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Old 11-21-2011, 03:08 AM   #1
kountry traveler
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Portable Generators

There have been numerous threads on generators and they are mostly about Honda or Yamaha. Know these are quiet and reliable but also expensive.

We have a "04" 2980 RL with one a/c and have been looking at a 4000 watt Champion for a lot less money and wondered if anybody could comment on how well they handle the load and the noise level. The difference in cost is $269.00 vs $2000.00 for a Honda or Yamaha with equal wattage.

Would use only for boondocking or when in transit for a overnight stop at a wayside rest or possibly a Walmart.










 
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Old 11-21-2011, 03:45 AM   #2
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I'm assuming from the cost ($269) that this is a contractor genset. Others use them, but it is not a "clean electricity" unit and it it probably is rather noisey. Depending on where you'll use it ... I'd be pretty miffed having to be nearby listening to the racket. Several of us use a genset in the 3000 watt range. I use a Kipor ... pretty quiet and runs everything I want on my Montana.
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Old 11-21-2011, 03:47 AM   #3
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Make sure it produces the sine wave type of electricity that electronic equipment needs or you may damage something that will make up the difference in price quickly.
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Old 11-21-2011, 03:49 AM   #4
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CW has added this brand in their stores- Sales clerk told me they are selling well- JMHO- Don
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Old 11-21-2011, 03:54 AM   #5
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Before buying my two Honda EU2000 generators I tried using my 5KW generator at a campsite with no hook ups. I was out fishing and my wife was sewing. After about an hour, neighbors were knocking on her door asking her to shut it off so they could put their baby down for a nap. When it was shut down, other campers starting applauding. Needless to say, she did not want the generator turned back on, especially if I was not going to be there to catch the flack. The problem with computers and electronics that Dick mentioned is also a very real concern. Spend a few extra bucks and get a good one.
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Old 11-21-2011, 05:02 AM   #6
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We have a Champion 4000 and are happy. They are sold and reccomended by Camping world. I asked pertinent questions and was satisfied with answrs. We don't expect to be able to do with our Gen. what we do when we have good 50A service. We do not often use ours, just when we can't do better. Larry
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Old 11-21-2011, 07:43 AM   #7
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The champion will not produce pure sins wave power that your TV and computer needs and could shorten their lives but you can buy a real nice computer and TV for the difference. If you don't mind the noise and don't have any neighbors, go for it. You can buy a pure sine wave converter and run your sensitive equipment on your 12 volt system, but thats another $300.
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Old 11-21-2011, 01:22 PM   #8
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Kountry Traveler,
Whatever you do (if you plan to be near anyone else) get a unit that is not noisy. Typically the price range you're looking at produces a LOT of noise. Even in a parking lot of WalMart they can be very noisy. I've been on both ends of the generator situation. Used a noisy one and did not make any friends when I fired it up one cold night. And I've camped next to folks who had a noisy one! No sleep that night.

If at all possible get one of the known quieter models. And just because CW sells the unit in question it does not mean it will run quietly. If you haven't done a test of the units you need to do that. Run a Honda or Yamaha or even a Kipor and then run one of the units you're looking at and you will be astonished at the difference.

And even if you try to make the cheaper unit run quieter with a super duper muffler and or a surround box you can never get them to run as quietly as one of the truly quiet running units. Good luck and enjoy your travels. Dennis
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Old 11-21-2011, 03:16 PM   #9
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Hamrad,mlh

Help, I`am loss CW say`s not a problem for Laptop or TV, Cabala's says same thing,noise wise it runs at 68 dbs . I`m not an electrician
don`t understand pure sins wave power. I have seen Hondas,Yamaha,champion,huskys etc ,in campgrounds all have to be turned off by 8pm,so what is the difference from a Honda 2000i at $1000 for 58dbs and a Champion at 68dbs for $300 for 4000 watts ?????

Buy the way I`m not trying to be smart ...I really am confused

David
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Old 11-21-2011, 03:57 PM   #10
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David,
As far as the sound is concerned, volume increase is logarithmic. Every 6 dB increase in sound pressure doubles the actual loudness. So a 10 dB difference in sound level will definitely be noticeable, it will be well over twice as loud. I have done it with both types and am much happier with the Honda 2000i, even with both my Hondas "twined" together it is still only 58 dB - happy wife and happy neighbors.
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Old 11-22-2011, 12:22 AM   #11
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We went with a Boliy 3300W generator http://www.boliyguy.com/and are very pleased with it. Powers our A/C and no noticable difference in sound compared to the Hondas, Yamaha's etc. at 1/2 the cost.

We went throught the same thought process' you are going through weighing cost vs noise vs getting dirty looks from neighbors etc.

We use ours when Wallydocking and plan on making Quartsite at some point in time.

The Champions are hard to pass up at that price but, like others have said, having a loud generator does not win you many friends
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Old 11-22-2011, 01:44 AM   #12
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Hi

We purchased a pair of 200i’s with paralleling unit off CraigsList for $1,000. And they have served us well.

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Old 11-22-2011, 03:03 AM   #13
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That Boly unit sounds pretty interesting. With the 3000 watts you don't need two 2000s hooked together to power up a single a/c , the weight sounds intriguing too.
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Old 11-22-2011, 03:51 AM   #14
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I have been emailing Jim at http://www.boliyguy.com asking him to work with Boliy in designing a two Boliy system to operate a 50amp RV like Honda does for 30amp RVs. I believe that there is a market for such a system so that 50amp RVs can run two air conditioners. Two Boliys (6,000 watts) for approximately $2,200 to run two air conditioners vs. one Onan (5,500 watts) for $5,500 is a great deal. If you agree, please contact Jim at info@boliyguy.com and share your ideas. He is a full time RVer and is a Boliy retailer at Quartsite.
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Old 11-22-2011, 05:09 AM   #15
bear
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Well I found a DB chart on the web thought you all might be interested in.

1. Ordinary conversation 60dbs
2. vacuum cleaner @10ft 70dbs twice as loud !!!!!!!!!!

Now guess what DW says we are not getting!!!!!!!!!

This as always is a great club!!!!!!!!!!!

David in beautiful Coeur d Alene,ID
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