Generator use with a QS

[shark24]

Anyone own a champion brand? They look pretty good have the electric start that I want and also dual fuel so you can run propane or gasoline. Southern camping ac is a must for sure June-August for sure and sometimes late Sep. Quiet hours in camp grounds? Most of the generators I have looked at aren't as loud as the AC on our camper so I don't think anyone would know the difference if you ran a generator when you are running an ac. New to camping and learning!

Thanks

[diversteve]

We are using the Champion 3000 watt.
Seems like a nice machine.
Starts and runs on the first pull. Nice and quiet too.
It will be giving the other brands a run for their money.

[admin]

I can't speak to the quality of champion gensets but I do know most campgrounds will definitely hear it over the AC. It's a different type of sound that a lot of people find harsh on the ear. As a fellow southern camper I share your desire for AC in the summer. I've found that you will have decent results by pre-chilling the camper just before quiet hours. This takes the edge off until the temps cool off at night.

[shark24]

A man had one at the baseball game the other day running a couple of fans and it was so quiet that I forgot it was even running. Much more quiet than the ac in our 21 BHS.  It was a Honda but checking the rating champion and honda are rated about the same for sound.

[billmoore]

One thing to consider though is load. We have the Champion, and it is very quiet under a light load (like just lights and a couple of fans). But turn the AC on and it revs up the engine a lot, and gets pretty loud. Definitely can hear it over the AC...

[catmanriff]

interesting. The Campion seems like a throaty sound compared to the Honda. But check out the Westinghouse..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scro5LGJ0O0

[slipvain]

Something I didn't consider when I picked up a powerstroke psi2000g from Costco last weekend was that it does not have a U.S.F.S. Approved spark arrestor. Now I'm stuck trying to figure out if I can add a screen type arrestor and be legal or will be returning it.

[admin]

I know most will turn away from this option but I've been giving it serious though. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J261PGQ/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
The little 2 cycle 1000w generator puts out 8+ amps directly to hits DC outlet according to its spec sheet. So my thought was that I could use this little genset to quickly recharge a nights worth of battery use without having to back my larger unit.
Honestly my 2000w unit is great. Its quiet and efficient but its twice as heavy and more that twice the size. If I can run this little unit for a bit during the day with a decent charger, or even directly from its own DC output and avoid packing the larger unit it might be worth its weight. 2 cycles are usually tough to beat up and simplistic to work on in the event that they do need work. Now granted this thing is not very quiet but according to its specs it is certified for use in the national parks and forest with a 60dB rating.
I just find that even if I have a nicer piece of gear, if its not easy to take than it gets left behind. Thats part of the reason my solar project gets left behind. Its bulky and unless its ideal conditions it won't meet our needs simply because it wont get enough sun.

All in all I am conflicted b/c I have the nicer Generac unit but I just hate digging it out...

[david]

Here are some thoughts:

1. I know that you can muffle anything, but two cycle engines always seem inherently noisier than 4 cycle ones.

2. That 8 amp, 12 V output is unlikely to be well regulated. It is probably a separate stator coil on the 110V generator and has essentially no regulation. Check it with a voltmeter before using. It could easily be 15V which will ultimately fry your battery. It is much better to power a separate 3 stage charger with 110 V AC or use the trailer's converter if it has one. 900 watts continuous should be just enough to run a 40 amp converter.

David

[uscg]

I know the Honda is expensive, but I have one on my 16DB and I LOVE IT!  I have the extended fuel tank conversion so I run it off a three gallon boat motor gas tank and it runs ALL night long with no problem.  I recently boondocked at my land in Tennessee and it was great.  There is an artesian spring about a mile from the land for water and with the generator we lived comfortable all week.  I also use it at NASCAR events and it's so quiet that none of the "neighbors" complain

[catmanriff]

I found a Wen 2000 inverter generator on Craigslist this week. They had used it once. I offered $380 for it. So, no shipping, no tax...a savings of about $170. Runs nice, quiet. Has the Yamaha motor.

https://youtu.be/Bab0GcU4_Oo

[admin]

I have a few WEN products. I think they focus on generic versions of a lot of items. So far I've been very happy with everything. I'd say you got a steal.

[catmanriff]

I have not opened up the QS and tried to run the AC yet, but i'm hoping it'll work pretty smoothly. I have a need for one a few times per year on other work stuff too. Like you, I didn't want to spend $1k so I started researching and read a bunch of reviews.  I could literally buy another and the parallel kit for just under one Honda or Yamaha

we'll see

[admin]

The first generator I had was a cheap 800/1000 watt unit and it almost ran the AC unit. My 2k watt Generac has no issues starting it up on max cold, so I doubt you'll have any problems with it.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts after getting a chance to use it.

[cruiserdon]

CHAMPION POWER PRODUCTS 31OO 865 DOLLARS AT LOWES .RUNS EVERYTHING IN MY 10.O AC TV HAIR DRYER. QUIET 58 DBS AT 25% DOESNT RUN OVER THAT HARDLY AT ALL. ONE PRECAUTION, GAS VENT HOSE AT BOTTOM OF CASE LOW. PICKED UP SAND AT CAROLINA BEACH STATE PARK. LUCKLY NO .HARM UNSTOPPED, RUNS FINE. WEGHT ONLY 85 LBS AND FITS THROUGH DOOR.  NO , NO GAS SMELL IN CAMPER  IN DISTANCE OF BURLINGTON,NC TO CAROLINA BEACH,NC.