Recommendations for best quiet portable generator

Do you guys run synthetic oil in your generators? I have thought to switching over, though I've only changed the oil 2x - just don't use the generator that much. I think it has just under 12 hours of total operation on it.

I love fixing stuff. And if I can't do it, I bring it into work and we troubleshoot it for fun. Different work keeps the mind active.

I'm certainly NOT normal!

timfromohio said:

Do you guys run synthetic oil in your generators? I have thought to switching over, though I've only changed the oil 2x - just don't use the generator that much. I think it has just under 12 hours of total operation on it.

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I run syn on everything. It uses so little and if it can add any protection...why not?

timfromohio said:

Do you guys run synthetic oil in your generators? I have thought to switching over, though I've only changed the oil 2x - just don't use the generator that much. I think it has just under 12 hours of total operation on it.

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Yes, synthetic in everything. My generator, splitter, mower, tiller, and big diesel truck all use Rotella T6 synthetic 5w-40. All of the little engines like the generator get their oil changed once per year regardless of hours. Little engines usually take some trivial amount like .7 quarts compared to 15 quarts in my pickup. I like to use the same oil in everything and since the little engines usually want a heavier oil, the 5w40 covers the range well.

Rotella is good stuff.

I have called champion support for a leaking valve and they overnighted me a new part no charge. They did look up a repair place but it was about 45 minutes away and I said it would be a pain for me to take it there given how simple a fix it was. Very quick and painless dont even remember having to wait on hold more then a minute or two.

I just ran my champion generators last weekend they had been sitting for a couple months both started no problems. Hooked the space heater up to them for 30 minutes.

Highbeam said:

What? Did you read the thread? Have you ever owned a champion? All generators are regulated. Voltage, frequency, etc. via governors, voltage regulators, etc. Honda and Yamaha are really nice but cost double, triple, more for substantially equal or worse specs.

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Of course I did. And I didn't see anything refuting my statement. Even those touting other brands compare them primarily to Honda, again endorsing their position as the vanguard. The best most had said in any post predating mine was, "almost as good, for less money", when discussing any other brand.

begreen said:

"Best" and "quiet" usually mean a Honda or Yamaha. Champion makes some good ones that are less expensive if a little louder is acceptable.

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JoeJ said:

Many people swear by Honda's and Yamaha's and they are the industry leaders when it comes to inverter generators BUT there are many alternative companies (ie Champion, WEN, Briggs and Stratton) putting forth very competitive products at a lesser price that merit consideration when shopping around for a generator

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maple1 said:

If price isn't a concern - no brainer on a Honda or Yamaha.

If price is a concern - Champion has an inverter that size that seems to have good reports, and Home Depot sells a Lifan that size. I have the Lifan, rebranded. (King). Works great so far, although I did have to get a new battery for it.

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xman23 said:

Based on what the dirty dog guys use on the streets of NYC, it Honda 2000 model. They run all day every day. The ones I see are very ratty looking and still working. They are pricey.

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begreen said:

I've got the Yamaha 2400i setup for propane or gas. It is a bit heavy but it's very quiet and reliable. Propane operation is for major power outages. Propane doesn't go stale so I can store a big bottle of it. Runs cleaner too.

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Bcaul50 said:

I have a champion 3100 from Costco, I put 8-12 hours on it a week. It's comparable to the Honda 3000, I'm very happy With it quiet and good on fuel

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Even you, when discussing other brands, seem to imply they're good because they're clones of Yamaha or Honda.

Highbeam said:

They are clones of the Yamaha or Honda engines with many (if not all) parts being interchangeable.

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I'm not saying anything bad at all about Champion, I've never touched one myself. But I'll be sticking with my Honda engine, thank you.

Ashful said:

The best most had said in any post predating mine was, "almost as good, for less money", when discussing any other brand.

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Oh no, just as good, for half or 30% of the money. The red and blue are pioneers in the inverter market, they make great stuff to which all must be compared. That is not to say that they are any better or that they are still the champions of the market. You would be a fool to assume that the red and blue are still better than the rest after decades of other companies playing catch up.

I think what you're saying, and I agree, is that if cost were not an issue the red and blue gens are still a great choice. What I'm saying is that they are not the only choice and that equal or better products are available at significantly lower cost.

Most lower priced non-inverter generators produce 60 cycle AC current directly by turning at a very specific speed. This means the engine on a non-inverter genny must run at full speed all the time- even if there is nothing connected to it. This makes more noise and burns more fuel. Some higher priced inverter generators produce DC current which is electronically inverted to 60 cycle AC power. This means the engine does not have to run at a specific speed. For this reason, when the generator is under light load the engine can run at a lower speed. This is often quieter and more fuel efficient. NOTE: Honda calls this eco mode or something. I'm not sure that all inverter genny have the low speed under light load option so you might want to check before you purchase one. Also, this more expensive inverter genny typically have better mufflers. They are pretty quiet but I disagree with folks who say they can't hear them run!! I CAN HEAR A HONDA https://mechanicguides.com/best-portable-generator/ from across the road no problem! They ARE quieter than most others tho.... Finally, some campgrounds don't allow generators during certain hours. Even the quiet ones are not allowed in some areas.

esengi said:

Most lower priced non-inverter generators produce 60 cycle AC current directly by turning at a very specific speed. This means the engine on a non-inverter genny must run at full speed all the time- even if there is nothing connected to it. This makes more noise and burns more fuel. Some higher priced inverter generators produce DC current which is electronically inverted to 60 cycle AC power. This means the engine does not have to run at a specific speed. For this reason, when the generator is under light load the engine can run at a lower speed. This is often quieter and more fuel efficient.

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Good point, but perhaps over-stated. Let’s not ignore that an old synchronous generator’s fuel usage is going to vary substantially with load, even though it is running at full speed all day long. It’s normal to see more than 3x variation in fuel usage, between 1/4 load and full load, despite the engine running at a constant RPM.

cableman said:

I sold my camper and now need a 220v to run my house

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I had a lovely Honda 3000i. Quiet, economical, reliable. Then we moved to a house with a well pump and seasonal power outages. Sold the Honda, am torn between picking up a larger inverter with 220 or going to a standby generator (I can't picture my wife rolling out a portable, hooking it up and starting it if I'm out of town...)

lml999 said:

I had a lovely Honda 3000i. Quiet, economical, reliable. Then we moved to a house with a well pump and seasonal power outages. Sold the Honda, am torn between picking up a larger inverter with 220 or going to a standby generator (I can't picture my wife rolling out a portable, hooking it up and starting it if I'm out of town...)

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Our well pump is 120v, so our 3000w inverter can handle it.

If it was 240v, I would likely get a cheap 240v generator for the well, and have an inverter for everything else. With a generously sized cushion tank, the well pump would only have to run a couple times a day. Except for maybe showering if the outage gets longer. I haven't looked, but I think a 240v inverter would be kind of pricey?

There high efficiency options for well pumps, most well pumps are sized for fast recovery with not that great efficiency. A positive displacement pump has a higher efficiency but slower recovery. If folks are off grid and need a well pump they go with something like these https://us.grundfos.com/products/find-product/sqflex.html. The usual approach is put in a low flow positive displacement pump down the hole pumping into a big gravity tank in the basement and then have high flow low head pump to deal with household demand (preferably with variable speed drive so there is no start up surge.

I'm pleased with my Yamaha EF2000iSv2. Quiet and very dependable.