Super quiet 3500 watt inverter generator

[wharfrat48]

Curious as to how campgrounds decide whether you generator is too loud for the park or not. Are all inverter generators allowed no matter the sound being generated? Or is there some decibel limit applied to all types of generators?

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by TowPro

I like my $100 "no questions asked" warantee on my harborfreight. You can just exchange it and buy another $100 warantee on the new one.

x2

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by wharfrat48

Curious as to how campgrounds decide whether you generator is too loud for the park or not. Are all inverter generators allowed no matter the sound being generated? Or is there some decibel limit applied to all types of generators?

Nearly all inverter generators meet campground noise levels. Nearly all open frame contractor-style generators violate it.
I believe most campgrounds have 60db limit but it could vary between campgrounds.
I've seen some rangers carry decibel meters.
Some national park campgrounds have generator loops and non-generator loops.

[frank4711]

Many good Generators ... I can only relate to my Predator, it sits and runs on hitch mount cargo carrier, several feet from our rear living area. When running lights/frig I can barely hear it , when A/C comes on I can hear it but still very quiet.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Case in point... I have a 3500w generator and my brother has two 2000w units. He seldom uses both unless air conditioning is needed. In the morning, I can fire up the coffee maker or toaster and never come off Eco. He cannot do the same when using one. It ramps up and runs full tilt drowning out the sound of mine idling along.

Smaller generators seldom run in Eco mode under any kind of substantial load.

When we are boondocking-->

In the morning I put my percolator pot on the stove and make my coffee in near silence....
Just sayin.... we run a roof fan and no AC unless it's really hot. I'm not about generators unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. I've even got a little 12v oscillating fan I can aim at the bed on a warm night.
Crickets and frogs trump generators no matter how quiet they claim to be.

[TowPro]

I agree Dan. Ended up having a motorhome pull in next to me in national park in OBX. She ran the generator the whole time from start to quiet hours and it was not that hot. It sucked.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by TowPro

I agree Dan. Ended up having a motorhome pull in next to me in national park in OBX. She ran the generator the whole time from start to quiet hours and it was not that hot. It sucked.

Yes!! The one's that get me the most pull in and set up and crank up the genny and AC and then drive away for the rest of the day!! ARGH!!!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by KyDan

When we are boondocking-->

In the morning I put my percolator pot on the stove and make my coffee in near silence....
Just sayin.... we run a roof fan and no AC unless it's really hot. I'm not about generators unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. I've even got a little 12v oscillating fan I can aim at the bed on a warm night.
Crickets and frogs trump generators no matter how quiet they claim to be.

I certainly wasn't implying there are not ways to do things and be quieter than a generator. hell... we often toast bread on the campfire and make breakfast sandwiches in pie irons. No electricity needed, no propane needed, no noise... and it doesn't even bother the crickets, frogs, skeeters, bears or gators... but there ARE times (late fall camping when it is 28º in the mornings comes to mind) that it is needed and I've found a larger geny will idle along when a smaller one screams.

[GoneSouth10]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Yes!! The one's that get me the most pull in and set up and crank up the genny and AC and then drive away for the rest of the day!! ARGH!!!

Or just as bad, crank up the genny, the AC and then sit inside and watch TV all day . . .

SMDH . . .

[youroo]

Originally Posted by wharfrat48

Curious as to how campgrounds decide whether you generator is too loud for the park or not. Are all inverter generators allowed no matter the sound being generated? Or is there some decibel limit applied to all types of generators?

How most RV Parks/Campgrounds decide about "Generators/Inverters" use is with the "Rules/Signs" posted and given at check in,NO GENERATORS! We have been to LOTS of Campgrounds and if they allow Generators during a certain time period I have never seen or heard of a DB Meter requirement to be met! We were at one Park/CG that had Pipeline Workers Temp living there and they used their "WELDERS" for power! Now lets talk "NOISE"! Youroo!!

[TowPro]

[QUOTE=youroo;2324190]

Originally Posted by wharfrat48

Curious as to how campgrounds decide whether you generator is too loud for the park or not.

they don't. first nobody can afford a dB meter that is accurate, plus you have to be trained in how to use it, and ISO requires expensive calibrations, nobody does it. plus what campground dude is going to walk up to someone with a generator hanging under there motor home (that came with it) and tell them "that is to loud". about the only thing I have seen them enforce where I go in OBX is Do not park on the grass, and generator after hours usage.


and there is people using open frame generators with 100' 12g cables, they put them 100' from there site (even if its only 25' from someone else) and sit there and drink. no way I would question them either.

[Cowracer]

Originally Posted by GoneSouth10

Or just as bad, crank up the genny, the AC and then sit inside and watch TV all day . . .

SMDH . . .

One should not judge how others camp, lest one gets judged themselves.

Tim

[GoneSouth10]

Originally Posted by Cowracer

One should not judge how others camp, lest one gets judged themselves.

Tim

Ha - true enough!! I am duly chastened . . .

[Mike134]

[QUOTE=TowPro;2324224]

Originally Posted by youroo

they don't. first nobody can afford a dB meter that is accurate, plus you have to be trained in how to use it, and ISO requires expensive calibrations, nobody does it.t

Try this link for a DB meter -/+2db

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/app.html

[OldJarHead]

I posted this back in August 2017 during a similar discussion.
—
I went through the cheaper Honda 3000is clone a few years ago and learned a valuable lesson.

I purchased Kipor 3000, which was basically a Honda 3000is, but only cost $750 or so with free shipping. It worked great the first time out. I thumbed my nose at my camping buddies that had spent $1799+ for those super quiet Hondas. Next time out, after a total of 60-hours including the initial trip, it failed. Engine was still running fine, but no power out. It wasn't in an overload state either. Took it to the dealer that had sold it to me for a warranty replacement, which would take a month or two. There was a Camping World nearby, so I purchased the 3000is for $1799. It was August in NC and it was 108 degrees at the campground. The new Honda worked great and I still use it to this day for rough camping. Never a problem with it. And it's truly super quiet.

The replacement Kipor finally showed up. I took it on the next boondock camping trip & it lasted 27-hours. This time it was the engine that failed. Luckily I had my Honda 3000is with me.

I ended up junking the 2nd Kipor as the 1-year warranty was done.

So, purchase what you want, but for me, I learned a lesson the hard way. You get what you pay for.

The HF generator only has a 90-day warranty as a unit, with a 2-year warranty on the "emissions control system of the engine" whatever that means.

Just saying...

BTW, my Honda 3000is has 1,334-hours on it and it's still running strong.
—

[Florida.Traveler]

bigmurph...

Your listed genset (Powerhorse 3500) is the same one I started this discussion with, thanks for confirming my findings of same

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by Florida.Traveler

bigmurph...

Your listed genset (Powerhorse 3500) is the same one I started this discussion with, thanks for confirming my findings of same

Says 108lbs shipping weight, you think about 95lbs when your tossing it into the back of a pickup?

[Toothpick]

I like my Champion 3100 with remote start.
Will start and run my AC even in economy mode.
At bedtime I just hit a button on the remote to shut it off. No need to get up and go outside.


EDIT: Wow!! I just saw the post about the Cummins 4500 WITH remote start!
Maybe time to upgrade!

[Swampy]

Originally Posted by Florida.Traveler

Just wanted to tell the group of a generator find I made after extensive search.
I was looking into the HARBOR FREIGHT PREDATOR "3500 Watt Super Quiet Inverter Generator". After reading and researching I found that the NORTHERN TOOL "Powerhorse Inverter Generator — 3500 Surge Watts, Model# LC3500i" was the SAME generator
There are 2 MAJOR DIFFERENCE between the Harbor freight & Northern tool genset.

• The Northern Tool Product was $699.00 while the Harbor Freight genset was $799.00 (749.00 on sale)

• "Both Vendors offer an 2 year limited warranty but with on huge difference. Northern Tool offers "in house repair" of the product while Harbor freight does not."

The product is VERY QUIET, I ran the new generator under 75% load and it hums.
This generator is perfect for my adventures dry camping, under the stars in Everglades National Park.
Hope this helps.

Florida.Traveler; I bought the HF Predator 3500 for $659 over 2 years ago and it has never failed to start on the first crank or pull. It is very quiet and very stable output. I saw the Powerhorse at Northern Tool but at the time they were selling them for $799. They are both HONDA clone Chinese engines and should provide many years of service with just minimal maintenance. I've been taking a bashing from all the Honda purists since I bought it, but I have enough cash left over from the Predator purchase to buy another for what the single Honda costs. Good luck with your Powerhorse ..... Swampy

[Rik in SoCAL]

Thanks Florida. All these retired MIT scientists missed the point of your recommendation. In your opinion, If you want a cheaper and somewhat quiet generator. You like the one you purchased.. for your consideration. Even Captain obvious knows you get what you pay for.