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Old 07-18-2017, 09:12 PM   #1
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Champion Generators

So, I purchased two Champion 3400 watt inverter generators for boondocking. First impressions - with no load, they are quiet. With load - loud. When run in parallel, they do power both AC's...but, they don't like powering both AC's, inverter/charger, converter, water heater, etc after driving all day. I'm guessing the inverter/charger and water heater, in addition to both AC's overloads them. Once the batteries are charged and water is hot, they do power both AC's to cool the trailer.
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Old 07-18-2017, 11:37 PM   #2
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Well your rig is 50A
That is 6000W per leg----12,000W total

Those 3400W Champions at best put out 3100W full throttle
6200W total
So YES you need to 'power manage'

Swap water heater to propane and limit inverter load so batteries do not need as much charging (what is on the inverter?)
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Old 07-19-2017, 05:50 AM   #3
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The parallel adaptor kit that Champion sells uses a standard 50 amp 240 volt outlet, but states that it only supplies 50 amps at 120 volts. It's splitting the 50 amps to both hot lines in the plug.

That's half the power of a campgrounds 50 amp, 240 volt power post.

As mentioned, you need to manage your power.

A single Honda eu7000 may have been a better fit, certainly quiter.
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Old 07-19-2017, 06:48 AM   #4
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aknavy if you want to run your 12000 watt RV on generator as if it was on shore power you will need a 12000 watt generator.

- Jeff
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Old 07-19-2017, 01:58 PM   #5
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Yep, didn't do the math on it. Not an issue, mostly concerned with running both AC's, which it will do.

I'm more disappointed in how loud they are under load. But, didn't want to spend the $$$ on the Honda's, so I'll live with it.

Mostly posted for anyone researching generators to see my thoughts.
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Old 07-19-2017, 02:42 PM   #6
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Yep, didn't do the math on it. Not an issue, mostly concerned with running both AC's, which it will do.

I'm more disappointed in how loud they are under load. But, didn't want to spend the $$$ on the Honda's, so I'll live with it.

Mostly posted for anyone researching generators to see my thoughts.
Roger, out.
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Old 07-19-2017, 07:03 PM   #7
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Sorry I'm baaaak! This might interest you.

Champion 12000/15000

Understand, I'm Af retired and my son is submarines in the navy. So Proud!

Wish there was an emoticon salute!

-Jeff
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Old 07-19-2017, 07:17 PM   #8
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Sorry I'm baaaak! This might interest you.

Champion 12000/15000

Understand, I'm Af retired and my son is submarines in the navy. So Proud!

Wish there was an emoticon salute!

-Jeff

Wow, 78 dba. That thing is going to be loud.
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Old 07-19-2017, 07:28 PM   #9
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Wow, 78 dba. That thing is going to be loud.
At a nascar race infield who cares!?
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Old 07-24-2017, 06:35 PM   #10
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We basically always run the waterheater on propane if boondocking or in a low power situation (in fact its on propane right now, we're only on a 20amp circuit lol)

It pulls a lot of AC power and Propane burner ->Heat is WAY More efficient Than off the generator: Gasoline -> Engine -> Generator -> Electric element -> Heat.

I find my Champion 2800watt to be too loud as well under load... I am totally jealous of the little EU2000's which are practically silent from inside. Obviously they don't have nearly the watts and power isn't free...

I did just get this in my inbox which is interesting....57db? hmmmm

https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-W...tor-63584.html
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Old 07-24-2017, 06:44 PM   #11
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just to expand on this - basically if you can power it off propane, do so, and leave the generators for JUST the ACs.

So even if I am running my generator I still have:
Fridge on Propane
Water heater on Propane.
Solar panels helping the converter.

Its silent, and saves watts on the generator for other power hungry things like AC's. Conversely, it also just lets the gen idle along for battery charging, as opposed to 50-75% throttle (loud) just to run the 11amp water heater + 3amp fridge (14amps...1600watts converting to heat...which the propane is better at anyway. So don't bother having it do things that can propane can do silently.
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Old 07-24-2017, 06:53 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by mrgrayaz View Post
We basically always run the waterheater on propane if boondocking or in a low power situation (in fact its on propane right now, we're only on a 20amp circuit lol)

It pulls a lot of AC power and Propane burner ->Heat is WAY More efficient Than off the generator: Gasoline -> Engine -> Generator -> Electric element -> Heat.

I find my Champion 2800watt to be too loud as well under load... I am totally jealous of the little EU2000's which are practically silent from inside. Obviously they don't have nearly the watts and power isn't free...

I did just get this in my inbox which is interesting....57db? hmmmm

https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-W...tor-63584.html
The Harbor Freight is 57 dba at 1/4 load. No mention of noise at rated load.

The Honda eu3000is is 49 dba at 1/4 load and 58 dba at rated load. Quieter then the Honda eu2000i.
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Old 07-24-2017, 06:54 PM   #13
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The Honda eu3000is is 49 dba at 1/4 load and 58 dba at rated load. Quieter then the Honda eu2000i.
Its also $2k, lol.
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Old 07-24-2017, 07:40 PM   #14
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And weights a lot
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