Opinions on propane generator

[Roy in TO]

Pg. 33 of next weeks flyer or this link list the specs with picture.
Item # 8190365

3500W PROPANE GENERATOR - $ 599.99
• 3,500W surge, 2,800W rated
• 6.5 HP OHV engine
• Runs up to 20 hrs [at] 1/2 load on a 20 lb. propane tank
• 2 AC 120V outlets
• 1 AC 120V/240 twist lock outlet
• 1 12V outlet
• Automatic fuel shut-off safety valveWeight: 97.36 lbs

Does anyone have an opinion on this generator? Good unit? Good Deal?

[Chester Taje]

The deal seems ok but what is noise level?

[Gina D.]

Weight: 97.36 lbs

ouch!

[peterh]

I's big, it's heavy, it's got no sound insulation so it's gonna be noisy, and at 3500 watts, it's more generator than you likely need for a fiberglass trailer.

[Donna D.]

How about a conversion kit to change from gas to propane? It seems to be a popular "do" for some Honda generator owners:
US Carburation

[Darwin Maring]

BJs Wholesale club sells a Gas generator close to this wattage and size for $199.99 and you could install a propane / gas kit so it could run on either and save some $$.

A major plus of Propane is, it does not get old and gum up a fuel system like Gas does.

[Bill Drummond]

....
A major plus of Propane is, it does not get old and gum up a fuel system like Gas does.

I wonder if carburetor freezing with high humidity is still a problem?

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Roy,
"Open-frame" generators are inherently noisy. The quiet ones are encased in some sort of a cocoon.
As Gina D. and Peterh noticed, it's on the heavy side.
Our Yamaha 3000 will power everything at once in "Nuestra Casita" except the hot water heater which we operate on propane anyway. I agree with Peterh that 3500 watts is overkill.
The link provided by Donna D. is where we had our Yamaha converted to propane. Darwin mentions 2 reasons for the fuel conversion. Another couple for your consideration: historically internal combustion engines run on propane last much longer because the combustion of propane is less violent than gasoline, and second, the hassle of transporting a container of gasoline is avoided (not to mention the dangers and inconvenience of spillage).
What has not been mentioned is that quiet, enclosed generators are usually on the expensive side and propane conversions add even more to the cost.
In our case, we have listened to too many hours of high decibel open-frame generators to even remotely consider subjecting camping neighbors to that incredible audible abuse. The noise may not be quite so objectionable if you are inside your TT, but your neighbors might prefer to spend their time in the great outdoors.
The old observation about getting what you pay for is still true. Buying an inexpensive article, finding it is unsatisfactory and then spending the money on the higher quality item does not make monetary sense to me.

These are MHO,
Kurt & Ann K.

[Pete Dumbleton]

That's NOT an inverter generator, which means it will be running at a constant, noisy RPM even without a load -- That means it will not only be noisier, it will be noisier longer...

[Roy in TO]

Thank you all,

I never really looked at generators before. My decision is to NOT buy this one. You have all given me enough information to have a better idea of what I should be looking for. If and when I find something, I'll post for opinions again.

Roy

[Pete Dumbleton]

The key to the quiet generator stuf is that it has to be designed from the ground up to be quiet -- It's more than a muffler or even being enclosed -- The parts clanking around inside may a lot of noise (and vibration if mounted on frame) -- The various quiet ones have parts that were designed with noise reduction in mind.

Of course, this is why they cost more.

Also, as I stated above, the inverter generators do not have to run at a constant rpm to get the frequency (60 Hz) right, so they just run fast enough to produce the power needed.