Generator

FlyingDutchmen · 02-20-2012, 04:00 AM

Hi Guy's
Been looking at Costco & Walmart for Generator but think they are all going to be too loud for camp site's. Any sugestions would be welcome

Denali2012 · 02-20-2012, 04:44 AM

Depending on how big you need, Honda and Yamaha make the two best and quietest in the market. Both can be wired to a second one to double your output......

grump010 · 02-20-2012, 09:45 PM

We bought a Champion on sale at Costco for 399. cdn last year. It's very quiet and has an economy mode so it only revs the engine to meet the required loading, it can also be paralleled to increase output. For as often as we use it, we're happy with the results. I think the best money we spent was on 2 Exide 6V golf cart batteries since then we haven't needed the generator while boon docking for any of the long weekends since we did the upgrade, Anyway, here is a link to the genny we bought:
http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Productgrou ... opnav=&s=1

Waferdude · 02-22-2012, 01:39 AM

I bought the Honda 2000. Very quiet and easy to carry, not to metion "bulletproof". Very expensive but worth every dollar and those camping nearby will appreciate it!

FlyingDutchmen · 02-28-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grump010

We bought a Champion on sale at Costco for 399. cdn last year. It's very quiet and has an economy mode so it only revs the engine to meet the required loading, it can also be paralleled to increase output. For as often as we use it, we're happy with the results. I think the best money we spent was on 2 Exide 6V golf cart batteries since then we haven't needed the generator while boon docking for any of the long weekends since we did the upgrade, Anyway, here is a link to the genny we bought:
http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Productgrou ... opnav=&s=1

Thank you Sir. I to Have the upgrade for the Batteries & was going to go with a larger Generator but i think this one from Costco would do the job for us. It makes sense due to it being quiet & also light wieght.

grump010 · 02-29-2012, 12:13 AM

No need to call me sir. I'm not over the hill, just in the mountains

If you're not in a hurry, they went on sale last year in the early spring and it may happen again this year.

Cheers
Daryl B.

FlyingDutchmen · 02-29-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grump010

No need to call me sir. I'm not over the hill, just in the mountains

If you're not in a hurry, they went on sale last year in the early spring and it may happen again this year.

Cheers
Daryl B.

Sounds good old man

. Thank you very much.

It could be perfect timing as we pick the Trailer up in May....

rgolding · 03-09-2012, 12:24 PM

We have a set of Honda 2000's and find them to be a great tool. We use them for remote power needs, such as running tools (ie, heat gun to thaw frozen jack), air compressor to check or air up tires on trailer and running the air conditioner on the Dutchmen, while we have pets inside on a hot day and we've stopped to shop or see something. The Honda's stay in the bed of the pickup, out of site, out of mind, no vibration through trailer frame, out of view to theft and run with tail gate up and tonneau barely open with exhaust fan plugged in and blowing air vertical as they are running behind units to force exhaust out. You have to be within 10 feet of the pickup to even hear them running. Honda's stay ready all the time, cable locked in pick up bed and exercised at least once a month, year round, to make sure they are always ready for camping usage or to hook to house for a power outage and the fuel does not get old. Fuel is always stabilized with Sea Foam. No problems in over 2 years of usage.

lmsteck · 03-09-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgolding

We have a set of Honda 2000's and find them to be a great tool. We use them for remote power needs, such as running tools (ie, heat gun to thaw frozen jack), air compressor to check or air up tires on trailer and running the air conditioner on the Dutchmen, while we have pets inside on a hot day and we've stopped to shop or see something. The Honda's stay in the bed of the pickup, out of site, out of mind, out of view to theft and run with tail gate open and tonneau barely open with exhaust fan plugged in and running behind units to force exhaust out. You have to be within 10 feet of the pickup to even hear them running. Honda's stay ready all the time, cable locked in pick up bed and exercised at least once a month, year round, to make sure they are always ready and fuel does not get old. Fuel is always stabilized with Sea Foam. No problems in over 2 years of usage.

x2

FlyingDutchmen · 03-11-2012, 05:20 AM

Thanks for all the input Guy's. I'm still on the fence which way to go right now... :-|

grump010 · 03-11-2012, 04:11 PM

I was at Costco yesterday and noticed the regular price is 399.00. When I got home I pulled out the receipt and we actually paid 249.00 on sale for the generator, sorry for the misinformation earlier in the thread

Daryl

thejean · 03-24-2012, 06:27 AM

I've been debating as well. My wife doesn't even think we need one as we have two 6v deep cycle batteries (dealer says we can get 5 days out of them but I doubt it) but I think we'll be glad we bought one the day we run out of batteries. Been considering the Yamaha 2400 and the Honda 3000iC as these both fit under the tonneau cover and are light. The Yammy will not power a 15,000 btu AC though I am told (well, at least not while other stuff is on). But I am also considering these cheaper units because then for even less money I can go tandem and have 4000w. And if one craps out, the other is there as a backup (2x50% sparing in engineering terms). Alternatvely, I can use one to charge the rv batteries and the 2nd to do something else if need be. I also like that I can test out a 2000W unit first and if it's not enough, I can add a second unit later. I think I just convinced myself - now to wait for something to go on sale...

grump010 · 03-24-2012, 04:15 PM

As I've said earlier in the thread, I'm happy with the value for dollar. To charge my batteries whether it be the trailer or trolling motor battery, I have used an external 3 stage charger. On past trailers there hasn't been a true 3 stage charger until this Aerolite, hopefully the on board charger will work as well as the advertising states.

Cheers
Daryl B.

The Root · 03-25-2012, 04:07 PM

Anyone know anything about Efoy fuel cells? They use methanol to make electricity and emit only water. It sounds interesting but I am wondering about the cost. They are light and quiet (23dB). They come in a 1600 and 2200 watt per 24 hour models.

thejean · 03-26-2012, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Root

Anyone know anything about Efoy fuel cells? They use methanol to make electricity and emit only water. It sounds interesting but I am wondering about the cost. They are light and quiet (23dB). They come in a 1600 and 2200 watt per 24 hour models.

Interesting idea but they only look to be 90W output...

http://www.efoy.com/en/mobile-homes-efoy-fuel-cell.html

FlyingDutchmen · 04-01-2012, 04:36 AM

Is 68db loud because Canadian Tire have a Champion. 4000 Starting Watts. Continuous 2850 Watts. $600 Down to $350. Just curious as to what you guy's think. Tried to upload pics but didn't work...

thejean · 04-01-2012, 05:19 AM

That sounds reasonable actually. The Powerhouse ones and even the Hyundai's are around that. I was going to wait until I went to the US to buy one but maybe I'll grab this one while it's on sale.

The Root · 04-01-2012, 01:21 PM

It is louder than a Honda or Yamaha. There is a chart that gives you an idea how loud it is at this site: http://www.grainger.com/tps/safety_decibel_chart.pdf . Many of the generators I looked at were sound rated xx dba@ 23 feet. I was looking for something that is in the 50's db. Boliy is 53-58 db at 7m (23ft) for $1300-1499. Honda/Yamaha are 57 db at 7m for about $2799. These are invert type generators. The one you were looking at was a standard generator.

Cooper · 06-15-2012, 12:09 AM

FlyingDutchmen...how did you make out with your gen selection?
I, like Grump010 went with the Champion 2000 watt invert. type from Costco.
Twin 2000 invert type Hondas ( if I could afford them) would be ideal.
The one I have works just fine for the price and is quiet. If need be,I will buy the same kind/model with a parraleling(sp) kit ( to run both at same time to increase the watts to run my AC unit.)
The Hondas are great, however, not in the budget. A Yamaha 2400 is another good product...I looked on kijiji and Craigslist for used Honda
/Yamaha but their were pricey too...and wasn't sure if I was buying some elses problems.

Coops

thejean · 06-15-2012, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooper

Twin 2000 invert type Hondas ( if I could afford them) would be ideal.

That's what I went with. Picked them up when I was in Spokane. I like the 30A plug-in on the companion. I could justify it because I have a 15k BTU AC system, which has a startup draw of 3300W, otherwise I might have just gone with a single 3000W Handi. I also figure that the two units are lighter and more portable (individually) than a single 3000. Not to mention, if one fails you still have a second as backup.

Also grabbed me some Makita power tools when I was down there!

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