Help with picking generator

[qwkzotc]

Whichever you determine it generally makes less noise if it is an inverter type generator. Better for your electronics as well.
Another consideration is altitude. Both Honda and Champion have different jets for different altitudes. Champion sent me a high altitude jet for free. I had to go find them online for the Honda. I do have both so use the dual Honda(s) at lower altitude and the Champion 3100 gas at higher. Both setups seem comparable noise wise, even when running AC (need both Hondas to run AC). There are caveats on what you run simultaneously. I can't run microwave and AC at same time for instance. But microwave is a very rarely used item.

I am surprised at how much I have ended up using the AC. Without a good breeze my Puma 19L sitting out in the full sun starts getting toasty in the mid 80's, even at altitude.

Speaking of altitude, I hear that propane can be unpredictable as it gets colder.

The Hondas seem to be the same price everywhere, even when there are sales. The Champions can fluctuate. For instance Costco has the dual fuel online and on the shelf for 999. Factor in tax and any shipping costs. The gas only model (2800/3100) is only 699. As I said it runs my 13.5K AC just fine. A 5 gallon can of gas lasts a week + since quiet rules most places only let you run part time and I don't leave it running when away from the trailer. I'd say 6 hours a day, including evening TV.

Enjoy! Dan

[hbillsmith]

I have the Champ 3100 to which I added the extended run kit. Great combo.

[2Bushes]

This has been one of the best discussions on inverter generators. No "rocks thrown" and great information to make choices with. I especially liked the johntaylor review on the Champion. Thanks. Hershell

[mdstudey]

We just purchased the 3400/3100 Champion. We did a test run on it outside of the garage. Since it was closer to the open door I could hear it in the house. I think it all boils down to what is affordable to you. My brother runs with two of the Honda 2000iu. He likes that they are lighter in weight so if he is not using both, he has the lighter weight. Me, I am more economical and so is my husband. So we opted for the 3400/3100 with remote start. When I was trying to register the warranty, their website was all hinky. So I put it in the mail. I received an email from a gentleman from Champion noting that I was not able to register online. He asked for all of the information and pushed it through their system manually. That in itself speaks volumes in customer service. Now just to get the time to go out and use it.

[Lundy]

I am a former Honda owner until it died after 15 years, can't complain. I research and decided to go with the Champion inverter model. Paid $565.00 (Costco) delivered to my door a year ago. There is very little difference in the loudness over the Honda, I cannot tell them apart. For 1/4 the cost of a Honda powerful enough to run my AC I can live with it. My buddy has one with over 500 hours on his and neither of us has had any problems with the generators. I will never pay the Big Red royalty money again.

[captaindomon]

We love our Champion 75537i. Best feature for me is the remote control start, we just used some velcro to attach it to our control panel, and we can start and stop it as needed from inside the trailer. And at $800 ish it's hard to beat. We turn it on/off by the remote during the entire trip, and before we pack it up we turn off the gas valve and let it run dry until it dies, which evaporates the carburetor completely so we don't have gunk build-up issues. I have to admit the propane dual fuel was really tempting when I decided, but they didn't have a dual fuel with remote start so that is how I decided. As far as noise, I haven't done a side by side comparison but I agree with others that it is quiet with a deeper tone, instead of a high pitched tone, if that makes sense. The noise hasn't bothered me at all. Just a slight barely detectable rumbling in the background, like we are on the Enterprise D lol.

[JPSPete20]

I have the Champion and was concerned about noise. I carry the in the back of our F250 and simply plug in the 30 power cord from our trailer without unloading, or disconnecting, if it is a boondocking one night stop. I built a wooden box/cover that slips over the Gen. while traveling. One end of the box is open. I lined the rest with heavy carpet material. I position the box such that the Gen. exhausts into the box. The combination of the box and the truck bed cuts the noise significantly.

[aceinspp]

And the Boliy can also be had with extend fuel tank and remote start. Run time now passed 24 hrs. Later RJD

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by Swa1

Ok some facts before hand. I have been doing research for the past 3 months.(u tube , on line reads and a number comparisons. We have a new 2018 Mini lite with a 13,500 a/c .I put in two 6v batteries in for boon docking. This is my problem that i can not decide on. ( pulling my hair out).

1, Have it down to two generators Honda 2000i and a Champion 3400/3100 duel fuel.
2 Champion, like the duel fuel idea would not have to take gas can with us. It would also run the a/c. $1100.00 and will do all we need. Down fall the Generator is louder then the Honda. Watched Videos and could not come up with the correct answer for the noise. Some people say that they are loud and some say that they are real quit. Not real sure on long term quality.
3, Honda, has a great following. Will not run my a/c but will run everything else. Will have to bring gas can for fuel and cost $900.00 for one. I could get a second one and pair but that would be another 900.00 for a total of 1800.00 just to run the a/c. The lower sound level of all generators.
3, My question is, how loud is the Champion compared to Honda (like annoying other people and not used in state parks or National Parks) and is it worth $900.00 to buy the second Honda for a/c. We don't know how much we will use the a/c. Most of the time don't need it we camp in the mountains.The weight is not a issue with me Champion is 105 pounds and Honda about 49 Pounds. Any help would be great just don't know which way to go

I carry the Champion 3100/4000. Keep it in bed of truck with tail gate closed. Can barely hear it in camper. Have M/H around me with more noise. Not a problem. There is always some one who will always complain. Buy what you want/need and don't worry about it.

[rmac04401]

Originally Posted by JPSPete20

I have the Champion and was concerned about noise. I carry the in the back of our F250 and simply plug in the 30 power cord from our trailer without unloading, or disconnecting, if it is a boondocking one night stop. I built a wooden box/cover that slips over the Gen. while traveling. One end of the box is open. I lined the rest with heavy carpet material. I position the box such that the Gen. exhausts into the box. The combination of the box and the truck bed cuts the noise significantly.

Love to se picks of your set up.

[Swa1]

Thank you. Thank you. That's just the advice that i need from people that have had both . Thank you for the help. It looks like the Champion 3100/3400 duel fuel will be the pick . Thanks again for all the commented.

[gectisme]

Originally Posted by m35a2

Unless sound from the parallel generators is perfectly in sync, there will be a 3db increase.

Or if they are exactly 180 degrees out of sync, they will cancel each other out.


That's actually good info about the 3db increase, thanks.

[SailorSam20500]

One thing not mentioned, at least I didn't see it. There is a gizmo from Micro Air called an Easy Start. Lots of posts saying with one of these, a single Honda 2K will run your AC reliably. But not much else. The ES replaces the hard start capacitor in the AC unit. I think they run about $350.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

One thing not mentioned, at least I didn't see it. There is a gizmo from Micro Air called an Easy Start. Lots of posts saying with one of these, a single Honda 2K will run your AC reliably. But not much else. The ES replaces the hard start capacitor in the AC unit. I think they run about $350.

See here:

https://www.microair.net/collections...nt=30176048267

[Wagon21]

I use the champion 3100/2800 for the past two years primarily at college football tailgating. There are generators everywhere. In my experience the Honda 2000's even paralleled are really quiet vs the one champion I have. However, the champion is quiet enough and for the cost savings over Honda it was a no brainer.

[Dastagg]

I just recently bought two Honda 2000s for my Windjammer. They are so quiet, I can literally carry on a conversation standing right next to them and can talk with someone and hear them with no problem. Even running both of them at the same time, it doesn't sound any louder that I can tell but sure it is a little. Just listening, I can't tell the difference in one or both running. I love these things. They are quite expensive, but should hopefully last many, many years and can run one at a time for small things or both for running more in my trailer. I mounted both on my back bumper and they look great.