Which Generator??

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

The Onan 6500 in a hush pack retails for $5400! But it only weighs 290#. Better get larger propane tanks too!

Sounds like you get a twofer with the 6500: it’ll break the bank AND your back😯

[rmkrum]

Both of those items around my vicinity are already bent darn near to the point of breaking...and I don't plan to make either of them worse...takes too darn long to recover at my age!

[Rzrbrn]

I did a lot of research and bought a Honda 3000is with remote start. I use gas because I run through propane too fast as it is, and it is much easier than trying to find propane. Also, gas makes slightly more energy available.

I chose Honda because it is quiet, dependable, and parts are available.

However, I find that I should have bought the Honda 7000is because when boondocking, especially at high and cold altitudes, I occasionally like to use the TV, Air (in the desert), microwave, lights, hair dryer, etc, and charge various things, at the same time. I am thinking about getting another Honda 3000is and running in parallel or selling my 3000 and replacing with the 7000is. As I type this it is obvious I should just get the 7000is.

[Wilbur McLamb]

You are absolutely right. The Honda 7000is is what i have and you can run it all. You could even loan electricity to your neighbor if needed.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Rzrbrn

As I type this it is obvious I should just get the 7000is.

The good news is that the Honda 3000 will sell in minutes.
The downside of the 7000 is it's heavy, and bulky. It won't fit under a tonneau. It burns more gas. A lot of folks don't want to carry around something that uses up all their extra weight capacity. And getting it in and out is more trouble. But it's a great unit. 50 amp, here we come!

[KK4YZ]

I vote for getting one additional 3000is and running em in parallel. You have more flexibility that way, like leaving one at home if you’re upcoming trip won’t need that much power. It’s also easier to lug 2 smaller units around than one large one. Your back will thank you for it.

[Matt Kline]

I bought a Honda EU3000 in 2008 and used it until September 2016 when it was stolen. It still started on the first try every time, and had been used often for way over 200,000 miles.
I bought a new EU3000 when the other one was stolen. The same model EU3000. We full timed while looking for a new house for eight months, mostly boon docking. No problem. during that time the police recovered my first generator, and my son in law has been using it ever since. You can't beat the Honda in my opinion. The 3,000 will run the AC fine, but not the AC and the microwave. I have no experience with the 2,000 but they sure look easy to pick up and walk away with. The 3,000 can't be stolen by one person unless he is a real moose. FYI. We were preparing for a trip when our first was stolen. Before my wife left for the mall she said, "Did you chain it down?" I said, "It will be ok, I'll do it before we leave." A lesson learned for me.
My dad always said, "You get what you pay for." Read the reviews and buy the best Yamaha or Honda, but leave the knock off brands alone. They are louder, and they are junk in my opinion. Why would you pull the best trailer, and not use comparable equipment with it?

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by Matt Kline

Why would you pull the best trailer, and not use comparable equipment with it?

You mean like a Champion generator? Best and quietest generator I have ever owned and it's a U.S. company.

[AtomicNo13]

My solution.
Runs everything, forever.
Always a conversation starter, has that industrial look, and a lovely green finish.
Can also share power with a friend!

[Rzrbrn]

Right, US company....

From the manual for this model #75531i, 3100 watt inverter gen:

MADE IN CHINA
REV 75531i-20171208

From email contact with Champion:

Champion Generators
Champion Power Equipment was founded in 2003. We are a US owned and operated company with our own manufacturing facilities in the Zehjiang province of China. We stand head and shoulders above our competitors by our commitment to quality throughout the engineering, quality assurance, manufacturing and customer service processes.

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by Rzrbrn

Right, US company....

From the manual for this model #75531i, 3100 watt inverter gen:

MADE IN CHINA
REV 75531i-20171208

From email contact with Champion:

Champion Generators
Champion Power Equipment was founded in 2003. We are a US owned and operated company with our own manufacturing facilities in the Zehjiang province of China. We stand head and shoulders above our competitors by our commitment to quality throughout the engineering, quality assurance, manufacturing and customer service processes.

And Yamahas and Hondas are built in China, Taiwan, and Thailand and...your money goes to Japan instead of the U.S.A.

[JMynes]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

My solution.
Runs everything, forever.
Always a conversation starter, has that industrial look, and a lovely green finish.
Can also share power with a friend!

Yep, I can see that starting a conversation. Especially around 10:30 pm.

[AtomicNo13]

No louder than my truck running.

[labans]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

My solution.
Runs everything, forever.
Always a conversation starter, has that industrial look, and a lovely green finish.
Can also share power with a friend!

I own and run the same generator for my 32' Silver Streak Sterling which has only one a/c. I converted the generator to run off of propane and it is very quiet. But most importantly is the fact that it always provides more power than needed so it is never loaded no matter what I do in the trailer. And the other point little talked about is the fact that my Onans (I have 2) both run at 1800 rpm not at 3600 like the Hondas, Yamahas etc. For me those gens just run too fast and seem like egg beaters. I'll take an Onan any day over any of the other brands.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

No louder than my truck running.

Ha, Ha..... Your truck looks like it could be from a "back to the future" movie, none of us has seen yet...hope you never rear end someone with that contraption while pulling your trailer...could be very costly for everyone involved!

I understand...if it works and you like it, that's all that matters, right!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Roadtech

And Yamahas and Hondas are built in China, Taiwan, and Thailand and...your money goes to Japan instead of the U.S.A.

Not to mention, the $$ cost of those other 2 mentioned, is twice that of one Champion! And, do Yamaha or Honda offer a propane version from the manufacturer?? Just saying...Champion has pretty good reputation on the Forum...

[Fred L]

I originally looked at the Champion 2000 (1700 running?) and in reading the test information from Easy Start, they mention that it would not run the 13,500btu A/C in my trailer with the Easy Start mod.
I considered the larger one, but really don't want to lug the weight around or lift it (still trying to understand the 7000watt Honda or Onan; I guess that works if you have a loader on a tractor to put it in your truck bed).
I took the easy route and went with the 2000i Honda, works great uses very little fuel and runs everything we need. That said, my old Generac 100db (kidding, but boy it was loud) 4000 home back-up generator bit the dust a couple months ago, but served us well for many years. So instead or replacing that, I bought another Honda 2000i (c), so we have 4000 watts now if we want it. And the ease of carrying the small Hondas around was what motivated me to buy it in the first place. As they say, your mileage may vary. A friend recently bought the Generac 2000 inverter and I must say that is a nice unit, but I bought my Honda for $899 and his Genera was $699, so for $200, I think I would do the Honda again.

PS, the Predator 3500 inverter being sold at Harbor Freight has my attention based on the many reviews I have read on it, may be worth considering for the price, but hopefully I am done for quite some time.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Fred L

I originally looked at the Champion 2000 (1700 running?) and in reading the test information from Easy Start, they mention that it would not run the 13,500btu A/C in my trailer with the Easy Start mod.
I considered the larger one, but really don't want to lug the weight around or lift it (still trying to understand the 7000watt Honda or Onan; I guess that works if you have a loader on a tractor to put it in your truck bed).
I took the easy route and went with the 2000i Honda, works great uses very little fuel and runs everything we need. That said, my old Generac 100db (kidding, but boy it was loud) 4000 home back-up generator bit the dust a couple months ago, but served us well for many years. So instead or replacing that, I bought another Honda 2000i (c), so we have 4000 watts now if we want it. And the ease of carrying the small Hondas around was what motivated me to buy it in the first place. As they say, your mileage may vary. A friend recently bought the Generac 2000 inverter and I must say that is a nice unit, but I bought my Honda for $899 and his Genera was $699, so for $200, I think I would do the Honda again.

PS, the Predator 3500 inverter being sold at Harbor Freight has my attention based on the many reviews I have read on it, may be worth considering for the price, but hopefully I am done for quite some time.

I would think with the Easystart, you should be fine with one Honda 2000? Your correct; the Champion 2400 would not start the 1500 AC's even with the EasyStart, which is one reason why I opted for the Champion 3400 Dual Fuel when we went to our new 28'. Other reason of course, was propane fuel. I did consider getting a second Champion 2400 and linking them together, like Honda and Yamaha 2000's offer. Just seems too much to fuss with; 2 generators to carry, more cables, 2 fuel tanks to watch, plus gas cans. The propane option on the Dual Fuel works great; the weight is a little less then 2 smaller generators, and sound/weight on the Champion Dual Fuel is comparable to more expensive Honda or Yamaha 3000 series. Worked well for us this summer and fall. I leave in the rear of the truck most times, but have moved it to different locations around the camp site's when staying longer then a couple nights. Lifting in/out of truck is not bad for me yet, and load handle/wheel assembly work well for maneuvering.

[Boxite]

The HF Predator does not offer any info as to WEIGHT. Hmmmnnn....

The reviews don't mention it either. And two reviews give it 5 stars... but downgrade it a bit on fuel capacity (2.6 gal) and oil access (difficult) and one mentions it seems to be "choked down" until he removed the lower cover...which then tends to cause the inverter to run hot.

I've got a Predator 8750 for a couple years and it's a good unit for the price and Consumer Reports gives it a Best Buy checkmark. But it's a contractor type, heavy, and not suitable for RV use in my opinion. I bought it to power a welder away from the house and for emerg. power.

I use a smaller contractor unit for camping but not where/when noise would be a concern for others. Boondocking mostly. (Lighter-wt PowerMate/Coleman 3125 liquidation sale at Pep Boys for $149 goes a long way to keeping me happy when I use it. Runs the AC or MW etc. and elect. chain saws away from home.)

Let me pass along a maintenance tip I learned after spending a day trying to figure out why it occasionally almost died....then caught itself and ran... over and over. Traced it to that little wire that comes out of the side of the crankcase on most generators.... the oil-level sensor/shut-down. The little float/sensor in the crankcase requires engine tear-down to replace it...and Why do we need this ...??? when we check oil regularly anyway...?? Cut the wire, tape the ends... and no problems. Runs great all the time. Easy fix.... IF you know that may be the problem. :wink:

[Rzrbrn]

The Honda eu3000is I use weighs about 155 lbs (it is slightly modified and is bolted to a LowPro Lockdown). I use gas because it is easier to find, produces slightly more electricity when running, and my propane tanks are locked and enclosed. The generator sits on a platform over the enclosed propane tanks on the tongue of the trailer.

When I look at myself in the mirror I see a 25 year old built like Dwayne Johnson or Arnold S (in his prime) and therefore able to lift such weight with ease. However when my wife looks at me she says she sees a 70 year old, overweight old fool with arthritis. Solely to keep peace in the family, I acquiesce to her considerations.

So... I use this to load and unload the generator:

Torin Big Red Steel Engine Hoist / Shop Crane with Foldable Frame, 2 Ton (4,000 lb) Capacity

Which I bought on sale at Harbor freight for a $100 in 2015 when I bought the generator. I load and unload the generator several times a year (mostly so I can justify the cost of the hoist to my wife).

This hoist has worked well for me in this capacity, but has also proved its worth in a couple of other ways, so money well spent. Wish I had bought this hoist long ago.