Generators

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by kayakterp

Does anyone have experience with FIRMAN?
Firman 4000-watt ECO 4000RE Gas Remote Start Portable Generator
There is one for sale in my area but I don’t know how loud it is nor if the maker has a reputation (positive or negative)
I will look up reviews but just wondering if anyone has personal experience with this or similar model?
Hoping it’s not one of those “construction site models” that ruin the campers experience with noise?
Thanks

My experience with them comes from a neighbor who has one. Decent dependability, but pretty dirty power, and LOUD!
He lives 1/4 mile away, and I can tell when he fires it up.

[kayakterp]

Originally Posted by weredoingit

Yes I have the champion pictured above, the other poster is correct, propane is less efficient. However it is very convenient to have that option. My champion runs on gasoline propane or natural gas. A wonderful option. Propane burns cleaner and is so nice to have that option. And my Champion on propane will run my A/C but nothing else at the same time. So If I want to run the A/C I simply turn the switch and simple as that I'm running on gasoline. Also propane burns cleaner so your generator will last longer on propane. I really believe that the champion 3400 remote starter, that runs on gasoline propane or natural gas is the new Honda. I have 84 hours on my Champion about 50 hours have been run on propane, yes it cost a little more than gasoline but it's so much easier.

Thanks again to everyone for contributing your replies.
Will be looking into the dual gas this weekend!

[Tooth Doc]

Generators Some state and fed cgs are posting decibel limits and actually enforcing them. Even if you are not in a controlled area your neighbors will be very unhappy with you if you run one of the "LOUD"ones.

[weredoingit]

[QUOTE=Tooth Doc;4034383]Generators Some state and fed cgs are posting decibel limits and actually enforcing them. Even if you are not in a controlled area your neighbors will be very unhappy with you if you run one of


If he buys the champion I described his neighbor's will love him

[Cicch95]

Originally Posted by KHBama

Predator 3500 from Harbor Freight has worked awesome for me so far. I haven’t used it since November,, but took it out of the garage this past weekend and it started up on the 1st attempt. It’s very quiet and can run everything I need. Now 3 years from now, I may be singing a different tune. I needed/wanted a generator but didn’t want to pay $2000+, I paid $650 for the Predator.

[kayakterp]

Originally Posted by twinboat

You won't need more the the power cord will supply and that's 3600 watts.

I would go for a Champian inverter generator before the Harbor Freight one. The HF is the cheapest generator out there and that has to count for something.

Haven't shopped lately, but Champion did make a 3200 watt inverter model that may do it for you, but not for $500.

So anything 3600 and above will be all I need?
I am considering the Champion 3800 Dual Fuel
It maxes out with running watts at 3250 on LP Gas & 3800 gas
Do you think this would pretty much be all I need? Especially in Spring & Fall without A/C? During the summer I would keep a close eye on watts used while AC is running (microwave)
I understand this is not the quiet inverter type but unfortunately my funds won’t allow that at this time. Especially if I would have to buy 2 to pair together!

[weredoingit]

Originally Posted by weredoingit

Yes I have the champion pictured above, the other poster is correct, propane is less efficient. However it is very convenient to have that option. My champion runs on gasoline propane or natural gas. A wonderful option. Propane burns cleaner and is so nice to have that option. And my Champion on propane will run my A/C but nothing else at the same time. So If I want to run the A/C I simply turn the switch and simple as that I'm running on gasoline. Also propane burns cleaner so your generator will last longer on propane. I really believe that the champion 3400 remote starter, that runs on gasoline propane or natural gas is the new Honda. I have 84 hours on my Champion about 50 hours have been run on propane, yes it cost a little more than gasoline but it's so much easier.

Picture

[Starbreaker]

Champion 3400watt here as well.. I LOVE my inverter generator.

[birddog2you]

Good unit!

[MapleKing]

Originally Posted by kayakterp

So anything 3600 and above will be all I need?
I am considering the Champion 3800 Dual Fuel
It maxes out with running watts at 3250 on LP Gas & 3800 gas
Do you think this would pretty much be all I need? Especially in Spring & Fall without A/C? During the summer I would keep a close eye on watts used while AC is running (microwave)
I understand this is not the quiet inverter type but unfortunately my funds won’t allow that at this time. Especially if I would have to buy 2 to pair together!

I know you'd have to keep an eye on usage but there are quiet inverter types that generate 2000 watts for under $500. It doesn't give you everything but it gives you what you need and you don't need to noisy.

[Funding Fun]

Champion 3100 will run one 13.5 A/C or equivalent and is very quiet. The Honda 2000's are great as well, as you can run them parallel to get 3,600 net watts. I have all three which gives me the 2,000, 3,100 or 4,000 options. The Harbor Freight one is crap.

[wa8yxm]

The Water heater.. USE GAS
THe A/C needs at least 3,000 watts or a solid 2,000 if you are lucky (The Honda's model numbers are the PEAK not the running watts)

Microwave. Well a Honda 2000 might

3,000 watts on 500 dollars without earplugs needed is not likely to happen.

[Jay D.]

I have the non inverter3500/400 Champion I see Walmart has them listed for 389.00 with remote start I don't think they make any more noise than two Hondas hooked together. my boy and I built a quiet box for mine just to try it out. we made it out of fiberglass furnace ducting, it really made a difference probably way quieter than a Honda now the non inverter champion with remote is about 125# and the inverter one is 90# not much difference. the remote start is the best we were boon docking and watching tv late at night an all I had to do is reach to the side of my bed and push the button and the gen is off. wife gets up early and wants to make coffee, she just pushes the button and the gen starts, and for 389.00. what can be better
Jay D.

[lcboy]

I have a champion 3500/4000 gen and it runs my 15 btu ac along with everything on but the hot water heater on gas. It is about the same noise level as my cousins two hondas going at the same time. The champion will run for 11 hrs on 3.8 gal of gas. I did a test on the camper and this is what I found. Ac 13 amps ,water heater 11 amps,microwave 10 amps ,ice box 2 amps,tv 2 amps,water pump 2 amps,antenna 1 amp. Did it along time ago but it's close enough to get the idea. This generator puts out 30 amps so the camper wire and plug are rated for this amount of amps.