Best generator?

[deelind]

What would you recommend, looking for something that will be good for a back up on my home as well- enough to run a fridge and some heat in case we get slammed with a NEaster.

[moosetags]

We use 2 Honda 2000's. We have a 25FB. We we have a storm and the power is out, the Hondas can run the trailer, including the air conditioner. They will also handle the refrigerator in the house. We just hunker down in the Airstream till we get power back.

Brian

[cms4140]

In order to handle both a/c's on the trailer and serve as a home back-up system I plan to upgrade to this one:

Honda Power Equipment - EU6500i

-Chris

[pmclemore]

We finally got power back on Irene +7. We used our Yamaha 2400is (propane) to run the trailer, plus the house refrig/freezer and chest freezer.

Glad to have power back, but we were delighted we had such a nice sugar-shack to spend our time.

Pat

[idroba]

There is no real answer to your question, as everyone has a different concept as to what is "enough" power and what is essential to them. However, many RVers have found that the Honda 2000ei inverter generator is a great little machine. Cost is about $1000, or a bit less. Weighs just over 50 pounds, so is easy to handle. Yamaha makes a similar, and excellent unit. The 2000 watt capacity probably will not start the AC on your Airstream. If you use it for home emergencies, either get a proper transfer switch, hard wired into your home, or only use extension cords to power the things you want to run directly from the generator. A pair of Honda 2000's is becoming more popular. With the Honda parallel cord you can get up to 4000 watts from the two, but only take one with you when you need less power.

The thing I cannot recommend are the inexpensive 3500 to 5000 watt generators which cost in the under $700 range, and are powered essentially by lawn mower type engines. They are noisy beyond belief, and have a very short lifetime engine. Some of these are even powered by a Honda engine, but still are not what you want.

[Mexray]

We too use one Honda 2K inverter genny - it provides us with all our power and recharging needs, except running the AC, of course...

I do wish an electric remote start was an option with this sized Honda, as we leave ours hooked up (and cable locked around a tree!) when camping...It would be so handy to be able to hit the 'start' button from inside the AS when we need the microwave for a couple of minutes...

I carry a 10/3 wire gauge, 100 ft A.C. extension cord - I can put the genny really 'out there' behind a tree, etc., so that we (and any neighbors) can't hear it at all - Those Honda's are just plain GREAT!