Best and worst?

Geo-TH,In · Dec 25, 2013

2 years ago I purchased a used Chinese 3500w RV genny for $150. For what I use it for, I love it. Very easy on gas, quiet, easy starting in summer, a little harder in winter, has never been a problem, use staybil, change oil to 5w-30 for winter.

Thinking of buying another RV genny with electric start. I want an RV genny and not a PTO for many reasons. Not planning on living long enough to buy a $2000 HONDA. No plans on powering up the entire house either.

So, what is your best and worst experience with cheaply made Chinese RV gennies?

George

massey333 · Dec 25, 2013

Why an RV gen???.A RV gen. is only 110-120Volt and they are all Elec.start and have no fuel tanks or anything.Or are you calling a portable ones Like Champion-Powerhouse a RV.?In that case,you can buy NEW ones for $500.(3500-4000W)Or 5500-7000 for $700.As far as working,you get what you pay for..

Wile E · Dec 25, 2013

I just went through a 48 hour power outage, 10 degrees F outside, my Suburu 10hp generator powered my freezer, fridge, furnace, well pump, not all at the same time. My generator was there when I needed it. I would not trust a cheap chink junk gen set to get me through.
I just bought another gen set yesterday, powermate, 3200 watt. As a back up. $335 at HD.
I will likely give this to my dad as a present when I get a whole house gen set.

RayP(MI) · Dec 25, 2013

Friend went half way across the state to buy one on sale. Looked like a nice unit. Said it started fine in August, September, October, and November. Notice I didn't say anything about December. Now he's looking for a shop that understands Chinese to fix the thing. Don't think he's even had it in use other than trial start - runs. My old Briggs/Coleman started on the second pull Sunday when we needed it, and ran faithfully Sunday through today. (See my post above about son getting power back.)

RC Brooks · Dec 25, 2013

Some of those Chinese generators are actually copies of Honda's (I even heard of one that supposedly copies an old onan). If you look at which one you are buying before hand, search it. We've had good luck with one of the Honda copies. And you can use genuine Honda replacement parts.

Pops1532 · Dec 25, 2013

Many years ago I installed a transfer switch for a buddy that had just bought a very old and well used Coleman with a B&S engine. That Coleman served him well for many years.
My buddy is too concerned with stuff being shiny (he details Lincolns and Mercedes for a living) so he sold the reliable old Coleman and bought a shiny new Chinese knock off of a Honda. He'd test run it every month. He even got to use it for a half hour or so before the gen quit. Of course it was just out of warrantee.

notjustair · Dec 25, 2013

I bought a Coleman with a Briggs OHC engine on it about 10 years ago. It has been a great unit. I used it to power the house for many storms before I got the diesel power plant. It only gets used for welding things or drilling posts out I the pasture now. Always starts for me and is easy on fuel. I think it is only a 6500 watt but it has been a good one. I keep thinking I should sell it. It then I need it for something.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 25, 2013

I've got two Hondas, one 13,000 watt, noisy and very expensive. The other is a 1000W, very quiet, but also expensive. Wish the smaller one was a 2000 watt unit; we have the larger unit at work and it is still very portable and real quiet. I quickly grew weary moving either one to the new building to have lights, therefore bought the Chinese 4000 peak Watt unit from Harbor Freight and couldn't be happier. Paid a little less than $250. Checked voltage and frequency; both were dead-on. Uses less than a quart of engine oil per change and since I wanted it to easily start during the winter it was filled with the same stuff as the expensive ones get; JD 0W40 diesel synthetic. Determined it was so handy that now use it to run the wood saws and a new 2.5 hp air compressor which have since been located to this shed. However would go with a Honda in an RV because the smaller models are very quiet and it isn't good to keep other RVers awake at night with a noisy generator. Sometimes one just has to ante up.

Geo-TH,In · Dec 25, 2013

Why an RV genny? Because they are very quiet, have a 110 v 30 amp out which will start a well pump, ref and a few other things. Very easy on gas. Very light weight. I already have one, 3500w peak 4000w. I like it.

I have a friend who has a larger noiser genny. He wishes his was quieter, so does everyone in his neighborhood, uses a lot of fuel.

hrRoss · Dec 25, 2013

had a Honda 2000w inverter gen. the outlet was only 13.6 amp, couldn't run or start a 15amp tool or anything that you could run on a standard 15 amp circuit. was a nice generator, portable quiet, would run almost 12 hours on a gal gas, but it got stolen. will get something else bigger that is atleast a 2500w (wich Honda doesent make)

Geo-TH,In · Dec 25, 2013

RC Brooks,
Any idea which are honda clones? onan clones?
George

mj · Dec 25, 2013

I bought a Coleman (5000W) with a flathead Briggs-Stratton for the year 2000 'meltdown'

- It still starts and runs great - I use it for welding, pumping water and lights away from the house and barn

Texasmark1 · Dec 25, 2013

I got a 6500w from HF on sale for under $400. Has a 16 hp OHV engine with electric start and gauges and all. Use it on my farm to power my welder for portable jobs. Went to a HF store and had the AG exemption. No shipping, no tax.

Got me through the ice storm we had a couple of weeks ago. Big thing on them is watch your fuel and keep it fresh. Keep the battery charged. Run it ever so often to blow the cob webs out...and the dirt dobbers.

Mark

old-9 · Dec 25, 2013

I bought an onan out of an old RV. I mounted it on a small trailor, made a place for battery and 2- 6 gallon OMC outboard motor tanks. Runs good, very quiet. I just have one hose to gen and other end switch from one tank to other.
works for me . Joe

massey333 · Dec 25, 2013

George,Because today,I like most others don't have much 110 needs(lights-Refrig.-freezer-sump pump)everything else is 220.(Well pumps-cooking-Furnace.But too each his own.

Geo-TH,In · Dec 25, 2013

I switched both wells back to 110v. I just want to keep it simple. I personally like having a heavy duty 110v 30a for saws, small air compressor, chainsaw, power outages, coffe pot, ref, a few lights. I don't plan to run any 220v. If I did, I could flip a switch and get 220v/15amp.

I've done some research and discovered the cheap used genny I purchased is actually a honda clone, champion. At half power, it uses 1 gallon in 3 hours.

I have a portable 18000 BTU IR propane heater for back up heat. So far I haven't had to use it.

Are there any other honda clones?

Billy Shafer · Dec 25, 2013

Rv units come 120 and 120/240.

Ted in NE-OH · Dec 25, 2013

I bought a 5000 watt generator from TSC. After a few years the plastic fan on the internal shaft came loose. Tried to order a new part, they had changed the design (DUH) and new fan doesn't fit old. Fixed it with JB weld. So far it is holding.

Rick Kr · Dec 25, 2013

I have been running my Honda 3500w generator since Sunday at 7am when we lost our power due to ice. Which has now been 88 hours. 4th day now.

This generator is old. Doesn't have the idle feature. Just runs wide open and you have to gas it every four hours. Doesn't burn a drop of oil and has a 240v circuit.

Its been perfect for the last 25 years. Like it so much we bought a 2000w Honda 8 years ago. Again runs perfect and never had a problem.

Based on my experience I am going to stick with Hondas.

Rick

36 Coupe · Dec 26, 2013

My Onan RV generator runs at 1800 rpm.I use a 6 gallon outboard tank.You can run a hose into a car or truck tank and run it long term with little noise.We loaded it into my pickup during an 8 day power outage and kept the post office open and thawed out several homes.You dont have to have a high watt generator or run things full time.I have 2 wood stoves so power outages dont bother me much.We have an ice storm going on now.Not as bad as the 98 one.

massey333 · Dec 26, 2013

Good to know Billy,a few yrs.ago when I checked on one for camper,they said they COULD be rewired for 220 but lost most of the 110 Amp.rating so they wouldn't be able to run the air and etc.in a camper without being rewired again.That was a 4000 Onan or Kohler.Thanks for pointing it out.

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