Champion 201050 - 3000 Watt Dual Fuel

[Lvanden]

About ready to pull the trigger on the Champion 3000 watt duel fuel. I have a 2023 25' FC with two Dometic AC's (50 amp system) and have Soft Start on one of them. I know I can only use the one with the soft start and will have to use a 30 amp dogbone.

My question is whether the 3000 watt will run the AC on both propane and gas? Here is what Champion says:

Dual Fuel Operation
3000 Running watts & up to 4000 starting watts on gasoline
2700 Running watts & up to 4000 starting watts on propane

For those with the same generator, is it sufficient to run one AC? We have a dog and need to leave him alone periodically during the day (national park hikes).

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by Lvanden

About ready to pull the trigger on the Champion 3000 watt duel fuel. I have a 2023 25' FC with two Dometic AC's (50 amp system) and have Soft Start on one of them. I know I can only use the one with the soft start and will have to use a 30 amp dogbone.

My question is whether the 3000 watt will run the AC on both propane and gas? Here is what Champion says:

Dual Fuel Operation
3000 Running watts & up to 4000 starting watts on gasoline
2700 Running watts & up to 4000 starting watts on propane

For those with the same generator, is it sufficient to run one AC? We have a dog and need to leave him alone periodically during the day (national park hikes).

That generator will operate one of your a/c units, either using gasoline or propane.

You could even go smaller, to the Champion (or Westinghouse) 2500 generators. The benefit there is that the smaller units are lighter, less bulky, and quieter. We just purchased a Westinghouse 2550, and I would not want anything larger/heavier.

Also, since you mentioned Natl Parks… At 64db, the Champion 4000/3000 does not meet the Natl Park noise level requirement for generators (<60db).

And be advised that most Natl Parks have limited duration time windows when it is okay to operate a generator. Usually only 1-2 hours each morning and afternoon, at specified times. So if you are planning a long hike without your dog, you may not be able to leave the generator running the entire time.

[DCPAS]

I agree that is overkill. We have a two AC 25 (both with softstarts) with Dometics and can run one AC with a propane converted Honda 2200i which only rated at 1800 watts continuous on gasoline.

[Lvanden]

Super helpful, thanks. I didn’t know about the decibel limit level! I will look at the dual fuel 2500s as lighter is better for this old back.

[Lvanden]

Originally Posted by DCPAS

I agree that is overkill. We have a two AC 25 (both with softstarts) with Dometics and can run one AC with a propane converted Honda 2200i which only rated at 1800 watts continuous on gasoline.

Is it the companion 2200? I was also looking at that, but to be honest was confused about whether it would run one AC or not.

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by Lvanden

Super helpful, thanks. I didn’t know about the decibel limit level! I will look at the dual fuel 2500s as lighter is better for this old back.

At my current age our Westinghouse 2550DFc is heavy enough, at +/-40 lbs. Five or ten years from now it will probably feel twice as heavy!

P.S. While not necessarily a deal maker/breaker, the Westinghouse has a 30-amp RV-style plug/outlet, so no adapter is needed to use the trailer’s shore-power cord.

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by Lvanden

Is it the companion 2200? I was also looking at that, but to be honest was confused about whether it would run one AC or not.

No. The companion model has a 30 amp outlet, but it is a different outlet than a regular RV 30 amp outlet so you need an adapter to use it. Both the regular model and the companion model have the same output (a little over 18 amps). The regular model has two 20 amp household style outlets. I use one of those with a dogbone to my 50 amp trailer receptacle. We ran the Honda for a very long time to power one AC during a long electrical outage after Hurricane Beryl so it definitely works. I have a Micro Air Easy Start on both AC's.

I bought a companion model this year so I could run both generators for home use. You need the companion model's 30 amp outlet if you want to run two connected Hondas. If you are buying one Honda just for RV use, I do not see any advantage to getting the companion model. If there is an advantage, I am certain someone here will describe it.

[SpeedBump]

I have the same generator and use only propane. I have two dometic ACs, and run only one when using the generator. Starts and runs just fine on propane.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by DCPAS

No. The companion model has a 30 amp outlet, but it is a different outlet than a regular RV 30 amp outlet so you need an adapter to use it. Both the regular model and the companion model have the same output (a little over 18 amps). The regular model has two 20 amp household style outlets. I use one of those with a dogbone to my 50 amp trailer receptacle. We ran the Honda for a very long time to power one AC during a long electrical outage after Hurricane Beryl so it definitely works. I have a Micro Air Easy Start on both AC's.

I bought a companion model this year so I could run both generators for home use. You need the companion model's 30 amp outlet if you want to run two connected Hondas. If you are buying one Honda just for RV use, I do not see any advantage to getting the companion model. If there is an advantage, I am certain someone here will describe it.

I have the regular Honda 2200 Propane model, from Genconnex. Very happy. I believe the only difference is the Companion model has 1- 20A, and 1-30A outlets, and the model I have has 2-20A plug's. The Companion is $100 more for some reason. Both have Bluetooth. I use one to run my AC when needed or as backup to charge batteries. I do use a 20A-50A pigtail from the Honda to the AS when I use. With Li batteries now, did not use the Honda this year. Just sits in the back of my truck bed, when/if needed.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

Also, since you mentioned Natl Parks… At 64db, the Champion 4000/3000 does not meet the Natl Park noise level requirement for generators (<60db).

Actually the Natl Park noise level requirement for generators of under 60db is at 50 feet. The Champion 4000/3000 rating of 64db is at 23 feet which is under 58db at 50 feet. One of the problems with different standards for noise testing with generators.

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Actually the Natl Park noise level requirement for generators of under 60db is at 50 feet. The Champion 4000/3000 rating of 64db is at 23 feet which is under 58db at 50 feet. One of the problems with different standards for noise testing with generators.

Fair point. But the db rating on these generators is usually at 1/4 load. If the OP is planning to use this to power air conditioning, the generator will be working much harder and producing significantly more noise. I don’t believe it would meet the Natl Park standards.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

Fair point. But the db rating on these generators is usually at 1/4 load. If the OP is planning to use this to power air conditioning, the generator will be working much harder and producing significantly more noise. I don’t believe it would meet the Natl Park standards.

Fair observations; but I have "yet" to see the Park Rangers or Volunteers, enforce the "noise" restriction. I camp in Teton, Glacier, and Yellowstone oftene each summer, and you can count on "someone" who has a noisy industrial type generator going. I remember about 4 years back, we were camped at Many Glacier, and there were 2 family's with SOB's across from each other with very loud industrial type generators. We were all very annoyed but could not get the park staff to intervene. Anyone ever had this rule enforced? Would be great if it were for sure.

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Fair observations; but I have "yet" to see the Park Rangers or Volunteers, enforce the "noise" restriction. I camp in Teton, Glacier, and Yellowstone oftene each summer, and you can count on "someone" who has a noisy industrial type generator going. I remember about 4 years back, we were camped at Many Glacier, and there were 2 family's with SOB's across from each other with very loud industrial type generators. We were all very annoyed but could not get the park staff to intervene. Anyone ever had this rule enforced? Would be great if it were for sure.

I’ve seen it enforced by campers. On more than one occasion a nearby camper has just walked over and hit the kill switch on an overly noisy generator. That could be a tragedy if your dogs are in the trailer relying on the a/c to keep them cool.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

Fair point. But the db rating on these generators is usually at 1/4 load. If the OP is planning to use this to power air conditioning, the generator will be working much harder and producing significantly more noise. I don’t believe it would meet the Natl Park standards.

Well like I said "One of the problems with different standards for noise testing with generators."

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by BikeCamper

I’ve seen it enforced by campers. On more than one occasion a nearby camper has just walked over and hit the kill switch on an overly noisy generator. That could be a tragedy if your dogs are in the trailer relying on the a/c to keep them cool.

That could be a "tragedy" if the person who owns the generator gets upset! No need to start trouble with someone you don't know...and don't know how they will react.

[cloud49er]

I started out using a larger champion. The noise & weight were more than I wanted. So I switched to 2x 2500W units in parallel. When I don't need A/C or heat pump just a charge for batteries I just bring one.

[hawkeyertt]

I have two Champion 2000 watt generator inverters and tie them together with the optional parallel connection accessory. There is now a 2500 dual fuel version of the generators I have. The benefits of two smaller generators are weight of the generators, only 43 lbs each, and the ability to get 4,000 watts of starting power and 3400 watts of continuous power (the new 2500 does even more) when connected together.

[hawkeyertt]

Cloud49er: If I was buying generators today, I would go with your setup

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

That could be a "tragedy" if the person who owns the generator gets upset! No need to start trouble with someone you don't know...and don't know how they will react.

I completely agree. Absent some kind of critical emergency, I would never mess with someone else’s property.

Just reporting what I’ve witnessed.

[Lvanden]

Originally Posted by Lvanden

About ready to pull the trigger on the Champion 3000 watt duel fuel. I have a 2023 25' FC with two Dometic AC's (50 amp system) and have Soft Start on one of them. I know I can only use the one with the soft start and will have to use a 30 amp dogbone.

My question is whether the 3000 watt will run the AC on both propane and gas? Here is what Champion says:

Dual Fuel Operation
3000 Running watts & up to 4000 starting watts on gasoline
2700 Running watts & up to 4000 starting watts on propane

For those with the same generator, is it sufficient to run one AC? We have a dog and need to leave him alone periodically during the day (national park hikes).

Thanks for all the great feedback. Final decision...Champion 2500 Dual Fuel for the weight along with the 30Amp parallel connector (so I don't have to double dog-bone). I think it gives me the flexibility to add another generator if needed (I don't think I will) and it makes connecting to the RV 30Amp with just the single dog bone easier.

This is a great forum, thanks for all the feedback and suggesions.