Generator evaluation request

[Van Lady]

http://www.costco.com/.product.1002...SepMVM_home&wc_mid=2:103435&wc_rid=2:24290864

For those of you who are well versed in generators, could you please give me your opinion on this one currently on sale at Costco?

 

[BradKW]

That is an interesting unit, $850 seemingly getting you a 2800 watt (3100 peak) generator, with not only electric start (making remote start an easy mod), but also with a factory propane conversion. Oh, and a 30amp hookup. Add all those things together and make it a Honda, and you're looking at $3400...so what's the catch?

Hard to say for certain...I was curious enough to search reviews and couldn't find many, but the ones out there are positive. I think a few things are a given though:

1) This will be a noisy unit...I don't believe the couple people saying it's as quiet as a Honda (or Yamaha for that matter).
2) Parts and components will be of lesser quality...this isn't going to be the unit that runs every day without problems.
3) The propane option is nice...if I were to buy this, I would never put a drop of gas in it and go 100% propane. Propane won't gum up carbs and has no problems if unit sits unuesed for extended period.
4) The 2800/3100 peak watts is likely a lie, but also likely not to matter for the average mobile user.

Wish I knew someone that had this thing, I find it a bit tempting...

 

[Travelmonkey]

I can't speak to the quality of this generator, but when I saw it in the Costco ad a few months ago, I was tempted to buy it. Then I noticed its weight; 93 lbs! If I had a toy hauler I would have pulled the trigger. Lifting that beast into the truck would be a back breaker.

 

[ZoNiE]

Camping world peddles the champions. I See a lot of them at the RV salvage place...
This one is $1,150 everywhere else.

 

[Van Lady]

I can't speak to the quality of this generator, but when I saw it in the Costco ad a few months ago, I was tempted to buy it. Then I noticed its weight; 93 lbs! If I had a toy hauler I would have pulled the trigger. Lifting that beast into the truck would be a back breaker.

I would not be able to lift it.
I would have to permanently place it on a Stowaway swing a way cargo rack on the back of my Dodge Ram Van.
I would only use propane.


Van_Lady

 

[Van Lady]

Camping world peddles the champions. I See a lot of them at the RV salvage place...
This one is $1,150 everywhere else.

What/where is the RV Salvage place? We are both in AZ.
If you needed a generator would you get one of these?


Van_Lady

 

[ccbreder]

I see them reviewed on some of the RV sites. They get good reviews.

 

[wagoneer]

Try to do without if you can or go with a Major Brand, they seem to attract weekend warriors you know plug and play and complicated.

 

[jimindenver]

Nice price for remote start and dual fuel. I would think it's on sale to clear them out for the winter but Champion has a larger model now too.

It has the same noise level as a Honda Handi. They have been popular since coming out not only for the price but the best surge capabilities of the group. I have one of their remote start open frames, runs great and they have good customer service. As little as I actually use it, I would love a propane version so that I wouldn't have to worry about the gas going bad or the carb gumming up.

 

[jimindenver]

Try to do without if you can or go with a Major Brand, they seem to attract weekend warriors you know plug and play and complicated.

Any more Champion is considered one of the big three, red, blue and yellow. Good reviews, good customer service and half the price.

 

[ZoNiE]

What/where is the RV Salvage place? We are both in AZ.
If you needed a generator would you get one of these?


Van_Lady

7th Ave, about half a mile south of I-17
http://www.azrvsalvage.com/

Would I get a Champion? Depends if I really needed one and my funds were low. They are probably fine, as someone said, they appear to be one of the "big three" brands now, but Camping World probably had a lot to do with that.

 

[Travelmonkey]

Unless you need it to run a larger RV-sized AC, I think this Champion is too big. Sitting on the back of the van it will be exposed to the elements and to possible theft. It will be harder to manhandle into and out of Rubbermaid type box.

You may be better served with a Honda EU2000i (or similar). It will power the microwave, hair dryer, or smaller AC units. The Honda version weighs under 50lbs. The knock off 2000W versions have really come down in price.

Good luck!

 

[Van Lady]

Unless you need it to run a larger RV-sized AC, I think this Champion is too big. Sitting on the back of the van it will be exposed to the elements and to possible theft. It will be harder to manhandle into and out of Rubbermaid type box.

You may be better served with a Honda EU2000i (or similar). It will power the microwave, hair dryer, or smaller AC units. The Honda version weighs under 50lbs. The knock off 2000W versions have really come down in price.

Good luck!

I was planning on getting the Honda ($999) as it would meet my needs when I saw this one that uses propane. I really like the fact it uses propane. I do not like the almost 100# though. I would like not having to carry both propane and gas in the van. I really am conflicted in which way to go.
Thanks for your input!


Van_Lady

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I was planning on getting the Honda ($999) as it would meet my needs when I saw this one that uses propane. I really like the fact it uses propane. I do not like the almost 100# though. I would like not having to carry both propane and gas in the van. I really am conflicted in which way to go.
Thanks for your input!

A couple of random thoughts:

It's going to be a lot easier to find a place to buy gasoline than it will be to find a place to refill a propane tank.

You want to avoid dealing with those exchange tank places.  Those tanks are never full and they are the most expensive way to buy propane.

A propane fired generator should ideally have some of those larger - say 40 lb. - tanks.  You often see a pair of them on a travel trailer.  Not sure about trying to carry them on or in a van.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

You didn't state what you are using the generator for.  Like Travelmonkey wrote 2800W is big for a van or camper without AC.  The bigger the generator the more fuel it will use.  And generators carried on the back of a camper have a tendency to disappear.

There are propane conversion kits for Honda but they are spendy:

https://www.amazon.com/Generator-Co...ywords=honda+generator+propane+conversion+kit

OP: The most expensive way to buy propane is the 1# green bottles.

 -- Spiff

 

[speedhighway46]

Pretty hard to beat a Honda generator for reliability and longevity. You are certainly paying a bit for the Honda "name", but their quality is dependable.

Plus, it's red! Matches my Peterbilt!

If you spread the cost differential over say 15 years (that's how old mine is; still starts on the first pull) it's worth the extra money.

 

[Van Lady]

Pretty hard to beat a Honda generator for reliability and longevity. You are certainly paying a bit for the Honda "name", but their quality is dependable.

Plus, it's red! Matches my Peterbilt!

If you spread the cost differential over say 15 years (that's how old mine is; still starts on the first pull) it's worth the extra money.

How much gas do you carry with you?
What do you carry the gas in?
I believe going with my original Honda plan is the way I will go. I sure was tempted by that propane though!



Van_Lady

 

[speedhighway46]

I carry a 5 gallon Jerry can with a nozzle. I keep it in a vented compartment on my motorhome.
Best of luck with your new generator choice.

 

[wagoneer]

I will take a look to see how serious they are thanks for the EDGEAMACATION

 

[DannyB1954]

I ran into someone who had some Honda and Champion generators in the back of his truck. I asked him which he liked best. He said the Champions. He said they were easier to service and just as reliable as the Hondas.