Since I will be spending a lot of time in the camper this fall I am thinking I should look at getting an inverter generator. I currently just have a regular champion one that is fairly noisy and not the most fuel efficient. What does everyone use? I'm having a hard time thinking a Honda is worth almost double the competition. The champion we have has been flawless, and can get an inverter version for only $450. Generac for not a whole lot more, but the Honda is upwards of a $1000. Has anyone ran any of the "generic" versions? Just looking at the 2000watt range. I only need it to charge batteries, run the lights, and also the furnace once it gets cold out. Thanks for any input.
Inverter Generators
- Thread starter CForest
- Start date
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I have a 3600 Champion (Cabelas) that I use for dry camping with my travel trailer and take with me hunting for use on my hunting trailer. I know it's overkill for the hunting trailer, but the things I can do with it, make it very desirable. Last November I used it for 4th season hunting here in Colorado. Snowed and got down to single digit temps. I have a 6000 btu catalytic heater that could not do the job, so I used 2 electric heaters to supplement. Takes quite a bit of power to run them. The other thing I like about it is the remote start/stop feature. It cost me less than $400 delivered.
JimP
Administrator
Once you run the Honda you will never even think of any other generator. There are quieter and more fuel effecient than any of the others out there. But if money is a priority or if you don't mind the extra noise then the Champion from Cabela's will work. Just make sure that when you purchase one it has enough wattage to run what you plan on running. Add up all the things that you might even think of running at the same time and then add 20% and then purchase the next size generator for your needs.
sneakypete
Veteran member
Musket Man
Veteran member
Ill say 1 thing about Hondas. They run and they keep running!!! We have a few pumps at work with Honda engines with alot of hard years on them and they start the first pull every time still! You get what you pay for.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
I have a Coleman generator that has not moved since I bought a Honda 2000i years ago. They are $999 and I've long forgotten about the few hundred addl it was over other brands. I have the same opinion of my Honda lawn mower.
packer58
Very Active Member
Slugz
Veteran member
Not to state the obvious......but there is a reason most camps I go by have Honda generators......they just keep running and are insane quiet. You wanna really make it quiet.....I've seen guys run a exhaust extension that goes vertically about 8 feet or higher.....the little noise from exhaust there is is projected dead vertical up.....really quiet set up.
Fink
Veteran member
I have limited experience with inverter generators, but last fall I bought a Powerstroke 2100, to run my ice eater. I debated on buying a Honda, as they are clearly the best out there, but at the same time, my only real use for this generator was going to be to run the ice eater, so I ended up going with a cheaper one, that I could stomach, if it got stolen or whatever...
While I've only used it a few times, it's been outstanding. It runs a little over 10 hours on nearly a full load, is very quiet, and starts on the first or second pull every time, even in bitter cold weather. Plus, its camo!
While I've only used it a few times, it's been outstanding. It runs a little over 10 hours on nearly a full load, is very quiet, and starts on the first or second pull every time, even in bitter cold weather. Plus, its camo!
Maybe i should just start shopping around for a nice used honda..... Then i know what i got without dropping a bunch of money
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
Not raining on anyone's parade, but I bought a little Honda 750 watt generator from a good friend who really takes care of his stuff. I used it a lot during hunting season when using my camper. It worked very well. One evening she really started running rough and finally would not run. I took it to have it looked at and the piston had broken in half. Things like that can happen with anything though.
RICMIC
Veteran member
Honda has some less expensive generators than their inverters. I bought one of the 3K watt one from my bro-in-law because he needed the more refined output of an inverter for his electronics. The 3K watt runs everything on my travel trailer, including the AC, and it did a fine job running a freezer and floodlamps while I cut up some WY antelope last year. The Honda is much quieter that my Gerarac 4.5K, way lighter, and easier to start to boot. They do have the Honda label, but believe that they are made in China.
Team Kabob
Very Active Member
- May 9, 2014
- 793
- 148
Ricmic
I can only speak for the Honda 2000 I have. It's great runs all night. It has eco throttle and only runs hard enough to meet the power demand. I know nothing about the genrarac gen. PAID $950 for mine. Camping World coupon for one.
After burning up two cheaper ones, I jumped on the Honda for the extra $$. Not fun being on a hunting trip and the generator goes down. But, I would survive without it. Always have good sleeping bag
TK
I can only speak for the Honda 2000 I have. It's great runs all night. It has eco throttle and only runs hard enough to meet the power demand. I know nothing about the genrarac gen. PAID $950 for mine. Camping World coupon for one.
After burning up two cheaper ones, I jumped on the Honda for the extra $$. Not fun being on a hunting trip and the generator goes down. But, I would survive without it. Always have good sleeping bag
TK
JimP
Administrator
For the Honda generator watch Craigs List or your local papers for sale adds.
My brother in law picked up a EU2000 in Utah for $300 that had less than 10 hours on it by watching a on line for sale classified adds.
My brother in law picked up a EU2000 in Utah for $300 that had less than 10 hours on it by watching a on line for sale classified adds.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
My only advice would be....be careful where you buy. We had a couple of lowlifes that were stealing the smaller sized generator/inverters and reselling them. They are light and easily carried by a thief. They went around to camping areas and saw the generator during the day and returned at night to take them. Finally caught them in a sting. Authorities thing up to 50 could have been taken in the last couple of years.
If it seems too cheap....it just might be!
If it seems too cheap....it just might be!
I bought a Ridgid brand generator 3 years ago from Home Depot and it has been fantastic. It is big enough to run the ac in my trailer with no problem. It's 3600 watts with 4500 watts surge. It has a Subaru engine and came with a 3 year commercial warranty, most others only have a 2 year warranty. I don't know what the dcbl level is but it's kind of loud like a lawn mower. I just got a heavy duty 50 ft contractors extension cord and with the cord from the trailer it's about 75ft away so it's just backgound noise. It runs for about 12 hours when we run 2 1500 watt heaters all night long in 0 degree weather.
I figured it was better to get on bigger than I needed rather than wishing I had gotten a biggr one. Best of all it was only $499.
I figured it was better to get on bigger than I needed rather than wishing I had gotten a biggr one. Best of all it was only $499.
Last edited:
buckbull
Veteran member
- Jun 20, 2011
- 2,167
- 1,353
My sister runs a mobile dog grooming business. They run generators for the grooming trailer for the ac, water pumps, fans, blowers, dryers, etc. She has had generac, onan, miller, and honda. The onan and miller units were not cheap. She will never buy anything but Honda from now on.
Wow. I must be the only guy who will not own another Honda. Bought mine new in 2006 (EU1000). After one year, carb failed. Covered under warranty. Last year, just stopped running..period! Just paid $345.00 for repairs.....bad valve. No more Hondas for me. Polaris, Yamaha or Coleman.