Honda vs. Dometic

[Ronman]

We are looking to buy a generator. Honda seems to be the Gold Standard with Yamaha on its heels. I see where Dometic also makes a 3000KW generator rated at 59D. It is substantially less than a Honda by about 50%. Does anyone have any experience with this generator? I know they make a lot of other RV items.

Thanks,

Ron

[mlts22]

I've heard almost nothing on the Dometic generator.

If you are looking in the 3kW range, here is what I've read from forums I've been on:

The Honda 3000 is a top tier model.
The Yamaha 3000iSEB has the advantage of being able to use the starter battery for 10 seconds if you need 500 more watts.
The Boliy 3000 watt generator has good marks. It is about $1300 last time I checked, uses the same engine as the Yamaha, and is rated at more wattage (peak and sustained ) than the Yammy.
There are other Chinese brands which are getting better over time, but because they have so many generations, finding parts can be dicey, so you either have something perfectly working or something that is only useful as scrap, no real way to fix.

My take: I ponied up the 2000 clams for the Yamaha non-boost model. It doesn't have the flexibility as two 2000 watt Hondas that are paired, but every time I've had the Yamaha, it starts on the first pull of the recoil starter or a quick twitch of the electric starter. If you can afford it, I'd highly recommend going for a Honda or Yamaha, just because the life of the generator is long, service is easy to find, and that the power is extremely clean for a generator. The only downside is that it might have a tough time starting some 15,000 BTU A/Cs, but this can be mitigated by installing a hard-start capacitor on the A/C. It also may not "catch" the load from a 15,000 BTU A/C if the econ throttle is on, but usually after a couple hours running, that tends to go away.

As an alternative to 3000 watt models, you might consider two Honda eu2000i models paired up (preferably an EU2000i and EU2000i Companion.) You get 3500 (not 4000) watts which can handle the inrush current of almost any A/C, and you can attach an extended run tank to either or both the generators. With a decent extended run tank, you can run your generators for days on end.

[Ronman]

WOW, 22! You have more than answered the obvious questions while shedding some humor along the way. Who needs a door stop when you are in need of a generator!

Thanks for the insight.

Ron

[jdalrymple]

We chose the twin Hondas.

They are easy to handle and when paired run our AC.

One is all you need for the cool months.

JD

[dkottum]

The Honda and Yamaha generators are quiet and have great reputations for service. The noise level of some (maybe all) the cheaper Chinese generators is unbearable for you and all around you.

doug k

[Scott J-24]

We got the Honda 3000i Handi about a year before we got our AS while we were renting SOBs.... Then after we got our AS I wished we had purchased the Honda 2000i plus the Honda 2000i Companion.... Now that we are adding a 400 watt solar system I am glad we have the 3000i Handi.... Go figure....

[tpi]

I heard the Dometic run at Dana Point on one trip. It was clearly noisier than the Honda/Yamaha.

For me I'd avoid the Dometic nameplate in general if there are alternatives with Yamaha and Honda nameplates.

[Ronman]

Very succinct, TPI! I appreciate it very much. The fact you experienced the Dometic means a lot.

Thanks again!

Ron

[bonginator]

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

We chose the twin Hondas.

They are easy to handle and when paired run our AC.

One is all you need for the cool months.

JD

That is my setup too. Make sure that if they are going to sit idle for longer than 3 weeks that you drain the gas and carb. The carbs can get gummy pretty quickly especially with the ethanol gas. These are great generators and very reliable but you have to maintain the carbs... (Or find non ethanol based fuel)

[r carl]

Non ethanol unleaded will varnish a carb too. Adding stablizer to the gas in the tank and draining the carb is necessary for storage.

[robert@honda]

The 2 x Honda EU2000i is a popular configuration, for a number of reasons:

• Each unit weighs 49 lbs., so easy to load/move
• Only one is needed for most power, unless you run A/C, then two are required
• Gets excellent fuel economy, inverter technology means engine will only run as fast as needed to match the load
• 4,000 watts peak power can handle most RV loads
• 3-year warranty, thousands of Honda dealers nationwide

Not with out a few cons...
• Twice the oil changes, fuel drains, etc.
• Smaller fuel tanks = shorter run times than larger generators

More details here: Honda Generators: Portable Generator Power for Home, Work, and Play

I'm the Honda guy, so ask me anything about 'em.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by robert@honda

....

I'm the Honda guy, so ask me anything about 'em.

Just the person , I would like to ask this question:
Why is Honda not making a 4 KW generator, since there is such an obvious need for it. I have installed and used the now no longer available RV gensets EV4010/EV6010 and loved the dependability.

[No. 13]

Here is a very unscientific poll for you:

In New York over the holidays I noticed every street vendor had a beat-to-crap Honda
1000 or 2000 chained to their cart.

[mefly2]

Twin Hondas and never looked back.
Don't sweat the oil changes (~1/2 qt each) other than the potential mess. Get the extension for the filler and it makes the OC a breeze. Suggest also an hr meter for at least one of the gens as they build time very quickly.
Aux / extended run tanks are easily added as you feel the need ... they are much easier not only to fill, but also to not overfill!

[Ronman]

Probably a silly question...but I assume my heat pump draws the same power as an AC since it is the same unit?

[PeterH-350LE]

Call me crazy, but I went it a Honda knock-off Powerstroke at Home Depot for $349.-

Reasons:
3500 running watts, 4350 starting
110 pounds are manageable for loading and unloading
easy to wheel around
Pulls A/C load with no problem

No bells and whistles, like electric start, fuel meter, hour meter etc, but I can buy 5 of these for the price of an Iffy (runs most 13500 RV A/C's..) 3000 watt Genny from Honda.
Only time will tell, but so far so good

[urnmor]

Anoter advantage of of the two honda's is weight. Especially if you lift them in and out of your TV.

[robert@honda]

Originally Posted by PeterH-87MH

Just the person , I would like to ask this question:
Why is Honda not making a 4 KW generator, since there is such an obvious need for it. I have installed and used the now no longer available RV gensets EV4010/EV6010 and loved the dependability.

Hi Peter...

Right now, Honda's solution for 4kw customers is a pair of EU2s. Honda has no firm plans to get back into the built-in/on-board genset business. For now, Honda will continue to concentrate on portable generators.

The EV-series generators have a pretty good reputation. The twin-cylinder water-cooled design was well engineered and has many fans. But, that core engine was designed decades ago, and faced three challenges: (1) Meeting emissions rules (2) Market (3) Tooling.

EPA emissions rules in the past 10 years have gotten tighter and tighter. It would have been an costly project to revamp the core engine in the EV models to meet the new rules. Worse, no RV manufacturer was buying it for OEM installation due to the high cost. So, the only real market was a small number of customers who wanted to re-power with a better quality unit that most OEM gensets. Finally, the tooling for the unit was in need of updating, and the cost vs. sales projections comparison was the final straw, and the EV models were discontinued.

Hope this fills in the blanks.

[bonginator]

Originally Posted by robert@honda

Hi Peter...

Right now, Honda's solution for 4kw customers is a pair of EU2s. Honda has no firm plans to get back into the built-in/on-board genset business. For now, Honda will continue to concentrate on portable generators.

The EV-series generators have a pretty good reputation. The twin-cylinder water-cooled design was well engineered and has many fans. But, that core engine was designed decades ago, and faced three challenges: (1) Meeting emissions rules (2) Market (3) Tooling.

EPA emissions rules in the past 10 years have gotten tighter and tighter. It would have been an costly project to revamp the core engine in the EV models to meet the new rules. Worse, no RV manufacturer was buying it for OEM installation due to the high cost. So, the only real market was a small number of customers who wanted to re-power with a better quality unit that most OEM gensets. Finally, the tooling for the unit was in need of updating, and the cost vs. sales projections comparison was the final straw, and the EV models were discontinued.

Hope this fills in the blanks.

Nicely explained, Robert. Sounds like there are some sound reasons from a marketing perspective.

[bonginator]

By the way, I have the two Honda 2000 setup and am a big fan. They are easy to load and carry and if I decide I don't need AC, I sometimes pack just one. They run all day long and I camp at altitude. They are also very easy to do basic maintenance on if you are even remotely handy so draining the carb and oil change are a cinch. I love that I can run them in series to get more power when needed. Pretty tough little units and they are VERY quiet in both Eco and regular mode. I have had people stop by to ask me what they are because of the low decibels.