bfast54, you ask "Well, I don't know why running a genny at "Less than full load" is a problem, or issue?????????" Well, the issue comes from the Honda/Generator owners (not all mind you, just a few) who claim that these are the only games in town when it comes to quiet generators.
bfast54, would you tell us if you consider your unit as portable as say the 1000w or 2000w units, please?
But let's also consider why we have the generators to begin with.... to use with our RVs. You carry yours your way (lifting in and out), and I'll use mine my way (attached to the hitch). In both cases, we carry our generators with us to the sites in some way.
Look, I'm not knocking the Yamaha and Honda generators.
Yes, I am indeed getting what I paid for, a decent set up that handles my needs and is neighbor friendly noise-wise.
Would you be willing to agree that there is no single one-size-fits-all solution and let it go at that?
I am glad you brought up the portability issue.
I LIKE the fact that my EU3000is weighs about 150 lbs. You know why?????? It is less likely to "Grow feet" than a much smaller 1000, or 2000 Honda or Yamaha!!!!!!!!!
Mine is BOLTED into my truck bed, and I use a small CRANE (Harbor supply) to get it out (if I ever needed to, which I have not needed)
I did a test , with 2 EU2000, and MY EU3000 and mine is far less Noisy, than the 2-2000 's even when mine is NOT running on eco - throttle.
Put mine on eco-throttle, and the contest is not even close (just ask Kottfam6wi, who did the test with me) you needed to be ON TOP of my EU3000is, to be able to hear it over the 2-eu2000's.
As with everything, you may make your choice, depending on your need, and budget, or --- what you your self want.
Bottom line, there are "Inexpensive" gennys, which are FAR QUIETER than OPEN frame Construction genny's.
And there are higher end genny's --- Take for instance the SUPER quiet Honda 6000 genny, commonly used for car commercial shooting, etc................ These things are totally enclosed, and standing on top of them , they are REALLY Quiet...............However, I don't need the size, or cost .
So, we agree there are many way's to get "Portable" power, please leave the " Race track genny's" at the race track, and run Quiet ones, (if needed at all)around civilized folks.
1994 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel,3500,Dually (Oh YEA )
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Dixonmatco wrote: LOL.. And does anyone remember what the OP question was?
Yep, wanted recommendations on a 1500w or thereabouts generator that was not as pricey as a Honda or Yamaha (a 1000w generator would indeed do it if all he's going to do is recharge the battery and run small appliances, but we also know from experience of other posts that energy consumption will rise with time). He specifically asked about the 1500w Champion, and the answer is "yes, they're out there, but with another price" which has been discussed throughout the thread (noise unless abated, primarily).
Dixonmatco wrote:
BTW. LLeopold.. How much would it cost to reproduce the unit you built for your Champion? I mean parts and labor for someone not having the necessary skill or equipment to build it themselves?
How much does the overall assembly with generator weigh now?
As mentioned in the Tech Issues thread:
Total cost for the project: $784.00 (that puts out 30 amps and is quieter than the Honda e2000i) including the hitch receiver that was welded to my fifth wheel to accommodate the cargo carrier. I would probably do something similar if I purchased a Honda e3000is.
Since it was a hobby project, the cost of construction was $0, but I guess (and it's a swag) that one could have a soundboard lined plywood box built and painted and generator mounted into the carrier for around $150.00.
As to the weight, I'd guess that the whole thing, from generator to sound box and all that entails weighs in at around 160 lbs. My wife and I can pull it from the hitch receiver and put it onto bricks, so it can't weight too much more than that.
Lou Leopold
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel Quad, SWB, 3.55:1, Rhino Lining
2000 25' Mallard M-23 5M 5th Wheel
Husky 15K w/EZ slider
Wen PowerPro 3500 Generator in a sound box
And I continue to tent camp!
Thank you LLeopold, A very nice job on the mods. I have to do some beefing up on the frame and rear bumper to do what you did, but it will be worth it. I like the idea of just being able to open a hatch and give her a pull. My power cord comes out the back of the TT which makes it a nice bonus. Looks like a late fall project.
Don't like the view?? Then change it and Go Camping
cedarcamper wrote: I need to get a generator for my popup. I'm mostly interested in recharging the battery and maybe running a few small appliances (the biggest would be a small tv/dvd). I'd like it to be quiet and not too heavy. Any recommendations?
I've heard the Honda's great, but I just have a hard time spending that much. Do people like the Champion generators? Am I Ok with a 1500 W model?
Cedarcamper: After struggling with the same questions as you for over a year; I bought a slightly used Yamaha 1000 watt generator last week for $500. I acutally bought it from a guy here on this forum - he is upgrading to a Yamaha 2400 watt to run his A/C.
I had looked into converting my lights to LED (about $100) and getting a couple solar panels ($300) but that would barely work and only if I camped in an open field and on sunny days. I might need another $300 to $500 in solar panels.
I really think I an going to like this generator. I basically plan to use it to recharge the battery in my popup. We have a portable DVD player and a little LCD TV - I will run them off the batterey through an inverter.
I have heard alot of generators run while I have been shopping. I talk to everyone I see at the campgrounds. The Champions are alot quieter than the cantractor grade units - but the Honda and Yamaha inverter units are another major step in sound reduction.
You also might be able to find a used Honda or Yamaha for about the same price as one of the Champions.
it's amazing how irritated some people get when another person has a different opinion or take on the type of generator to recommend ..... some would say it is almost entertaining !! months ago my wife and i looked into what we wanted in a generator and recently we did purchase the one that works best for what we need. my only advise would be to take your time and do the research, and then shop around.
Love of my life,my daughter,my son, and me
Bailey our Golden Retriever
2000 Fleetwood Wilderness 26T
2003 Chevy Silverado 4X4
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cedarcamper you get what you paid for, if you camp alone (dry camp) your choice is probably ok, how-ever if you camp with others where gens are alowed other than quiet time, then not a good choice much too noisey, you wont make any friends. I use a yamaha 2400, very quiet, and will run my 13.5 AC even at close to 8000ft, just returned from yellowstone and had to try the gen at altitude.
Anyway, hope it works for you. I would rather not be parked next to one of the noisy gen sets.
Hi all, first I would like to say that, not everyone has apocket book that will alow them to get the quietest gen set, haveing said that, I am retired and donot have an unlimeted amount each month. I did make a desision that I didnot want to make fellow RV ers unhappy with my choices therefore I spent the extra $ and purchased a yamaha EF2400is and am very happy I spent the extra $'s.
If I were mostly boondocking with hardly anyone close then I may have made other choices. But I camp with friends even bondocking so I wanted to keep my friends...friends LOL
I put this out just as food for thought and not to make it sound like others choices are bad choices. Enjoy your RV trips.......
Wildwood TT wrote: Is a generator necessary if I never plan on boondocking my TT?
Not really. If you're going to have hookups you'll have power handy. We've boondocked for years without a generator... of course we were doing just long weekends and such. Any more than a few days and you'll see the battery start to drain.
We have a Honda EU2001i that we love.... it provides enough power to run our AS if we wanted but we carry it to charge the battery when we're on longer trips. Quiet, efficient and if you look you can find one for $850ish.
The answer is "It Depends". If quiet is important to you then get a Honda, Yamaha or another inverter generator. If quiet isn't as important, the next step is a Champion RV Ready generator. The very last is a "Contractor" generator. The inverters are pricey but quiet. The Champion creates a bit more noise, but not as much as the Contractor. The inverter costs quite a bit. The Champion doesn't. Beware, there are some people that don't seem to like the color yellow.
BTW, I have a Champion 3500/4000 RV Ready and I'd do it again.
Doug & Mary Ann Van Dusen and Phoebe (the dog)
2008 Chevy 1500 Silverado 5.3L LTZ 3.73, HD Trailer Pkg.
2008 JayFeather LGT 31E
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pdvandusen wrote: The answer is "It Depends". If quiet is important to you then get a Honda, Yamaha or another inverter generator. If quiet isn't as important, the next step is a Champion RV Ready generator. The very last is a "Contractor" generator. The inverters are pricey but quiet. The Champion creates a bit more noise, but not as much as the Contractor. The inverter costs quite a bit. The Champion doesn't. Beware, there are some people that don't seem to like the color yellow.
BTW, I have a Champion 3500/4000 RV Ready and I'd do it again.
I have about 6 hrs run time on mine and love it, AND no one has come up to complain to me about it. Hmmm could it be the large dog I have, or the sign that says complaint dept. one flight up?? (just kidding) ...
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