Champion 3100, is it gonna work?

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

I don't hear any difference between the heavy Honda 3k and my Yamaha. That said, the Yamaha doesn't fit under my new toneau so I'm considering my options.

I'd probably agree with you.
Here's the best of the sound tests under controlled conditions. If it was me, I'd have done it outside, as a garage will reflect a lot of sound. But at least he had some standard.

[Echelon73]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

While we're doing apples-to-apples, I'd bet you an Airstream payment that my 3k Yamaha is quieter than one (or of course 2) honda 2ks, and quieter than the Honda 3k "Handi" but I don't hear any difference between the heavy Honda 3k and my Yamaha. That said, the Yamaha doesn't fit under my new toneau so I'm considering my options. I'll likely never get as good a deal as I did on the used 3000iSEB but I think I may try a pair of non-premium 2kish generators for a big trip this summer, and decide whether or not they have a long-term place in our inventory.

As far as a non-premium brand goes, I had a Powerhorse 2k that sells for $550-$600 (depending if it is on sale) and is comparable to the big boys. I ended up selling it to a friend and he absolutely loves it. They are sold and serviced by Northern Tool and Equipment.

[Echelon73]

Ok, I promised to do a comparison test with my two Yamaha's (ef2000is) vs. the Champion 3400 (model 100263).

I took readings at 8' and 20'. At both distances I took idle readings and load readings. The "load" was a 15k AC and the fridge. I am using a free iPhone decibels app. It is probably not that accurate, but it is all I had. Before I post the results I will say the decibels app registered 69.1 in a company break room with two individuals talking at a normal voice level about 8' away from me (for a point of reference).



You can see they are pretty close in readings, but under a heavy load the Champion is actually quieter. The real surprise for me is the Yamaha's would not start the AC/fridge load unless I turned off the eco throttle. The Champion started the AC/fridge just fine with eco throttle on. I did turn eco throttle back on once the Yamaha's got the AC going though. All readings are with eco throttles turned on. Hope this is helpful information.

[Echelon73]

I forgot to put distance readings in my chart. Here is an updated version.

[Dave18134]

That's great info Echelon. The numbers sound higher than what is specified by manufacturer, but its the relative dbs we really care about.

I found my 3400 waiting when I got home yesterday. I will set it up in my truck bed and measure db using the same load you did.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Airstream Forums mobile app

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Dave18134

That's great info Echelon. The numbers sound higher than what is specified by manufacturer, but its the relative dbs we really care about.

I found my 3400 waiting when I got home yesterday. I will set it up in my truck bed and measure db using the same load you did.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Airstream Forums mobile app

Good info! How will you sit the Champion in the truck? I'll put my Honda with the exhaust facing the tailgate (open) or tonneau up. That's how it would be done in the real world, I'd think. I'll predict that in the truck, it will be louder, just because of metal sides reflecting more sound.

BTW, two 2K Yamaha's are louder than one 3K Champion.
I'm not surprised. Two engines running, and small packages with less room for sound deadening, and smaller engines are just more annoying.

[Dave18134]

I will try a couple of configurations. First will be controls facing rear of truck, exhaust to right, tailgate up, back 1/3 of tonneau open. Seems like that would be quietest at ear level by directing sound upward.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Airstream Forums mobile app

[Dave18134]

I ran a sound-level test on my new Champion 3400 today. I set things up the way I hope to use it camping, that is: in the back of the truck with the tailgate closed and the rear 1/3 of my tri-fold tonneau open.

I measured sound levels from six locations: three at 8 ft from the generator and three at 20 ft from the generator. I used the "Sound Meter" app on my Moto G4 android phone, held about 5 ft above the ground with the microphone pointed at the generator. I took a 30-second average at each location, then took the average of the three locations at each distance for for both no-load and load conditions. The load was a 15k BTU AC plus the refrigerator.

This is not a calibrated sound meter, but I measured the sound level from my Bose radio at a distance 8 ft and the measured value was very close (+/- 1 db) to the volume set on the radio (Bose volume controls have a db level).

Results: The average no-load sound levels at 8 and 20 ft were 57.3 and 52 db, respectively. With a load, the average 8 and 20 ft sound levels were 61.6 and 55.3, respectively.

I think this well-priced generator is going to work very well for us. Now to see how well it holds up mechanically.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Dave18134

I ran a sound-level test on my new Champion 3400 today. I set things up the way I hope to use it camping, that is: in the back of the truck with the tailgate closed and the rear 1/3 of my tri-fold tonneau open.

I measured sound levels from six locations: three at 8 ft from the generator and three at 20 ft from the generator. I used the "Sound Meter" app on my Moto G4 android phone, held about 5 ft above the ground with the microphone pointed at the generator. I took a 30-second average at each location, then took the average of the three locations at each distance for for both no-load and load conditions. The load was a 15k BTU AC plus the refrigerator.

This is not a calibrated sound meter, but I measured the sound level from my Bose radio at a distance 8 ft and the measured value was very close (+/- 1 db) to the volume set on the radio (Bose volume controls have a db level).

Results: The average no-load sound levels at 8 and 20 ft were 57.3 and 52 db, respectively. With a load, the average 8 and 20 ft sound levels were 61.6 and 55.3, respectively.

I think this well-priced generator is going to work very well for us. Now to see how well it holds up mechanically.

Good test! You did a valid test.

Now I'll look for a db app for my i-Phone.

[Echelon73]

Wow, either your decibel app reads different than mine or the bed of the truck is absorbing quite a bit of the sound. I have always run mine with the tailgate down, but I will have to try it setup like you did.

[Dave18134]

Yes, echelon, I was kind of surprised about that too. I did a brief test with the tailgate down and it did not seem to make much difference. I was wondering, did you do you test under a covered or partially enclosed area? I think that would make a big difference because you would get reflected sound and maybe reverberation. My truck was in the open, but one of my measurement locations 20 ft from the gen was under a roof on the covered area our AS is parked in. Sound at that location was consistently louder than the other two 20 ft locations. Of course, different phones and microphones could play a part. Do know anyone with a Bose radio??

[Mattirs]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

How many hours?

Missed this some how.

I have 50 plus hours on it and plan on adding some more this weekend.
It was run all night a couple of nights when there was unexpected 14 degree weather and I got about 8 hours on a single 20lb tank.

Thank you,

Matti

[Dave18134]

Originally Posted by Dave18134

I ran a sound-level test on my new Champion 3400 today. I set things up the way I hope to use it camping, that is: in the back of the truck with the tailgate closed and the rear 1/3 of my tri-fold tonneau open.



I measured sound levels from six locations: three at 8 ft from the generator and three at 20 ft from the generator. I used the "Sound Meter" app on my Moto G4 android phone, held about 5 ft above the ground with the microphone pointed at the generator. I took a 30-second average at each location, then took the average of the three locations at each distance for for both no-load and load conditions. The load was a 15k BTU AC plus the refrigerator.



This is not a calibrated sound meter, but I measured the sound level from my Bose radio at a distance 8 ft and the measured value was very close (+/- 1 db) to the volume set on the radio (Bose volume controls have a db level).



Results: The average no-load sound levels at 8 and 20 ft were 57.3 and 52 db, respectively. With a load, the average 8 and 20 ft sound levels were 61.6 and 55.3, respectively.



I think this well-priced generator is going to work very well for us. Now to see how well it holds up mechanically.

I should add that my results are very similar to those reported by Airmiles above and in his review of the Champion 3400.

[Rob Edgerton]

Originally Posted by Dave18134

This is a great group, thanks to all who took time to help me with this...my first question on the first of many decisions. I went ahead and ordered the 3100 from Costco, based on some of the first hand accounts of it working in similar applications, the price, and the way Costco backs their products. I also have a larger, 9kw Champion duel fuel that we use as backup for our small farm where we have to run a well pump along with the other essentials and we have been very happy with the quality and reliability. Thanks again, and I will report back, good or bad down the road.

Dave,

I have the Costco Champion 3100 also. See my post on how I hooked it up to the quick connect at the front of the trailer to avoid hauling another propane bottle. Works great.

Good luck.

[Dave18134]

Originally Posted by Rob Edgerton

Dave,

I have the Costco Champion 3100 also. See my post on how I hooked it up to the quick connect at the front of the trailer to avoid hauling another propane bottle. Works great.

Good luck.

Rob, that's what I want to do and I appreciate your post, I will hook mine up exactly the same way. I ended up with the 3400 after someone let me know know Amazon had it for $875, $25 more than I had paid for the 3100. Thankfully I had not even opened the box and good old Costco took the 3100 back no questions asked.

[jcrango]

Costco just dropped the price on the 2800/3100 duel fuel Champion to $850 it was $999 last week when I checked.

[rmkrum]

Thanks for the alert!

[Vantair]

Great ! All excited to get one at that price!!
(Wait.... already have one at that price ! Ha !)

If doing again, for another 100.00 or so, seems Champion's higher wattage 3100/3400 dual fuel has same weight, DB level and dimensions, more wattage and larger 192cc engine (vs 2800/3100 171cc engine).

Either way, very happy with our smaller 2800/3100. Which is similar wattage specs as the Red or Blue 3000 watt-ers.

[Vantair]

Kept this which helped compare to the nearest Yamaha models. Hope it's readable.