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Old 01-18-2020, 08:53 PM   #1
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Who hates their generator?

We’re in the market for a quiet portable inverter generator system for our travel trailer. The best I can tell, they’re all pretty good. Some are OMG expensive and some are pretty dang affordable. I’ve read lots of threads trying to sort it all out. Rather than ask which one to buy I’m looking for horror stories so maybe I can narrow down the list. Thanks y’all!

P.S. Since you’ll eventually ask, I want two hooked together to give me 30 amps during the summer. During cooler weather when air conditioning might not be needed I’d rather just take one with us. And lifting a single 100 lb. unit isn’t an option for us.
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Old 01-18-2020, 09:11 PM   #2
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Ok. Strap in for all the opinions- now I have 2 Honda’s and they are great as I stole one off of Craig’s list and parts are available.

Now this is an excellent value and their customer service is great!

https://supergenproducts.com/catalog...000w-inverters

We only take one unit with us but if we fear it will be too hot we bring both. Nice if you only have to lift 50 lbs.
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Old 01-18-2020, 09:29 PM   #3
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I got a barely used Honda 2000i of Craigslist, for $650. I love it but if I were in the market, I'd go for the pair of Champion 2000w inverter generators.
You can find refurbished units out there for less money.
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Old 01-18-2020, 10:46 PM   #4
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There may come a day when you want to sell them or trade. Get the Honda's. Money well spent.
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Old 01-18-2020, 10:47 PM   #5
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Honestly, I hated my Honda 2000 generators. I had 2 of them- a regular and a Companion model.

For everyone who said they were “whisper quiet” and “couldn’t even tell it was running” must have been running them at Eco idle with no load. Ramp up a strong battery charger, A/C, or microwave and they were loud.

I never got used to the noise of them. Maybe I wasn’t running them far enough away (we were always in close quarters when boondocking).

Give me my built-in Onan 5500 any day. Even running 2 air conditioners it’s quieter feeling, inside and out.

But for portables, I’d likely size a single one as large as I could and hope that the lower load vs capacity would let it run quieter.
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Old 01-18-2020, 10:48 PM   #6
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I hate running a generator. That's why it stays home. 700W of solar and 2 100AH lithium batteries here.
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Old 01-18-2020, 11:22 PM   #7
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My Onan 4000 is definitely noisier than than the two Honda 2000 units. Also, the Onan, although very capable and reliable, is a gas hog. ½ gallon per hour adds up to 12 gallons a day. I ran the Honda’s last summer for eight days without shutting down (90 degrees plus every day) and total fuel consumption was about 20 gallons. And, if I’m inside with the air conditioning on there is absolutely zero generator noise.
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Old 01-18-2020, 11:27 PM   #8
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I know you said you didn't want to lift 100 lbs but I love our Powerhorse 3500. I looked at getting 2 2000 watt gens but I felt like they were too loud when a full load was applied. I know they all have about the same sound rating but they sound different when they are running at full load. My neighbor has a 2000 watt Honda and it is quieter than my 3500 with no load. As soon as they are both loaded, his Honda is much louder.
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Old 01-18-2020, 11:29 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emm-dee View Post
My Onan 4000 is definitely noisier than than the two Honda 2000 units. Also, the Onan, although very capable and reliable, is a gas hog. ½ gallon per hour adds up to 12 gallons a day. I ran the Honda’s last summer for eight days without shutting down (90 degrees plus every day) and total fuel consumption was about 20 gallons. And, if I’m inside with the air conditioning on there is absolutely zero generator noise.
You’re spot on about fuel consumption.

But the noise perspective is interesting. I like how we all have different and sometimes opposite takes on things! Keeps life interesting, that’s for sure!
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Old 01-18-2020, 11:48 PM   #10
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Love them or hate them, Hondas are the gold standard. That's why every other generator is compared to them.
Mine are 13 years old and get run a lot as we mainly boondock. Others in our group buy cheaper models and have had 5 or 6 different generators in the same time frame.
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Old 01-19-2020, 03:52 AM   #11
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I run a firman 3300 watt inverter generator. Used it 15 days on less than 25 gallons of gas for about 14 hours a day running the AC unit that was equipped with the micro air easy start so the generator could run and start the AC while eco mode was turned on so the generator did not have to run full throttle all the time. In fact it never really ran full throttle it will bump up a little when the AC comes on and then settle to about a quarter throttle when ac is running.
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Old 01-19-2020, 07:46 AM   #12
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I feel my harbor freight 3500 inverter is quieter than my Honda 2k when running the AC on my truck camper. Now my new MH has 15k ac and Honda will not start it. I carry it in a trailer and the 3500 has wheels.
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Old 01-19-2020, 01:58 PM   #13
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I run a single Firman 3200/2900 dual fuel. Reasonably quiet but the best thing is I have always used it with propane so when I store it in the pass thru compartment under the bedroom by rolling it up my truck ramps there is zero lingering smell with no possibility of gasoline fumes in the trailer. Fuel consumption is minimal when using a 30lb bottle. As it’s propane I always have lots on hand.
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Old 01-19-2020, 02:49 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NMWildcat View Post
Love them or hate them, Hondas are the gold standard. That's why every other generator is compared to them.
Mine are 13 years old and get run a lot as we mainly boondock. Others in our group buy cheaper models and have had 5 or 6 different generators in the same time frame.

The old adage "You get what you pay for!" holds true more often than not.
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Old 01-19-2020, 02:59 PM   #15
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One comment on the Harbor Freight inverter generators. The 3500w version has just a little higher decibel rating than the comparable Honda 3000i.
BUT their 2000w inverter generator is quite louder than the comparable Honda 2000i.
If I was buying, I'd have no problem with the 3500w one but not the 2000w one.
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Old 01-19-2020, 03:21 PM   #16
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I’ve found that if I’m running both Hondas, powering my 15k air conditioner (with Easy Start), the noise level is very acceptable. However, if I shut down one of the Hondas the a/c keeps operating normally but the noise level from the single generator is noticeably higher than running with two.
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Old 01-19-2020, 03:31 PM   #17
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We installed the Micro-air Easy Start (under $300) which allows only having to purchase, maintain & carry one Honda 2200. This was an easy install (u-tube videos help & it works great. This generator is very quiet, but if you need make it quieter try making a box to cover it. Leave one end open & make it so there is at least one foot clearance around the gen. I made mine to break down to 4 pieces for transport. There are 3 D rings attached on the outside for tent stakes.

https://www.microair.net/collections...nt=30176048267
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Old 01-19-2020, 03:59 PM   #18
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Had a Generac 4000 watt. Good generator but loud. Bought. 3000 W Honda. Best thing we ever bought.
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Old 01-19-2020, 04:04 PM   #19
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Check out the new iGEN4500 before you buy anything

Over the years I've had Generac, Honda 2000 paired, Boliy, Yamaha, Champion, and now the best of the rest, the Westinghouse iGEN4500. SUPER quiet, well priced ($949 delivered), 3 years warranty, set up for the 30AM RV plug, and if you need it (I have found I do not, even though I have a 38' 5th wheel, 50 AMP) you can pair it for a 9000 watt surge power plant. 107 pounds on wheels and fits under my pickup bed cover. Just my thoughts on the subject, just saying. SteveG
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Old 01-19-2020, 04:48 PM   #20
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We also have the Westinghouse I4500 - quiet, and does a good job
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