Quite Generator

[GregFuller]

I am looking for a generator that is quite and handy for camping. What would you recommend for a good price?

 

[CHinton]

There's the Honda and Yamaha's that folks like. There seems to be alot of interest in the Kipor units on the RV.net forums as well. What are your needing to run?

I'm finishing up the installation of a Gaurdian 6500 LP genset in my FW.

 

[Boondocker]

What are your needs? Do you just need electricity for lights and battery charge?

The Honda EU1000 is small, light weight, and quiet.

Do you want to run a 13,500 BTU air conditioner and microwave? You may be surprised at how many amps a toaster draws!

For all that, you would need at least something in the 3000-series range, large, heavy, louder.

My compromise is a pair of Honda EU2000s that can be connected together to power everything. I thought I got a good deal at about $1800 for the set. For minimal requirements (lights and battery charge), I just run one of them on Eco mode (low idle, low output). Each weighs just under 50 lbs and store neatly in a cargo hold. Anything bigger would be a struggle lift and probably have to ride in the back of the truck.



What ever you get, buy a heavy chain and padlock to secure it!

 

[AMink]

I have the Honda 2000. Very quiet and the eco-throttle works well. If I turn off all the breakers to my trailer except the A/C, it will run the A/C at lower elevations, but it struggles. You lose about 2-3 percent power per 1000' in elevation. If you have to have your a/c, you can run two 2000's in parallel and do it. I usually try to stay away from places where it's that hot!:-laf



Edit- you beat me to it, Boondocker! Where did you get your setup? That's a great price. Usually, each 2000 is $999 and the connector is $150-$200.

 

[Matt400]

I have this one:

Honda EU2000I Generator - Honda Super Quiet Generators



Its very quiet, super easy on fuel and light enough to toss in your trailer or pick up. It is not big enough to run an A/C unit on a travel trailer but handles all the other stuff like lights, blow dryer, microwave, TV, VCR and such.

 

[DBentley]

We have had a honda eu2000 for 2 years now and its a super quiet and a fuel efficent machine for rv and the job sites at 15 amp loads or less it seems hard to beat.

 

[Boondocker]

Edit- you beat me to it, Boondocker! Where did you get your setup? That's a great price. Usually, each 2000 is $999 and the connector is $150-$200.

Well it was 2 years ago and my recollection is a little off. The generators were $870 ea. + $230 for the parallel kit, $10 insurance, free shipping. WISE Equipment.

 

[icman95]

Just bought the Honda EU 3000 used with about 1 hour on it for $1200. Great deal considering after tax and accessories it goes for about $2000 new. The guy bought it for camping and never used it. Will power your RV a/c and then some. In fact I used it to power my MIG welder last night with no problem. Super quiet-book says 58db max. I'd have to agree. I do have another, bigger generator but it's too noisy for camping. I use it to power my house during outages. If you have the time look for the EU3000 in your local papers or on Craig's list for your area. That's how I found mine. A super machine. If you don't mind spending the $ get it new. Either way, spring for a wheel kit. You'll thank yourself you did.

 

[flyairam]

Again, I'm the only one who thinks Checkers Auto and their "Champion" 3500 (4500 surge) is a good deal for 300 dollars. It's a Chinese knock-off but I've had very good luck with mine. And it's pretty quiet.



Randy

 

[Grunt]

The Champion 3500 has done alright for me for the past few years. Only have the 13,500btu AC

 

[Grizzly]

That is exactly the set up my son has for their 5th wheel. Most of the time he uses one generator, but when they run the A/C they connect both.

 

[georgej]

Bought a Honda 2000 for $865 w/ free shipping this spring. E mail me if you want the vendor.

 

[NVR FNSH]

I have a Honda EU3000 and would go the route of two EU2000's in parallel if I had to do it again. The EU3000 powers everything in my trailer just fine but it's a bit heavy for one person to pick up - wheels are a definite must.



Brian

 

[Andersonville]

Champion 6500 from Shnucks Auto. $300. It supposedly has Honda engine.

 

[mberry]

Cummins has their name branded quiet inverter generators also. You can find them online at Costco.com but they are spendy. I think I'm going to go the two Honda EU200i's when funds allow.

 

[BDeMartile]

My fiver came with an onan 5. 5kw gas plant quiet and efficient and I use a Honda EU1000 to keep the batteries up lights Tv etc. Use the big guy for the a/c and microwave. When boondocking---about 60% of the time I'll rin the HOnda around the clock it ran just this last weekend for 10 hours on a full tank of gas. (thats 0. 6gallons) I run some outside lights the furnace and keep the batts charged. Note this works for me because of the larger on board genset. I haven't regretted the Honda purchase for even a minute.

 

[JWChessell]

About 12 years ago we had a 600-Watt Yamaha with a cast-iron block, rather than a steel-sleeved aluminum block. We used it on a 35' sailboat; it was so quiet when we put it on the bow and suspended it slightly so that it wasn't resting on the deck, we could NOT hear it. Only the battery-charge-circuit light in the boat's internal wiring told us it was running.

 

[10-9jc]

Greg - you never said what you want to run with the gen.

Also, do you want a QUIET Generator that is "quite" expensive,
or "quite" inexpensive?

 

[Grizzly]

I purchased a new Onan/Cummins Generator, model #6500, 5500 watt. We were thinking of buying a used 5th wheel and putting the Onan generator in the back of the truck. As it turned out we, we ordered a new Arctic Fox 5th wheel with a built-in generator. If anyone is interested in this Onan Generator, PM me. It is still sealed in it's original shipping container. It's gasoline, low noise, pull start (electric start setup), wheel set incl.

 

[ray1933]

We have the Yamaha 2800 and it runs everything in the camper. Very quite and we have it in the back of the bed off to the side of the hitch and it is easy to get too. Do not have have to move it to use it. It is chained to the hitch for security reason's.