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07-15-2018, 07:22 AM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,996
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New generator review information
I just ran across this recent (July 13) article that reviews several of the most popular generators for RV use. One issue that I've always had doubts about is the noise level reporting. It seems that all the generator manufacturers choose which dB level to report based on the unit's performance. Some are reported in ECO mode with no load, other's in ECO mode with a 25% or 50% load and some in RUN with a 25% load. Seldom are generators that are "in direct competition" rated side by side. This article changes that somewhat. It rates the dB level in ECO with no load and in ECO with a 1500 watt load. Surprisingly, Champion does better than Honda under load while Honda is quieter with no load. Who among us runs our generator with no load?
Anyway, here's the article, I found it very interesting and maybe it will provide some worthwhile information to those who are currently considering a generator for their RV.
https://mozaw.com/quiet-rv-generator/
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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07-15-2018, 10:21 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,752
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Sound level at no load. That's like reporting the sound level of a car in park ideling. Useless.
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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07-16-2018, 04:29 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Central
Posts: 63
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Nice! Thanks for posting!
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07-16-2018, 04:40 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Hilton Head Island
Posts: 78
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Just bought one of those Champion Dual Fuel generators, mainly because it has a 30 amp RV outlet, secondly the dual fuel option. Have not done a Consumer Reports type test yet, but it runs very quiet when running my RV A/C, microwave, both TV’s, and all lights, while using LP as the fuel source. It is rated for 10.5 hours at 50% load on a 20lb LP tank.
It runs quieter at full load than my wife’s snoring at no load!
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07-16-2018, 07:51 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 187
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I wish they had gone further and included some non name brand units. I'm fully aware it can be hit or miss with Harbor Freight, but we are very happy with our Predator 3500 watt inverter generator which has a listed sound rating of 57 dB. It runs smoothly under a load and is very quiet just one campsite away so I don't feel bad when it's running. It has a notched metal disc on one wheel used for locking and that rattles, so I just jam something between the tire and that disc. After a bit we don't even notice it outside and can hardly hear it when inside.
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07-16-2018, 07:58 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 187
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The 57 dB rating is at 23 feet with a 25% load. I just watched a YouTube clip where a decibel meter was used. Standing in front of the unit with ECO mode off and no load it was 69.9 dB. With a 2,600 watt load it was 83.1 dB and at 23 feet with that same load it was 60.5 dB.
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07-26-2018, 07:42 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 31
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So I read the article but don’t know a lot about generators. I have a Cougar Xlite 26 BHS howbig of a generator would I need to run my trailer with AC? Would be nice to be able to do some dry comping but not sure my wife would do it without the AC.
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07-26-2018, 08:10 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Middleton
Posts: 255
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We ran our Champion 3100 remote start all day today. Temp reached 96 and our Cougat 24sabwe stayed 72. Watched Dish TV in the cool.
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07-27-2018, 03:19 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Macedonia
Posts: 217
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyldfire
We ran our Champion 3100 remote start all day today. Temp reached 96 and our Cougat 24sabwe stayed 72. Watched Dish TV in the cool.
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That's great! I run a pair of Yamaha 2400's but that's a lot more to lug around than your Champion 3100!
As an aside, where are you camping? It looks like a whole lot of nothing around you. Just curious.
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DocP (Michael)
Former: Keystone Cougar 32RLI and 34TBS
Current: 2019 Georgetown GT5 31L5 motorhome
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07-27-2018, 04:11 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Windsor
Posts: 236
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I run 2 Yamaha 2000 generators if I know I want to run my air. Mostly we head to high altitude to escape the heat. I can charge Batts with just one generator.
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2016 Cougar 1/2 Ton Series 283 RETWE
2018 F150 EcoBoost FX4 Lariat Max-Tow and Heavy Duty Payload Package
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07-28-2018, 06:32 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: olive Branch
Posts: 26
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I wish they would have included the Harbor Freight Predator. My buddies and I are all running them when we primitive camp and love them. And the cost comparison is insane.
https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-w...tor-63584.html
Any one else use one especially in comparison to the Honda?
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07-28-2018, 06:41 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Middleton
Posts: 255
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DocP
That's great! I run a pair of Yamaha 2400's but that's a lot more to lug around than your Champion 3100!
As an aside, where are you camping? It looks like a whole lot of nothing around you. Just curious.
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We at the Mountain Home Country Music Festival. 2o,oooh people in middle of the desert.
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07-28-2018, 07:15 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 3
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I recently purchased a 04 3670RL fifth wheel. Can anyone tell me what or where I can find weight limits for the front compartment to install a generator? Home Depot has their Sportsman brand 7500 watt, dual fuel, electric start on sale right now for $699. The published weight is 194 lbs.
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07-28-2018, 07:54 AM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,996
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyknight54
I recently purchased a 04 3670RL fifth wheel. Can anyone tell me what or where I can find weight limits for the front compartment to install a generator? Home Depot has their Sportsman brand 7500 watt, dual fuel, electric start on sale right now for $699. The published weight is 194 lbs.
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That model generator is a "construction/open frame" style. It is loud, vibrates and doesn't produce "clean power". While it's OK for running your RV systems, you won't be able to stay inside the trailer with the generator running and you certainly won't be a "good neighbor" in any campground. Specs for that model indicate it must run at 3600 RPM (to produce 60Hz power) and is rated "<80dB" which is extremely loud.
While it might "fit the space and connect to the existing propane system" it's really not a suitable "permanent mounted RV generator".... I'd be very reluctant to install that type generator inside any RV.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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07-28-2018, 01:25 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Coarsegold
Posts: 42
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One of my critical requirements is weight. Wheels do not help when lifting into the exterior storage of the 5er.
I will likely end up with a pair of Honda 2200s because of that.
Thanks for the report.
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2016 Keystone Cougar 303RLS
2015 Ford F350 diesel 6.7 4wd crew cab short bed
Super Glide hitch
Transfer Flow aux. fuel tank in tool box
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07-28-2018, 01:32 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,090
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PopBeavers
One of my critical requirements is weight. Wheels do not help when lifting into the exterior storage of the 5er.
I will likely end up with a pair of Honda 2200s because of that.
Thanks for the report.
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I can lift my Champion 3100 into the bed of the truck by myself, I think a bag of cement weighs more (and does not have a handle).
-Brian
__________________
2014 Bullet Premier 22RBPR - let the camping commence!
2013 F150 Platinum - 5.0 - 3.55 ELD + towing package
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07-28-2018, 03:52 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 3
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weight
Thanks for all the response. My intent is to remove it from the "construction" frame and mount it on shock mounts in the front compartment. I was just inquiring if anyone knew the weight limitations on the front compartment? thx, Kit
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08-02-2018, 08:12 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Winchester
Posts: 113
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Number 4
we are very happy with our Predator 3500 watt inverter generator which has a listed sound rating of 57 dB. It runs smoothly under a load and is very quiet just one campsite away so I don't feel bad when it's running.
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I'll second this. We're very happy with ours and have gotten numerous comments about how quiet it is.
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08-31-2018, 04:58 AM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Nampa
Posts: 58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyldfire
We at the Mountain Home Country Music Festival. 2o,oooh people in middle of the desert.
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So you were in the middle of nowhere.
We're heading to Bruneau this weekend for our maiden voyage. Hopefully joint breaks but close enough to the city for easy fixes.
As far as generators I bought two ai powers that are Yamaha powered. Just doing the break in but they seem to be working awesome and in parallel they ruin the ac no issue.
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