50 AMP Champion Generator - Montana Owners Club

Phil805 · 07-07-2012, 06:56 AM

Looking at a 7500 running watt Champion Generator at Camping World. It has a 14-50R receptacle (50 amps). My question is, does anyone have this generator? If so, will it run both a/c units at same time? We need 50 amp service in order to run both a/c units on our Montana. Lost shore power from strom for several day, had to live Monty in the driveway. Have a 5000 watt generator, would only run 1 AC. TEmps in high 90's during day, not much fun.
Although was better off then neighbors in complete darkness.

Art-n-Marge · 07-07-2012, 09:05 AM

The numbers are right on the unit if this thing supports 7500 peak watts since you really only need 5000 running watts.

I don't know why the 5000 watt generator didn't work but it should have been able to support your two A/C units (while very close). Do a search in this forum for capacitors that you can attach to the A/Cs to lessen the spike and minimize the impact on lesser powered generators. But I guess if you want to live in the rig during power outages you'll want as big of a generator to lessen power concerns.

I have friends who have Champions because they are very inexpensive but they use them for industrial work (power tools and radios, nothing sensitive). The big concern is how clean is the power graph on this unit for sensitive electronics like computers, big screens and other very high tech devices. The other is portability. I hope it has a wheel kit and some handles. This would probably require me to use my ramps to get it around from the store to your house.

Thanks for bringing this up. I'll check this one out just for grins.

On Edit: It looks very promising for your needs from the reviewer's comments. That thing is a beast and weighs over 220 lbs! Another example of the word "portable" just by adding wheels and a handle LOL! For that price and temporary usage it sounds like it's worth a shot. If you get one, you'll have to let us know how it does. Please find a way to secure it. Portable generators have a terrible reputation of being "taken for a one-way walk" and never to return.

WeBeFulltime · 07-07-2012, 01:27 PM

What is the noise output?

maximo · 07-07-2012, 01:48 PM

Not to knock anyone's generator, they may be good units. The only thing I want to say is I have used gererators of all makes, models and sizes for over 40 years. Used to run tools of all kinds and sizes for construction, run whole house when powed down, many RV's. large comerical BBQ units, welders, lights, barns and other things. By far the best make has been HONDA. Have used HONDA size 1,000 watt up to 6,500 watt and never a problem. Thousands of hours and always start off easy. Less noise of any other type I have used. They are not as cheap as a lot of other generators but but well worth the extra cost " YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"

Frank

Frank

mhs4771 · 07-07-2012, 04:23 PM

We now have a 5.5K Onan in our SOB and it runs our 2 15K ACs with power to spare.

moutard2 · 07-07-2012, 05:55 PM

If it's a Champion you want, Costco sells them. Check this one out ...

CostCo

The price seems very good.

Phil805 · 07-08-2012, 01:02 AM

Art-n-Marge thanks for your response. Ok between MOC forum, and Keystone forum everybody feel the genny I have should do the job.

Generator is Generac brand, about 10 years old. Has 3 outlets.
120 volt AC, 20 amp receptacle, 120/240 volt AC, 20 amp receptacle, and 120 volt AC, 30 amp locking receptacle.

2011 Montana High country (50 AMP power) 15k AC Living room, 13k AC bedroom. I added bedroom AC WAS PRE WIRED. I have two power cords 50 AMP and a cord with female 50 AMP end and male 30 AMP end.
Had to make adapter for 50 to 30 cord, to plug into generator.

I can run either or no problems, turn on second AC and shortly after it trips the reset button on 30 AMP receptacle, ON THE GENERATOR.

Question, its to my understanding in the campgrounds you need 50 AMP service to run both ACs. Would I need a 50 AMP receptacle on genny, and if so can I just remove the 30 and replace with a 50 AMP receptacle.

Phil805 · 07-08-2012, 01:05 AM

Art-n-Marge thanks for your response. Ok between MOC forum, and Keystone forum everybody feel the genny I have should do the job.

Generator is Generac brand, about 10 years old. Has 3 outlets.
120 volt AC, 20 amp receptacle, 120/240 volt AC, 20 amp receptacle, and 120 volt AC, 30 amp locking receptacle.

2011 Montana High country (50 AMP power) 15k AC Living room, 13k AC bedroom. I added bedroom AC WAS PRE WIRED. I have two power cords 50 AMP and a cord with female 50 AMP end and male 30 AMP end.
Had to make adapter for 50 to 30 cord, to plug into generator.
(I was using the 30 AMP receptacle)

I can run either or no problems, turn on second AC and shortly after it trips the reset button on 30 AMP receptacle, ON THE GENERATOR.

Question, its to my understanding in the campgrounds you need 50 AMP service to run both ACs. Would I need a 50 AMP receptacle on genny, and if so can I just remove the 30 and replace with a 50 AMP receptacle.

mrtgraz · 07-08-2012, 04:48 AM

That thing weights 237.7 lbs how u gonna transport it around. Im with Maximo, HONDA All the way.The noise level is around 74 DBA at around 23 feet. Much louder then 2 honda eu2000s

Phil805 · 07-08-2012, 05:07 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by mrtgraz

That thing weights 237.7 lbs how u gonna transport it around. Im with Maximo, HONDA All the way.The noise level is around 74 DBA at around 23 feet. Much louder then 2 honda eu2000s

It not for camping. It is for when we lose power and have live in driveway.

mrtgraz · 07-08-2012, 06:44 AM

Then this gen should be fine, The price is right that's for sure compared to a Honda. Good luck with it. You could use this for a whole house stand by generator also,if you wanted too.

**DQDick** · 07-08-2012, 08:50 AM

That's what we did, when we had the stick house. We used a contractor type generator for the refrigerators, water pump, lights and space heaters. If I wanted to run our furnace I had to use one of our Honda's because the furnace wouldn't accept the rough power from the contractor type (It was one of the new high tech ones with too many sensitive electronics and it had a sensor that wouldn't let it run if the sine wave issue was present)

CBTraveler · 07-14-2012, 04:29 AM

The Honda inverter generators are great and I believe Honda is the market leader. They were the first in the market and their stuff always works well. Having said that,I bought a Yamaha 2 KVA inverter generator several years ago and it also has worked very well. We can't get our TT into our yard, so when I work on it in the storage area I simply take the Yamaha with me. The decision re Honda vs Yamaha was very close and I went back and forth more than one time before choosing the Yamaha.There were two reasons I selected the Yamaha over the Honda. All controls and outlets are on the same side and the gas cap has a built in gas gauge. You could not go wrong with either.

HamRad · 07-14-2012, 06:38 AM

CBTraveler,
I agree with your assessment of the Honda vs Yamaha. We have a Honda 2000 but would buy a Yamaha with same expectations as with the Honda. It is amazing just how durable and reliable our Honda has been. Happy Trails, Dennis.

docport · 08-09-2012, 04:00 AM

BEWARE OF NOISE LEVEL! Some camping sites are now monitoring generator noise levels. I am retired military and their camp sites are really cracking down on loud generators. They are now going to require built in generators to use "snorkles" on the exhaust so your nextdoor neighbor is not blowing his exhaust into your unit. All are good ideas. Nothing worse than sitting outside and having to yell to each other over the noise of a generator or having to close your windows/doors to keep exhaust out of your camper. All is good sense and common courtesy.

Tom S. · 08-09-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by docport

BEWARE OF NOISE LEVEL! Some camping sites are now monitoring generator noise levels. I am retired military and their camp sites are really cracking down on loud generators. They are now going to require built in generators to use "snorkles" on the exhaust so your nextdoor neighbor is not blowing his exhaust into your unit. All are good ideas. Nothing worse than sitting outside and having to yell to each other over the noise of a generator or having to close your windows/doors to keep exhaust out of your camper. All is good sense and common courtesy.

He's not using it for camping, he's using it at his stick house.

2 for Him · 08-12-2012, 04:35 PM

Phil805,
Is the 5000 watt gennie 220 volt? If it is make sure that the A/C units are on different legs of the 220 volt service. If both are on one leg they will pull to much amperage for one winding.
If it is a 110 unit not much you can do.
By the way, just for a test, I replaced my 50 amp double pole main breaker in our trailer with a 30 amp double pole, we have not blown that breaker in more than 2 years, running (1) a/c, microwave, coffee pots, and/or 2 space heaters in the winter. If the breakers are balanced you will need far less amperage. And yes, this was legal as long as the wires to the trailer are rated for the pole breakers.

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