small portable generator

[yycwrangler]

Thinking a small portable generator would be nice to have..Up in Calgary I see the Honda and Hyundai are common. The Hyundai is 1/2 the price and I have a friend who has one and is happy with it. Db reading is in favour of the Honda (both are the 2000 watt range units) by about 6 db and I understand that makes a big difference. But again I could buy 2 Hyundai for the price of the Honda. Anyone got either and any feedback. Will run a 5000 but window AC and a couple of appliances and the wifes hairdryer when needed.

Since posting this page saw this at our Cdn Costco https://www.costco.ca/Champion-3100-W-P ... 43630.html. That's Cdn dollars as well not US which seems like a good price..

Or this one https://www.costco.ca/.product.100323512.html


The other thing I wanted to ask was placement of generator while travelling. I understand these units are about 60-80lbs. Would love to put it on the front of my trailer but that would add significantly to tongue weight. Then concerned about leaving it in trailer or jeep for obnoxious smells..How do you guys do it

Cheers
Al

[daveesl77]

Don't know anything about either of those, but my son-in-law has both a 1,000w Yamaha and a 2,000w Honda. The Yamaha is super quiet and can do a lot. The Honda is a bit noisier, still fairly good and can handle a ton of stuff on his travel trailer. Now, with that said, I have the super cheap Harbor Freight 800w 2 cycle generator. It is a bit louder than the Honda, runs on gas/oil mix, but it only cost me $79 (US). I've had it for 5 years now. I start it up every 3 months and run it for an hour under load. It never fails to start on (at most) the 3rd pull, every time. It weighs 35 lbs and will run for about 5 hours on 1 gal. I have run an old 5,000 btu Haier AC that has a "hard-start capacitor" added and it worked fine. I often use it for portable power when working down at the lake front. It will run a 14" electric chain saw, weed eater and other such stuff. It is a cheap light generator that does what it is supposed to do. There are caveats with it though, such as throw away the factory sparkplug and put in an NGK. Replace the fuel lines. Tighten every bolt. Run it dry when done. HF also has an inverter style in the 2,000 watt range, a bit louder than the Honda but half the price. Honda or Yamaha you know what you are getting. HF, fingers crossed.

dave

[Padilen]

I just posted in " Its sort of mine" about my Champion. Another member also has one.
Here is my video
https://youtu.be/PSGZTnquaIg

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[flboy]

I have the Honda 2000 and listening to the Champion 2000 next to it, my ears can't hear the difference. If you are looking for a lower cost alternative to the Honda that has comparable sound (quite), you might look closely at the Champion. I know nothing about the Hyundai.

Good luck.

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[yycwrangler]

Thanks guys

I'll have to see if they sell Champion up here in Alberta..Sounds like a great alternative although part of me says pay now and enjoy Honda

Jeez what am I saying..Costco has them and can tire has this add..Do you think this would be enough to run a 5000btu window unit

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/champ ... p.html#srp
Al

[flboy]

The Champion 2000 will run a 5000 BTU with ease.

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[flboy]

The Honda is the gold standard with the small generator. You won't be sorry if you bought that either.

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[dpjeansonne]

I didn't want to pay for a Honda so I found an almost new used Generac 2000. It worked for about 2 years then the inverter failed and would cost $600 plus.
I called around several service centers and they wouldn't even want to work on it. When I ask the service people about Champion they only had bad things to say. They highly recommended Honda.

Hard lesson to learn but found a used Honda 2000 for $700. It works great, quite, and powerful. It runs my 5500 btu AC and small frig without issue. My take is buy the best you can afford.

[flboy]

I actually got mine delivered with taxes and all for $899 from an online generator store. Best price I ever saw. It is a nice machine.

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[pk4013]

Since we are on the subject, Costco has a Champion Dual Fuel(gas/propane) electric start, 2800wt running/3100 wt peak (gas) 2500wt/2800wt(propane) inverter generator for $849. Shows a 58dba rating. Anyone have any experience with this unit. Not carrying gas appeals to me. That price also includes shipping.

[jwhite]

I bought my Honda used and the only trouble I have had is the pull cord broke and needed to be replaced but I have had to have the carburetor cleaned 3 times and I am having to have it done again.
it only cost me 20.00 so I don't mind to much.
been really thinking about this generator mostly for the wireless remote feature , but being heavy I would have to most likely have to have it secured in the back of the pickup.
https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Power-Equipment-75537i-Generator/dp/B00JZQUSAC
I have watched several youtube videos about this generator and all were good reviews. I think before I bought another Honda I would buy this one instead>?
I have noticed that my Honda is louder than I remember it being compared to the champion and Yamaha generators maybe another reason to buy the new generator and keep the Honda as a backup?

[m.colley]

I have a Champion generator, but its not one of the inverter ones. I've had zero issues with it. It cranks first pull every time. 4650 watts peak 3650 watts normal. I don't run anything but NON ethanol gas in it.
I use it to power my mig welder on a regular basis and it runs most of my power tools at hunt lease on work days.. $269.00 at Tractor Supply on black friday sale. When I upgrade generators I'll buy another Champion Inverter model..


Martin

[flboy]

I have the Honda and love it, but have heard good things about the Champion and can personally attest to the quietness. Tommy has a Champion inverter model and we did a side by side comparison. My ears could not tell a difference. I'd not be afraid to give the Champion a go for half the price of the Honda (quiteness was an important factor in my choice, then brand ). If you take care of most things and maintain them properly (change the oil regularly, etc.), they last a long time. I have not heard of any Champion reliability issues. Most of the time people have problems because they use ethanol gas and do not drain the bowl before storing or mistreat them. Then they blame the generator for not starting, etc.

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[mrwall1]

I have a Champion generator, but its not one of the inverter ones. I've had zero issues with it. It cranks first pull every time. 4650 watts peak 3650 watts normal. I don't run anything but NON ethanol gas in it.
I use it to power my mig welder on a regular basis and it runs most of my power tools at hunt lease on work days.. $269.00 at Tractor Supply on black friday sale. When I upgrade generators I'll buy another Champion Inverter model..


Martin

Me too... I really like this generator, the next one I buy will be one of the inverter types from Champion... This channel Love your RV .. Ray reviews a lot of boon docking things...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC6A1SMldcc

I am a Honda guy... so of course I would love to have a Honda... and if I used it a lot I would probably go Honda... but he is really happy with his...