Blue generators are now sold..........

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, it has been announced that Camping World has seen the light, and now, sells those famous blue generators. [by Yamaha] FYI

[Bluto]

Those red ones are OK, but the blue,,,, oooooh baby!

[AWCHIEF]

Are the "blue" ones really that much better than the "red" ones? Been thinking about buying one soon.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

Are the "blue" ones really that much better than the "red" ones? Been thinking about buying one soon.

I own one of each. They are both nicely done. I can't think of why one might better than another in general terms and I'd access my needs on a model by model basis.
Bruce

[AWCHIEF]

How about the dB levels, which one do you think is the most neighbor friendly. To me there is not much more annoying someone elses loud generator running when I am trying to relax. I don't want to be that someone else.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

How about the dB levels, which one do you think is the most neighbor friendly. To me there is not much more annoying someone elses loud generator running when I am trying to relax. I don't want to be that someone else.

The manufacturers post actual dB levels on their websites. The king of quiet is the Honda EU-3000! I did see a European spec that had "subjective" noise levels (think wind chill) and the results were much closer for the various generators. The EU-3000 is very quiet though. I was amazed, especially if you direct the exhaust away from where you are listening from. It is however not the lightest generator in its size range. Decisions, decisions.....
Bruce

[TG Twinkie]

When you look at the DB level. Pay attention to the distance it is measured. Some of the less expensive brands claim to be as quiet, but the measurement is taken significantly further away.

[AWCHIEF]

Thanks guys, but I know a bit about dB measurement, I was an acoustic analyst for 20 years. Interested in real world experience, either from current owners or annoyed neighbors that have had to endure loud generators running at odd hours.

[10Smiles]

I have the "blue" generator. One thing I like about it (besides the color) is that it has a fuel shutoff valve. As I recall, the "red" generator does not. I am sure I will hear if I am wrong though.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by 10Smiles

I have the "blue" generator. One thing I like about it (besides the color) is that it has a fuel shutoff valve. As I recall, the "red" generator does not. I am sure I will hear if I am wrong though.

Hear, hear!!
You are wrong. The Honda "on-off" switch is also a fuel cutoff switch.
I still love my EU-3000. It has a nice mellow sound, low rpm's just really nice....
Bruce

[Denis4x4]

Even though I live in a small town, there are at least three authorized Honda repair shops in the area with parts on the shelf. MC dealers are not authorized to work on Yamaha generators.

[Phoenix]

The Honda ON/OFF switch does cut-off the fuel, but it disconnects the ignition at the same time, leaving fuel in the carburetor bowl. It would be nice if the fuel cut-off was separate, so the carburetor could be run dry. There are ways to get around this, but it would have been nice, if designed that way.

By the way, Honda EU2000i is very quiet. When generator is running, I have walked to a neighboring camp spot in National Forest and state campgrounds, which have a little spacing between sites, and it is barely audible. If you can even hear the generator, it is hard to tell where the sound is coming from. Honda 1000 is even quieter, but have never heard a 3000. Yamaha sound levels seem to be the same, and are indistinguishable from Hondas until you get close enough to see the color of the case.

We often put our Honda under the picnic table at the end farthest from the road and point the exhaust away from all camp sites. That way, the sound doesn't bother us either; and the generator is usually protected from rain, too.

[Fyrzowt]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

The Honda ON/OFF switch does cut-off the fuel, but it disconnects the ignition at the same time, leaving fuel in the carburetor bowl. It would be nice if the fuel cut-off was separate, so the carburetor could be run dry. There are ways to get around this, but it would have been nice, if designed that way.

By the way, Honda EU2000i is very quiet. When generator is running, I have walked to a neighboring camp spot in National Forest and state campgrounds, which have a little spacing between sites, and it is barely audible. If you can even hear the generator, it is hard to tell where the sound is coming from. Honda 1000 is even quieter, but have never heard a 3000. Yamaha sound levels seem to be the same, and are indistinguishable from Hondas until you get close to see the color of the case.

I can't speak to the 1K or 2K Honda, but the EU 3000 has both a fuel shut-off as well as an ignition switch.