which gnerator to purchase? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

kiscoirish · RV-Dreams Community Member

which gnerator to purchase?

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am very satisfied with my Honda 2000 watts generator; however, I'm not boondocking with it. I would recommend getting two Honda 2000 watts generators with the linking harness. They weigh 46 pounds each so they are easy to handle and store and when linked together you'll get 4000 watts of power which will operate your air conditioner as well as your other equipment. Also, they are whisper quiet - the neighbors will hardly hear them. They cost around $1,000 each at Camping World, but I got mine for $885 from a local dealer in Michigan.

Darrell

SKOOBDO · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a Yamaha EF2400IS which runs a 13.5 btu A/C. I looked at the Honda's however, I would have needed 2 to run the a/c. You can't go wrong with the yamaha or the honda, but with just one yamaha you can operate more power than the honda 2000.

blijil · RV-Dreams Family Member

We don't boondock when we need air conditioning. That decision leads to the generator size and requirements. If you need your microwave buy a Honda 2000 or Yamaha equivalent, if no microwave then a Honda 1000 will charge your batteries fine and run most of the small appliances and even a small steam iron for Jacki's quilting needs. An inverter will run most small appliances just fine. Easy to start, light, efficient, and reliable. It worked great for two summers as our sole source of electricity. Since then we have added 200 watts of solar which provides sufficient electricity for us on about 90% of the days. The exception is when we park under a canopy of trees or the rain clouds just won't quit. Then out comes the little generator.

If you need A/C then you need a larger 2400 watts or more generator which leads to many other decisions and compromises. Whatever you do, make sure you know the trade offs and then suit yourself.

Larry and Jacki

-- Edited by blijil at 09:31, 2007-09-04

HighwayRanger · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a Honda Eu3000is generator, which is truly a cadillac, but it weighs a ton (150lbs). If you'll leave the generator in the bed of a truck, the 3K or Yamaha version will run your AC. They also make a parallel kit for people who want to run two Eu3000is together. The 3000 costs about $1800. For about that amount, you can get two Eu2000 generators, which are much easier to handle by yourself. We got the 3K as a home emergency generator when we were without power for a week. If I had it to do again, I'd probably opt for two 2000s with the kit and the auxilary gas tank.

When we go fulltime, if we choose a fiver, I'm going to have a big generator mounted in the bed of the truck, plus a Honda 2K in a compartment for small jobs or for when we want to drive the truck into town.

foxriverguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

As a future full-timer I have been interested in using an auxiliary generator like the Honda. I am curious what do you do about security. What's to stop a thief from walking away with it in the middle of the night?

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Actually thefts of small Honda generators are common in Quartzsite. They come up the washes with quiet ATVs and have been known to steal them while people are watching TV. Heavy cables, chains and alarm locks are needed to cause them to bypass your generator and steal your neighbors unit instead.

foxriverguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think I'll keep that heavy-duty hardened steel chain and huge padlock that is now in the garage. I was gonna sell it at our last garage sale, but now I've found a use for it. Thanks, Bill.

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

You might want to have two of those anchor chains! Geeze, from some of the stories I've read about stolen gensets (especially at Quartzsite) it seems like it would have been far easier to steal the rig and leave the genset! Some stories will lead you to believe that no matter how well it is chained to the top of a tower on the roof of your rig, inside a vault, they'll still steal it!

BTW: I remember reading recently of some new micro/quiet genset models coming out that had nearly double the surge load capacity for up to 10 seconds or so. Must be using that new "ultra-capacitor" technology. I don't remember the brands/models. But look at those starting (surge) load numbers carefully. If I can dig it up again I'll post it.

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

foxriverguy wrote:

As a future full-timer I have been interested in using an auxiliary generator like the Honda. I am curious what do you do about security. What's to stop a thief from walking away with it in the middle of the night?

This might help: http://www.hitchitch.com/alarm

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

OK I am bringing this topic back to life because I am looking at getting a generator to charge the batteries on the RV when I stay in State Parks or BLM. I don't plan on running AC right now but if I do I guess getting the two 2000 Honda's would work? I too am worried about them being stolen but I would think that these smaller units would be easier to secure? You would not have to leave them outside all the time. I guess if someone wanted it bad enough they would take it no matter what. OK question is....

If I get the Honda...will it last me...will it be good enough to charge batteries...should I go ahead and get the two in case I need to run one AC? Short of having it stolen is this the best way to go.

Future wilderness camper

Speedy

-- Edited by Speedhitch at 09:26, 2009-01-31

SKOOBDO · RV-Dreams Family Member

Since purchasing my generator (yamaha) in 2007, it has been sitting in the back of my truck near the tailgate locked with two cables. To use it I just simply roll back part of the tonneau cover, pull the cord and lock the tailgate while it's running, and haven't had any issues with anybody trying to steal it. When I was out in the BLM areas, according to the workampers and rangers "most" of the units that were stolen were sitting outside on the ground. I purchased the best one for me, that I could move on my own and that fit under my tonneau cover. I originally had my 5th wheel prepped for a built in generator (waste of money), and had plans to get it installed, until I figured out how much propane they use So, I'm VERY HAPPY with my portable one and wouldn't be without it. Good Luck in your search!

Doncat · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am interested in your Yamaha gen, What model is it? What size? smile

Doncat

SKOOBDO · RV-Dreams Family Member

Doncat wrote:

I am interested in your Yamaha gen, What model is it? What size?

Doncat

Doncat,

I have the EF2400IS model, which can be reviewed at the below website:

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/products/modelhome/475/0/home.aspx

just a note: I like this unit because all the controls are on the front and the fuel filler spout on top is pretty large and prevents spills. Good Luck!

-- Edited by SKOOBDO at 11:13, 2009-01-31

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Speedy,I have a Yamaha EF2800i. It will do everything you want including running 1 AC unit.Can't use microwave without shutting AC down though. I think it would be a less expensive deal than the 2 Honda's and the parallel kit. Also weighs 64 Lbs versus 92 for 2 Honda's. Honda's ARE a little quieter but not much.Honda's are 53 to 59 Db Yamaha's are 60 to 67 Db. Yahama cost around $ 1300.00, Honda's around $ 1100.00 .

-- Edited by Racerguy at 23:21, 2009-01-31

norsado2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

whats wrong with the 5.5 that comes in most fith wheels

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

wmalefyt wrote:

foxriverguy wrote:

As a future full-timer I have been interested in using an auxiliary generator like the Honda. I am curious what do you do about security. What's to stop a thief from walking away with it in the middle of the night?

This might help: http://www.hitchitch.com/alarm

Here's something else that might help.

http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/gps-car-tracking-vehicle-logging.html?gclid=CIKPg7acs5wCFURR2godVHTDmw

Hide one of these little devises somewhere on your generator and don't even bother locking it up. This way you could hunt the thief down like a bloodhound and stop the problem for good.

A tiny, easily hideable device costs about $200 plus a couple bucks a day for monitoring. Finding the thief and ending his miserable existence, priceless. I think it would make a great pastime - much better than geocaching. ;)

If you are not into the "thrill of the hunt" yourself, just get a Lojack and leave the wet work up to the police who will arrest the perp and recover your genny while you sip a beer in the shade.

Chip

dream reachers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have 2 Honda 2000 w/parallel kit. I use one if I need to run small appliances or charge and 2 if I need to run 1 ac unit. I have used one while doing a construction job with a saw or a sander. I carry them in the truck when traveling and if I'm in one spot for a while I put in or outside of trailer. I would not want to move a heavier unit, 46# is enough to lift up or down. They have worked well for me. This doesn't mean one generator is better or worse than another. As you can see from all the replies, different people have different generators that work for them. I really have not used mine a great deal but it sure has been good to have when I needed them. The batteries wont last forever

TrishsTravco · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a Honda EU 5000.
It will run everything, probably everything in the campground.
It ran everything in the house --except the dryer and my stick welder-- last time the power went out.

It's heavy and I'm 5 feet tall. I made a compartment for it in the Travco, but when it's time for new oil, a new plug or a look-see, I need help to get it out.

I really advise going with 2 small Hondas.
They are that quiet, they do work that well, they are worth the money.
It's your back, you decide.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Speedy,

Just a note regarding my experiences with a generator. In the past, we have boondocked in the mountains of Colorado for about a week at a time. We have a Honda 3000EU that sits just behind the cab of the pickup and is locked down with padlocks and cables with looped ends. One of those cables also runs through the handles of our two 5 gallon gasoline cans to secure them as well.

The 3000EU is pretty heavy, somewhere in the vicinity of 150 pounds and would be the equivalent of two of the 2000EU models. I can load it myself, but it is a trick.

What I really like about it is how quiet it runs in "Eco" mode. One can stand next to it while it is running and have a normal conversation. (Well, unless one of the conversants is hard of hearing.)

However the main thing I have discovered is that while we live in Oklahoma, we vacation a lot in the mountains. At the higher altitude, the engine runs richer on gasoline. After a few day of running the generator about 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening, the engine won't start because of fouled plugs. So, I alway carry spare spark plugs so that I can change it our when the first one fouls.

When we get our house sold and get a new "RV Dreams" dream home, I will probably have an Onan installed. The Onan 5500 currently offered by most manufacturers have an adjustment that can be made based on one's altitude.

Terry

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

Funny, we have the Onan 5500 and if I were going to do it over, I'd get the Honda. The Onan is more expensive and very noisy. The only benefit I see is that the built in runs on propane, so there's no gasoline storage and I've found that it works fine long term without running it every month or so.

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, I tried posting a picture of 2 Honda 2000's enclosed in nice steel boxes which are mounted to the bed of a pickup truck. For some reason I can't get the photo to show. It looks like a nice secure setup.

-- Edited by wmalefyt on Thursday 27th of August 2009 02:07:26 PM

-- Edited by wmalefyt on Thursday 27th of August 2009 02:08:20 PM

-- Edited by wmalefyt on Thursday 27th of August 2009 02:09:49 PM

-- Edited by wmalefyt on Thursday 27th of August 2009 02:10:34 PM

gpdshea · RV-Dreams Community Member

hi were getting ready to go to alaska in june i have a champion 3000-3500 gen i use at the house. if i put it in back of truck will noise be a problm at pulloffs in alaska? noise level is 68db at 23ft, not good for campgrounds. thanks for any info you can give.

Hamshog · RV-Dreams Family Member

gpdshea wrote:

hi were getting ready to go to alaska in june i have a champion 3000-3500 gen i use at the house. if i put it in back of truck will noise be a problm at pulloffs in alaska? noise level is 68db at 23ft, not good for campgrounds. thanks for any info you can give.

Hey Gpdshea,

We used our Champion 4000 last month in Quartzsite with 10 other rigs. When it was in the back of my truck it was much quieter than on the ground beside my coach. I'm thinking of putting some sound board on the sides and leave some gaps for ventilation. Should quiet it down considerably.

We're getting ready to order a new Bighorn 3580RL and I'm not getting the generator prep option. We'll use the Champ 4000 when needed and install solar also. The generator compartment will be used for batteries..

Regards, Hamshog

gpdshea · RV-Dreams Community Member

thanks HAMSHOG FOR THE REPLY. guess i'll move stuff around in the truck so the gen. will fit, the smaller gens sound good but with only 1 hr on mine hate to get rid of it.

coal · RV-Dreams Community Member

I have two HOnda 3000's, I double them up when were doing laundry. I can run one HOnda to do the HOnda but it would run at full steam, parallelling two Honda's, they don't break a sweat. I figure two units running at close to idle would consume the same amount of fuel as one running at max, plus easier on the machines.

Yup they are heavy, nice if you can mount them in a area where they are easy to re fuel and conduct routine services.

The electric start is good for the dw, she can pull the choke and fire them up with no problems. Much easier with electric start over a pull cord for her.

http://rvallseasons.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-yard.html there is a pic there of my setup, made my own parallel cables, no big deal.

They can run up to 20 hours on one tank depending on the load they are servicing. Very quiet at idle. Imho, very well worth the money.

azrving · RV-Dreams Family Member

I got lucky and found a Yamaha 3000iSE that a lady had purchased for RVing and emergency power. It was 1 year old when I got it and she had never used it(still in the wrapper). It is quiet and has enough power to run the ac and microwave @ the same time. It also has the "ECO" setting which is a great feature to have if you’re in a campground setting. I found it on Craigslist for 1,400 and because I had cash when I showed up I got it for 1,200. This generator sells for 1,800-2,000+tax online and in stores. It pays to shop around!

Since I had a budget of 2,000 for a generator, I decided to purchase the Honda eu2000i for winter camping (no ac needed & the 2000 is a much lighter unit) and after doing a lot of research online I found a company in Colorado called Alamia Outdoor Equipment. I bought the Honda for 850.00 and that included shipping (no sales tax). Both units have performed flawlessly, I don't think you can go wrong with the Yamaha or Honda.

http://www.yamahageneratorstore.com/EF3000iSE.htm

http://www.alamia.com/

-- Edited by azrving on Sunday 14th of February 2010 10:37:53 AM