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11-02-2015, 10:58 PM
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#41
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 35
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X2 on the Honda. I would compare noise levels. The Honda models are really quiet.
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11-02-2015, 11:00 PM
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#42
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 394
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Inverter Generator
Quote:
Originally Posted by xtranicedeb
I always come here to get the BEST advice from the experts - you! We purchased a Forest River travel trailer new this summer but do not yet have a generator for tailgating, etc. What size do we need to run everything, including the AC? I do know we need an inverter generator for the noise. Any help you can give? Anywhere we could get a used one to mitigate the high cost?
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I know everyone has their own opinion. Here are my views having a lot of experience with generators. First you do not want the old fashion 3600RPM generator. You need an inverter generator if you plan to use it in public. My advice is to get either a Honda or a Yamaha and forget the other brands that are made in China. Don't be fooled by American sounding brands.
My brother thought he'd save money by buying a Generac generator in Home Depot. He told me it was made in the USA. Nope. Made in China and the thing couldn't power his A/C and finally quit working after 2 weeks. He took it back and bought a Yamaha and has been happy ever since.
Honda or Yamaha. Spend the money and do it right. Get the 3000 models and you'll be able to do what you want.
OldBob
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11-02-2015, 11:22 PM
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#43
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 45
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I bought a Lifan 3600. All the specs were equal to the Honda 3000is at the time. Found out after I took delivery the spec's were a little off! Maximum surge was 3200 watts with continuous of 2800-3000 at full speed. But, the good news it has worked well for me the past three years. I only use it to power the A/C and watch some TV. One big problem is, it's carbureted. So it gets fowled at high altitudes. The Lifan's are hard to find in the US anymore.
__________________
Chevy Silverado 1500 V8 5.3L DBL Cab
Apex 189FBS
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11-03-2015, 04:33 AM
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#44
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,839
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IMHO, a pair of paralleled 2000w inverter generators is the best choice.
if you won't need the a/c, then you only need to take one 50lb. generator.
you have options.
that would include Honda, Yamaha, Champion, Smarter Tools, Generac, Ryobi, Powerhouse, Kipor and Lifan models.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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11-03-2015, 05:54 PM
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#45
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Love RVing
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Seneca, SC
Posts: 38
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Champion 4000 electric remote start does a great job for under $600. I haul it in Cedar Creek Custom basement to run 15k heat pump. Have extra battery for C-PAP and charge with ginny.
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11-03-2015, 08:23 PM
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#46
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 2,005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boso
Honda or Yamaha are the quietest but if noise is not a factor buy you a cheap 4 thousand or 5 thousand watt that's what a lot of people use at race tracks
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Actually the Honda 2000 and the Champion 2000 have the same db rating at 23 feet (7 meters).
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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11-03-2015, 08:49 PM
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#47
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Retired Electronic Tech
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 40
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Quoted from the bottom of the 'Honda Quiet DB Chart':
"Noise levels at rated load to reflect maximum noise level possible, measured at 9 Feet (3 Meters) from the control panel side of the generator".
http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/super-quiet
One must remember that DB vs noise level isn't linear.
"While every 6 dB SPL represents a doubling of amplitude, a rule-of-thumb is that every 10 dB increase is a doubling of perceived loudness"
__________________
RV History:Mid 1960’s Coachmen PU Camper;
1969 Dreamer PU Camper; Early 1970’s Bonanza TT;
1972 Argosy TT; 1987 Holiday Alumilite TT;
1995 Cobra Monterey MH; 2000 Monaco-HR MH;
2006 Montana Mountaineer FW;
2016/2019 Flagstaff Micro Lite TT; 2010 Chevy 1500
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11-03-2015, 11:04 PM
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#48
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Retired Electronic Tech
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 40
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More data:
Honda's Advertised Specs:
53 dB(A), 0% Load, Measured at 9 ft.
59 dB(A), 100% Load, Measured at 9 ft.
Champion's Advertised Specs:
53 dB(A), 0% Load, Measured at 23 ft.
65 dB(A), 100% Load, Measured at 23 ft.
Champion's Advertising states: "As a rule of thumb, the noise level decreases 6 dB when the distance from the source is doubled." That would put Honda's 100% Load noise level at approximately 50 dB(A) at 23 ft vs Champion's 65 dB(A). If one can assume both advertisements are true, Honda is clearly the 'quietest animal'.
__________________
RV History:Mid 1960’s Coachmen PU Camper;
1969 Dreamer PU Camper; Early 1970’s Bonanza TT;
1972 Argosy TT; 1987 Holiday Alumilite TT;
1995 Cobra Monterey MH; 2000 Monaco-HR MH;
2006 Montana Mountaineer FW;
2016/2019 Flagstaff Micro Lite TT; 2010 Chevy 1500
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11-03-2015, 11:25 PM
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#49
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 2,005
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According to these home pages they both have the same rating.
Champion Home Page - db at 23 feet (7 meters) - 53db
2000W Inverter Generator - Champion Power Equipment
Honda Home Page - db at 7 meters (23 feet) - 53db
Honda Canada
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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11-03-2015, 11:57 PM
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#50
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: North East Ohio
Posts: 148
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I bought the 3100W Powerhouse gen when I bought my TT because it was inexpensive at $1,000 and can easily power our 13.5K AC. Auto start is nice too. Down side is that it's heavy and takes two people to get it in or out of the truck. After camping for a couple of years decided to buy a (cheap) Powerhorse 2000W. It is enough to keep the battery charged when dry docked and the wife can still use her small hairdryer with it. Not as quiet as a Honda but only cost $599 with free shipping from Northern tool. I prefer the 2KW cause it only weighs 65lbs and I can load/unload it by myself. Takes less space in truck too. Can add a companion to it for 4000W also.
We found that we don't use the genny that much, mostly just to keep battery charged so a single 2K works for us.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
2020 ROCKWOOD Ultra-Lite RLT2608BS
2015 RAM 2500 4X4, 6.4l hemi, 6sp auto, 3:73 diffs
Equalizer 10,000lb hitch with 1K bars
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11-04-2015, 12:09 AM
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#51
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Retired Electronic Tech
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boondocking
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We need to compare apples to apples. That Honda apparently is the Canadian version (eu2000iTC), not the eu2000i. In addition, it doesn't say "7 meters" ... it says "1.5 Meters (< 5 ft) TO 7 Meters", with two asterisks for which I don't see any clear explanation. The US version clearly states 9 feet.
The Champion's noise rating your link shows is 'no load'. Here's the Champion's White-Page data sheet:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...AUHTNvJMOaxgQQ
__________________
RV History:Mid 1960’s Coachmen PU Camper;
1969 Dreamer PU Camper; Early 1970’s Bonanza TT;
1972 Argosy TT; 1987 Holiday Alumilite TT;
1995 Cobra Monterey MH; 2000 Monaco-HR MH;
2006 Montana Mountaineer FW;
2016/2019 Flagstaff Micro Lite TT; 2010 Chevy 1500
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11-04-2015, 01:34 AM
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#52
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xtranicedeb
I always come here to get the BEST advice from the experts - you! We purchased a Forest River travel trailer new this summer but do not yet have a generator for tailgating, etc. What size do we need to run everything, including the AC? I do know we need an inverter generator for the noise. Any help you can give? Anywhere we could get a used one to mitigate the high cost?
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Been running Boliy generator for 4 years now and all I do is change oil every 50 hours and add gas to it. It has been 100% reliable and is a great efficient and quiet generator. Best $1000 I spent and I laugh everytime I see a Honda 3000 generator that costs 2.5 times more.
Got mine from www.bottomlinetrading.com
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11-04-2015, 09:29 AM
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#53
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 2,005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredtechnician
We need to compare apples to apples. That Honda apparently is the Canadian version (eu2000iTC), not the eu2000i. In addition, it doesn't say "7 meters" ... it says "1.5 Meters (< 5 ft) TO 7 Meters", with two asterisks for which I don't see any clear explanation. The US version clearly states 9 feet.
The Champion's noise rating your link shows is 'no load'. Here's the Champion's White-Page data sheet:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...AUHTNvJMOaxgQQ |
Apples to Apples.....
What ever ! 
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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11-04-2015, 10:35 AM
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#54
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 63
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I recently bought my Champion 3100 inverter genny for $525 shipped to the door. It powers my 2015 Avenger with 13.5k a/c, refridgerator, and any accessories without an issue. Now, IF I am running all the above and turn on the microwave it WILL RUN IT but the overload light comes on. I let it run 30 seconds and it never kicked the genny off but i don't recommend this. It takes no time to clicks the ac off, use the microwave, and click the ac back on. Mine weighs about 90lbs with fuel and is super quiet, even has an econo mode button for quieter operation. I can click my econo mode on while the ac and fridge are running without any overload lights coming on. I can carry on a normal level conversation within 2 feet of my genny as well. Only uses about 1.5 gallons in 6-8 hours of your not running much stuff on it. I didn't wanna spend $2500 on a 3k watt Honda so this seems my best choice. Best of luck to you.
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11-04-2015, 12:01 PM
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#55
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 925
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boondocking
Actually the Honda 2000 and the Champion 2000 have the same db rating at 23 feet (7 meters).
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That is not true. I own a 4000 watt Champion for use at the house and it is at least 4 times louder than my 3000 watt Honda. The other thing is the cheaper gens do not hold up. Got one season out of the champion and it now sites at my son-in-laws waiting to get repaired. It is two years old and he is complaining he is having trouble getting parts? I don't understand that.
There are threads on here telling of stories where they had trouble with cheaper gens and replaced them. After buying a couple of the cheap ones they broke down and bought a Honda or Yamaha and haven't had any problems sense. I was always told that with electrical equipment you get what you pay for and I do believe that.
Not real worried about the Champion because when I lose power at the house I move into the 5er now. The only reason I bug him about it is it will run the house furnace and I won't have to worry about freezing pipes. Will still move to the 5er.
Jim
__________________
07 Dodge 1500 crew cab with 20" wheels, 08 Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra-lite 8280SS
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
George Bernard Shaw
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11-04-2015, 12:13 PM
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#56
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 63
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Ultimately it depends on your budget. If you can afford a Honda then buy a Honda, if you can't afford one then my vote is a champion. You said you won't use a lot so just be sure to keep the maintenance up (oil change, stabil in the fuel, etc) and I think you will be fine. Just my .02 cents
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11-04-2015, 12:28 PM
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#57
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 925
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhino_160
Ultimately it depends on your budget. If you can afford a Honda then buy a Honda, if you can't afford one then my vote is a champion. You said you won't use a lot so just be sure to keep the maintenance up (oil change, stabil in the fuel, etc) and I think you will be fine. Just my .02 cents
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I agree with everyone about the maintained but want to add one thing. I see it mentioned the oil gets changed after so many hours. Sometimes I won't put many hours on mine in one season. I would suggest doing the oil every year even if you do not run it at all. There may be a year when I only run it for 2 hours, 1/2 hour every 3 months, to test and keep the battery up. Still going to change oil every year so I don't have to worry about condensation.
Jim
__________________
07 Dodge 1500 crew cab with 20" wheels, 08 Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra-lite 8280SS
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
George Bernard Shaw
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11-04-2015, 05:37 PM
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#58
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 2,005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boondocking
 "Actually the Honda 2000 and the Champion 2000 have the same db rating at 23 feet (7 meters)."
Quote :
Originally Posted by oldtool2
"That is not true. I own a 4000 watt Champion for use at the house and it is at least 4 times louder than my 3000 watt Honda."
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I believe you that it is 4 times louder, seeing as the Champion 4000 is an open frame contractor generator and the Honda 3000 is an inverter generator. Plus neither one of them is a 2000 watt that I was talking about.
Anyway my neighbor and I compared his "Canadian" Honda 2000 to my Champion 2000. We both agreed that you would need a db meter to tell if one was louder than the other.
I'm happy with mine and he is happy with his, that's all that matters.
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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11-04-2015, 06:46 PM
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#59
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Retired Electronic Tech
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boondocking
Quote:
[/I]I believe you that it is 4 times louder, seeing as the Champion 4000 is an open frame contractor generator and the Honda 3000 is an inverter generator. Plus neither one of them is a 2000 watt that I was talking about.
Anyway my neighbor and I compared his "Canadian" Honda 2000 to my Champion 2000. We both agreed that you would need a db meter to tell if one was louder than the other.
I'm happy with mine and he is happy with his, that's all that matters.
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You're absolutely correct, what is right for someone else isn't necessarily right for you. I didn't dispute which is the best, I disputed that both units have the same advertised noise level specs ... they don't. I'm sorry if I upset you; but being a retired 'Industrial Electronic Test Technician', I work off of data and formulas that have to add up.
The Champion just might be the 'best bang for the buck' ... enjoy.
__________________
RV History:Mid 1960’s Coachmen PU Camper;
1969 Dreamer PU Camper; Early 1970’s Bonanza TT;
1972 Argosy TT; 1987 Holiday Alumilite TT;
1995 Cobra Monterey MH; 2000 Monaco-HR MH;
2006 Montana Mountaineer FW;
2016/2019 Flagstaff Micro Lite TT; 2010 Chevy 1500
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11-04-2015, 07:35 PM
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#60
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 2,005
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I wasn't upset, I was just stating what the two home pages said about the db ratings. Honda - 59db at 1.5 meters / 53db at 7 meters and Champion 53db at 23 feet (22.9 meters).
Funny how different web pages have different ratings. Honda for example, one web page will say 53db at 9 feet and another web page will say 53db at 23 feet.
I think they all need to get their sh_t together. 
Not to worry, it's all good.
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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