The small tent would concern me because of the exhaust fumes. I am sure there are several good gens. out there but I don't think you can beat the Honda. I was looking this afternoon and I have 678 hours on one and 291 on the other one. I have a lot more time on them running as singles than hooked together. Unless I need the A/C, I just run one, and that is mainly to keep the batteries up and to run the tv at night and occasionally, the microwave.
__________________
'99 25' Safari
2 Honda 2000i generators
'08 Chevy Duramax
'01 Yamaha Raptor ATV
'07 Yamaha Rhino ATV
2 burgler alarms: Rotweiller and Shepherd
"If you step down to get in, you have to step up to get out"
The small tent would concern me because of the exhaust fumes.
Small three person tent. Been using it since we got the 2000 four seasons ago. Glued a small square of innertube to the floor of the tent and attached two copper ground straps to the Honda. An 8 inch nail with a flat washer is punched thru the rubber to ground the Gen. Have used it during some pretty severe storms without any problems.
I personally would not use it at all if not protected from the weather.
When we are boondocking we carry a Yamaha 3000 with a surge on it. It does more than take care of our needs. Haven't had any problems with bad weather but the biggest problem has been operator error. When you are through using the generator make sure you use all of the gas that is in the unit because if you let it set for 6 months you need to drain the gas before putting fresh gas in it. We will be attening the Balloon Festival this year and a generator is a MUST.
We use a Honda 3000, it has served us well for about six years. What you have read about gas going bad is very true. Whenever we are done with the generator, I turn the gas valve off and let the unit run until it dies, then I add a little additive made for storing gas. Ideally I would let it run until all of the gas is gone, but since they run for such a long time it can take a while.
On another note, if you are boondocking and relying on the generator to recharge your batteries it is helpful to have a Trimetric 2020 or similar battery monitor that will tell you the state of charge of the battery, how many amps are being supplied or drawn out and the percentage from full charge. The newer trailers are power hogs and it doesn't take anytime at all to draw the batteries down so low that it takes forever to recharge them going through the factory converter/charger. As an example, last week in Colorado I ran our batteries down to 85%. I hooked up the generator to recharge the batteries the next morning and after 5 hours we were only at 93%. According to the meter, the most the factory converter/charger would put back into the batteries was 1.5 amps - essentially a trickle charge. And if you are running any DC powered fixtures, you can wind up taking more power out of the batteries than what is being supplied to recharge them. Just turning on the main overhead lights in a CCD would drain the batteries even though the generator is hooked up and running.
Based on that, like someone else wrote above, it is good to have either the optional 12 volt charging cord that plugs directly into the generator and then attaches to the batteries, or bring along a battery charger so that you can have a higher rate of charge when needed. Personally I plan to change out the stock charger portion going with a Xantrex three stage charger. The Intellipower 9100 or 9200 with the Charge Wizard would also be a good way to go.
__________________
Paul & Annie
"No matter where you go, there you are..."
WBCCI #7162
Charter Member - Heart of Texas Camping Unit
AIR #1565
I have a Yamaha 2400i and it runs the A/C on my Bambi with no problem. I think the A/C is 11,000 BTU. I got my Yahama in Summerville, WV and they converted it to run on propane. It's a Yamaha authorized conversion and has a full warranty.
Can a Honda be run while out in the elements? Does the outer case protect it from rain?
I've contemplated making a tent frame out of PVC pipe and stake a small tarp over the top to form a pup tent with open ends. This would keep dew and any rain off the my Yamaha EF3000iSEB. The pipe would fit tightly into each fitting and would not be glued so that I could take it down in transit. I have also thought about finding a large marine cooler that is shot, cut the bottom out of it and then place it over the generator when it is not running. Might keep thieves away unless they are looking for a marine cooler.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
I put a cargo carrier on the front of my truck with the idea of carrying my 2 Honda gens. Seveal on this site thought it was a bad idea because of the danger of a front end collision and having fuel on the front. My main concern was getting them stolen. I found a storage box at Walmart for $28 that I think I am going to use. The dimensions are such that one of them would fit. It has a place to put a couple of locks but probably will not keep anyone out. I think it was 25"x20"x17". This would work as a rain shelter also with a little venting. I just want to be able to lock them while I am using them. The last two years we have spent several weeks in Az. on BLM land and gen. theft is always a problem. Year before last, an airstreamer just 50 yds. from us had his stolen one night. I shut mine off and put them in the trailer at night but would like to find a way around this. I guess if they want it, they will find a way. I just wish my camper insurance would cover them. I was told I had to claim them on my home owner insurance and my duductable is so large, I would like to find another way to insure them.
__________________
'99 25' Safari
2 Honda 2000i generators
'08 Chevy Duramax
'01 Yamaha Raptor ATV
'07 Yamaha Rhino ATV
2 burgler alarms: Rotweiller and Shepherd
"If you step down to get in, you have to step up to get out"
I use mine for lots of different things and don't want to be tied to a propane tank. Propane is very clean burning and the little gen should last forever though.
__________________
'99 25' Safari
2 Honda 2000i generators
'08 Chevy Duramax
'01 Yamaha Raptor ATV
'07 Yamaha Rhino ATV
2 burgler alarms: Rotweiller and Shepherd
"If you step down to get in, you have to step up to get out"
I have been using my Yamaha 2400is (primary power source 12 out of the last 18 months or so). It is happy in all weathers including rain and ice. The nylon cover is on when not in use.
For those that have done LP conversion; doesn't this limit the (practical) distance you can place the genny from the AS? (Noise factor)
Thanx, Bill
This tank has run the 2000 for 27hrs. When it runs out, start it on petrol, and get a re-fill. It does run cooler and with a lot less exhaust smell.
Check post #30. The length of our electrical is the only distance restriction. The owners manual warns against running in wet conditions, a three person tent works great for us.
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This is how we do it...
Small three person tent. Been using it since we got the 2000 four seasons ago. Glued a small square of innertube to the floor of the tent and attached two copper ground straps to the Honda. An 8 inch nail with a flat washer is punched thru the rubber to ground the Gen. Have used it during some pretty severe storms without any problems. 
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