Generator - Montana Owners Club

pineranch · 03-21-2011, 06:38 AM

Is anyone using this? Champion 4000 Watt Portable Generator-49-State Model
Saw it on camping world site. Reviews state its quieter than the Honda.
Mike

bncinwv · 03-21-2011, 07:13 AM

Don't know where the reviews were coming from, but a db level of 68 when a comparable Honda is at 58 (Honda 3000eu and 2000eu) means that the Champion is 10 times louder than a Honda!! It is a decent price but you always get what you pay for. Another note about db ratings is they are very subjective, the Champion is rated at 68 decibels at 23 feet, where the Honda is rated at 58 dB at 9 feet on the control side of the generator. In addition the Honda's are induction type generators, bottom line is the induction type are the closest you can get to grid power and are safer with high end electronics. I do know I can run my Honda on our boat and be 10 feet away and carry on a normal conversation, I don't think I could do that with the Champion but I have not tried it.
Bingo

jsnip42 · 03-21-2011, 07:49 AM

I have that Champion generator. Bought it at Sam's for about $298. It is not as quiet as a Honda by any means. However for a cheap generator it is not unbearable. Nothing like the old Briggs on a Coleman. It cranks every time on first pull. (something my honda has never done) I go to a football game once or twice a year and could not justify the price of a bigger honda to pull the a/c.

helmick · 03-21-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by jsnip42

I have that Champion generator. Bought it at Sam's for about $298. It is not as quiet as a Honda by any means. However for a cheap generator it is not unbearable. Nothing like the old Briggs on a Coleman. It cranks every time on first pull. (something my honda has never done)

My Honda always starts on the first pull.

sfish · 03-21-2011, 05:01 PM

Our friends came over to our cabin with the champion and nobody could sleep that night. We used it as a boat anchor the next day. (Not really) but it was noisy they havent used it since then. Honda is the way to go.

Steve

dieselguy · 03-22-2011, 05:25 AM

I have a friend who has a Champion ... we try to stay on the other side of the loop when he is dry camping as it more peaceful. Champion is not as loud as an old Coleman contractor genset, but it's by no means as quiet as a Honda, Kipor, or Yamaha. Despite the price, You'll not make many friends with one

.

pineranch · 03-22-2011, 07:38 AM

I was just asking if anyone had one and used it while camping. If I want to ruin a good camping experience I'll bring my electric start 7550 EXL Generac. Now that's noisy. My 16 KVA whole house Generac is very quiet. I think Bingo holds the record for # of generators on board.

Mike

bncinwv · 03-22-2011, 07:55 AM

Mike,
I don't carry the Honda or the Kipor when we camp. I will haul the Honda to the mini-storage occassionally when I need a back-up to the Onan (dead battery syndrome - still learning the new power-draining rig details). Keep in mind the Kipor was for the previous rig and was replaced by the Onan, but we do still use the Kipor for backup power at the house (at least a once-a-year need). The Honda was purchased solely to run the AC on the boat, but since it is the lightest it is the one that gets carried around to fill other needs (It also is used in conjunction with the Kipor for the power outages at the house). The Onan is now the rig primary, obviously. I can truly say that I am not disappointed with any of them, since they all serve their purposes well!! I have thought about a whole-house backup, but that expense is hard to justify with all these other gennies laying around!!!

I still am looking hard at the automatic thermostat controlled switch for the Onan, since it is the source of the pets comfort when they are crated and travelling in the rig. By the way, I would have no qualms about having a Champion for a backup at the house if the Kipor ever dies, but I am not sure about the neighbors. They are always amazed when we have power during outages, since they cannot hear the generators running.
Bingo

eastridges · 03-22-2011, 08:42 AM

SAMS CLUB has a 4000 watt generator for $499 that states 53db.

bncinwv · 03-22-2011, 09:12 AM

Hmmm, 4000 watts at 53 db?? I think they forgot to turn it on when they tested it. Make and model specifics?? Might as well do some research.
Bingo

eastridges · 03-22-2011, 09:46 AM

Sorry, didn't mean to get your hopes up, it was a 2000 watt generator. I saw it in club 6320, Hermantown MN. I checked to see if it was on samsclub.com but did not see it just the paralell cable kit. I did find it on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Champion-Porta.../dp/B0041K09D8 for a little over $100 more.

bncinwv · 03-22-2011, 10:08 AM

Guess the only way to actually know is to have them side by side. The more research one does with regards to the decibel readings on various generators, the fuzzier it gets. I looked at Honda's page on their 2000 eu and it now states 53 db at 1/4 load and 59 db at rated load but no mention of the distance now?? I did find a site where the Champion was rated at 54 db at 1/4 load but again no distance given. I did notice that there are now many manufacturers of 2000w inverter generators ranging in prices from less than $500 to $1,000. Seems like the choices are growing, and hopefully so is the reliability. I can say that I have had the Honda for three years and have had absolutely no problems with it. Ditto the 3000 watt Kipor.
Bingo

2 for Him · 03-22-2011, 02:26 PM

This isn't the same open frame 3500 watt champion most of you are talking about. This one is their first inverter model and has gotten a lot of good reviews on other forums, and CPE already has a great reputation for service. Wish I didn't already have too many generators, would like to try one out.

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