Using Honda E2000 to live (winter) in my trailer

[d30gaijin]

I can only speak from my experiences but it should work just fine. I purchased one over a year ago (March) and just had to give it a try so I back yard camped using the gen. If you just keep the heater on a low setting the Gen does not work hard at all but you will want to kick off the ECO throttle if you run the heater full bore. I have a 6X10 as well and used it this past April in Ohio on a cold and rainy weekend. I just used the heater on a low setting simply to keep the chill off after diving in 39 degree water and it worked great but it was far from winter temps.

Might you know if the EU2000i would run a 13.5k BTU RV air conditioner or should I go with the EU3000i? I'm thinking the latter (erring on the side of caution). I don't have actual hands on experience with generators but if I could get by with the less expensive EU2000i that would be nice since there is a slightly used one available locally.

Thanks,
Don

[southpennrailroad]

WOW! I ordered mine just Monday night and it arrived this afternoon from Indiana to Monroeville, Pa. I think also if people will be utilizing it for AC's in the summer, then it must be capable for long use. I just opened it but will not try it until tomorrow. Want to make sure I prep it correctly.

[8ball_99]

Might you know if the EU2000i would run a 13.5k BTU RV air conditioner or should I go with the EU3000i? I'm thinking the latter (erring on the side of caution). I don't have actual hands on experience with generators but if I could get by with the less expensive EU2000i that would be nice since there is a slightly used one available locally.

Thanks,
Don

Most 13.5k Units say 2500 watt generator min. Your EU2000i its rated for 1600 watts max 2000. 13.5 ACs are rated for 1400-1600 watts give or take. This is running watts they can pull quite a bit more on start up. I bought a Coleman Cub for my trailer exactly for this reason. Its a 9K BTU unit. Cost more but its smaller and uses less power. At 900-1100 watts it will work pretty well with a EU2000. I have ran it several times on the generator and it handles it NP. For a 13.5 k unit I think your stuck getting a honda EU3000i. Even Yamaha's 2.4k Generator says its not able to run most RV roof top ACs

[Nitroxjunkie71]

Might you know if the EU2000i would run a 13.5k BTU RV air conditioner or should I go with the EU3000i? I'm thinking the latter (erring on the side of caution). If I could get by with the less expensive EU2000i that would be nice since there is a slightly used one available locally.

Thanks,
Don

I would agree with 8ball_99 and say no. I bought mine locally because they had a deal during a home and patio show. The 2000I is only 47 lbs and works very well but won't run everything. HERE is a good place to look for the specs on each Honda. I have seen the 3000 but they are so big and weigh in at 143 lbs.

The 3000 is listed as 2,800 w with a max of 3000 and the 2000I is listed at 1,600w with a max of 2,000. The Honda's do have the option to pair up using a parallel kit that will run two of the same gens together to increase the available wattage. I did some checking prior to getting mine and found that most who have purchased the 3,000 version wished they had purchased two 2,000I's because of their weight and with them hooked together they have more power than the 3,000. I don't intend to use mine with an air conditioner so one was fine for me but that option is always there if needed later. For the price I paid, I could get two 2,000's for less money than the 3,000w. A lot of equipment rental places sell the Honda's so you could go check them out. I wanted one because they are easy on electronics and are very, very quiet. My dad had an old Craftsman gen that I was going to use a few years back and it was so loud I decided not to use it. I have been extremely happy with mine but don't use it all that much. Good luck on your quest and please let us know what you decide on and how it works for ya! The information could be helpful to others in the future including me.

I bought a Coleman Cub for my trailer exactly for this reason. Its a 9K BTU unit. Cost more but its smaller and uses less power. At 900-1100 watts it will work pretty well with a EU2000. I have ran it several times on the generator and it handles it NP.

Nice to know, thanks!

[d30gaijin]

I would agree with 8ball_99 and say no. I bought mine locally because they had a deal during a home and patio show. The 2000I is only 47 lbs and works very well but won't run everything. HERE is a good place to look for the specs on each Honda. I have seen the 3000 but they are so big and weigh in at 143 lbs.

The 3000 is listed as 2,800 w with a max of 3000 and the 2000I is listed at 1,600w with a max of 2,000. The Honda's do have the option to pair up using a parallel kit that will run two of the same gens together to increase the available wattage. I did some checking prior to getting mine and found that most who have purchased the 3,000 version wished they had purchased two 2,000I's because of their weight and with them hooked together they have more power than the 3,000. I don't intend to use mine with an air conditioner so one was fine for me but that option is always there if needed later. For the price I paid, I could get two 2,000's for less money than the 3,000w. A lot of equipment rental places sell the Honda's so you could go check them out. I wanted one because they are easy on electronics and are very, very quiet. My dad had an old Craftsman gen that I was going to use a few years back and it was so loud I decided not to use it. I have been extremely happy with mine but don't use it all that much. Good luck on your quest and please let us know what you decide on and how it works for ya! The information could be helpful to others in the future including me.

Jeff,

The Honda Generator I was looking at was actually the EU3000i Handi, which is a 78 pound generator rather than the 135 pounds of the EU3000i, still your suggestion is well taken and the same suggestion (double EU2000i's) was provided by another forum member via PM so as not to hijack the OP's thread, which I hope I am not doing considering this might be information others may find useful. Both of you provided the info I need so I thank you both profusely.

It will be on rare occasions when I would need 3k watts, and certainly not with the CT conversion. With a pair of EU2000i's in parallel I have the wattage I need to run 13.5k BTU air in the Jayco plus redundancy should one fail, no need of 78 pounds in the CT conversion, half the cost of the EU3000i Handi initially but about the same cost overall buying two EU2000i's instead of the EU3000i Handi. 2k watts will do everything I need in the CT conversion at almost half the weight of heavier EU3000i Handi. An additional consideration is I can buy one EU2000i now without having to go the credit route and buy another later as finances permit. That will get us out camping in the CT conversion sooner!

Thank you for some excellent advice.

Don

[8ball_99]

Do some checking when you do buy a second one.. Honda sells a 2000Model that is made to be the second gen.. You can buy two regular 2000s plus the kit to connect them or if you buy the special model for your second one I dont think you need the 100+$ connection kit. Just did a quick search.. Its model EU2000iA It comes with a 30 plug on it as well as the 110v.

Quiet and easy to carry was my two main reasons for getting my EU2000i. I don't use it all that often. But its a honda.. You can leave it sitting for a few months and it will still fire right up. Most of the time when I don't plan on using it for a while I try to run the gas out of it before I store it.

[d30gaijin]

Do some checking when you do buy a second one.. Honda sells a 2000Model that is made to be the second gen.. You can buy two regular 2000s plus the kit to connect them or if you buy the special model for your second one I dont think you need the 100+$ connection kit. Just did a quick search.. Its model EU2000iA It comes with a 30 plug on it as well as the 110v.

Quiet and easy to carry was my two main reasons for getting my EU2000i. I don't use it all that often. But its a honda.. You can leave it sitting for a few months and it will still fire right up. Most of the time when I don't plan on using it for a while I try to run the gas out of it before I store it.

8ball,

Thank you for the additional information. I decided to go the dual EU2000i route for generators and today ordered the EU2000i Companion generator. That's the secondary unit recommend to run them in Parallel, and the more expensive of the two but it has the 30 amp outlet, which I can use to run everything in the Jayco except air conditioner. The 30amp outlet of the Companion is a nice feature that matches the Jayco hook-up (30 amp in-let) if we go dry camping, and it will also be more than enough to run everything in the CT conversion. I bought it for just under $1k with free shipping. Next year I will buy the standard EU2000i to run in parallel so I'll have enough to power the Jayco 13.5k BTU air conditioner but for now the Companion will get us out camping in the CT conversion sooner.

One feature the standard EU2000i has that the EU2000i Companion doesn't have is a 12v DC outlet. The standard model has two 120v 20 amp AC outlets and a 12v DC outlet while the Companion has one 120v 20 amp AC outlet and one 120v 30 amp AC outlet. Not sure I would need a 12v DC outlet at this time but it might be nice to have down the road. The standard EU2000i is about $120 less expensive than the EU2000i Companion.

Don

[stormchaser]

The 12 volt outlet is provided to charge batteries and to run the cooling fan once you build an enclosure for the genny.

[d30gaijin]

The 12 volt outlet is provided to charge batteries and to run the cooling fan once you build an enclosure for the genny.

Stormchaser,

That's great information to know about the 12v side of the EU2000i.

Thank you!

Don

[8ball_99]

The 12v feature does come in handy.. I haven't enclosed mine so no need for a fan. But I have charged a few batteries with it.. Even Jumped off my tractor once. With the way it was parked I was unable to get jumper cables to it. Just hooked up the honda and let it run for a few mins. Tractor fired right up.

[d30gaijin]

The 12v feature does come in handy.. I haven't enclosed mine so no need for a fan. But I have charged a few batteries with it.. Even Jumped off my tractor once. With the way it was parked I was unable to get jumper cables to it. Just hooked up the honda and let it run for a few mins. Tractor fired right up.

8Ball,

More good points and I might have rethought my plan on buying the Companion first but the deed is done. I bought the Companion first in that I have little need of 12v capability at this time (I no longer drive a tractor, although I did for 12 years prior and have no plans to enclose the generator at this time) and living back at my suburban home I can hook my 12 volt charger to the 110v side, or simply plug it into the house. I can also hook my big air compressor to the 30amp side, which is something I need more often than I need the 12v side. I will buy the EU2000i w/12v capability next year to run in parallel with the Companion should I need 4000 Watts to run the 13.5k a/c unit in my Jayco. In my CT conversion the EU2000i, of either model, will do everything I need.

It certainly is a fantastic little generator for the price.

Don

[d30gaijin]

I can also hook my big air compressor to the 30amp side, which is something I need more often than I need the 12v side.

Don

Oh well, so much for that idea i.e., running my air compressor via the single Honda EU2000i. My air compressor is a Sears Craftsman 5.5 hp 30 gallon compressor and when I plugged it in to the EU2000i today to start it it wanted to start but was too much of a load for the EU2000i and the Honda generator tripped its overload circuit. Guess I'll have to wait to get the 2nd EU2000i to run in parallel should I want to run the air compressor away from the house (as I had hoped to do today).



Don