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ironfem200 · 08-10-2007, 06:48 PM

I have been reading about the Honda 'quiet' generators to provide lights and fan power to my 20' trailer. I really wonder if the EU2000i is more generator than I really need and if the 1000 model would do just fine (the cost difference is important to me). I truly plan on powering no more than 6 small sconce lights and one fan and MAYBE a coffee maker (I can use my gas stove if necessary).
Any thoughts? thanks.

halimer · 08-10-2007, 07:53 PM

Check out the Yamaha generators. They make some models that are as quiet as the Hondas. I have an older Yamaha 2800 I use for my house in emergencies and have not had any problems in over 8 years of use. When I retire next year I plan on getting one of the newer models for use with our AS.
Just a thought.

cosmotini · 08-10-2007, 08:08 PM

Add up the total watts you'll be using at one time. If that's below what the EU1000 can generate, you should be ok.

The coffee maker sounds like it would have the biggest draw. What is its wattage?

On edit: 1000 is the peak wattage and 900 is the continuous wattage for the EU1000.

mello mike · 08-10-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironfem200

I have been reading about the Honda 'quiet' generators to provide lights and fan power to my 20' trailer. I really wonder if the EU2000i is more generator than I really need and if the 1000 model would do just fine (the cost difference is important to me). I truly plan on powering no more than 6 small sconce lights and one fan and MAYBE a coffee maker (I can use my gas stove if necessary).
Any thoughts? thanks.

Yeah, the first thought I have is don't you have a battery in your trailer? The lights and fan run off of your 12v system, you don't need a generator for that. For a coffee maker, yes, but not the rest. If that is all you'll be powering, then yes, a 1000w genny should do the trick, but check the wattage requirements of your coffee maker first before buying.

BamCamper · 08-10-2007, 08:42 PM

You can also get coffee pots that run off the battery or use the french press or Melitta type systems to prepare coffee.

I heat up water on the stove and then pour it through a filter. Works great.

Do you need the generator for anything else? Will you be boondocking for extended periods?

campadk · 08-10-2007, 09:21 PM

We have a Honda 1000 to recharge batteries. No need to run the generator to turn a few lights on, they are 12v... Coffee on the stove works just fine.

Save some dought, buy a 1000 to recharge your batteries and enjoy some perked coffee on the stove

wkerfoot · 08-10-2007, 09:28 PM

Ironfem200 has a 1955 Wanderer, it is probably just like my 1954 Liner, that is all 110V and no battery and no 12V. A small 1000W generator will work, the only problem is that you must turn it on whenever you want electricity, a little tough in the middle of the night when you need a light to go to the bathroom, but maybe that is not a problem as your trailer probably doesn't have holding tanks either.

Bill

ironfem200 · 08-10-2007, 09:52 PM

Bill is correct; my trailer is all 110v and actually, french press is the preferred method of making morning coffee!

I did think of something though; I know that using your propane powered oven as a heat source to get rid of the morning chill is NOT a great idea. What do others with small simple trailers use instead?

Ironfem200

**azflycaster** · 08-10-2007, 10:09 PM

Many older trailers have catalytic heaters installed. They are great for getting rid of the morning chill, run off of propane and use no electricty. They put out alot of heat, are flameless and do not produce deadly CO. They do consume oxygen from the air and a window or vent must be opened to replenish the oxygen in the trailer. They are not a replacement for a furnace in very cold weather as they do not heat the tanks to prevent water from freezing.

VTS now sells them, here is a link:
Vintage Trailer Supply - Vintage travel trailer parts and supplies!

We perc our coffee on the stove. Nothing beats the smell of coffee brewing on the stove in the morning.

DFord79 · 08-10-2007, 10:21 PM

A 1000 watt genny probably won't run most coffee pots. But if all you need is lights its fine. AND DON'T LET ANYONE KID YOU...Honda eu gennys are the quietest on the market. Thats not just my Opion....thats consumer reports annalisis,,,and anyone who has compare the two. The Yamaha is good...but not as quiet as the Honda...JUST THE FACTS...ONLY THE FACTS.

DFord79 · 08-10-2007, 10:24 PM

I am spoiled by fresh ground beans every morning.....I can drink perked coffee if I have too. I drank ARMY coffee for a couple years...YUK....but it has caffine....lol. I allow myself that luxury when camping.

DFord79 · 08-10-2007, 10:28 PM

Look in the magazines for prices on the Hondas...there is only about 300 dollars difference in the 1000 and 2000 hondas.

doorgunner · 08-10-2007, 11:20 PM

I have a Honda 1000. And a 950 watt Starbucks Barista. The Honda 1000 does just fine steaming milk and the rest that goes with it! As long as I plug ths Barista directly into the Gen.
Down side is that some places you can't run a gen before 8 or 9 or 10 am. That's french press time!
Heck by 9 am it's Miller time.
If you want a demo drive over here to Lodi, short trip from Oakland. DG

overlander63 · 08-11-2007, 06:08 AM

We have a 2000, it is more than ample for 80% of our needs. I know cost is important, and probably fuel economy as well, but if you get the 1000, and find out you have 1100 watts of need, you will not be happy. The 2000 will hardly be breaking a sweat at that point.
Now, a really stoopid question for you:
Don't you own a percolator?
They use zero watts, and a side benefit is heating the percolator on the stove will take the chill out of the trailer at the same time.
If you do this, you can have the 1000, and your laptop, and all the lights you own in the trailer can be on. Leave Mr Coffee at home.

Poprivet · 08-11-2007, 06:23 AM

Ok, the 1000 might take care of your imediate needs but a honda gen lasts forever and in the future, you might want to get a larger trailer or have more electrical load. A microwave sure comes in handy.

For coffee, I use the cone that sits on top of the cup. Pour boiling water over the grounds in the filter. Easy, good.

ticki2 · 08-11-2007, 06:32 AM

Before buying a generator I would look into a battery , a small converter and some 12v lights . If you are just running some lights and a 12v fan it should last you several days without hook-ups . I think you will find it a lot more convenient than running a generator every time you want some light , also cheaper than a generator .

**azflycaster** · 08-11-2007, 07:38 AM

We have the EU1000 and it works well for us. We can run with just battery for several days. We top the battery with a couple of hours. When we do this we sometimes throw a DVD in the laptop and enjoy a movie at the same time. I bought mine from a friend ($500). It had less then 2 hours on it, but could not run his wife's curling iron

.

The same person had a 12 volt Mr Coffee. It worked great except that it took almost an hour to brew a pot

.

richg · 08-11-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campadk

We have a Honda 1000 to recharge batteries. No need to run the generator to turn a few lights on, they are 12v... Coffee on the stove works just fine.

Save some dought, buy a 1000 to recharge your batteries and enjoy some perked coffee on the stove

When and how long does it take to recharge your batteries with the H1000?
Do you plug the trailer into the H1000 to charge the batteries all at the same time?
Thanks
richg

SheilaMcC · 08-11-2007, 10:46 AM

Hi, we have a 16' Bambi and are considering a Honda 2000. Has anyone ever considered solar to recharge the batteries? We used our vehicle on the last trip to a national park and just turned it on for a few minutes at a time worked well to keep batteries going. I'm not sure that is the best method. Advice? Thanks, Sheila

davidz71 · 08-11-2007, 11:53 AM

Sheila,
There are numerous threads on solar power here. If you check out several of my threads on "Solar Panel Positioning" with responses from members as well as my "AM Solar SunRunner 100 panel" thread, you will see how I added 265 watt of solar panels. I started with a 5 watt panel, added a 25-30 watt portable panel then went whole hog with three panels. I can run my two Fantastic Vent fans on high all day long without draining the battery in the slightest. The panels even produce power on an overcast day. I'm a big believer in solar. I also have a Yamaha EF3000iSEB generator but only use it when I need the AC or if I want to watch TV when boondocking.

Regarding the first post on this thread, go for the Honda 2000. It is worth the extra money over the 1000 and it won't even break a sweat.