Let's talk generators.

[2500HHP]

Hi All,

Searched around a bit and couldn't find much on the topic. I want to hear about what generator you're currently running, what it will power and what it won't. Pros? Cons?

I'm on the market and would just like to get an idea what you all are using since it be more relevant than reading a review about power tools it will run. I'll be looking to run a 10k btu roof mount ac, 80a 120v-12v converter and other odds and ends. Heard good things about the Honda EU's and the Yamahas.

[MtnDon]

One thing to keep in mind when folks tell you what they run on this or that generator is the altitude. A rough rule of thumb is 3% loss in engine power per 1000 feet of elevation. There is also some engine power loss at higher air temperatures. In the past we have owned RV's with generators that were marginal for starting a 13.5 A/C at altitudes above 8000 feet. That will vary between equipment.

I do know someone in CA who can start his 10K A/C with a EU2000i, when under 1000 - 1500 feet. Above that it won't start the A/C.

We have both Yamaha and Honda inverter generators. In the same watt size they don't differ much.

Do you want or need electric start?

[Fenlason]

I have a Honda 3000 inverter generator. We purchased it for a bigger ac for a travel trailer.. and to run power tools.

I would love to have a 2000 for traveling with our cargo trailer conversion. [The 2000 is physically much smaller and a bit lighter]

[lrrowe]

I have a Champion 1800w and I want a Honda EU2000i.
The Honda is much quieter and has more power. During my cold hunting trip 2 weeks ago, where the temps were in the 20's to single digits at night, the Champion did not run my 1200W heater at full power.

[2500HHP]

Thanks for the replies. Don, good thinking about taking the altitude into consideration, obviously I did not! Electric start would be nice, but not needed.

I found POWERHOUSE has some offerings that people seem to be pretty happy with. Their 2000 and 3100 mimic the EU's, BUT they are no Honda. They are however about half the price, which isn't really a factor though. Also eyeballing the Champion 3100. Anyone have experience with this unit? I am a true believer in "You get what you pay for."

[MtnDon]

Don, good thinking about taking the altitude into consideration, obviously I did not!

It comes easy for me. Between our home and recreation property we are at 5500 or 8800 feet.

I'd like a turbo-charged generator

[2500HHP]

Get a 16 cyl MTU 4000. It has whistles, 4 of em!

[Dale M.]

Don, good thinking about taking the altitude into consideration, obviously I did not!

It comes easy for me. Between our home and recreation property we are at 5500 or 8800 feet.

I'd like a turbo-charged generator

How about electronic fuel injection, there for fuel mix could compensate for altitude...

Dale

[MtnDon]

Yeah, injection and a turbo!!!

It would be nice if the generator manufacturers could oversize the engine a little to compensate. But they are trying to sell for as low as possible and pull a maximum rated electrical power at STC. The two concepts are at odds with each other.

[WoodSmith]

Take a very serious look at the Yamaha generators. My research indicates that they are just as reliable as the Honda, just as quiet, and have a couple extra features that the Honda's don't. Such as a fuel shutoff. While this doesn't sound like a big deal to start with, what it allows you to do is run the generator "out of gas" and empty the carburetor of fuel simply by closing the shutoff. This is the best way to avoid the carb getting gummed up with old gas over a long period of disuse.

There are also adapter kits that will allow you to convert generators to dual fuel. Rather than having to store and haul gasoline, you can run them off of LP gas, which is easy to haul and store for long periods of time. While I have no experience dealing with them, US Carbureation seems to be the place that has kits for most any manufacturer. They are also a licensed dealer of Yamaha Generators and will sell new Yamaha's with the conversion kit installed, so there is no concern re voiding your warranty. http://www.motorsnorkel.com

When the money fairy stops at my house, a Yamaha 2400 is near the top of my list.

Glen

[PaulS]

I have the Yamaha 3000 it has been very reliable and its very quiet and gets great run time on a tank. if I was to buy one again I would buy either Yamaha or Honda but would rather have two smaller ones that if needed could be ran together with a parallel kit. For more power when needed. I have found that most of the time that I was running it I did not need a whole lot of power unless I was using AC or heat. Both the Honda and the yamaha have their advantages. The honda I have seen fuel caps that allow a boat gas can to be attached extending runtime. The Yamaha there is a remote start kit that you can buy which is great for not only starting but also for turning off.

[Fenlason]

Take a very serious look at the Yamaha generators. My research indicates that they are just as reliable as the Honda, just as quiet, and have a couple extra features that the Honda's don't. Such as a fuel shutoff. While this doesn't sound like a big deal to start with, what it allows you to do is run the generator "out of gas" and empty the carburetor of fuel simply by closing the shutoff. This is the best way to avoid the carb getting gummed up with old gas over a long period of disuse.

There are also adapter kits that will allow you to convert generators to dual fuel. Rather than having to store and haul gasoline, you can run them off of LP gas, which is easy to haul and store for long periods of time. While I have no experience dealing with them, US Carbureation seems to be the place that has kits for most any manufacturer. They are also a licensed dealer of Yamaha Generators and will sell new Yamaha's with the conversion kit installed, so there is no concern re voiding your warranty. http://www.motorsnorkel.com

When the money fairy stops at my house, a Yamaha 2400 is near the top of my list.

Glen

My Honda has a fuel shut off.

[MtnDon]

All Honda EU's have a fuel shutoff. But where Honda and Yamaha differ is that Honda combines the fuel valve with the engine stop/run electric on/off into one control, and Yamaha has two separate controls. That enables the Yamaha user to shut off the fuel flow while the engine runs until the carb bowl is dry. However, I found with my Yamaha that there is still a tiny bit of fuel left in the bowl when the engine sputters to a stop. Not a lot but perhaps enough to cause varnish build up over a long time? But then mine reached 8 years of age and 1400 hours before lightning zapped it. FWIW, that Yamaha also had a carb bowl drain screw just like the Honda EU's do. But I seldom used it on the Yamaha.

In equivalent power ratings there are slight differences in the dimensions. One reason I bought one of the Hondas we have is that the EU2000i is an inch shorter than the Yamaha. That was important for storage for one particular use of ours.

[mkitchen]

My two cents worth; can you do without? It seems that nothing ruins a camp trip quicker than having to listen to a generator run, your own or someone else s. That is the main reason we look for spots to camp that either have electricity or where we can camp without neighbors. We can do without power but we don't want to listen to others running a generator.
Have you looked at using solar? We have a two battery set up in our off road trailer and a single battery in our teardrop and this meets our needs. We do have a 60 watt Solar Film collector that keeps the batteries charged if we stay somewhere more than two nights. The batteries do fine for two nights though.

We run an Engel electric fridge and two CPAP machines in the off road trailer and do without the fridge and just use a ice cooler in the teardrop but we still run the two CPAP machines in the tear. We need the fridge in the off road trailer because we can be gone for a week or more in country where we don't get out to civilization to purchase ice. The idea of listening to a generator run would ruin it for us. I know that some generators are quieter than others but none are quiet.

I don't want to sound too condemning but I do want to address this issue. We get out in the country to get away from noise and congestion and the sound of a generator just brings that all back. Can you look at other options?
Mikey

[2500HHP]

Mikey, I'd rather not do without. Most of the parks we ride at have power available but for 40 dollars for the weekend plus entry and bike fees. Either that or they're reserved in advance....Where as "Tent Camping" at most parks is free, I can power up via generator and be on my way and be comfortable all weekend. I bought the trailer, I'm building the trailer how I see fit for a trip and will have my creature comforts. Besides, at larger events we ride at, everyone and their mother will have generators. At the weekend rides, I can park anywhere I see fit on 2000+ acres. I'm looking into a quiet enclosed frame gen for the sound issue. A Honda EU or equivalent. A little buzz from a generator won't bother me when we have fools riding around until 5 in the morning, just part of it! My two cents