What Kind of Generator to Buy?

[jbsmith]

Originally Posted by skenney

This guy runs at 68db. Anyone want to chime in if this is loud or quiet? At $450 I am curious if it is better to get a Honda?

"Loud" is relative. Most comparison charts will list 68-70 dB as the sound level of a vacuum cleaner from 3ft away. In my opinion that is pretty loud.

By comparison, the EU3000iS is speced at 58 dB at full load...so the model you reference is 10 times louder. Under light load the Honda will idle down and is rated at 49 dB at 1/4 load. However, you have to factor in cost. The 3 kVA Honda will cost you $2000 (+/-).

I've heard the Yamaha is comparable to the Honda.


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[antiqfreq]

We have 2 Honda EU2000i's in the tool box in the bed of our truck, they are paralleled together.

Run one for everything except a/c,
then we crank up 2nd one if we need a/c too.

We have run this set up about 4 1/2 years now - using them allover the country. Did quite a bit of boondocking in our travels and never a problem.

Plus the tool box locks up and they are out of site.

Jo'

[smiller]

Originally Posted by antiqfreq

We have 2 Honda EU2000i's in the tool box in the bed of our truck, they are paralleled together.

Two eu2000's is really the hot (if not the least expensive) ticket. Easy to handle weight-wise and it provides redundancy... if you have a failure (as if a Honda would ever fail ) then you will at least have half-power available. This could be a real trip saver if you are boondocking.

[jje1960]

Ahhh, one of the most popular questions/topics on the RV circuit! So many situations and mitigation's, that's for sure. Noise and $.... where it matters and where it does not... Big consideration. So many we have been near that just plain don't care about the noise, period. If their aircon works, then they are set, don't matter that everyone packed around them gets to share the noise. Just my perspective, however I've always done everything I can to not be the obnoxious RV'r doing our thing. It's cost a lost of cash, but just how we have done it. When I don't need to run aircon, use a 1k Mitsubishi inverter, no reasonable person can say this bothers them, that's for sure. For aircon use, I have a Boliy Inverter, runs the 15k aircon and when not using aircon, idles down. I've also gone as far as using an enclosure, the GENTENT really helps with dampening sound. We just try and not be the obnoxious people next door. Have also installed Supco capacitor in aircon unit, every thing helps while running on genset. I think we have had more friends stopping by expressing appreciation with our practices attempting to be quiet as possible vs complaining! Go to a Nascar race, great place to see the wide spectrum of quiet gensets vs REALLY LOUD units! Not everyone has the $ for the top of the line inverters, but as long as they try to do what they can to be a good neighbor, all part of the RV thing.....

[Oscar]

If you are anywhere near other campers running one of those cheap a$$ generators all day long they will hate you.

Me, I spent the money and got the quiet stuff.

Yes, you get what you pay for.

[dhdb]

Boliy 3600 inverter generator. It will run everything you will ever need (except AC & microwave at same time). It is lightweight and costs approx $1200-1300.


This is a friend of mine selling one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...m=260977477814

[bennydog]

I picked up a CPE (Champion Power Equipment) 2000watt Inverter from Costco last year for $449.00 after $50 rebait. Same specs as the Honda including the 53db noise rating. We used it several times last year and it works great at half the price of the Honda. 2 of them can be chained together the same as the Honda.

[RGRTim]

has anyone tried the Generac propane models? good? bad? quite? loud?
Thanks in advance?

[Stublejumper]

I agree ,buy what is best for your needs and can afford ,but I went for the Honda 3000 si ,, runs everything with being considerate to others.

[Herkbubba]

Hello all... have searched the message board and trying to find out the "easy" answer.

Read through this thread and it seems the closest to what I'm looking to answer.

I have a 2008 Sprinter 311BHS... standard stuff - all stock.

Looking for a genny for overnight parking (A/C) and/or boondocking.

I looked at those Hondas... Woooooo! Expensive!

Are there any other options that won't blow the neighbors ears off?

Just looking for something to run the A/C and minimal additional load (a few lights, etc)... I know to kill the A/C if we want to use the microwave.

Sorry if this has been beat to death but we're somewhat new to RV'ing - if you find a link from a previous thread, that'll work, too!

Thanks,
Herk

[raytronx]

To run AC and a few other small loads your going to need around 2400 watts or better. AC takes a lot of juice when the compressor starts. You will hear that 2000w gennys sometimes run the AC but it's hit and miss and doesn't leave much extra for other loads. Personally I own a pair of Champion Inverter style 2000w and have been happy, they have one out now for around 900$ that puts out 3100w at 58dba. Honda, Yamaha, Bolly are other brands that have good reviews.

Ray

Originally Posted by Herkbubba

Hello all... have searched the message board and trying to find out the "easy" answer.

Read through this thread and it seems the closest to what I'm looking to answer.

I have a 2008 Sprinter 311BHS... standard stuff - all stock.

Looking for a genny for overnight parking (A/C) and/or boondocking.

I looked at those Hondas... Woooooo! Expensive!

Are there any other options that won't blow the neighbors ears off?

Just looking for something to run the A/C and minimal additional load (a few lights, etc)... I know to kill the A/C if we want to use the microwave.

Sorry if this has been beat to death but we're somewhat new to RV'ing - if you find a link from a previous thread, that'll work, too!

Thanks,
Herk

[Herkbubba]

Ray - much obliged!

After doing a search for the Champion (YouTube / reviews / price / etc) I stumbled on this link:

https://www.rv.net/cforum/index.cfm/...g/1/page/3.cfm

Shows a bunch of genny's and compares their sound signature...

Champion 3100w about the price of the Honda 3000 and just a little bit louder - In the range of the Yamaha 3000.

For half the price - it's hard to sniff at...!

[raytronx]

I saw one running in person at the RV show in January at Quartzite, it was a demo model for display before it launched and it was pretty quiet, especially when in Econo mode and just puttering along.

Cheers Ray

Originally Posted by Herkbubba

Ray - much obliged!

After doing a search for the Champion (YouTube / reviews / price / etc) I stumbled on this link:

https://www.rv.net/cforum/index.cfm/...g/1/page/3.cfm

Shows a bunch of genny's and compares their sound signature...

Champion 3100w about the price of the Honda 3000 and just a little bit louder - In the range of the Yamaha 3000.

For half the price - it's hard to sniff at...!

[Herkbubba]

Originally Posted by raytronx

I saw one running in person at the RV show in January at Quartzite, it was a demo model for display before it launched and it was pretty quiet, especially when in Econo mode and just puttering along.

Cheers Ray

Thanks ... I think I'll try to find one myself at an RV show and see how it operates.

I can't see spending $2k+ for a genny that I can get for less than a grand.... I know, I know... "You get what you pay for".

The big drawback to the Champion (in addition to the higher db) is the small gas tank. Just 1.59 gal.

Thanks again - this has definitely led me in a good direction!

[schwalbach]

EU3000iS

I bought one in 1999, it has run perfect ever since with about 25 hours a year, and can handle my complete camper and run the ac unit.


Now you can go the cheap route, go through 4 times the gas in a weekend, have to have noise cancelling headphone at a quarter mile, change fuel filters 3 times a weekend, and that is IF you can get it running, or you can buy a Honda that sits and purrs quietly and never quits, starts on 1 pull or with electric start.

I have 3 friends who went the cheap route and I went Honda, after two weekends fighting the junk they sold them on Craigslist and bough Honda's and have been happy campers ever since!

Spend the money up front or spend it over time, I spent it up front and have never tinkered to keep it running, gas and oil and works every time

[JRTJH]

schwalbach,

I get your prejudice against generators without a "HONDA" sticker on them, but yellow, blue, black and even green generators still produce electricity "just fine"

I also think that maybe you overstated the frequency of filling gas tanks, changing filters and the frustration at "trying" to start a "non HONDA"

Your experience may lead you to be a "loyal HONDA fan" but other's (me included) see generator use from a different perspective. There's room for your opinion, but please remember, others may not agree with your "exclusivity"

[Outbackmel]

I would Google and at least consider a Boliy inverter 3000.
Remote start.

[bigcitypopo]

I have a boliy as well. Runs great. Electric remote start. ... It's 75lbs and a bit odd shaped. A little much for my 125 lb small framed wife to hurl about.. I might get a 2000w'er for quick trips...

[schwalbach]

Wow JRTJH Super Moderator , the guy was looking for advice so I offered it sorry to have offended you (I felt the slap in the face all the way through the wires ).

He wanted advice, I offered, as others have, I stated my experiences, Honda happened to be the brand I have, others with Boily's have also chimed in, did not see you flame them.

You have an issue with Honda then state it so the guy can make an informed choice, flaming me and my advice serves nothing for the guy looking for advice.....

yes I am a Honda fan for the reasons I stated, it will kick down on low speed conserving gas, not run wide open all the time, difference is I can run all weekend on 5-7 gallons of gas, the cheap gens run wide open all the time and take 5 gal to run for the night, another 5 to run for the day etc, 4 times is not an exaggeration. Noise, I have to check if it is running as it is almost silent across the campsite when on low, others are a lawn mower engine running 24/7. Those cheap ones seem to always have a carburetor issue, and constantly need tinkering, the Honda just starts right up and runs all the time, I have done nothing to it since I bought it.

You want names I can give you them in a PM, of the two friends that have been there and bought a Honda.

Again don't flame me for offering advice, give the guy something constructive to work with as I have.


Lets keep the site constructive and let people offer their advice when asked, the poster can make an informed choice after considering the advice given.

[Festus2]

schwalbach -

I don't think that JRTJH or any other member here has an issue with Honda generators. No one is disputing the fact that they make a great generator. If I understood his post(s) correctly, he is simply pointing out that there are other generators that, for less money, perform very well in a campground situation and will do the same job as a Honda.

Many people would agree that the Honda is pricey but it does have many great features and qualities. Having said that, to refer to some of the less-expensive generators as cheap, junky gas guzzlers that are not likely to start, require fuel filter change after 2-3 days, and fellow campers would need earplugs within 1/4 mile of it, are all biased, negative comments. It's not advice that I would consider to allow someone to make an "informed", intelligent choice when choosing one brand over another.

If you had said that buying a Honda generator is a smart thing to do because it is very economical, extremely quiet, thoroughly dependable, and of excellent quality I would pay attention to that kind advice. It would be both constructive and positive. I'm not sure whether or not trashing other products is all that helpful to someone looking to make an informed decision.