Generators

[doc73]

Have a Briggs and Stratton 5500 I converted to tri fuel for the home backup... It is loud! But I am in my home without power otherwise so I live....

I have two Honda EU2000's for the RV I can run in parallel for the extra juice of the A/C if needed. I generally just run the run for everyday needs. I either run them in my bed (covered with a soft topper / cap) or on the back cargo basket of the TT. Noise does not bother me, I do not even hear them they are so quiet.

[ironj]

Originally Posted by Bamaman

I was intending to spend $2222 for a Yamaha 3000ISHb, which is an inverter generator that can run 10 seconds @ 3500 watts and 10 minutes at 3000 watts before settling in at 2800 watts. It's specifically for RV's and will run an a/c.

But after reading all the really nice things about Champion, I changed my mind. Not only are they a very competitive product, the company is very customer driven and their service is great. Cannot say that about many Chinese companies.

Champion's 3500 watt units are in the $315 price range. 4000 watt rv generator is $359. But their 3100 watt inverter generator designed to compete with the EU3000 Honda is about $975 online. The cheapest place to buy it is Overstock.com @ $828. Overstock often gives 10% discounts to new customers, too.

That's the best deal going.

So did u buy the 3100?..as many know ive been a champ fan for many many years (starting over on the original champ thread on rv.net)...

They have their pros and cons but their cs is second to none in my opinion....I have 3 of the 2000inverters!! And i would ONLY own champ products if they offered a unit that could compete with the honda 6500...that thing is in a league of its own...power for days AND quiet. ...but like half a ton!!...I find 4000 watts is ALMOST enough and 6500 is a little overkill...

Id consider a single 3100 with remote start over the twin 2000s...I really...REALLY like remote start...

[Bamaman]

I'm waiting for my new fifth wheel trailer to come in any day. After the initial delivery and changing to Bridgestone R250's, my wife wants me to immediately buy the generator.

We're going to leave the trailer in East Tennessee for awhile--to get any bugs worked out under warranty. There are a number of great government campgrounds without electrical hookups in The National Park and on top of the mountain on the Foothills Parkway.

And you're right about the remote start being a great thing--especially in middle of the night.

[carolinacamper1]

for what it's worth...I have the Honda 6500 inverter generator and love it. My brother and a close friend both have the Honda 3000 inverter generator. What we noticed on our last camping trip was that the 6500 was quitter than the 3000 with the same load applied. It wasn't a night and day difference but you could tell the difference. The negative part for the 6500 is the weight and the cost. On the weight issue I installed two more wheel on the 6500 where it only had feet on one end. That made it possible to move it w/o lifting so that I can load it into the basement of our 5th wheel by myself. Two of us can push it up the ramps or by myself I use a small electric winch that plugs into the AC outlet in the basement. On the $ issue, well I haven't found a work around on that yet! lol But that sucker will run both AC's, the microwave, the electric fireplace or whatever we want to use and does it with very little gas by using the ECO feature. It's a nice generator but there are others that I've seen that impressed me too.

[micalo]

Here in Montreal Canada, champ gen 3100 at Cotsco go for 799.00$. Maybe check that out.
Mike

[Kuba]

Have a Champ 2200 inverter genny, love it!!! Quiet too.

[Bamaman]

Costco right now has a bunch of generators that are larger--too expensive to run for most RV users.

The Champion 3100 inverter generator is especially attractive @ $828. Sometimes they'll offer 10% off to a new customer.

Champion Power Equipment 3100-watt Portable Gas Inverter Generator | Overstock.com Shopping - The Best Prices on Champion CARB Approved Generators

[Kuba]

The 3100, is that tje one that has a remote starter feature?

[Bamaman]

Right. And you can get another 10% off by being a new Overstock.com customer--bringing it down to $745--a bargain.

You might have to go to another internet site to get the starter relay and fob., etc.

[MotocrossCamper]

I have 2, my champion that is cheap and a great genny runs all day in the heat powering the AC. I figured if it blew up it was easy to replace. After 3 years it still runs like new.

If your looking for honda/yamaha quality for a lower price, go with the Polaris. My 3000 is outstanding and it runs longer on a tank of gas then the Hondas. Because it burns so clean and is so quiet I can keep in in the camper compartment and run it at night.

[doc73]

I hope you do not mean your living areas... if so the carbon monoxide will make sure you do not wake up one morning. All gasoline engines produce this no matter how clean they burn...

If it is in a gene compartment made for this ignore the above!

[MotocrossCamper]

Originally Posted by doc73

I hope you do not mean your living areas... if so the carbon monoxide will make sure you do not wake up one morning. All gasoline engines produce this no matter how clean they burn...

If it is in a gene compartment made for this ignore the above!

Sorry, I should have explained that better. We bought a 5th wheel Toyhauler to see if we like it better then the Mororhome and the original genny was bad. We put the Polaris in the front compartment meant for it. My only concern was that the exhaust was just pointing out the front and not routed underneath as the original one was. I put I digital CO2 detector in the compartment with the genny and all is good. Inside the compartment it only gets to 10 ppm.

[doc73]

Ok. That is what I was hoping, but yet people still die every year around here when they run the generator in their basements when their power is out so you never know!

[Taranwanderer]

So does anyone have a real world report on the Champion 3100 inverter? True sine wave, 3100w max, 2800 cont, 58db. Anyone have any negative experience with it? I can't see the downside to this genny...?

[Kuba]

That's next on my list

[Taranwanderer]

Ordered!

[grubbster]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

So does anyone have a real world report on the Champion 3100 inverter? True sine wave, 3100w max, 2800 cont, 58db. Anyone have any negative experience with it? I can't see the downside to this genny...?

I have had one for a couple of months. I have used it a few times but I have only ran the AC for a short period of time to test it. So far I have no complaints with the unit. Has always started on the first pull and runs without issue. Relatively quite. The RV outlet on the front is great to be able to plug in the camper without an adapter. I could lift it into the back of my 1500 pickup but upgraded to a 2500. Now I can still get it up there but it is much easier with someone helping.

[ironj]

What size a/c and what were ambient temps??....

At nearly 4000ft and at 90+ ambient the power loss from max stated is significant!!.. 4% per 1000ft over sea and another 1-2% for every 10 degrees over like 80..

Champ has been very fort coming and timley in replies regarding derating their gennys...honda however (which I also own) has been vague in replies and slow to reply if/when they do....

Both are great units and perform flawlessly....and I can better choose which unit to run based on my needs and environment.

[ironj]

Originally Posted by mikegp1

I saw one at Lowes. I believe it was a champion. 4kw with a 30amp Rv outlet. Doing simple math would power ac. It says 68db which is not more then a Honda. And only 300. I am thinking about buying one. I need it for twice a year at the race track since my generator is now permanently mounted in the race trailer.

The champ is way louder than a honda or even a similar branded 2000 inverter....

At a race track I would run the 4000 tho as I doubt noise will be of any concern.....they are fine units, for situations like that....especially if u want to run an a/c ..a smaller one MAY do it, but not on eco mode and not without some work!..even the smaller ones are pretty loud when u wack em with a significant load and they throttle way up..

[Taranwanderer]

It's here...

Didn't get to take it out and fill it, start it, and run it yet. It's killing me... Report to be forthcoming...