What Generator Do You Recommend?

[mistermike]

I want to purchase a small generator. I want something that is quiet and trouble free. What would you recommend?

Thanks,

[azflycaster]

I am very satisfied with my Honda. Your usage will determine which model to get. I use mine to top off the battery and I use a EU1000i.

[Lumatic]

For a quiet generator you need an inverter type. They are considerably more expensive but also significantly quieter. The most common one is a Honda EU2000. Yamaha and other manufacturers make comparable and larger versions. Honda also makes the smaller version mentioned above. I don't know if others also have an inverter in the 1000 watt range. What do you anticipate you will use it for?

[cameront120]

I'm very happy with my Honda eu2000. It's a great little machine. Since I don't have air conditioning, it runs everything in my trailer without any problem.

[Mikethefixit]

Hard to believe the Chief Engineer of W1RC doesn't have a Genny. I have one but its to noisy to take campin.
I would suggest just from my observations(dealing with small engines) that the Honda is probabley the most trouble free. Depending on how you intend to use and transport it. I think Honda EU2000 at 47 lbs will be the easiest to handle and a pair will give you 4000 watts to run your AC or your Ham Rig.Although U need to understand that what ever Genny you decided on will have to be serviced (oil changed and AirFilter) every 25 to 30 hrs. runtime. IT will only be as trouble free as the maintainence you give it. With the current econimic conditions,I'd look around for some NIB/OS. I think some dealers would love to get rid of last yrs stuff they still have in the back room. GOOD LUCK

[dlb435]

There is no such thing as a trouble free generator. They all require care. Frequent oil changes, oil filter, air filter etc. They all use a lot of fuel for the watts produced. 30% effecencey is about the best you will get.
We are using a Generac Guardian RV quiet-pack unit that puts out 120 VAC @ 30 amps and runs on propane. We can run everything in the trailer with this unit. That includes the AC and the microwave. (just not both at the same time!)
The good side is very little noise and a clean running unit. It uses propane so I can run it from the trailers LP bottles if I have to.
The bad side is the cost and size on the generator. I have it mounted on a small trailer ( it weighs 170 lb) Generac list these at $2800.00 and typical discounts are about $2000.00.
We live near New Orleans so this generator is not just for the camper. This is our power back-up during storm season. That's the only reason I could justify the cost.
The little Honda units are also very good, but they ain't cheap either. You get what you pay for. We had a Briggs&Straton powered unit before this. It was loud, un-reliable, a gas guzzler and failed when we needed it the most.

[Boondocker]

I would go with Yamaha or Honda, and the smallest that will meet your needs. If you are mostly recharging batteries, look at the 1000 watt models. I have the Yamaha 2400is with the propane conversion. Love it, but most times would really be better off with a smaller unit.

[utee94]

I use the Honda 3000 Handi model, but I need that much power to run the A/C. If I lived in another part of the country and didn't need to use A/C so often, I would have gone with the 2000 or even 1000 model.

[Soyboy]

Any Honda, Yamaha, Subaru inverter style generator. Pick the size that suits your needs. I had a Robin-Subaru that was great, but was not large enough to power my AC or Microwave. Last year I moved up in size to a Yamaha ES2400is which is great. You may not need on that large, all of these brands offer units starting at around 1000w.

[tkasten]

I use the Honda 3000 because it will run our air and everything else in the trailer. I can run it in the eco mode (lower rpms) with the air on and it is really quite. It is a bit heavy so I have it locked in the back of my pick-up for the camping season. When I run the gen. I just fold back a bit of the bed cover. When I purchased it I checked out the idea of running 2 Honda 2000's as each is much lighter to handle. The fact is the 2 of them running at the same time made more noise than the 3000. I'm very happy with the Honda 3000.

[snake]

I have 2 generators, a Yamaha 2400 converted to propane which will run my AC, but I don't use very often since I like to go places where you don't need AC. Since it's set up for propane I don't have to worry about fuel going bad when it sets a long time.

I also use a Yamaha 1000 for those time when my solar panels need a little help charging the batteries. It's a great little generator, 29 lb, it's supposed to be quieter then the compareble Honda, but I don't think the difference would be noticible to many.

Sometimes I think I also need an extra noisy Chinese cheapo for those times I have obnoxious neighbors.

[airstream66]

I have a Chinese Cheapo' and it does drown out the neighbors and the critters very well. Most of the time, where I use mine there aren't any neighbors. I would have gotten a Honda but can't justify that for the one trip I take a year. Mine is a 3000w and has plenty of juice to start the A/C. A honda would work very nicely at your HAM 'field day' as well. But, my dad is a HAM and they use all kinds at their field day and none of them are Honda's.

[Utahgoldrup]

Great info from tkasten about the two Honda 2000's... I was considering those but if they are louder than the 3000, I think my mind is made up!! Thanks...

[Airstream01]

I'm going to be purchasing two Yamaha EF200iS generators and the parallel cables in the very near future. They weigh only 44lbs each and I can fit both of them in my truck box when not in use. Paralleled they'll run my A/C and a few other things.

I also have a big 3500W craftsman generator that I've quietened up a bit, but it is so heavy and big it is hard to pack, so It has become a backup power generator for my house.

[tkasten]

I forgot to mention earlier that the main reason for the for the extra weight of the Honda EU3000is is Elect. Start. (starting motor, battery, etc.) All Honda's pull start very easy but elect. start is really great. It also has extra sound damping which adds to it's weight. Honda also makes a 3000 Handi that is recoil start like the 2000 and has wheels. It is a bit smaller motor than the EU3000 but still can start most RV air conditioners. It only weighs 78 lbs. 2 of the 2000s wired together weigh in at a combined 92lbs....Tim

[fastrob]

Originally Posted by mistermike

I want to purchase a small generator. I want something that is quiet and trouble free. What would you recommend?

Thanks,

Honda is #1 in my book.
I tripped over a little 1000 during a barn raising, only then did I know it was running.
Wattage requirements depending, I like 2 2000's. One to run things, one a spare, 2 for being in the desert in the summer (What ever held you up, get out of there) or the new 3000i.
You need more? Still like Honda for the big stuff.
Having said this and that I have a Lincoln welder at home with a 20hp Kohler. It is very overkill but I could weld a broken frame, run the house and probably the Airstream to boot.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Utahgoldrup

...I was considering those but if they are louder than the 3000, I think my mind is made up!! Thanks...

well since yer mind is made up, lets not confuse things with the facts...

or u might consider reading these 3 threads...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...00i-35433.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...0-a-19725.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...0-a-13986.html

issues also 2 consider are portability, capacity and year'round necessity...

2x2000 is much more portable...

2x2000 is MORE capacity (depending on the AC, a 3000 is LESS than duotherm recommends for some of the ac units) when needed...

2x2000 for 2-3 months of AC needs, while carring just ONE 2000 for the rest of the year...

it's all good but some choices are gooder than others...
__________

and the problem with yet another basic genset thread is that MOST of the useful stuff is gonna be in OTHER versions of this topic...

with no need to REpost all of the issues and considerations, AND owner/user reports...

so scan the genset sub forum and READ, READ, think and READ...


cheers
2air'

[RichHog]

Want to go with the Yamaha 2400is so I can have juice to run the AC. Don't want two of anything to do what one unit can do, though I like the Hondas. Below is a great rundown from Camping life on the options:

http://www.campinglife.com/output.cfm?id=1112113

[Over59]

Originally Posted by mistermike

I want to purchase a small generator. I want something that is quiet and trouble free. What would you recommend?

Thanks,

I have two 2000's. I may be talked into parting with one of them. Calculate your wattage needs and start from there...

[mistermike]

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

Hard to believe the Chief Engineer of W1RC doesn't have a Genny.

Oh, to be sure the W1RC equipment roster shows ample emergency power capability but that generator is much too big (and heavy) to be considered portable.

I only require 1-2kW capability; mainly to charge batts, run a 100 Watt rig (radio) on Field Day, etc. I want something that runs quietly so as to not bother neighbours, relatively light and reliable.

Thanks everybody for your valued inpoot.

Regards,