Generator thoughts?

[matthewh]

In the last ice storm I gave our 3200 watt Craftsman generator to my parents since they seem to lose electric and we don't. I'd like to get something smaller to take camping... Maybe 1500 watt? Besides a Honda (too much $), any brands or types to suggest? I see a Stanley that looks interesting ... It sits on a stand and has a power cord extension... but nobody has rated them. Is propane worth considering (it is my camping fuel of choice, so I will usually have it with me.)

Thanks.

[MtnDon]

My thoughts, after having owned a few generators over the decades. For small, meaning 1000, 2000 or 3000 watts the Yamaha and Honda inverter generators can not be beat for quality and quiet running. I will own no other any more. The quietness is important for my own peace of mind as well as being important to me because they don't advertise their presence to the neighbors. If you search you can find Honda EU2000i for $900 and Yamaha EF2000i for $925. Both are great. There are slight operational differences and one may suit various people better.

Never having to deal with liquid gasoline is a plus. Just the benefit of not having to worry about stabilizing the gas, never having carb gumming issues is worth it. But I would want one that could be easily switched to gasoline if needed.

[Woodbutcher]

I agree with Don. We have a Honda 3000 inverter model. Last year we lost power with downed lines. Our neighbor had a Generac, about the same size, running. We could not stand in the driveway and talk without raising our voices to get over the noise his was making. He even apologized for how loud his was. Ours hardly could be heard.
They are expensive, but I don't believe I will ever need to buy another generator.
On a second thought. If you buy a 1000 watt unit , it can't really replace your larger Craftsman unit. We ran the refrigerator, a couple lights, the TV and a computer, and that was about all the 3000 would do.

[Fenlason]

I know you are asking for something other than the Honda.. but I have to agree with the others. Just the sound difference is enough for me. Quality, clean power, quiet and fuel efficient. I won't use anything else. I have friends that have purchased by price.. and they are noisy!!

[MtnDon]

My oldest Yamaha will be 10 years old this year. It has over 1700 hours on it and still going strong. The other is newer, maybe 5 - 6 years and again zero problems and something over 900 hours. The CT Conversion will be getting a Honda EU2000i soon. Brand change for me but only because the H is 1.2" shorter and height counts for this application.


I am curious about the quality of the plethora of Chinese made off-brand inverter generator names that have popped up recently. My brief looks have found some mixed reviews which simply makes me want to stick with either H or Y as I have never met anyone who did not like theirs.

[bc toys]

I have to agree with everyone else I got 2 honda 2000 gens 1 of them run ever other weekend for 3 days straight (not all night) at off road races and sand drags i've had them about 10 yrs and they both start with 2 pull at most.

[wincrasher]

I have both the 1000 and 2000 Yamahas. Both are wonderfully quiet. Take the larger one if you are running AC. The smaller is just fine for everything else - it will do 8 amps.

[bdosborn]

Here's a nice caterpillar I was looking at today:



1,500 kW and it uses 120 gallons of fuel per hour. Seems a little excessive for the camper but I KNOW it will start the AC. Only costs about $500K.

Bruce
P.S. You can pick one up at Amazon Cat 3516 but the shipping is pretty steep.

[MtnDon]

Betcha my Yamahas are quieter tho'

[bdosborn]

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.

[Redneck Teepee]

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 buddy bought one of these about 6 mo ago and so far swears it's as good as the Honda's and Yamaha's

[bdosborn]

Betcha my Yamahas are quieter tho'

Standing in a generator room with three 1,500 kw generators running at full load should be on everyone's bucket list. It shakes your bones. Just don't do it more than a minute or so and don't do it without good hearing protection. It's around 130 db.

Hey, do you think the caterpillar will bother the other campers?

Bruce

[eamarquardt]

Here's a nice caterpillar I was looking at today.......................... Only costs about $500K.

Bruce

Does it come in any color other than yellow?

Gus

[PaulS]

Here's a nice caterpillar I was looking at today.......................... Only costs about $500K.

Bruce

Does it come in any color other than yellow?

Gus

Yes it can come in a tan semitrailer with the yellow cat logo we rented one from cat to run our warehouse. We went thru 600 galons of deisel every 8 hours

[bdosborn]

You can get a green one but they don't have as much low end. Cat=more displacement, Cummins=more injection.

Bruce