I've been wondering about all these Chinese generators which are starting to show up. Checker Auto and Pep Boys are selling simular models. Checker Auto has a 6.5 horse, 3500 watt running, Champion for $299. 3500 running watts seems a bit high for 6.5 horse power. It has a good sized muffler, but nobody working there can tell me how loud it is.

I know you get what you pay for, but how good are these generators and exactly how loud are they?

 

Tons of discussions on these units over on the RV.net forums. Overall, folks seem pretty happy with them. Of course there have been a few lemons and like everything else those are the ones you hear the most about, but specifically the Champion units seem to have a good following so far. They even have great customer service, according to several posts on the forums. Noise rating is 72-76db at load, for reference...

http://www.cpeauto.com/de3500w_gen.htm

 

I have one of the Champion 3500 watt units. Seems OK so far but I've only used it for six or seven hours. It is slightly louder than my brothers yamaha 2800 generator. Although this generator is much quieter than "contractor" models I think it is too loud to use in campgrounds.

 

WoW, I'm going to look at one this weekend. If even half as nice as a Honda for the price you can't beat it. Plus it has a 30a plug for the camper NICE

 

From what I remember in the clatter on the rv.net forums, you want to stay away from the 3500 at Pep Boys. The 3000 is the one to get. The problem with the 3500 from Pep Boys was that the power was split by the 2 power blocks. So it really only put out 1750 per power block. The 3000 would allow the full 3000 rating to any block.

I would search on the rv.net forums. They have studied them in depth.

 

I have one of those 3500 watt units from Checker. It will run my A/C on my fiver (13,500btu). Do you hear it run? Yes, but, you can carry on a conversation while standing right next to it. Yes it is a little louder than a Honda, but for $347.10 out the door, I thought it was a good deal. Besides, the only time I plan on using mine is out boondocking.
Tom

 

Thanks for the info Tom. That's what I'm looking at, the one's from Checker Champion Power Equipment C46535 http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...number=C46535. Can you plug your camper into the generator full 30a or do you need the adaptor plug (hoping not). Checker online is claiming 4500w with the same part number as the 3500w, I guess because of the max load rating. What about fuel consumption. 4 gal for only 10-12 hrs at 50%? Seems kinda hungry if you ask me.

thanks
Bill.

 

I have not run mine for very long yet. I need electric because of my CPAP machine, wife has one too and she is also asthmatic. I guess I will find out later this fall. If I need to get up in the middle of the night to refill the tank, I ain't gonna like it....................
I do need to use an adapter since the generator has just a standard outlet on it. I did check the "polarity" of both outlets and I get the full power out of each one. In other words, I don't need to parallel the outlets to get full power.
Tom

 

thanks Tom, did you check out the URL I posted to see if it's the same one.

Thanks again.
Bill.

 

A quick google search found this reply from the manufacture

Hello Michael,
Actually, you have the latest version of our generator. In regards to offering the average user more household type outlets, we eliminated the 30Amp twistlock in favor of an extra duplex. Your generator has a 20A breaker supplying the R/H duplex outlet and a 15A breaker to the L/H duplex outlet. Therefore, in using the largest requirement household type appliance, your R/H duplex will sustain about 23amps or actually an amount exceeding only one outlet. If you use more than one outlet, you will spread the amperage over a wider range and stay under the rating of the duplex outlet of 20A. These outlets are generally used for most small appliances with a running rating of under 20 amps, of which your RV has. Most RV’s have the ability to load to 30Amps to the breaker box, but then reduce the amperage via circuit breakers to a lower level and from 2 to 3 separate circuits with similar breakers. If you use our twistlock plug in, you can carry a larger amount of current since its limit is up to 30A. Your generator will safely produce a steady flow of about 23 Amps under most conditions. We recommend that you lower your AC unit to fan only when using the microwave. Other appliances other than an electric coffee pot usually doesn’t put the generator into an overloaded state. Most RV’rs are aware of doing this. If you choose to use the twistlock you will need a L14-30 male plug available at most Home Depot or Ace Hardware. It is a common plug. An RV pigtail works good if you remove the household end and wire the 3 wires to the L14-30 Plug. Since it has 4 blades on the plug, which give it the 240V application, you will only wire 3 of them as your RV plug will use.

The connections are, L blade is the Ground, directly opposite the ground is the Neutral blade (usually Black in color), and by using the blade at 7 o’clock position on the panel of the generator, you will wire the remaining wire (usually White) which is the Hot wire. This will be connected to the 20A breaker on the front of the panel (L/H breaker), If the R/H breaker should pop when using your air cond. , then you need to change the hot blade that you wired to the opposite hot blade on the plug. I mention this in case the factory may have swapped the connections internally. Not usually a problem, but always a possibility.

I hope this helps your need. Please call our 24hr. technical line any day if after our regular business hours.
Thanks for your input,
Paul Cole
Champion Power Equipment


Good info for all, no 30A plug on the unit but it will run your AC.

 

BUY AMERICAN-----that way some in this country will have a job instead of havig to go to work at Wally world or McDonalds. Just my 02. worth. I think that we still do build generators in this country

 

Give the people on this site a check. There are generator guru's from way back and a lot are factory tech's.
I like onan but they are expensive, but there must be a reason, also its a cummins .
From what I have read about the chinese units are the voltage regulation are not good and that most of them are 3600 rpm and LOUD. Most smaller engines are also splash lubrication instead of pressure. You would ideally want an 1800 RPM. I know you can get a china diesel engine and head but these things are heavy. The engines have been around forever and are simple. (They powered most of the SanPan's in V/N.
If you are going to camp in the desert it might be OK but you might get run out of a campground it you are too loud.
Also during the last fake Enron scam I know a few people who bought some of these and when they used them, they beat themselves to death.
I know they are about 1/3 the price of an Onan , Honda, Kawi. but there is a reason.
Jim
http://www.smokstak.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=6

 

Yes you can still get made in USA, Generac Guardian Quietpact gennys are quiet (loud generators make for mad neighbors in campgrounds, even worse in the boon docks) and have a pressurised oil system instean of splash, Generac has been around for a while

just say no to made in china

 

You said it all DSjockey

 

What are your thoughts on coleman generators? A little cheaper than guardian, but stil USA made