Edumecate me on Portable Generators.
 

Been cruising Craig's List and I see not much difference in used generators and new. SO, if I'm gonna get one might as well go new, warranty and one that I want as opposed to "settling".

My needs, can run a full sized microwave, window AC, a Makita portable air compressor, my tent trailer and is QUIET! Long run time, 8+ hours on one tank would be a bonus.

Two Honda eu2000i's can be carried easily by one man and put out 4kw peak. Quietest gens on the market. An added benefit is they are pricey.

Here is a good link what electric equipment draws.

How to Choose a Portable Generator for Your RV | eHow.com

Honda gens are tough to beat.

Herer's a better link:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/264860-does-anyone-want-free-gererator.html

plus 1 on the honda eu's,

If you get the Honda, a lot of people are tempted to throw a lock and cable through the handle. When they get back from the can, they find broken pieces of handle. I attached the cable onto a small metal plate and attached it to a large nut on the exhaust manifold inside the case, then lock it to the trailer. Whatever one you get run Mobil 1 and start it at least once a month. Put Stabilizer in the gas can.

i've always wanted an EU3000..for emergencies.

but thinking about it, 2 - EU2000's is probably the better, more versatile choice. the 2000 is easy to carry. the 3000 isnt. my brother runs everything in his pop up with one 2000. he needs a second one running alongs side to run any overhead AC unit.

purely for an "end of days" scenario; it would tough to beat those propane capable yamahas.

Hugh-gas is so crappy nowadays I haven't had much luck with sta-bil. It still goes bad quickly and gums up the carb. What I do on things I store for a while is put Coleman lantern fuel in them. It seems to never go bad. When I get ready to run something I've stored for a while I drain it out and put fresh gas in it. It will fire right up every time. It's only about 55 octane or so. I wouldn't run any engine on it for long.

Larry, interesting, what do you do, put coleman fuel in it and run to flush then switch over when using. My Honda runs like crap right now without boosting the choke, and I run it for 1/2 hour a month. Maybe new spark plug?

More than a couple eu3000s around town for around $800.....

You have benn ethanol-ed. You now need to replace your carb.

Here is a good write up with pretty pictures on the Honda carbs. Won't help all of t hem. but much cheaper than a new carb. My 2 Honda EU's haven't has much of a work out to need it yet, but one day I am sure they will.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/22602186.cfm

Yep, I run it just enough to get it running through the carb. I don't always get home once a month to crank things up. When I get ready to use engine I top it off with fresh gas and with the Coleman fuel in it, it'll start every time. An old man once told me "Check the plugs first".

If you can find an EU3000is for $800, you better grab as many as you can. I paid $1785 for mine.
http://www.frontiernet.net/~ddturner/gen.jpg

I have a Yamaha 2800W Inverter generator. Makes a clean power and is very quiet. I would highly recommend Yamaha.

From the Yamaha's I've heard run and the owners I 've talked to, they are equal to the Honda's. Thier price is eqaul also.

gotta link? i'd get one if i could buy it for $800.

Sacramento CL.

Nothing beats a Gererator for quiet power output and reliability.

Honda EU2000i Inverter Generator w/ Triple-Fuel System - eBay (item 230569537046 end time Jan-09-11 14:46:24 PST)

Propane power for the Honda generator.