Champion 4650 inverter generator

[Bluetick1955]

Any reviews on this? Lowes has for 779

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by Bluetick1955

Any reviews on this? Lowes has for 779

Looks too new to have any real world reviews. First time I've seen it. IMHO it's starting to look a little noisy at 61 dBA compared to Honda's 3000i at 50 - 57 dBA or Predator 3500 at 57 dBA.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Bluetick1955

Any reviews on this? Lowes has for 779

Please provide a link to this generator.
If it is rated at 61db, I don't consider that as "quiet" for an inverter generator. The Honda 3000i is rated for 52 or 53db, which is as quiet as inverter generators can get.
That Champion is almost 10db louder, which in a logarithmic scale, is way louder. And I'm a fan and owner of Champion products.

[TitanMike]

I personally would pass on this unit based on noise alone.

Instead I'd opt for two Champion 2500 watt inverter generators and a parallel kit. Only 53 Dba.

if your RV only has 30 amp service then you really won't benefit from the higher output. If you do have 50 amp service the two 2500 Watt units will provide both MORE power and the parallel kit will very likely have a 50 amp receptacle. The 4650 is only 30 amp.

Advantage of running two smaller units is that you don't have to run them both at the same time. If only charging batteries or running the microwave occasionally run one and save fuel.

Did I mention less weight to lift at one time?

[Bluetick1955]

Not going to spend $ for Honda. Still leery of Predator. Is the diff of 57Dba to 61 that great?


Charts show normal conversation is 60-70 dba

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by Bluetick1955

Not going to spend $ for Honda. Still leery of Predator. Is the diff of 57Dba to 61 that great?


Charts show normal conversation is 60-70 dba

Me either. That's why I went with Predator. They have pretty much worked out the engine surging issue they had a couple years ago. I like mine, starts usually on the second pull. It has electric start but, I think the cheap battery is the issue. I'm going to invest in a premium AGM for it and see.

I don't understand the algorithm of the dBA scale but, I've heard that there is a significant difference in even 1 point.

[Bluetick1955]

Originally Posted by rracer5

Me either. That's why I went with Predator. They have pretty much worked out the engine surging issue they had a couple years ago. I like mine, starts usually on the second pull. It has electric start but, I think the cheap battery is the issue. I'm going to invest in a premium AGM for it and see.

I don't understand the algorithm of the dBA scale but, I've heard that there is a significant difference in even 1 point.

I have 15k AC will predator run?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Bluetick1955

I have 15k AC will predator run?

What size Predator are you asking about?

You'll need at least their 3500w model (or larger) or two smaller ones paralleled.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by 5picker

What size Predator are you asking about?

You'll need at least their 3500w model (or larger) or two smaller ones paralleled.

Well.... I made it work on a Honda 2000 generator without any kind of soft starts. I just had to turn off all of the other breakers in the camper AND the generator flashed "overload" at times.

But it worked. I mean, I did add a second generator pretty quickly.

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by Bluetick1955

I have 15k AC will predator run?

Originally Posted by 5picker

What size Predator are you asking about?

You'll need at least their 3500w model (or larger) or two smaller ones paralleled.

Yes. The Predator 3500 will run a 15k A/C....I've done it, along with Tv's, satellite receivers, surround sound, residential fridge, lights etc. during a summer storm power outage.

I wouldn't try the microwave or another A/C though. Micro would be OK if you turned off the A/C first.

[NMWildcat]

I understand why some folks won't spend the $$$ on Hondas. But to others, it is worth it. Mine are now 14 years old and get used a lot.
From friend's experiences in my camping group, Predator is the last generator I would consider.
Champion would be my second choice after Honda. Just ensure it's a quiet inverter.
Also be aware most brands, other than Honda, do NOT have a fuel pump, so hooking up extended run tanks becomes a project.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Also be aware most brands, other than Honda, do NOT have a fuel pump, so hooking up extended run tanks becomes a project.

For the record, the Honda fuel pump can be rather easily added to generator engines not equipped with one from the factory. The Honda pump is a diaphragm type pump operated by "pressure pulses" from the crankcase and cost less than $20 on Amazon.

Go-Cart racers have been adding these for years to their 4-stroke engines and there are plenty of YouTube videos showing how.

Add the pump and a 3-way valve for a fraction of the cost difference in generators.

Just saying.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

For the record, the Honda fuel pump can be rather easily added to generator engines not equipped with one from the factory. The Honda pump is a diaphragm type pump operated by "pressure pulses" from the crankcase and cost less than $20 on Amazon.

Go-Cart racers have been adding these for years to their 4-stroke engines and there are plenty of YouTube videos showing how.

Add the pump and a 3-way valve for a fraction of the cost difference in generators.

Just saying.

Interesting. I'll have to let my Honda-less friends know about this and see if one of them wants to experiment with this project It does amaze me how many folks buy a nurse tank for their generator and are surprised when it doesn't work......... which is why I usually mention it. Plus I'm a Honda snob

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Interesting. I'll have to let my Honda-less friends know about this and see if one of them wants to experiment with this project It does amaze me how many folks buy a nurse tank for their generator and are surprised when it doesn't work......... which is why I usually mention it. Plus I'm a Honda snob

Here's one video showing it being added to a go-cart 4-stroke engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXrEOufWUqs

The key is routing the pressure/vacuum pulses from the crankcase to the pump. One is to drill and tap the crankcase in a location that the splashed oil doesn't flood the pump and the other is to make the tap in the rocker cover, behind a baffle.

Every engine has it's own "best way" but most are pretty much clones of Honda engines so very doable.

In the video the guy's purpose was to improve fuel flow to the carb but same principle applies when trying to draw fuel from a reserve tank.

On my dual fuel Champion adding the 3-way fuel valve might be problematic but if i want long run times I can just "Parallel" a couple propane tanks and get up to 30 hours run time (before hitting the onboard tank(s)) and still have another 10 hours in the gasoline tank.


BTW, and for the record-----I own a Honda Lawnmower.