My buddy has a Boliy, and I have a Magna SF3600. Both inverter types, both quiet, both under $1000. Mine even has electric start. My RV has a 15,000 BTU A/C, and the Magna runs it easily.

That said, the Magna and Boliys are Chinese made. They are not the same quality as a Honda or Yamaha. I haven't had any trouble with mine, or the one I had before it, but they aren't of great build quality.

If you can do WITHOUT the inverter style, check into a Champion genset (model 46540). It is only about $300, and it quieter than most contractor gens, is of good quality, and lasts. My BIL has used his to build two houses. The yellow paint is really faded, but it still runs like new.

Champion Generators

Magna Generators

There is also a brand called Kipor that is very similar to the Honda, Yamaha, Boliy and Magna gens (Inverter style).

Kipor Generators

I am a member on RV.net (have been since 2003), and have read good reviews on all these units.

 

Thanks ib526. I have been looking at all these Chinese gens, and most of them get good reviews. As the generator isn't a necessity for me, I think I'll look as little more before I jump in, but I do appreciate the info.

 

For what it is worth, my neighbor, who has a 50 amp trailer, bought a "Duromax" genny that seems very good. The 4400E has 4400 watts, 30 amp plug, wheels, decent size fuel tanl, electric start, ship to your door $469.
Down side, 127 lbs, 22.5"H, with wheels, 26" wide, 16" D. At least seems less than the Honda 3000. Not sure of the noise, but not a Coleman. It is relatively quit. They also make a 50amp 10,000 watt model for under $1k.
40 lbs more than the Boliy, but way less than 1/2 the price.
Speding over $1k on a generator takes my breath away, especially if you do not use it a lot.
Look under Maxtools on google.

 

One of the benefits of one of the higher priced generators is a clean 120V A/C signal output. The Invertor and DSP generators put out a true/very close to true sinewave A/C voltage, also ripple/noise on the A/C output is greatly reduced or non existent If you were to put an O-scope on the lower cost units, you would not see a true sinewave. This is important if you are an electronics junky like me. Modified or non-true sinewave A/C power is not healthy for things like computers, flat screen TV's, etc. I also think it is healthier for the TT's electrical system. In addition the noise of the generator is also a factor. Most of the lower cost units would be too loud for a lot of national and state parks. I also "camp" at my parents and other relatives house, many of which are close to or over 100 years old. I do not want to "test" the wiring in trying to power the TT from a little 15 amp outlet from their houses. So being parked in a residential neighbor also necessitates a generator that is as quiet as possible. Every 3 db increase in noise output is a 100% increase in noise power/output. Thus a a generator rated at 70db is much much louder than one rated at 58-60db.

 

Those Yamaha's are excellent generators, but they are very pricey... I'd love to get one, but just can't justify the bucks. I bought a Champion 3500/4000 watt generator for $300 and it has been perfect for us - it is very quiet, but not like the Yamaha.

 

I am someone that lives off of generator power at least 2 weekends a month. I use a Yamaha ES3000iSEB as a primary to run my trailer in the summer, and have 2 Honda 2000 inverters as back ups. You cannot go wrong with the Honda or the Yamaha. Generators are simple......you get what you pay for.

 

Ian, I picked up one of those Champions last wknd in Minot.

Nice unit for the price. I decided that for the amount I would use or need one...this fit the bill just right.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_54036_______86728|54036 ?navSource=giftStore&giftStoreLevel=1&identifier=P ortable+Generators&categoryId=86728&categoryIdAnce stor=86728&listingPage=true&Special=false

Manufacturers Number: 46514

Scotty

 

Check out Kipor gen. they are supposed to Honda guts in a different box. I run two of them in parallel. They are a bit cheaper than the big name brands.

Have had mine for 3 years. only one little problem with the on / off switch. sometimes a spring on the switch moves out of place. its on the outside of the switch, so it not a big deal. only did it once.

 

Yah, that's the one. I had a clone of that one (Eliminator brand) and ran it for 5 years without one single problem. I keep driving by your place, but never catch u outside. What's with the sea can? More renos?

Here's what my Elim looked like, you can see it is the same as the Champion minus the yellow paint and a different control panel.

 

They must rebadge these with different names because that is almost identical to my Ebay gen minus the 12V leads.

 

The sea can is where all the crap from the two old sheds went while we reno the yard and pour the pad for the lab...I mean garage.
I am off work nursing a surgical repair so if you see the truck, I am here.
Right now the yard is getting all sorts of changes to it. So is the inside of the house. Just pull up on the lawn with lights and siren, I'll wake up then.

New shed from Costco is going to be here today...I decided that all the seasonal stuff goes in there and the garage is for science only. Anytime you need to 'alter' the truck, we can do it here.
Beside the garage will be a pad for RV and or trampoline etc.

What day do you head to Idaho? We will be going that way around Aug 4th or so.

Scotty

 

We head to Idaho around the 20th of August.

 

You got that right. There are/were literally dozens of gens made by the same factory, all painted different colors, but all basically the same. They are less popular now because the inverter types are becoming more popular.