Generator Size

josh4cy · 05-27-2014, 10:31 AM

We just purchased a 2013 Passport 3180RE. We tailgate at a lot of college football games in the fall. We had an older motor home with a built in 4000 watt generator that worked great, now we need to buy a stand alone generator to power the camper when dry camping. We just have a 13,500 AC unit but we would like to power the ac and still be able to use the microwave or toaster and not have to turn off the ac. Does anyone have any experience with what size of generator we need. I have been looking at i think i need 4000 watts. Any help or advice would be great.
Also does anyone have an opinion on any brands other than Yamaha or Honda? The reviews on both are great just to want to fork over that kind of money.

Festus2 · 05-27-2014, 11:35 AM

You can't go wrong with either the Honda or Yamaha but, as you pointed out, they are pricey. Another option would be to consider the stackable 2000w Champion. You can couple them together for an initial output of 4000w which is probably what you are looking at to meet your load requirements.
Twinning the Champions gives you a bit more flexibility and separately they are easier to move around and are lighter than a large, single unit.
I've read good reviews about them and your pocketbook will thank you. You can Google them, read about the specs and reviews and compare what you've found to the Hondas and Yamahas.
Boliy is another generator that you might want to consider..... good reports and less $$ than the "top two".

Mosnowman · 06-04-2014, 08:43 PM

We are huge football tailgaters...

I have two Honda 2000's....with parallel kit. Only wish I would have bought one regular and the Companion 2000 and I could have avoided the kit. I love love love my Hondas....quiet and powerful. A gallon of gas lasts 6 hours or so...

Good luck!

Bushman512000 · 06-05-2014, 05:36 AM

Honda /Honda/Honda I have a 3000 now old but never skipped a beat...Oil change every spring and fall syntax and 1 battery in 10years and We boondock a lot with air and elect heat used when needed...Have a 1000 for battery charging and TV and lights at night never a complaint about noise from any one ...that's also nice to not hear the other gens running day or night...Bushman remember You get what You pay for!

and weight wise mine are locked down and a bear to carry have fun

josh4cy · 06-06-2014, 12:07 PM

how does your 3000 handle your ac unit and other items in your camper? do you have to turn off the air to use other appliances?

Ram189 · 06-06-2014, 12:25 PM

I have a Yamaha 3100 and it will run A/C and the microwave and a TV no problem. Hair dryer and A/C is a problem. On my old TT the 3100 ran for like 8 hours in 100 degree weather with the A/C before I had to put gas in it.
Like most on here it is old but still kicking strong. They will last forever if you take care of them.

josh4cy · 06-10-2014, 11:02 AM

I know Honda and Yamaha are both better brands but i am seriously looking at this

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBDCE1S/...I39NO6XF718M52

Most of what I'm reading says these are good units. It wont get much use from us. We have 1 4 day trip in the spring that we would use it and 7 weekends in the fall. So I really dont want to spend the money on a really nice one if it wont get that much use.

Thoughts?

jje1960 · 06-10-2014, 01:38 PM

Gotta say, we still love our Boliy after all these years. Electric start, 74Ibs, runs 15K aircon, quiet and long runtime.

greengiant · 06-11-2014, 05:39 PM

I tailgate once or twice each fall, typically late september or october in PA. I use a tiny, 25+year old Honda 650 (which I think only puts out like 500 watts). Prior to 'borrowing' it from my M.I.L., I was looking into a 3K unit to power everything, but couldn't justify dropping the $$$ for it at the time. We also figured if we want AC, we'll just get electric sites (we typically dry camp) My Honda is enough for two tvs, heat, charging phones, etc. If you're in SD, you may find that you don't need AC, and could go for a much smaller unit. I also took out the microwave, and run everything else on LP.

Sounds like you are going the inverter route, and your neighboring tailgaters will thank you. I've been in the RV lot next to people with non-inverter types that ran for 36 hours non-stop. We still have fun, but sucking fumes and wanting earplugs is a downer while enjoying a cold one.

Woodsrider · 06-11-2014, 06:19 PM

I have a Powerhouse, 3100 inverter. It is as quiet as my friends Honda 3000eu, it's lighter and about $800 cheaper. It also has remote start, which is nice when it's pouring rain or too cold at night to get out of bed.

In retrospect, I kinda wish I would have purchased 2 of their 2000W units and a cable set to run them together. Not for the capacity, but because they will store in the pass through when I don't need them, and be out of sight.

http://http://www.powerhouse-product...duct/ph3100ri/

spicercars · 06-14-2014, 06:26 PM

There is no generator that is as quiet as a EU Honda. Depending on how much you are going to use it two Honda 2000 generators are by far your best bet. They will last forever and they are very light to move around. And if you don't need the a/c you can just use one. The EU3000 takes a strong hand of two people to move. You get what you pay for in my eyes.

**JRTJH** · 06-14-2014, 07:22 PM

We don't post that one brand of truck is "better" than another, and honestly, we should be following the same guidelines for other pieces of equipment as well.

The advertised specs on the Honda website indicate that the Honda 2000EUi has a noise output of 53 dB at 23'. The Champion website indicates that the Champion 73536i has a noise output of 53 dB at 23'. The Yamaha website indicates that the Yamaha EF2000is has a noise output of 51.5 dB at 23'. So, if the advertised specifications from the manufacturer's websites are correct, Honda and Champion are slightly more noisy than Yamaha which appears to be the quietest.

Statistically, Honda generators may have a "long life" but I have been unable to find any studies that show how much longer a Honda will last compared to any of the other models. If anyone has access to such a study, please post the link to the information.

Isn't it time we stop bashing brands of generators as we've stopped bashing brands of trucks? Honda builds a good generator, but there are other choices that compete with Honda's performance and depending on the purchaser's needs, may be better suited for his/her specific application. The cost of obtaining 3200 watts of sustained power with two Honda generators is upwards of $2000. Not all "occasional users" can afford (or can justify) that kind of expense. two Champion generators equipped similarly to the Honda's is about $1100 and produces 3400 watts of continuous power at the same "noise level".

The frequent dry camper may use a generator significantly more than an occasional user. Someone in the desert southwest may put a significantly greater wear and use demand on their generator than someone in the northeast who only uses it to recharge batteries every couple of days.

Objectively, each purchaser must consider his needs with his budget and arrive at what is the best purchase for the intended use. Not everyone needs nor can justify the expense of Honda equipment.

05kzep241 · 06-14-2014, 08:15 PM

Very well said.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

**sourdough** · 06-15-2014, 01:00 PM

I agree - well said JRTJH. Everyone views "stuff" from a different perspective based on their needs, experiences and their cost/benefit view that only they know and only they can factor in.

MIKEPATC · 06-15-2014, 06:58 PM

If I can stop my 2 Champion 2000W gens from leaking gas I could tell you how they work. One bounce in the truck bed and the float sticks. Considering a Honda !

Woodsrider · 06-16-2014, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIKEPATC

If I can stop my 2 Champion 2000W gens from leaking gas I could tell you how they work. One bounce in the truck bed and the float sticks. Considering a Honda !

Oh boy, I'd be [expletive] mad.

**JRTJH** · 06-16-2014, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIKEPATC

If I can stop my 2 Champion 2000W gens from leaking gas I could tell you how they work. One bounce in the truck bed and the float sticks. Considering a Honda !

Is it possible that you're having fuel problelms? Since the addition of ethanol, small engines have had significant issues with carburetor malfunction. Sticking floats, clogged jets, needle valve adjustments have all be a big problem. Have you tried to find alcohol free gas? Around here it's called "recreational gas", is 91 octane and has no ethanol. It's all I will put in my small engines. In the past 4 years, I've had no problems with any small 4 cycle or even 2 cycle engine. I just turn off the gas, run them dry and they all have started with no problems.

Prior to using rec gas, I had carburetor issues and at least one, possibly more had to be rebuilt or on the new ones, replaced every spring. Now, they just keep running with no problems at all. Maybe some "rec gas with some "marine seafoam" to clean things out? or possibly a carb rebuild and then no more ethanol?

dm1401 · 06-16-2014, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsrider

I have a Powerhouse, 3100 inverter. It is as quiet as my friends Honda 3000eu, it's lighter and about $800 cheaper. It also has remote start, which is nice when it's pouring rain or too cold at night to get out of bed.

In retrospect, I kinda wish I would have purchased 2 of their 2000W units and a cable set to run them together. Not for the capacity, but because they will store in the pass through when I don't need them, and be out of sight.

http://http://www.powerhouse-product...duct/ph3100ri/

Same here, I thought long and hard about the 2x 2000W units, but I decided on the 3100W Powerhouse in the end, I have enough equipment to maintain already, and didn't want a second generator to mess with even if they are nice and light.
So far my powerhouse has been flawless.

Mike L123 · 06-25-2014, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIKEPATC

If I can stop my 2 Champion 2000W gens from leaking gas I could tell you how they work. One bounce in the truck bed and the float sticks. Considering a Honda !

Have you determined from where the gas is leaking out of? I ask only because I have bounced two Champs well over 8,000 miles in the back of our p/u and we have not spilled a drop of fuel. Curious if there is a potential problem that I should be taking proactive steps to prevent.

Cheers!

Mike

You may also like: