
Sound rating was at 23 ft for champion 3400. How long can you run the e3000i on one tank? I'm seeing the 3400 runs on propane for up to 14 hrs vs 4 hrs on gas. Also how big and what does your genny weigh?
EU3000 is rated at 49-58 DB at 9 feet. Honda rates 3.4 gallon tank at 7 hours full load and 20 hours 1/4 load. I have run my home oil burner and reefer for over 12 hours on a tankful during a power outage. For the camper I usually fill the tank with 1 gallon of gas at about 9PM. That runs the cool cat until about 2PM, when the genny shuts down. By that time it's cool enough outside to not need the A/C and I sleep better without the noise of the A/C cycling on and off.

Weight is a hefty 131 lbs. without fuel. It's a two-person lift to put it up on the platform. I rarely use the propane, so I just carry the bottles in the front storage bin. When I need propane, I just pull out a bottle, sit it on the ground, and connect the regulator/hose.

FWIW, I have camped 185 days in the past 3 years and the camper is perfect for me.
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Old 12-10-2017, 03:20 AM   #6
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6dB difference would be 4 times the energy.

A decibel is a measure of sound energy. +3dB is twice the energy, -3dB is half the energy. It's a logarithmic scale... so a 53dB generator will be quieter than a 59dB.

Now notice, we don't PERCEIVE sound necessarily the same - we won't perceive 56dB as 'twice as loud' as 53dB.
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Old 12-10-2017, 11:02 AM   #7
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EU3000 is rated at 49-58 DB at 9 feet. Honda rates 3.4 gallon tank at 7 hours full load and 20 hours 1/4 load. I have run my home oil burner and reefer for over 12 hours on a tankful during a power outage. For the camper I usually fill the tank with 1 gallon of gas at about 9PM. That runs the cool cat until about 2PM, when the genny shuts down. By that time it's cool enough outside to not need the A/C and I sleep better without the noise of the A/C cycling on and off.

Weight is a hefty 131 lbs. without fuel. It's a two-person lift to put it up on the platform. I rarely use the propane, so I just carry the bottles in the front storage bin. When I need propane, I just pull out a bottle, sit it on the ground, and connect the regulator/hose.

FWIW, I have camped 185 days in the past 3 years and the camper is perfect for me.
That's pretty heavy. The champion 3400 is about 99 lbs. Im able to lift, comfortably, 120 lbs on my own so 99 lbs wont be an issue. The issue will be campground dub limitations I guess.
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Old 12-10-2017, 11:06 AM   #8
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6dB difference would be 4 times the energy.

A decibel is a measure of sound energy. +3dB is twice the energy, -3dB is half the energy. It's a logarithmic scale... so a 53dB generator will be quieter than a 59dB.

Now notice, we don't PERCEIVE sound necessarily the same - we won't perceive 56dB as 'twice as loud' as 53dB.
I'm bad at scientific equations. What are your thoughts on 59 dabs? What do you have and what would handle a 10k btu, in your opinion?
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Old 12-10-2017, 02:13 PM   #9
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AZ, a 2000w INVERTER generator should handle your 10k Cool Cat.
You don't need a 3400w generator.
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Old 12-10-2017, 02:26 PM   #10
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Every +3 dB is double sound level.
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Old 12-10-2017, 03:34 PM   #11
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I like my Champion 3500 (3200 running) watt gas only, inverter generator. I have it in the back of my pick-up, so for me, propane's not that great an option. At 59 dBA, it's quiet enough.

Some things to keep in mind: The 3400 Dual Fuel is only 3100 Running watts and only 2790 running watts on propane. You lose 3½% for every 1000 feet above sea level. So if you are around Denver or Albuqureque, you will be getting a little less than 2300 running watts on propane.

I had the 3100 but returned it because when I was in Pueblo, CO last summer in 98° heat my A/C overloaded it. (At 4700 ft, 3100 starting watts became 2590)

However, if I had known then about a hard start capacitor for RV A/C's, I might have kept it.
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Old 12-10-2017, 03:43 PM   #12
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OK folks, this thread is in the A-frame section.

The OP has a small A-frame trailer with a 10k Cool Cat a/c.
There is no reason that they "need" a 3000w+ generator to run a 10k a/c, other than wanting to run one on propane.

Personally I would prefer a 50lbs 2000w inverter generator, to a 100lbs+ generator, since the 2000w would run everything in the A-frame trailer.
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Old 12-10-2017, 04:39 PM   #13
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There are kits out there to convert gas generators to run on propane and natural gas as well. A champion 2000 watt can be converted by you for about 200 using a kit.
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Old 12-10-2017, 04:54 PM   #14
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Considering 6 dcbs really that much louder? \.
Yes.
6db is twice the sound pressure level.
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Old 12-10-2017, 05:42 PM   #15
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don't camp near me.....
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Old 12-10-2017, 05:52 PM   #16
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Generator inverter

I have a Ryobi 2000 for the pass 4 years and I payed $600. and it work very good and no problem with neighbor`s or park ranger.
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Old 12-10-2017, 06:01 PM   #17
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I have a Ryobi 2000 for the pass 4 years and I payed $600. and it work very good and no problem with neighbor`s or park ranger.
You can get a new Champion 2000w inverter generator for $100 less and it's parallel capable.
And better customer service.
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Old 12-10-2017, 07:01 PM   #18
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FWIW, I have a Generac 1700/2200 watt inverter genny, and it WILL NOT start the 10K Cool Cat in my T-12.

Some Honda EU2000 owners have reported that theirs work OK, but you have little, if any, reserve for really hot weather and/or high altitude.

3000 watts also means that you can run the A/C and have enough reserve to charge the battery or run the microwave.
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Old 12-10-2017, 08:55 PM   #19
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Need Dual fuel inverter generator ideas for a212hw

A Honda 2000 will run my Cool Cat if I shut down the other breakers and the converter.

I’m usually at high altitudes.
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Old 12-10-2017, 09:00 PM   #20
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Generator inverter

My Ryobi 2000 can be use with parallel cable also has a gas pump so it can be addapted with an extra tank and by the way I payed $600. CA
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