Honda vs. Champion

[jgillott]

If you had ~$1000 to spend on a new inverter generator, which one would it be. My gut tells me to pick up a tried and true Honda EU2200i to charge our batteries when boodocking and run the microwave or coffee pot once in a while. My buddy here has a Champion 75531i 3100w inverter generator and absolutely loves it (He beats the snot out of it and it just keeps on ticking). Tells me that I'm a fool to spend nearly double for a generator that can't do everything his Champion can.

Advantage Honda

Known reliability.

Sales/service center 5 miles from my home

Light weight and portable.

Disadvantage Honda

Can't run my AC unit if I don't add a soft start unit

Price $$$$

Advantage Champion

Price $$$

Can run everything in my trailer without modification

Built in 30a plug with no need for adaptors

Could buy a factory equipped dual fuel model if wanted.

Remote start available

Disadvantage Champion

Unknown service network

Weight/Size (they do come with wheels but that truck bed seems to get higher every year)

Louder


So what do you think? Help me spend my money.

 

[Michaelsloft]

If you had ~$1000 to spend on a new inverter generator, which one would it be. My gut tells me to pick up a tried and true Honda EU2200i to charge our batteries when boodocking and run the microwave or coffee pot once in a while. My buddy here has a Champion 75531i 3100w inverter generator and absolutely loves it (He beats the snot out of it and it just keeps on ticking). Tells me that I'm a fool to spend nearly double for a generator that can't do everything his Champion can.

Advantage Honda

Known reliability.

Sales/service center 5 miles from my home

Light weight and portable.

Disadvantage Honda

Can't run my AC unit if I don't add a soft start unit

Price $$$$

Advantage Champion

Price $$$

Can run everything in my trailer without modification

Built in 30a plug with no need for adaptors

Could buy a factory equipped dual fuel model if wanted.

Remote start available

Disadvantage Champion

Unknown service network

Weight/Size (they do come with wheels but that truck bed seems to get higher every year)

Louder


So what do you think? Help me spend my money.

Might want to take a look at the Yamaha inverter models. A good friend of mine has had great success with the 2000 watt model for years. Very quiet like the Honda xnd uses slightly less fuel. I myself have been using Honda Generators. EX1000 since 1993 for charging batteries and light use. And an EB3000c Cyclo Converter model 68 - 69 lbs, that has been great for more power and air conditioning units since 2003. Considering the Yamaha 2400HC inverter since it may have enough power to start-up air conditioning units.
Can't beat Honda reliability.....never had an issue with either one and have used them for many hours.

Michael

 

[jgillott]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll take a look at the Yamaha. I don't think that there is a local dealer in my area to see one in person, but I'll look it up.

I think the local dealer is what has me leaning Honda. I've purchased lawn equipment from there over the years and their service is outstanding.

 

[Michaelsloft]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll take a look at the Yamaha. I don't think that there is a local dealer in my area to see one in person, but I'll look it up.

I think the local dealer is what has me leaning Honda. I've purchased lawn equipment from there over the years and their service is outstanding.

Outstanding service is very important and RARE in the 21st Century.

Michael

 

[JR]

Do they both run the same rpm?

 

[jgillott]

No, they are both inverters with eco throttle capability. Rpm changes based on load. I'm unsure of the specific load/Rpm correlation.

 

[JR]

Max rated load @ X rpm is something to consider, it affects both capability and noise.

 

[jgillott]

Max rated load @ X rpm is something to consider, it affects both capability and noise.

I'll see if I can find that info. From what I've read, the Champion is considerably louder. But, it is a larger unit all around.

I don't know, I'd really like that small compact quiet Honda. I just don't know if it is truly worth the money.

 

[jgillott]

Outstanding service is very important and RARE in the 21st Century.

Michael

I'm very lucky. We have several top notch old fashioned dealers of Honda, Stihl, Husky, etc. around here. I prefer to give them the business instead of online outlets in the hope that they will continue to stay in business.

 

[Michaelsloft]

I'm very lucky. We have several top notch old fashioned dealers of Honda, Stihl, Husky, etc. around here. I prefer to give them the business instead of online outlets in the hope that they will continue to stay in business.

I understand completely and I too have a great Honda dealer and Stihl dealer too. Any part I've needed for my 20th century Stihl 2 cycle yard tools are always available along with good advise and assistance when needed.
My advise is to go with your gut. All the vehicles in your signature are high quality and proven. Honda generators are very easy to sell quickly on the used market due to their proven reliability record.
Mine have been 100%!
Change the oil and filters. Replace spark plugs every few years and add gasoline....that is all that is required with the Honda's.
My old EX1000 is all metal built like a tank and weighs the same as the current 2200. Very quiet and reliable for an old machine from 1993!

 

[jgillott]

Thanks for your advice. I think that is exactly what I am going to do. I called the dealer this afternoon and they don't have any 2200's left in stock. But they will have some in the middle of next week. They have the EU2200i listed for $999, which is as low as I have seen them online anywhere. And, that is out of the box filled with oil and test fired.

They also have a half dozen old model EU2000i left in stock for $925. There are a few things about the 2200 that I like better including the new fuel shut off and extended oil drain, as well as the additional capability. So, I think I'll just hold out for a 2200 when they get a fresh batch in.

 

[Michaelsloft]

Thanks for your advice. I think that is exactly what I am going to do. I called the dealer this afternoon and they don't have any 2200's left in stock. But they will have some in the middle of next week. They have the EU2200i listed for $999, which is as low as I have seen them online anywhere. And, that is out of the box filled with oil and test fired.

They also have a half dozen old model EU2000i left in stock for $925. There are a few things about the 2200 that I like better including the new fuel shut off and extended oil drain, as well as the additional capability. So, I think I'll just hold out for a 2200 when they get a fresh batch in.

The fuel shutoff plus the extra 200 watts is worth waiting for and the difference in cost. The 2200 is a well thought-out and impressive machine.

 

[Tuesdak]

I am not sure either genset will run the AC. The Champion should outside my neighbor's experience below where it didn't... Altitude de-rating, Higher heat means higher head pressures and more power required by the AC unit... IMO if AC is a item on your checklist at all you will want a bigger genset that can and will start the AC while charging batteries. So the Honda you should be comparing is two Hondas with a parallel kit or a 3000W Honda unit both at ~$2000.00. You can buy a second Honda and parallel later.

The Champion gensets are fairly quiet, but, my neighbor had a hell of a time getting the dammed thing to run his brand new RV AC unit. Exchanged the genset a couple times. They finally had to replace the caps in the AC after fighting warranty for nearly a year.

IMO the Honda will be running long after the "new kid on the block" Champion pounds a busted rod through the side of the block. Seriously the reputation of the cheap Communist China small engines is not very good with many low hour failures. Parts availability in the future for the Communist made engine? What is the warranty procedure and more important where and who is going to work on it under warranty?

I can still get parts for a 1988 Homelite powered by a ~7.5HP industrial commercial Wisconson Robin that I have tried to kill over the past 25 years. Prior to me a construction co. abused it for several years. Other than wearing out the throttle shaft on the carburetor... Running it often is better than sitting. It's great at turning gasoline into noise and a little electric power.

Advantage is no one is going to steal the Champion...

I just spent nearly a grand on a generator because I am tired of pulling the rope on the Homelite and a backup Forest Service approved genset for the RV...
Used 1800 RPM 4KW Onan, 1989: $400.00
Wagon: $100.00
Battery: $40.00
Boat gas tank and fuel lines not pictured $100.
Magna-Arc Points conversion (Obsolete) found for under $100.00. Optional.
Propane conversion is available on the local CL for $100 at the moment attached to a burned out genset.
Might make a doghouse for it so I can run it in the rain for a couple things in the house when the power's out.
Some parts are getting scarce for this ~30 year old genset like air filter housings.

 

[jgillott]

Running the AC is very low on my priority list. We are boondocking tonight in fact and with the windows open and the fantastic fan running, it is quite comfortable in here. If I end up buying the Honda as it seems I will, I can always look in to paralleling another one down the road or installing something like that Micro Air Soft Start deal that so many people seem to be doing now. Again, not something that is at the top of my list.

What I'm really looking for is charging our batteries a few hours a day and running the microwave and a coffee pot (DW thinks it takes too long on the stove but I digress.) We do a lot of winter camping also and the furnace just kills my batteries in short order.

 

[LandShark]

I have both a Champion 2800 inverter gen (about 3 years old/ 100 hours) and a new Honda 2200i. Both are good generators for my needs and both will run my RV Dometic 13,500 BTU AC, even in eco mode. I do not hesitate to run either in any campground or boondocking where generators are allowed.

Here's some data from my android Samsung phone using the Sound Meter app:
All readings are in db from 6' away from the exhaust outlet of the generator. Ambient noise was about 35.
First two tests were with no load. Test 3 and 4 were with AC on plus a slight load from the RV's converter.

Honda 2200i Champion 2800
1 ECO 64 71
2 ECO off 69 73
3 AC on 73 75
4 AC+ECO 71 74

One thing I keep in mind is that the Honda is much more likely to be stolen, but it is small and light enough to put on the back seat floor of my truck or the cargo area of the RV.

 

[jgillott]

I have both a Champion 2800 inverter gen (about 3 years old/ 100 hours) and a new Honda 2200i. Both are good generators for my needs and both will run my RV Dometic 13,500 BTU AC, even in eco mode. I do not hesitate to run either in any campground or boondocking where generators are allowed.

Here's some data from my android Samsung phone using the Sound Meter app:
All readings are in db from 6' away from the exhaust outlet of the generator. Ambient noise was about 35.
First two tests were with no load. Test 3 and 4 were with AC on plus a slight load from the RV's converter.

Honda 2200i Champion 2800
1 ECO 64 71
2 ECO off 69 73
3 AC on 73 75
4 AC+ECO 71 74

One thing I keep in mind is that the Honda is much more likely to be stolen, but it is small and light enough to put on the back seat floor of my truck or the cargo area of the RV.

Thank you for this information. I appreciate your feedback.

 

[KATOOM]

Costco has the Yamaha 2000 for something like just under $500. There's been comparisons done and I understood the Yamaha and the Honda are almost identical.
etrailer.com has the A-iPower 2000 on sale for $400.
Both have great reviews. I dont think I'd pay $1000 for a Honda just because it said Honda on the side.

 

[Tuesdak]

What are you running for batteries?

I find the cheap OEM RV converters don't charge very well or fast so if you haven't already upgraded yours to a 3 stage charger and upgraded the wire size to the battery you should look into it to save generator run time and fuel. With any luck you can upgrade the RV converter to 3 stage charging for $26 or so. 13.x volts for charging on a gen set doesn't cut it as I posted here.

 

[jgillott]

What are you running for batteries?

I find the cheap OEM RV converters don't charge very well or fast so if you haven't already upgraded yours to a 3 stage charger and upgraded the wire size to the battery you should look into it to save generator run time and fuel. With any luck you can upgrade the RV converter to 3 stage charging for $26 or so. 13.x volts for charging on a gen set doesn't cut it as I posted here.

Cheap Deka 24m4 that came with the trailer and the factory converter.

 

[KATOOM]

Progressive Dynamics converters are the best. And the Wizard remote pendant is well worth the cost because its a four stage charge system and you can manually force the converter into boost mode for time where you cant run the generator for long periods of time. I added a cheap voltage gauge when I installed my PD converter.