Generator

[KSH]

So I've been going back and forth about buying a generator for our travel trailer. Only need to run the ac. Considering getting two honda eu2000 and connecting them together, seems like the most popular option, also looking at the honda eu3000i handy. And recently I saw generac has a 2000iq option that is just coming out, the price point is much better than the honda. Anyone have good opinions on a generator. I want something compact, lite enough for 1 person and quite. I currently borrow a honda 3000is from my cousin but at 130lbs it's a monster.

[B-O-B'03]

I bought a Champion 3100 Watt, Inverter, generator at Costco.

It is not as quiet as my friend's 3K Honda, but it is pretty quiet and it was $699, when they had it for $100 off the regular price.

I can load it into the bed of the truck, by myself and it will run the 15K BTU AC, both fridges, and the converter at the same time.

Champion 3100

-Brian

[JimDogs]

I went the 2 X 2000iEU route. That way I have the power needed to run the A/C and Microwave when needed, the simplicity of using just one for all other purposes, and the peace of mind knowing that if 1 is down for repairs/maintenance I will still have one to run the show. Another plus was the ability to load one or both onto my trailer tongue tray by myself.

To make the purchase easier on my wallet I purchased them used on CL and did the tune-up by myself. I got both of them for a total cost of $753.00 and I now have the Honda quality. I also purchased a dual line extended run fuel system off eBay that allows for up to 40 hour run-time without needing to re-fuel.

[JRTJH]

Do a forum search for "champion generator", "inverter generator" and "Costco" (smarter tools generator). There are literally hundreds of threads and just as many "opinions" on ways posters will help you "spend your money".... The amount of use, budget, noise, as well as weight, size and portability are all considerations that make for many different decisions.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. Do some reading on opinions of others and you might well find things you haven't yet considered in your selection.

Good Luck

[old timer]

I find it unbelievable that you have to purchase 2 honda generators and hook them up to get enough power to run the ac. Why can't they just build one to do the job. I have been mulling over the purchase of a generator but havent found a need for it yet. Cerently don't want to carry 2 around though

[dcg9381]

You don't need 2 Hondas, but if you want small and quiet generators that you can easily carry and they only put out 2000 watts, you'll need two of them. These are ultra-quiet, sip gas, and if you need power without full AC capacity, you just need to run one.

Honda does make single unit generators that will run AC, but you're not going to easily carry them by hand. You can put wheels on them though.

It's just a mix of money, loud, and weight that you'll need to get sorted out..

[bdaniel]

I have a Honda 3000is I purchased in 2002 and it is still going strong. And it will run 10-12 hours running the AC or 24 hours in the winter to run other stuff on one tank of gas.

It is heavy but I have a cover for it and leave it in the truck all the time. If it failed today I would get another one just like it.

My cover: http://www.bobbystuff.com/RV/index.php?blog=78

Bobby

[gary31]

I have a 3000EUis and it great. I put some large wheels from ebay on it so I can roll it around and load it up into the TH. It runs all night fully loaded in the summer and like others have said it will chug along for 20+ hours in econo mode. I use both my Honda and Onan, The Onan is 4k so when max out put is required, AC and accessories I fire up the Onan, then for sleeping you cannot beat the Honda. Never hear it outside and away from TH. I considered the 2k units but did not want to be fueling all the time I like fill and forget.

[Ram189]

I have camped at Nascar races with my folks and by myself after my dad passed for over 30 years.
As I see the people I have camped with for years growing older almost all of them have downsized the trailers they use and have gone to 2 2000's. They are easier to get in and out of the truck bed as they get older.
I am still running a Honda 3000 and love it but it gets heavy at times by myself. In the next few years my son will be of the age to start helping me so it will get easier but if I was by myself I would go with 2 2000s.

Just my rambling $.02 but it is something to consider as we all move along in life.

[halfprice]

I just bought the Honda 2000. We don't dry camp very often and when we do its in Northern Ca on the coast so we don't need the a/c.

I started it for the first time for my wife, then I went out to fish. When I got back my wife had the a/c on, rare hot day up there. So the 2000 started the a/c no problem.

Here's my question?? While this hurt my a/c by starting it with the 2000? Yes it started but will the low watts or voltage hurt the a/c motor?


Sorry to high jack this thread but I thought the info might help the OP with a decision.

Jerry

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by halfprice

I just bought the Honda 2000. We don't dry camp very often and when we do its in Northern Ca on the coast so we don't need the a/c.

I started it for the first time for my wife, then I went out to fish. When I got back my wife had the a/c on, rare hot day up there. So the 2000 started the a/c no problem.

Here's my question?? While this hurt my a/c by starting it with the 2000? Yes it started but will the low watts or voltage hurt the a/c motor?


Sorry to high jack this thread but I thought the info might help the OP with a decision.

Jerry

Jerry,

Sometimes it will run, sometimes it won't. There are several threads discussing the potential damage to the generator and air conditioner. Here are a few to get you started:

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/sho...hlight=winding
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/sho...hlight=winding
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/sho...hlight=winding

[halfprice]

Thanks John,
That helped a lot. No a/c for now on.

Jerry

[SteveC7010]

Yamaha's 2400 is an interesting unit. 2400 watts which should be enough to safely start up an A/C and 75#. 53-60 dba which is pretty close to the Honda eu2000i. Price tag to match, however. MSRP is $1,400.

[gearhead]

I'm using a Champion 4000/3500 for the RV. I first thought I would just bite the bullet and spend $2000+ for the 2 Honda 2000's. I can't get the Champion in and out of my truck bed. That limits where I have to park and use a generator. Many times all I need is a small gen to recharge the batteries. I've been around many brands while camping at NASCAR races. The 2 small 2000 watt gens work best. I haven't heard anything as quiet as a Honda. Ryobi is close, as is Yamaha. Ryobi gets mixed reviews, Yamaha is as expensive as Honda.
If I were buying tomorrow I would be looking real close at Smarter Tools. Has a Yamaha engine. Available at Home Depot. Also extended warranty available from HD beyond the MFG 3 yr. warranty.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Smarter-T...00iQ/205627293
Get an extended run kit that is nothing more than a marine gas tank.

[sjturbo]

As much as I love our EU3000 that has started first time every time for the last 10 + years, If I had to do it over again I would get a pair of 2000's because of the weight and size issue. Honda builds a quality generator! I believe if you look into it the pair of 2000's you have a peak of 4000 watts and a continuous of 3200 watts. That is more than the EU3000! They also have a model that has a 30amp receptacle available.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by gearhead

I'm using a Champion 4000/3500 for the RV. I first thought I would just bite the bullet and spend $2000+ for the 2 Honda 2000's. I can't get the Champion in and out of my truck bed. That limits where I have to park and use a generator. Many times all I need is a small gen to recharge the batteries. I've been around many brands while camping at NASCAR races. The 2 small 2000 watt gens work best. I haven't heard anything as quiet as a Honda. Ryobi is close, as is Yamaha. Ryobi gets mixed reviews, Yamaha is as expensive as Honda.
If I were buying tomorrow I would be looking real close at Smarter Tools. Has a Yamaha engine. Available at Home Depot. Also extended warranty available from HD beyond the MFG 3 yr. warranty.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Smarter-T...00iQ/205627293
Get an extended run kit that is nothing more than a marine gas tank.

We have two Smarter Tools 2000IQ's with Yamaha engines. We only run two when AC is needed, which is rare for us. Running just one compared to a 4K-3.5K gen yields less noise and less fuel flow. Hernias also aren't an issue.

Costco has them occasionally for ~$599 each. What a deal.

[trueweb]

I like the two generator route. I just picked up two Smarter Tools AP2000iQ generators. They have Yamaha engines, so they are at least half good. I've run them a few times with no problems. They start easy and were easy to set up.

Here is why I like two:
1) If one fails you can still do most everything except start the A/C; charge batteries, coffee maker, TV, microwave, etc.
2) Loading and unloading two 50lb generators is easier than one 140lb generator and can be done be one person.
3) Two 2kw generators ends up being 3kw continuous, which is actually more capable than the 140lb relatives as well.

I hope that helps.

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by trueweb

I like the two generator route. I just picked up two Smarter Tools AP2000iQ generators. They have Yamaha engines, so they are at least half good. I've run them a few times with no problems. They start easy and were easy to set up.

Here is why I like two:
1) If one fails you can still do most everything except start the A/C; charge batteries, coffee maker, TV, microwave, etc.

I hope that helps.

trueweb -
Is there some reason why a single generator cannot be used to charge batteries or run the TV? I understand about the A/C and micro but a TV and to charge the batteries a 2000W generator of any brand should be able to do these two chores without a problem.

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

One of my neighbors has one of these;
http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...0732-9889.html
bolted into the bed of his truck. Has had his for several years, uses it
to lift just about everything he doesn't feel like putting his back out with.
He has a plate of steel cut and drilled for under the bed.
Hard to go wrong for a C-note.

hankaye

[KSH]

I was thinking of something like that.It's a great idea. I have a ram truck with the ram box option so I don't have that indentation.

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