Portable electric generators,Q. on quality

[Ed Keyes]

Have been thinking about purchasing a generator for our Airstream and after dumping the contents of our home frig. 3 times during the recent storms, my mind is made up. Had originally planned on Honda 2000i. It seems that Honda is not allowing them to sell through the internet.This is in addition to the fact that everybody is out. Buying from a local dealer is several hundred more. As a result I am looking at the Yamaha 3000SEB and 2800I. The Robin Subaru 1700,RG 3200iS and Rg4300iS. Having a tough time making a decision as the 1700 seems under powered and the 3000w is a little heavy for me.Does anyone have any experience whith these two brands. It seems most quality comments have been on Honda. It would help me narrow my choice if I had some input on these two brands.

[wahoonc]

I much prefer the Honda generators, we have had both at work. The Honda's are by far and away the longest lived and the best running. All of the Yamaha's were decent units and did the job and were excellent units, but they don't seem to last quite as well as the Honda's and parts were a little harder to come by, when they were needed. My personal choice in the Honda's are a pair of the 2000's hooked in paralel. My current Honda is an EX5000 that we use around the home place for a multitude of chores, but it weighs over 180#'s fully fueled and ready to go.

Aaron

[Pahaska]

My 12-year-old Honda 1000 still runs great. I used it at the storage yard this morning to run my saws while putting trim around my new floor. It starts first pull every time and is very quiet. I do add Stabil-gas when I store it.

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

I much prefer the Honda generators, we have had both at work. The Honda's are by far and away the longest lived and the best running. All of the Yamaha's were decent units and did the job and were excellent units, but they don't seem to last quite as well as the Honda's and parts were a little harder to come by, when they were needed.

Aaron, Have you used the Robin Subaru generators, or just the Honda and Yamaha? I'm curious because I too am looking at the Robin Subaru 3200i. I haven't heard much from users, but what I have heard has been good. They are quieter, than the Hondas and Subaru has been making quality cars for a long time, so it seems the quality issue would carry over. Here's a link:
http://www.robinamerica.com/generators/index.lasso

[overlander63]

The ad says they are available from rental yards, why not rent one for a weekend and check it out?
BTW, I also like our Honda E2000i.

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by slowolf

Aaron, Have you used the Robin Subaru generators, or just the Honda and Yamaha? I'm curious because I too am looking at the Robin Subaru 3200i. I haven't heard much from users, but what I have heard has been good. They are quieter, than the Hondas and Subaru has been making quality cars for a long time, so it seems the quality issue would carry over. Here's a link:
http://www.robinamerica.com/generators/index.lasso

Are you looking at the 3200i or the 3200is? The 3200i is rated at 67db at 7 meters. Not very quiet at all. I would not want to be parked next to one of these. The 3200is is a much quieter 58db, but a much heavier unit. These generators do not appear to have the econo mode that the Honda's have. I have seen some of the other off brands and they all seem to run at top speed all of the time. I have a Eu1000 which is just right for me. Very light, very quiet. It runs at well below the max speed almost all of the time. I don't run much with it, but then again, we are camping.

[Bob Thompson]

As for Honda EU2000's there are some new ones on Ebay for $869 and $69 shipping.

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by overlander63

The ad says they are available from rental yards, why not rent one for a weekend and check it out?
BTW, I also like our Honda E2000i.

Great idea! My only problem is I live in a rural area and it may be difficult to find one. I will check around though. If I'm successful I will post my opinion here.

I have a Honda 2000i but am looking to upgrade to one I can run my air conditioner on. I am also considering a 3000i but my 15,000 btu ac is probably too much for it. The surge rating on the Honda is 3000 watts and on the Subaru it's 3840...enough for my ac. The Subaru is also cheaper than the Honda and has the same decibal rating as the 3000i which is quieter than the 2000i. Weightwise...3200is=130 lbs vs. 3000i=134 lbs

I considered using a parallel cable with two 2000i's, but don't think I want to handle twice the noise and two engines. Quiet is my #1 priority.

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Are you looking at the 3200i or the 3200is?

3200is of course. BTW,at a Db rating or 49-58 db, it is quieter than the Honda 1000i (53-59 db)...although at 130 lbs, my wife will have to load it in the truck for me! ( I'm kidding!) Subaru's version of Honda's Eco-throttle is their engine management system.

[flyfisher]

Originally Posted by Bob Thompson

As for Honda EU2000's there are some new ones on Ebay for $869 and $69 shipping.

In the November issue of Trailer Life, Speedway Sales in New Berlin, WI is advertising the Honda EU2000i at $869 with FREE shipping, and the EU3000is at $1,679, also with free shipping.

When I got my Honda EU200i a couple years ago from Mayberry's in NJ, they were selling Honda generators at a lower price than anyone else. All I did was tell them that I saw "so-and-so" advertised at xxx price, and they quoted me a marginally lower price. Their ads don't quote a price now, but they do say "Best price. Free shipping."

You also avoid paying state sale tax if applicable by buying from one of these places.

John

[Wabbiteer]

There are soft-start kits that change your 15kw compressors' start - run capacitor sets values to spread the generators work effort required over a longer time, but not go too large so it continues to commutate while unit is running. Before you purchase one though get in the parts list for your A/C unit so you know the value of the caps and compare to the kits; it may already be equipped with one!

[5cats]

Originally Posted by Wabbiteer

There are soft-start kits that change your 15kw compressors' start - run capacitor sets values to spread the generators work effort required over a longer time, but not go too large so it continues to commutate while unit is running. Before you purchase one though get in the parts list for your A/C unit so you know the value of the caps and compare to the kits; it may already be equipped with one!

Great suggestion; I plan to investigate the Supco SPP6E Compressor Boost Hard Start Capacitor, after checking out my A/C unit (when it arrives). It's around $30, and looks amazingly simple to install. A little googling and I found some folks that did some testing after installing the SPP6E:

• Duo-Therm Briskair 13,500btu A/C
• 7 startups
• residential 120 VAC
• 16-18A startup
• 10A steady run

Now I believe my Safari will have the 11k A/C unit, so it's my great hope the Yamaha EF2400iS will be just enough, assuming slightly lower requirements than those above, and perhaps after installing the SPP6E...

[Colo_StreamN]

Lately I have been thinking more about adding a generator and pretty much decided on a Honda. Our typical trip is two nights and during the warm weather we don't put a dent in the batteries. Now that it is colder in Colorado and we run the furnace we use much more battery power. I would love to be able to take a 1000W generator instead of the larger/heavier 2000W. Any of you that have the 1KW units - can you comment on how practical they are for charging batteries?

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by Colo_StreamN

Any of you that have the 1KW units - can you comment on how practical they are for charging batteries?

See my earlier post in another thread. If you use the 12v output of the Honda (I have the 1000) you get a lot quicker charge than if you go therough the converter.

[Colo_StreamN]

John,

I was thinking about that but I assume that when you use the dc output on the generator you get zero smart charging capability and you need to watch the batteries very closely? I'll go serarch for your earlier post.

Thanks,

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by Colo_StreamN

John,

I was thinking about that but I assume that when you use the dc output on the generator you get zero smart charging capability and you need to watch the batteries very closely? I'll go serarch for your earlier post.

Thanks,

For a short period (couple of hours) you aren't going to do any harm to the batteries. After all, you tow all day with the tow vehicle putting a similar voltage on the batteries through the umbilical. Smart charging is only important for long term charging.

[Pahaska]

My pervious post is in the thread
http://www.airforums.com/forum...ies-26916.html

[wheel interested]

John I posted a question about your direct charging of the batteries to the generator in the other thread. Thanks.

[davidz71]

I have 27.5 hrs. on a Yamaha 3000iSEB (500 watt additional boost when needed) which powers my 13,500 BTU DuoTherm Penguin A/C just fine. It's only drawback is it's 151 lb. heft. I have to have help lifting it into and out of the bed of my 2500hd pickup. I can load/unload it at home with the use of several long 2X8 wood ramps with aluminum ends but once at the campsite I have to have someone help me get it out. I've been looking for aluminum ramps that will fold up and fit in the 6.5 ft. pickup bed. For this reason, I recommend buying the Honda 2000 now for charging batteries and general lighting use through your converter then buying a second 2000 when the pain strikes you along with the parallel kit. That will give you 4000 watts and the running of the 2 generators is still very quiet. This seems to be the ticket now according to a number of other RV forums. If only Honda or Yamaha would make a 4000 watt unit weighing around 65-75 lbs. then that would be just right for me. Wishful thinking I guess.