From what I have found, the portable generator I was looking at is a 5000watt from Onan and is rated around 76dbs.

The Boliy mentioned on another thread is 3300watt and is rated around ~55dbs.

How big of a difference is this in sound?

I've looked at the charts comparing the generator sound to regular, everyday noises, but it doesn't help me much.

the old rule of thumb is, Your ears can tolerate 80dbs for 8 hours in a 24 hour period.  Each 5 dbs increase cuts the time in half. ie  85 dbs for 4 hours, 90 dbs for 2 hours, 95 dbs for 1 hour and 100 dbs for 30 minutes, 105 dbs for 15 minutes, 110dbs for 7.5 minutes, 115 dbs for 3 minutes and 120 dbs for 1.5 minutes

Anything more and you sustain hearing loss.

50-55 dbs is considered Normal Voice level.  Most Automakers try to keep the road noise in their vehicles under 70dbs.

So a 76dbs noise is close enough (to 80 dbs) that if you had to listen to it for 8 hours you would have hearing loss. It will also be louder than what you hear in your truck going down the hiway. Where as 50-55 dbs is like standing next to several folks talking. If that gives you an idea.

The internet threads said they had a few problems with the 1st and 2nd generation of the Boliy. They claim the 3rd generation has fixed those problems. I am starting to see the product offered at some bigger name RV dealerships in my area.

We were camping last year and I had to walk up to a Honda EUi 3000 (rated 49-58) to make sure it was running. There was a humming like your refrigerator does. This was inside a truck bed.  The A/C unit it was running was louder than the generator.

We have a 2500 Honda generator (non-inverter) and it rates at 76 and it is as loud as a lawnmower.  Big difference.

The inverter generators are quiet.  Have camped near some onans and they are loud to me. Alot louder than the inverters.

My trailer will not have propane so my water heater and AC will both be on the generator. I think I am going to need something bigger than 3000-3500.

The Kipor & Boliy are out because I want electric start.

Anyone know anything about Generac?

Why is this one so heavy?

http://duropower.com/item.asp?PID=155&FID=1&level=0

We install Generac Generators in our LQ trailers and have been very happy with them.  Take a look at their website.  We would be more than happy to answer any questions you have about them or to install one for you.

http://www.guardiangenerators.com/Products/Recreation/Quietpact/Quietpact.aspx

Although I have a Generac generator mounted in my hayrack, I have taken notice of the Honda EU models. Someone else mentioned that they had to walk up to the generator before they could tell it was running. I've had the same experience. If if were looking for a portable generator, I would definitely purchase the Honda. I have investigated the Yamaha's as well, and like the HOnda much better.

Originally written by Rockinghorserun on 2008-02-04 5:41 AM

The KIPOR has electric start on the 3000.  I checked both Honda and Kipor side by side at an RV store.  The Kipor was quieter than the Honda (and $800 cheaper). Both the same at idle but when they ran elec heaters the Kipor was quieter. After all this is said I am still leaning towards the Honda because they offer REMOTE start. And, you can tie 2 3000's together if you need more power.

Why not just buy the 6500??

Originally written by Rockinghorserun on 2008-02-04 10:28 AM

The Honda 6500 you were looking at is basically a contractors model.  They are heavy and loud.  The best ones for camping are the quiet ones (unless you're camping by yourself).  And the inverter types are the quietest that Honda makes.  When I suggested that you can tie 2 together to get 6000W that would be to run your house if your power went out.  The 3000W inverter types are all about 134-140 lbs empty.  The 6500 was alot heavier because of the different motor. With these contractor generators you take the chance of burning up the new TV, microwave or anything else that is digital or LED. 

This is the 6500 I am talking about:

http://estore.honda.com/pe/asp/landing_nodealer.asp?RefID=PE&RefModelId=EU6500ISA&ProductSeriesId=P4GG_SUPER&ProductCatId=P2GG

I was thinking that the Honda 6500 was the Duro you had mentioned in your earlier post. The Honda 6500EUi would do more than you need and be quiet at it for $4000.  The Duro 6500 is the contractor's type.  Sorry for the confusion.