Generator thoughts?

[Fenlason]

My latest Honda came from Thailand. I don't believe most of the same factory as... stories we hear.

Even if they come from the same factory, does not mean that they are anything alike. Many different bicycles come from the same factory, and to different brands, models.. can be very very different. They use different specs, different parts, and different levels of quality control can be purchased. Brand X can be very different than brand Y even though they were both manufactured in the same factory.

[KCStudly]

Bet this one would run your AC. Found it in the Arizona Buzzard mine. Added bonus, it is connected to a dynamo rather than a generator.

I bet you that could be made to run again! ... and it probably wouldn't take that much to do it either!!!

[GerryS]

Bet this one would run your AC. Found it in the Arizona Buzzard mine. Added bonus, it is connected to a dynamo rather than a generator.

I don't see a pull start on it...

[KCStudly]

Most likely it's compressed air start, maybe electric.

[H.A.]

[.

[GerryS]

My best humor.....lost....

[Wolffarmer]

I was thinking a rope tied to a real truck. ( not a pickup )

Randy

[Socal Tom]

My best humor.....lost....

I thought that was a hamster cage on the end. Don't need any ponies, get about a dozen hamsters going full speed......

[lrrowe]

On a serious note, I would take a look at the Champion Inverter generator.
Champion Generator


It gets pretty good reviews over at the big RV forum. It seems to be the only generator that gets recommended that isn't blue or red.
277 pages of Champion Inverter Thread. I think they have them at Costco too.

Bruce

P.S. The caterpillar weighs 20,000 pounds so it exceeds my GVWR by just a little. I take a Yamaha EF1000iS for camping but it won't start my AC.

My input:
Cost is an issue for me as I live on a limited income and have to pay for my toys with part time jobs.
If $$$ was not an issue, then it is no doubt that a H 2000i would be my choice. Maybe even the 3000 model.

Time was short last fall as hunt camp time came and I wanted some type of generator. I have a 9000W model, but that is for extreme emergencies for home. So I purchased this Champion 1800 from Tractor Supply because of the $199 price. It did the trick for the hunt camp because I did not load the circuit with much demand. It was easy to start and was not too heavy. But it was noisy. I cannot tell you what the db was, but I know I would not be welcome in a family campground. I built this partialy enclosed box to try and keep the cost down some, but it really did not help much.

I will most likely sell it to my neighbor and give this other Champion 2000 Inverter that Bruce posts serious consideration. All the reviews were more on the positive side rather then negative. I sure wish I knew someone that had one.



Bob

[martymcfly]

I have a friend that just bought a new Jeep grand cherokee. It has a 110 v plug in the center console. Jeeps web site says that the cherokee and compass both come with one. However it may be cheaper to buy a generator instead of a new tow vehicle. One up side is that you don't have to haul around a generator and it is one less engine to maintain.

[GuitarPhotog]

I have a friend that just bought a new Jeep grand cherokee. It has a 110 v plug in the center console. Jeeps web site says that the cherokee and compass both come with one. However it may be cheaper to buy a generator instead of a new tow vehicle. One up side is that you don't have to haul around a generator and it is one less engine to maintain.

What is the power rating of that 120 VAC outlet? It is probably powered by a low-wattage inverter hidden under the seats/console somewhere.

A generator is probably still a better deal.

<Chas>

[MtnDon]

No idea about the Jeep but the one in our Tacoma is 100 watts while in gear and 400 watts while in park; engine running in both cases. Handy but not a replacement for a generator.

[lrrowe]

This may be a stupid question even though there "are no stupid questions" in this forum. Or if it was asked and answered earlier, I apologize.

But can two different brand generators of about the same output be used together as you can with say two Honda EU2000I's or two Champion 2000 series inverters.

An example would be could you get a Champion 2000 inverter for $600 now and add a Honda EU2000i later when you have more money? I suspect the answer is "no" for a list of reasons, but I just want to be sure.

Thanks,

Bob

[eamarquardt]

This may be a stupid question even though there "are no stupid questions" in this forum. Or if it was asked and answered earlier, I apologize.

But can two different brand generators of about the same output be used together as you can with say two Honda EU2000I's or two Champion 2000 series inverters.

An example would be could you get a Champion 2000 inverter for $600 now and add a Honda EU2000i later when you have more money? I suspect the answer is "no" for a list of reasons, but I just want to be sure.

Thanks,

Bob

In a word: No. In two words: Heck no.

They'll never be perfectly synchronized speed and phase wise and bad things will happen.

Here is an exception to the "rule": http://powerequipment.honda.com/generat ... capability

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[lrrowe]

I thought so and would not do it unless I was convinced it would work. I really just did not know the technical reason why it wouldn't.
Bob