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gowyn · 01-11-2008, 12:04 PM

We have a 27FBSE and we mostly camp with hookups.

I'm wanting to grab a generator just in case power is out at home and the odd time we need to dry camp.

Now with full hookups we run the a/c. In State or Provincial parks they usually only have 15A service so a/c is out.

So the dilemma I'm facing is: for $300 I can pick up a 3500watt Champion from Costco or I can probably pick up a Yammy or Honda 1000watt for double that. The Chapion will run a/c but be noisier even though they claim 67db. The Yammy or Honda will have enough juice to charge and run everything except a/c, quieter too.

A larger Yammy or Honda is just not in the cards, too much doola.

I'm usually one to buy quality over quantity but this is a huge difference in cost.

So bottom line: better genny or cheap one?

Goin camping · 01-11-2008, 12:12 PM

I'm partial to the Hondas. Have you considered getting a used one off craigs list etc?

Fyrzowt · 01-11-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goin camping

I'm partial to the Hondas. Have you considered getting a used one off craigs list etc?

I got a used Honda 3000 for $1K.
Quiet.
Electric start.
Runs the AC.
Almost new.
They are out there.

2airishuman · 01-11-2008, 12:20 PM

hi gowyn

champion 3500.....skip.

find a lightly used 1000w honda on ebay or other buyer/seller source....

that's a thrifty way 2 sample gensets and decide if you want a bigger one, then resell the sampler...

IF u r gonna buy NEW get the 2000w honda...

not much more money or weight and WAY more useful than the 1000...

with the potential for linking another IF air conditiioner power is really needed.

otoh i use the solar stuff way more often than my genset while camping....

still having the genset at home is a great feature, i've used it more for power outs or too run tools than i ever imagined....

the 1000w will really limit the 'other uses' potential.

cheers
2air'

arodriguez60 · 01-11-2008, 12:27 PM

I boughr the champion 3500 and it has been a very good buy. I havent had any problems except that the fuel gauge is not very accurate. I just open the fuel cap and take a look for the amount of fuel. I've been pleased with it.

**azflycaster** · 01-11-2008, 12:30 PM

The Honda EU1000 works well for me. We only use it to top the battery in the trailer or my laptop battery. It will not run a microwave, but we do not have one. I also got mine for $500 from a friend who need to get a n EU2000. Mine had 1 hour of run time when I got it.

The Hondas and Yamahas are quiet and inverter based. They can run at idle speeds if the load is low. 53 db is the idle sound level. The Champion is not inverter based which means it has to run at full speed to maintain the correct 60HZ no matter what the load is. The db level is 68 db for the champion. Each 10 db is roughly twice the amount of noise. 53 vs 68 is about 3 times as loud.

Have you ever camped near someone with a loud generator

2airishuman · 01-11-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

...Have you ever camped near someone with a loud generator

don't those folks have trouble with loose spark plugs?

cheers
2air'

**azflycaster** · 01-11-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

don't those folks have trouble with loose spark plugs?

cheers
2air'

Not enough for a recall, but a few instances have been documented

.

On edit: The unit with the plug problem was a much larger (6500 Watts), contractor type of generator...

gowyn · 01-11-2008, 12:44 PM

yep it's been a bit of a confusing ride so far.

Thanks for the offer Fyrzowt, I imagine the shipping would be horrendous to me here in Ontario, CANADA.

I'll keep my eyes open, perhaps next time Stateside I'll find a good deal. Up here prices are out of control.

Fyrzowt · 01-11-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gowyn

yep it's been a bit of a confusing ride so far.

Thanks for the offer Fyrzowt, I imagine the shipping would be horrendous to me here in Ontario, CANADA.

I'll keep my eyes open, perhaps next time Stateside I'll find a good deal. Up here prices are out of control.

Oops - miscommunication.
I got one, meant I bought one. Sorry, it's not for sale.

2airishuman · 01-11-2008, 12:48 PM

i don't think the fyrz's genset is 4sale is it?

he's just suggesting he 'got one' used at that price.

that is the big thing to keep in mind with the honda and yams...

they have good resale/upgrade potential...

while the others go from cheap to zero with the first buyer...

cheers
2air'

gowyn · 01-11-2008, 12:51 PM

d'oh!!!

Just called the dealer here, eu3000 $2200 ouch.

rickandsandi · 01-11-2008, 12:59 PM

Having gone from a tent to Airstreams we don't worry too much about power. Sure it's nice to have when available but who wants to lug around a big gen? We have a nice little 1000K Kipor to top off the batteries if we ever need to.

Fyrzowt · 01-11-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gowyn

d'oh!!!

Just called the dealer here, eu3000 $2200 ouch.

Exactly why I bought one used.

gowyn · 01-11-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arodriguez60

I boughr the champion 3500 and it has been a very good buy. I havent had any problems except that the fuel gauge is not very accurate. I just open the fuel cap and take a look for the amount of fuel. I've been pleased with it.

how do you find the noise level on the Champ?

Lumatic · 01-11-2008, 01:52 PM

I have a Champion 4500 and a Honda eu20001. The Champion served it's purpose for a year until I found a used eu2000 for $600. The Champion is a little quieter that some other generators that size but not much. It's still loud and obnoxious. I have seen prople through a thick blanket or put a baffle around a generator with some success. Mechanically there were 2 minor problems with the Champion: the circuit breakers were to small in amperage and the starter recoil mechanism self destructed after a year but the whole recoil assembly was only $18. I had good tech support with the Champion. You know, I assume, the Champion is Chinese.

The Champion will run the AC the Honda not.

Fyrzowt · 01-11-2008, 01:55 PM

Google - Champion 3500 generator db

It's 68 db @ 7 meters and $500

Champion 3500 Watt Generator w/ RV Receptacle C46540 @ Electric Generators Direct.com - Your Online Portable Power and Home Standby Generator Superstore

gowyn · 01-11-2008, 01:57 PM

what I think I'll do is pick up the Champ and try it out. Costco here have an awesome return policy so if it doesn't work out I'll just take it back.

I've read a lot of great things about Champion and especially their service. The nice thing about the Champ is it also comes with the rv adapter, wheels and handle, plus if the power does go out I can use it at home. If it dies within a year it's warranty, if it lasts longer bonus.

gowyn · 01-11-2008, 02:02 PM

Different model here in Canada.

CSA40015. CSA approved for the Great White North eh!..hehe also $299CAD at Costco right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

Google - Champion 3500 generator db

It's 68 db @ 7 meters and $500

Champion 3500 Watt Generator w/ RV Receptacle C46540 @ Electric Generators Direct.com - Your Online Portable Power and Home Standby Generator Superstore

overlander63 · 01-11-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gowyn

Different model here in Canada.

CSA40015. CSA approved for the Great White North eh!..hehe also $299CAD at Costco right now.

Well... The price is right. If it doesn't work out for you, you aren't out that much money. I had a 4.5Kw generator, it would run everything in the airstream, but you couldn't sleep because of the noise.
At the earliest opportunity I got a lightly used Honda eu2000i for $250, ditched the contractor genny, and have been happy.