Posted 2007-01-20 11:22 AM (#54147) Subject: Champion 3.5kW generator at Cabela's
Veteran
Posts: 254 Location: Dickinson, TX
Cabela's has an inexpensive 3500W generator for $400. Looks to be a Chinese-made knockoff, but has received good reviews (probably from seeds hired by Cabela's...)
This genset doesn't claim to have a pure sine wave, but I won't routinely run computer equipment on it. Is it possible to get a surge suppressor or other device to smooth power to sensitive electronics?
For $400, I can't argue with performance and price. It is really just what I need as far as what it will run vs what I can afford. What do folks think about these generators?
Posted 2007-01-20 12:03 PM (#54148 - in reply to #54147) Subject: RE: Champion 3.5kW generator at Cabela's
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
68 dbl is getting kinda loud. Every 2 dbl the noise is twice as loud, so that generator is 5 times as loud as a Honda or Yamaha 3000 watt inverter generator. If you are going to camp way off by yourself maybe OK, but up next to me you'll wake up the next morning with a gas tank full of sugar....Think about it!!! What is the National Park noise limit on gen-sets?
Posted 2007-01-20 12:09 PM (#54149 - in reply to #54147) Subject: RE: Champion 3.5kW generator at Cabela's
Member
Posts: 6
Location: wolverton,mn
I have this generator. I have had lots of people tell me how surprised that they are at the quiet sound of it. My dad has one of the more spendy {6800$} Hondas and he too was impressed with mine .I would buy one over again . Mine was purchased at checkers auto. THe 800-number on warranty card will be helpful if you call in and ask history of company! It runs my air and more stuff in my 3 horse hart trlr.
Posted 2007-01-20 12:25 PM (#54150 - in reply to #54147) Subject: RE: Champion 3.5kW generator at Cabela's
Member
Posts: 6
Location: wolverton,mn
I am going to add that i have ran it next to both the other brands mentioned overnite and mine WAS quieter . I sleep in my trailer and it buffered out other rodeo sounds as well as very annoying neighbors and parties . I hate being unable to sleep after hauling a long ways because of a LOUD generator OR drunk neighbor. JMO and experience.
I am a "simple" woman who knows not much about anything machine or mechanic related. I found out about this from a "motor head" rodeo guy who has one. Since then i know several girls that bought one!
Posted 2007-01-20 7:46 PM (#54161 - in reply to #54147) Subject: RE: Champion 3.5kW generator at Cabela's
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
$400.00, go for it. You could buy 4 of those for what a Yamaha EF3000iSEB or a Honda EU3000is cost. That Champion has 4000 watt starting and a 240 volt twist lock also! Thats a good thing if ypu ever need 240 volt. But its like comparing apples to oranges, the Champion ain't the same setup as the Honda and Yamaha "INVERTER" generators. These Honda and Yamaha models don't even have a generator inside the case, it's all done off the engine flywheel, generating 12 volts DC and inverting it to 120 AC. It's pretty much a box with an engine bolted up inside with an inverter, wiring and fuel tank, that's it. The champion looks to be wound with aluminum whereas the Honda and Yamaha's are wound with copper, check and compare the weight of the three. If I didn't already have a generator I'd buy 3 or 4 of them and leave them in the barn until hurricane season, pull them out and sell them for $1000.00 apiece.
hotbear03, you are telling me that your 4000/3500 watt Champion generator like the one listed at the top of this thread, running at full load generating 68 dbl at 20', is quieter than a EU3000is Honda or EF3000iSEB Yamaha "INVERTER" generator running at full load producing 58 dbl at 20'. So 68 dbl is quieter than 58 dbl.....I didn't know! Go over to www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm and search Kipor generators, inverter generators, Yamaha, Honda etc You'll have enough reading to last most of the weekend and on into Monday.
Posted 2007-01-22 10:49 AM (#54231 - in reply to #54161) Subject: RE: Champion 3.5kW generator at Cabela's
Member
Posts: 6
Location: wolverton,mn
Actually retento that was the beauty of the generator to me. I listened to someone elses,checkd it out, talked to 4 people at various rodeos and bought 1. I was not here to talk "mechanics" of brands only responding to Question. I know what i wanted and i got that in this generator while saving lots. I do not care to read all wknd as i have horses to tend to, cancer treatment to deal with,kids to care for and lots of other stuff! I will let you do the "educating" as i was only giving my meager experience. In fact i do not know jacksquat about the numbers you gave me of the other brands. Never claimed to . I was happy that my dad with the expensive honda approved of what i got and he would surely give you a run for the money on knowledge. His cash bracket is also much larger than a single mom such as me!
Champion 3.5kW generator at Cabela's
