Opinion on best inverter generator

[WanderGators]

Hi,

We will be picking up our 33' 2019 Airstream Classic in several months and will become full-time RVers and are asking recent Classic purchasers/owners what the best inverter generator is? After doing research this morning it appears that at least a 3500 watt may be sufficient, but we want to make sure that we are buying the sufficient wattage/amps. Any advice will be appreciated. We have reviewed the Champion, Honda, Westinghouse and Briggs/Stratton. Thank you.

D&B

[garry]

Beside wattage you meed to consider size, weight and noise.



Running one AC I would go for 2 Honda 2000i with the parallel cable.

[Daquenzer]

I agree with the last post. 2 Hondas run in parallel. They are not heavy. A 3500w will be close to 80 to 90lbs. Not easy to lug around. And sometimes you might just use one; especially if you don’t run the AC. I like my little Hondas because I use them around the house as well. Very quiet and very dependable.

Champion 3500 seems to be a way many go on this forum.

[SeaLevel]

You should also consider having an Easy Start added to your air conditioner unit(s).

[AirMiles]

I prefer the sound of a single larger generator over a pair of smaller generators. If money was no object, I'd own a 3000W Honda converted to propane from Genconnex https://genconnexdirect.net/honda_pr...tm#xl_EU3000is. To me, this is the best sounding generator on the market.

But since I'd rather not spend spend $3,000 on a generator, I bought an $800 Champion 3400W Dual Fuel Inverter generator instead. My Champion generator is slightly less pleasant than the Honda. I make up for this slightly less pleasant sound by running the generator in my truck bed and by using it very infrequently since I self-installed 400W of solar for $2,000. My Champion generator was only used for 10 hours while my solar provided the power for the rest of my 100 days of boondocking this past year.

Bottom line, my 400W of solar is completely silent and my preferred power source. I'd rather spend $3,000 on solar, including a Champion Dual Fuel Inverter generator, than spend $3,000 on the best sounding generator on the market.

[moosetags]

For about ten years, we had two Honda 2000's. They worked flawlessly. It was nice to have the option of using one, or both, depending on the situation. The only downside to these Hondas was the size of the fuel tank. It was difficult for them to run all night with air conditioning on the one gallon fuel capacity. We did have a separate fuel tank to solve this problem, but it was a pain to set-up. Much of our generator use was for an overnight stop in a parking lot.

About two years ago, we sold the 2000's and got a Honda 3000. This has filled the bill better for our generator use. With it's four gallon gas tank, it can easily run all night.

Brian

[mikextr]

I've been really impressed with the specs and reviews for the Westinghouse 4500 dual fuel inverter generator. Don't own one yet but will be buying one soon from Home Depot because there is a store nearby and that will simplify the return process if I get a dud or it is just a piece of junk. They are also available at Samsclub, Amazon, and other online sellers. Here's a link: https://www.westinghouseoutdoorpower...ts/igen4500df/

Check out the YouTube reviews also.

[drbrick]

Honda, Honda, Honda AHHHHH Save yourself a wack of money and pick-up a Champion Dual Fuel 3400 fantastic generator - runs on gas or LP !

[Amsterdamer]

The two best brands are arguably Honda and Yamaha.

The Yamaha 2400ishc is small enough for one person to lift and large enough to run one AC unit (and not much else). It's also quiet and well built. This model is able to take short burst demand where other's of a similar size can't. Honda does not make a similarly sized model.

If you want to be able to run your AC, refrigerator and a coffee maker at the same time, you'll need something larger, but it will take two people to move it.

The Yamaha EF6300iSDE is large enough to comfortably run a large rig. If you have 50 Amp service, you could split the 240 Volt into two 30 amp legs using an adapter. The Honda EU7000IS is the next step up from the Yahama.

[coasttocoast]

Why exclude the Yamaha 2000’s? They have a longer run time than the Honda 2000’s. Get two of them and a parallel cable. Two connected together on eco mode are quieter than one running fast. Two will run the AC with power to spare.

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

Bottom line, my 400W of solar is completely silent and my preferred power source. I'd rather spend $3,000 on solar, including a Champion Dual Fuel Inverter generator, than spend $3,000 on the best sounding generator on the market.

AirMiles

I like your logic and I completely agree.

Dan

[VaTravelers]

Two Honda EU2000 (or EU2200I) converted to propane by Genconnex plus EzStart - works great for running one A/C on one generator - my biggest pushback against a single 3000 is weight. Conversion to propane is worth considering.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Blue, Yahama 1000w, 18 Seasons... no problems at all...petrol only.👍

Red, Honda 2000i, 12 Seasons... so far, no problems at all...LP & petrol.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Blue, Yahama 1000w, 18 Seasons... no problems at all...petrol only.[emoji106]



Red, Honda 2000i, 12 Seasons... so far, no problems at all...LP & petrol.[emoji106]



Bob

[emoji631]

Hold on just one minute there - you mean to say you can use two DIFFERENT products at different times for different purposes and have a good experience with BOTH of them???? You mean - it’s not an either/or???? There’s no a single right/best/most awesome product????

What kind of fresh heresy is this?!?!?

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

[rmkrum]

This forum is well stocked with us heretics...especially the Department of Overkill Engineering...

[gypsydad]

Lots of good advice and disagreement here already, to "help" you with your decision!

Your use model and travel location needs are important to consider. Also, do you want to carry gas or propane in the back for your generator? Important to consider.

Not sure how often you will need the AC, or if you need 2 AC's running at the same time? But if you expect to use the generator to drive them both, the Easy Start from Micro Air is a good suggestion; it will help take the initial "load" off of your AC's during start/cycle. Many of us who have generators when boondocking can get by with one AC depending on our locations. I know if we are going somewhere hot like Florida or Texas in summer, we try to find a place where we can plug in to shore power...

Honda, Yamaha, and Champion all have followings here, as you see....weight and fuel are important considerations. We moved to propane last year with the Champion Dual Fuel...weighs in at 95lbs, and we can hook to our propane outlets on the AS but I also carry a 20# LP portable bottle.

If money were no object, I would consider the Easy Starts and a couple of Honda2200's with the Genconnex propane conversion...gives you lots of flexibility, they are quiet, and only 45lbs each. With the parallel kit, and the Easy Starts you can run both AC's if needed also.

[greenflag]

2 Honda 2000's for 12 years. Flawless operation and quiet. I can lift them into the back of my truck by myself. Hook them together when I need air conditioning.

[guskmg]

Here is my scheme for cooling a 34 slide out with 2 A/Cs. 600 ah Lithium batteries, 3000 w inverter, 800 amp solar, MicroAir EasyStarts, Yamaha 3000iESB propane genny. For lunch stops just run the front A/C on the inverter with the galley curtain closed. For longer periods run which ever A/C for the zone you are in. If you need both, run the A/C on the inverter and the second A/C on the genny. Or, with the EasyStarts you can run either or both A/Cs on the genny. If you are a little short of power there is a load sharing device that will prioritize your A/C loads. The propane conversion is made much easier with an A/C connection and a separate quick-connect propane connection at the front of the trailer. We sure enjoy our setup.
guskmg

[Mollysdad]

I should have just kept walking.
When I saw we got all of 4 posts before someone mentioned "easy start", I definitely should have hung up.

"Best" is subjective.
Best value?
Best resale?
Best dealer network?
Best sound deadening?
Best amp output?

IMO, I'd have a Honda 7000 if I could afford it and it fit in my truck.....I don't.
I don't like pull starts. I do like Hondas, so I have a EU3000is.
Here's the odd thing. Yes, it's heavy; yes, it's expensive (I got it used) and I have yet to actually use it camping.
I just know if I left it home, I'd tear a hole in the fabric of the universe and it would punish me by losing power everywhere I went.

[Keyair]

Harbor Freight 3500.

Allegedly quieter than the Honda.
Under $700, so 1/3 the price of the Honda...

Can be converted to Propane.


Lots of people love em, and have had good service.
I'm running the little HF 2000, and its been stellar so far.
2x 2000s are not enough to supply my Motorhome, sadly.

I am seriously considering 2x 3500s to replace the aging, noisy Kohler 7000.