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.

You can by the triple fuel system separately.

Cheapest I've seen for NEW and from a legitimate dealer....
From an email I received.....
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.


WANA ENGINE CENTER has been selling Honda Generators for more than 29 years. We stock a

large inventory of Honda Generators. We offer FREE Shipping to all of the lower 48 states. We are

not able to ship to California or Canada at this time but if you have a friend in a bordering state we

can ship it there for you. Our website Wana Generators has very informative videos to watch

and help you decide which model you need. Please call us at 260-768-4165 when you are ready to

place your order.



EU1000i $740.00 weighs 29 lbs

EU2000i $899.00 weighs 46 lbs

EU2000i Companion $989.00 has a 30 amp outlet – parallel to an EU2000i for 3800 watts

EU2000i CAMO $1,116.00 camouflage instead of red

EU2000i Package $1,937.00 includes EU2000i, EU2000i Companion, Parallel Kit w/RV plug

ALL THE ABOVE GENERATORS ARE FREE SHIPPING by UPS Ground. No Sales Tax (except IN)

Accessories – Free shipping with purchase of a EU2000i Generator

Honda Hour Meter $34.99

DC Charging Cable $11.98

Parallel Cable w/RV plug $49.00

Silver Cover EU2000i $17.99

Aluminum Cart $129.00 FREE Shipping

3 gal Extended Fuel Tank $125.00 FREE Shipping

3 gal Extended Dual Fuel Tank $141.00 FREE Shipping

6 gal Extended Dual Fuel Tank $159.00 FREE Shipping

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EU3000i HANDI $2,010.00 weighs 78 lbs – recoil start – has wheels and fold down handle

FREE Shipping – UPS Ground

EU3000i – Electric Start $1,999.00 weighs 134 lbs – FREE Shipping to a business location or you

can pick up at a freight terminal near you.

Accessories- Free shipping with purchase of an EU3000i generator

Silver Cover – HANDI $23.99

Silver Cover EU3000i $22.99

Twist Lock RV Plug $17.99

Wheel Kit w/handle $199.00 for EU3000i - Free Shipping

Wheel Kit $92.99 for EU3000i - Free Shipping

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EM3800x $1,850.00

EM5000x $2,110.00

EM6500sx $2,435.00

EU6500i $3,499.00

Shipping is Free on all the above generators but we must ship to a business location or you

can pick up at a freight terminal near you.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

All units are new from Honda and have a 3 year warranty, except the EU1000i which has a 2 year

Warranty. We are located in Shipshewana, Indiana. We accept Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

Give JoLisa, Justin or Gary a call at 260-768-4165 to order your Honda Generator.




Gary Miller

President

Wana RV Center

Wana RV Center

Wana Engine Center

Wana Generators

260-768-4165












Gary Miller

President

Wana RV Center

Wana RV Center

Wana Engine Center

Wana Generators

260-768-4165

all my contractors use that EU3000. we have been holding our contractor to a noise requirement. that little 3000 is strapped to all their trucks. really really cool. one contractor offered to buy me one with their discount. $1600!! i almost fainted, but i decline. big conflict of interest at the time. i was gonna be the administrator to the contract. but what a deal..i would be lying, if i said i didnt consider it.

The 3000 is quite heavy and ten dB louder....still that's a nice price. Ask them to get you a price on the 2000....:cool:

I have a Honda and like it but.... the next generator I buy will be a diesel. Friend of mine has one and its heads and shoulders better.

More expensive but lasts longer and much better.

Actually, the 3000 is quieter than the 1000 and 2000.

1000---> 53-59db
2000---> 53-59db
3000---> 49-58db

I have a 3000. My buddy has a 2000. The 2000 is definitely louder than mine.
Numbers-wise, it doesn't look like much difference. But remember, every 3db doubles the noise.

$800 is a great deal for a good used 3000.
One thing of note: the 3000 has electric start, not pull start only like the 1000 and 2000.
(that makes it possible to install a remote starter)
One downside of the 3000 is that it is a little on the heavy/awkward side compared to the suitcase size and heft of the smaller Hondas.

3000 Honda For $800 excellent deal! They are verrrry nice for RV use.

i checked Craigslist..i guess they are gone. :(

Yup, all the ads I bookmarked were deleted.

BTW, I see a lot of Honda powered gensets that are considerably cheaper than the eu units. Are the electric bits THAT much better?

I like the triple power (propane, NG and gas) option. 2-3000 watts is my target. Just need to find the best deal with warranty.

The best deal with warranty pretty much rules out Honda.

Yeah.....this looks pretty good. Except they don't mention who makes the generator.

Triple-Fuel Honda Powered 2,800 Watt Generator - eBay (item 330514671015 end time Jan-09-11 12:55:10 PST)

They want $829 for it on their website. No mention of who makes it. I have an Email into the sales weenie.

Triple-Fuel (LP Gas, Natural Gas & Gasoline) 2,800 Watt Generator

The EU-series are inverter generators. Extremely clean power. I power my entire 5th wheel with an EU3000is. I just can't run the A/C and the microwave at the same time. A tank of fuel will last about 10 hours with the A/C running, and over 20 hours without A/C. I can't imagine why you would need two 3000w units for a pop-up. Honestly, if you run anything else besides a newer quiet inverter generator like the Honda or Yamaha, and other people are around, you won't be very welcome.

The generator in the above post is rated at 65db. That's over 4 times louder then an EU3000is.

+ 3000

Never said I needed two gensets. Only one will do.

Just trying to see the "cube from all sides".

I confess. The issue of two generators came up with my post. I started the 2-generator thing. I think a singe eu2000i would do it. But, since they are usually not the best 'deal', the buyer should rule Honda out.

This is why I thought you were wanting 2-3000 watt generators. My bad(2000-3000 watts)

I struggled with this same issue a few years ago. I have a 5000w coleman that I could have used, but like I said, it isn't very welcomed among other campers.
I wanted the best bang for the buck since we have camped for many years, and plan to for many more. I decided to get the Honda. It will likely be the last generator I will ever have to purchase. I can use it virtually anywhere I need to, including campgrounds if necessary. If it needs service, I can find that anywhere in the country. With a Honda or Yamaha, you pay for the quiet, and reliability. The last thing I want when I'm out relaxing is to have to mess around with a generator. I've seen that happen many times.

I meant between 2 and 3K watt output but I can see the confusion. I'm going to use Hugh R's suggestion and boogie rig a window AC unit into the tent trailer. The heater doesn't like 12volt power......no other high draw electrics.

Saw an eu2000i for $700. Email is in to the guy.

What heater are you taking about? Do you mean the furnace in the pop-up?