Generator

[Larryd]

Am looking to buy a champion generator 3500 watt rv for my 2304 mini light. Two questions has anyone had experience with these and the unit weighs about 100lbs has to go in back of truck anyone have any ideas or tricks for getting it in and out of truck without getting a hernia.

[sherdep]

I have a Black Max - 3650 running - 4550 starting - similar to the Champion Generator.
I have mainly used mine to run the A/C only and converter but nothing else and seems to work ok.

use two people to lift it into the truck or if you have a incline to minimizie the lifting height

[acadianbob]

My only experience with Champion generators is hearing them in the campground and wanting to go throw it in the lake. They are LOUD; wake the dead loud. Your camping neighbors will thank you for buying a Honda or Yamaha. You'll be happier too.

[MotocrossCamper]

Actually the are a pretty decent generator for the price. They are not as quiet as a Honda but they are definitely not wake the dead loud. I was pretty amazed how quiet they actually are. Its not any louder then my self contained Onan 4000. In my opinion they are well worth the money

[avocadoman1]

i'm still on the Lifan-Equipsource 2600 (2800 max) inverter/generator bandwagon.

68# w/ elec start, the size of a small suitcase, 58dB, has auto idle feature, easily pushes my 13,500 Dometic Brisk-Air.
at half speed (w/ AC on), runs abt 4 hrs on a 2 gallon tank.

i have run it over 300 hours since June 2011. just oil changes and a new spark plug (no valve adjustment yet). very impressive.

as low as $687 + $68 ship + no tax on internet.

[kijak]

I got a pair of Honda 2000. They are enough to run my air, or of I want to just run one of them, it will handle most everything else, but the air. They are light enough to tote around and store easy, I lifted my dads 3000 and couldn't stand up straight for two days, very well worth the $$$$, for my 2011 8285ws

[doosterhouse]

I looked at Champion 4000, Honda 2000i, and Yamaha 2000 or 2400. Long story short I went with the Champion. Yes it ran everything but it was like having a lawn mower running next to my trailer. We went camping with it for the first time and my Wife made me shut it off and return it to CW. I was able to return it to CW because I drained the oil and dried the gas tank. I then bit the bullet and upgraded to the Honda 2000i. Boy am I happy I did only wish I bought it first. I am not saying buy a Honda they are great but I think the Yamaha's are great as well. The key here is the inverter type. Not full speed direct drive like the Champion. Don't get me wrong they seem to be well built, but please don't be my neighbor at the campground. I also got my Honda 2000i (single) to start and cycle my 13,500 btu ac. All I did was add a Hard Start capacitor to the AC. Easy mod. The Champion inverter cubes just came out after I bought my Honda so I was not able to check them out. Sorry I went on and on.

[Great Horned Owl]

You might want to try two smaller inverter generators hooked in parallel. The 2000 watt Champion 73536i weighs only 49 lbs., and has the same low noise spec as the Honda. I find that I can stand next to it and carry on a conversation in a normal tone of voice. Inside the RV, with door and windows closed, I can barely hear it.

Joel

[dj3spots]

We run to 2000i in parallel. We currently have a Rockwood 2607ss. The noise is minimal, starting is easy and the 30 amp plug is a plus. We also use these for the house when electricity is off. I've heard the Champion - no contest I much prefer the Honda. Not to mention the weight issue. Honda is much easier to handle.

[BigTJohn]

Originally Posted by doosterhouse

I looked at Champion 4000, Honda 2000i, and Yamaha 2000 or 2400. Long story short I went with the Champion. Yes it ran everything but it was like having a lawn mower running next to my trailer. We went camping with it for the first time and my Wife made me shut it off and return it to CW. I was able to return it to CW because I drained the oil and dried the gas tank. I then bit the bullet and upgraded to the Honda 2000i. Boy am I happy I did only wish I bought it first. I am not saying buy a Honda they are great but I think the Yamaha's are great as well. The key here is the inverter type. Not full speed direct drive like the Champion. Don't get me wrong they seem to be well built, but please don't be my neighbor at the campground. I also got my Honda 2000i (single) to start and cycle my 13,500 btu ac. All I did was add a Hard Start capacitor to the AC. Easy mod. The Champion inverter cubes just came out after I bought my Honda so I was not able to check them out. Sorry I went on and on.

I did not think the 2000i was enough to start an A/C unit even with the hard start cap. This is goo news to me. I was thinking I HAD to get the 3000i or TWO 200 unit (run in parallel). Thanks for the info.

[doosterhouse]

You may want to keep in mind the elevation you are at may make a difference. I live close to sea level, so what might work in San Francisco area may not work in Denver area. Just a thought.

[Endersbrab]

Be loud and be proud....

I just purchased the Champion Generator and broke it in. I purchased it to use at home with the camper in case we lose our home power for an extended time. I will NOT be using this at a campground, just at home and boondocking with my friends.

Back to your question, get the wheel kit and a few 2x6's. You'll be just fine or buddy lift if you have to. Cabela's has the weekender kit at a good price and the wheel kit is inlcuded. It is a sturdy generator and will run everything if you need it to. When my kids go to college and i have cash to burn, then i will upgrade to the Yamaha's or Honda's, but not until then. It is just too much cash for as little as I plan on using it. Good luck and enjoy.

[Rockinwood]

Yeah, I had a Honda eu3000i, it took a crap, the est to fix was way to high, I ended up researching the Champion, and had it for over a month, and am very impressed. will run our Micro, and 13.5 a/c with no problem, but usually the tv a/c ect, For those Honda Lovers out there, please remember there are alternatives, and dont have to spend over a grand for another one! The 3500 is not much louder than the Honda I had, I was/am impressed with it! And a 2 year warranty to boot.

[mstell2]

I have the champion and I can't complain. I don't use it much but handles my 15,000 btu a/c and water heater in my 5th wheel. Can't run microwave too, but not an issue. I can buy a lot of champions before I spend enough to pay for a Honda. Light weight, easy to start you can't lose.

[demoore]

I have the Champion 3500/4000. I lost my last TT in the TN floods in 2010. The generator had less than 20 hours on it at the time. It was submerged for 2 days. When we were allowed to recover our stuff from TT, it was covered in mud. I took it home and drained fuel, oil, changed plug and cleaned filter. It fired first pull and works like it did when new. We just used it last week on our trip to Iowa. It ran 24/7 in 95+ temps. I did learn it has the low oil shut off....at 2:00 in the morning. Great generator that you can hear, but not one to crank up in a campground.

[Endersbrab]

Update, we lost power last month due to storms, we bugged out to the camper and the champion ran all night and we slept with the AC on.

So here's my take, get what you can afford and be appreciative when you really need it

[another_newfie]

I've had my Champion for about 5 years now and it has NEVER let me down. I probably have about 500 hours on it easy. Many, many nights in Walmarts all over the place. Lots of time on it at the storage lot also. First or second pull no matter the weather, and I've used it in weather down below 0F. I only paid just a tad over 300 for it so at this point it owes me nothing.

I would not run mine in a CG. I have friends that have them and do, but I would not. Then again I don't often dry camp in CG's. However, when we winter camp, which is about 20 nights per year, if we lose power, then the champ will be coming life..

[pwb01]

Originally Posted by dj3spots

We run to 2000i in parallel. We currently have a Rockwood 2607ss. The noise is minimal, starting is easy and the 30 amp plug is a plus. We also use these for the house when electricity is off. I've heard the Champion - no contest I much prefer the Honda. Not to mention the weight issue. Honda is much easier to handle.

Same here so I can use only one unless I need to run the A/C (and they do work well for the A/C).

I originally bought the Honda 3000 and the next day I had the same concern as the original question here. How will I get the 135# unit out of the truck. I cancelled the order and bought the two EU2000I's for the same price and have 4000 watts. No regrets.

[dj3spots]

Now i'm wondering if my 2 Hondas, running parallel, will power my 50 amp Salem Hemisphere 346 QBUD. It's got 2 ACs. Be happy if the one 15000BTU would run. Any input on this?

[Dennis and Julie]

Originally Posted by dj3spots

Now i'm wondering if my 2 Hondas, running parallel, will power my 50 amp Salem Hemisphere 346 QBUD. It's got 2 ACs. Be happy if the one 15000BTU would run. Any input on this?

They won't run 2, should run one though.