Honda 3000is vs 2x Honda 2000i

[ILOVESALLY]

I was looking to purchasing 2 Honda 2000i to run my Air. I just found a great deal on craigslist for the Honda 3000is. I would save around $600.00 purchasing the 3000is. Would this generator be good for running the air and maybe TV at the same time. How much louder is it than the 2000i? I know it'll be heavier to carry but that's ok.
Any thoughts on what I should buy?
Thanks

[Jack46]

We owned a Honda 3000i which we traded in on two Honda 2000i's, one of which is a "companion". While I think you'll find all kinds of opinions about which set up is the best, our circumstances were as follows:

While I was able to handle the weight of the 3000i, it certainly was more of a challenge than the smaller units.

We haul with a Suburban 2500 and I could not find an acceptable option to carry the 3000i in the Suburban in a container.

Given our usual camping options, having one or two 2000i's with us works best for us. We spent four months late last summer and fall traveling the Rocky Mountains and the Four Corners. We carried both gennys used either one or two depending on need. I liked that flexibility. I also found an external six gallon fuel cell that worked great for the 2000i's, but did not work very well with the 3000i due to a difference in the two genny's fuel delivery systems.

This has been my experience. I hope it helps. Good luck with whichever way you go. They are great generators!

[DKB_SATX]

I think that the Honda EU3000is and the Yamaha EF3000iSEB are quieter than the paired Honda 2000s. I assume the pair of Yamaha 2000s sounds about the same as the Honda pair, but I've never heard a pair of those in action.

I've no problem carrying the AC with my Yamaha 3000. I've always had the refrigerator on gas when I've done so, because I was boondocking and I just leave it on gas under those conditions. I don't have a TV in my trailer, but the Yamaha wasn't struggling to carry my AC load, and I have friends with new trailers with "all mod cons" who have no problem running their trailers off the 3000 Hondas or Yamahas.

I had planned to buy a pair of 2k generators, but another member of my WBCCI unit was selling the Yamaha 3000 to buy a Yamaha 6500 so it could double as jobsite and campsite power.

As mentioned above, it's certainly more work to put one of the full-sized 3k generators into your vehicle... I use a deer hoist and just leave the generator in the truck for the whole trip, cabled down to hard points in the bed.

[moosetags]

I have been using a pair of Honda 2000's for five years now. They are great generators, but so is the Honda 3000. The 3000 will run your a/c and the television, and even some lights. The 3000 is quieter than even a single 2000, has large gas tank, and electric start. There are only two down sides to the 3000. It is quite heavy, and it does not have the flexibility of the pair of 2000's. When we do not need a/c, a single 2000 runs the Airstream just fine. A single 2000 also handles our truck camper.

If you can handle the weight and don't need the flexibility, the 3000 that you looking at sounds like a terrific deal.

Brian

[Cyberous]

I just did the same research and was as confused as most of us are!

I found that the manufacturer of my air conditioner (Dometic) actually makes a small footprint 3000w generator with a 30 amp plug that they guarantee will run up to a 13,500 BTU AC unit at only 1 bd louder than a Honda. It was under $700 delivered so I decided to give it a try.

I've only had it a few months and no really hot weather to test it on the extreme side but so far it is incredibly quite, fires up my AC without a struggle and it even has a small built in battery for an electric start! NO pull starting for me anymore!!!

I got mine at Adventure RV, but several places sell them.

Dometic LW3000 RV Digital Inverter Generator - $661.00

[TBRich]

If you can handle the weight and have plenty of room to haul the 3000, go for it! It is not louder than 2x 2000s ... in fact, I don't think it's not any louder than 1x 2000.

We have 2x 2000 just because of the weight and space considerations. I and we do like the flexibility of taking just one.

They area all good workhorses, as are the Yamahas. You can't go wrong with any of them.

[idroba]

One additional point, televisions today are a minor load, most of the sizes used in RV's are 100 watts or less.

[Markj55]

Originally Posted by TBRich

If you can handle the weight and have plenty of room to haul the 3000, go for it! It is not louder than 2x 2000s ... in fact, I don't think it's not any louder than 1x 2000.

We have 2x 2000 just because of the weight and space considerations. I and we do like the flexibility of taking just one.

They area all good workhorses, as are the Yamahas. You can't go wrong with any of them.

Last year I had questions about generators when I first bought my 06 Bambi. TB and Bob Cross (where's he been....) great contributors offered sound advice and now that I've had some experience on the subject I offer this:
After reading everything I could get my hands on concerning generators and talking to others, I purchased a Yamaha 2400 HCS. I bought based on the fact it would start and run my Dometic 11,500 ac unit. It will also run the tv and lights at the same time and it so quiet a camp neighbor came over to find out what model it was because of how quiet it was. I love my 2400 - good looks, quiet, not that heavy, has gas gauge, carb shut off and reasonably priced vs a full priced Honda 3000 or two 2000's.

Everyone has their reasons for why they buy, what they buy. Who can argue that? I'd say go for the Honda 3000 if the price is right and it has low hours. A 3000 should be able to start and run a 13,500 ac and TV w/o issue.
All I can say is I love my Yamaha.

Good Luck!

[rodsterinfl]

The deal that Cyberous shared sounds great. I looked at it via his link. I have shared this on other generator posts- Yamaha has an advantage over Honda in that they are direct drive versus belt drive. I have the 2400 model tri-fuel and it is rated to run a 13,500 AC unit. I would consider the single unit if it is a good price. While two give you more options you would have to run them both to have AC and then you have two engines consuming versus one. Check into the fuel usage.

Honda 3000 dB 49-58
Honda 2000 dB 53-59
Yamaha 2400 dB 53-58

[ILOVESALLY]

Haven't even considered the Yamaha. New at only $1200-1300 why should I buy two Hondas at $1000 each if your saying the Yamaha would run some appliances and the air. Seems like a no brainer. Am I missing something.

[r carl]

Get the Honda eu3000, its the Cadillac. That's as small as you want to go if your going to power an air conditioner. You can get parts and service for the Honda easily, they hold their resale value, proven themselves over many many years, and easier to sell when the times comes. Honda sets the standard by what other generators are judged.

[Grand Master]

I chose the Yamaha 2400 for our Trade Wind with a Dometic 13,500 AC and have been very satisfied. Trouble free, quiet, and light enough that I can carry it.

[dkottum]

Typically people love what they have until they get something different. Flip a coin and you will love what you have too.

[JDS]

Originally Posted by Grand Master

I chose the Yamaha 2400 for our Trade Wind with a Dometic 13,500 AC and have been very satisfied. Trouble free, quiet, and light enough that I can carry it.

Me too. I have the tri-fuel carb and run it on propane.

John S.

[Markj55]

Originally Posted by Grand Master

I chose the Yamaha 2400 for our Trade Wind with a Dometic 13,500 AC and have been very satisfied. Trouble free, quiet, and light enough that I can carry it.

I couldn't agree more, it is a beauty.

[Luigi123]

By comparison, will the Honda 3000 run longer, fuel capacity wise, compared to the two EU 2000 Honda's? I believe the weight on the 3000 is 170lbs?

[ILOVESALLY]

What adapter should I use if I go for the Yamaha 2400 It only has regular electrical outlets and not the 30 amp?
I going to look at one today used for only $700.00. Must supposed to have a 100 hrs on it, seems a lot. Is there something I should look for when checking it over? Thanks for everyone's input.

[Jack46]

It may have been mentioned by someone in their reply, but regarding the flexibility issue, we have found that a single 2000i will run everything in our AS (including the coffee maker) other than air conditioning. We only carrier the "companion" when a/c is going to be needed.

[rodsterinfl]

There are some good options here. The new Dometic shared might be a great choice. Check to see if it is Chinese- then PROBABLY no parts and a toss out later down the road- dunno. The price of the Honda 3000 you found will make a difference. How many hours on it? If you choose a new one I would still consider Yamaha for the direct drive and tri-fuel option. You can make most any of them tri-fuel but if you order from that dealer in West Virginia, the dealer does the conversion and it is "a dealer" that is responsible for any error drilling into the carb, etc. Be aware that if you DO consider Yamaha the HC in the name of various models is "high current" which basically means that they are designed to operate with motors drawing initial high current to start (like air conditioner compressors/fans) with capacitors that give higher capabilities for so many seconds. There is an older 2400 without the HC designation so take note. I too run my generator on LP since it does not gum up the carb- considered the #1 service call on generators. The tri-fuel option is about $300 or so to the cost.

[xrvr]

One version of the Honda 3000 is lighter and noisier than the second older version offered. The second version is quieter than a 2000 but heavier. Go to the Honda site. Jim