Generator Choices....

[JThiessen]

I'm trying to decide on a generator to use on my Laredo 29RL 5'er. We mostly do state parks, and in the past, have not run the AC all that much. But its hard to predict future needs, correct? It never really gets hot enough around here to run the AC, but occasionally we head east across the mtns where it does - but the parks we frequent over there are full hookups. Can the 2000's or even the 2600 handle a 13,500 AC unit, or a 30,000 furnace? I've heard its hit or miss with them, often depending on how well the trailer is wired (amount of loss through the system).



Locally, I've narrowed it down to basically 4 generators:

2005 Honda EU3000, used for 1 year: Asking 1300

2005 new in box Honda EU2000, asking 900

New from dealer Yamaha 3000, 1449

New from dealer Yamaha 2600, or 2000 (dont have prices on those yet).



The Yamaha's actually have a slightly lower RATED Db, not sure if I'd even notice it. I'd likely be all over the Honda 3000, or the Yamaha, but the weight of those big guys has me a little concerned. I could probably get it loaded into the back of my 4x4 myself on a good day, but its probably not going to happen often.

 

[231jasonS]

I had a honda 2000 in my last trailer, It would not start the AC on full blast, but if i turned off the ECO throttle and turned the AC on low to start it it would work. Never had a problem with the heater fan.



the 2000 is the perfect size easy to load in and out of the truck or the front compartment. I usally locked i to a tree or the jack on the trailer and when it was on you could hardly notice it was running.



The 3000 should have no problem running your AC. I could not run the 2000 with the AC on high. Nor could i run the microwave very long (6 mins or more). I planned on running a second 2000 together with the first when i needed it. The combined weight is less than the 3000 i think. And the power output is more. Plus when i was looking the 3000 was about $2100 and i could get the 2000 for $999 apiece. Just made more sense two have two, although i never bought the second one. Guess i never really needed it.

 

[DaveK98]

I've got 2 eu2000's. I need both to power my 15k A/C. I've been told folks have been about to power a 13. 5k A/C IF they shut almost everything else off in their rv, but don't take my word.



Furnace is probably ok as long as it a propane furnace and all you need the electric for is the blower motor.



No regrets with the EU2000 vs the other models you listed. They do tend to grow legs and walk away if you don't watch them closely. I've got a heavy chain that I WRAP around the units (the handles are all plastic and can be cut in seconds) not that that is foolproof.



You can use an external fuel tank with the EU2000's (maybe others) with very slight modifications. There is a Yahoo group dedicated to these units.



Lastly. . Whew. . check www.wisesales.com I think you can get the EU2000 for $860 shipped and no sales tax

 

[Brookshire]

I ran a 13,500 a/c with my non inverter Yamaha 2600 EF2600- I think was the model number.

The EU2000i from Honda sell here for $999 all day long and I have heard it is a great unit through research and it will be the unit I buy when I get ready. It is light and very quiet. The EU3000i is too heavy in my opinion and I will likely buy 2 of the EU2000 eventually and link them together.

The Yamaha's are great units, but through my research they were always a little more expensive and only available from Yamaha dealers. Some Yamaha units offer the boost technology which allows for extra short term power to start up the a/c unit.



Try to lift the EU3000 - I think it's 134lbs dry weight. Too heavy for my scrawny butt.



I also considered Kipor, a Chinese unit I think. You might save a few bucks with them... . not sure about reliability on those units. Check out some of the rv forums for more on those.



Good luck. Post your opinion after your purchase.



Jeff

 

[JThiessen]

I looked at the generator thread on RV.net, I think they have the worlds longest thread on there!



I think the only thing holding me back on the 3000's is the weight. I stopped and looked at the Yamaha last night and, like I said, I think I could get it in and out of my truck on a good day, but I wouldnt look forward to it. I've been watching the classifieds for a couple months now, and for the longest time all they had were contractors generators. Now in the last three days, three of the quiet ones have popped up. Just today a Yamaha 3000 for 1200.

I'm going to see if any dealers have the 2600 instock. I think that may be "just right"!



Also, like others have mentioned, you can link two together. But do they need to be the same wattage?

 

[Bertram65]

Check out the Yamaha 2400IS, I posted a thread when I first got mine just over a year ago, https://www.turbodieselregistry.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134611

It has been great, I just used it for a week in upstate NY where there were no hookups. I have run my AC for hours with it with no problems, in fact Yamaha advertises it as being able to run most 13. 5k AC units. I have a 28' Wildcat 5th wheel and it is perfect for it, super quiet.

 

[Kingsbury]

Also, like others have mentioned, you can link two together. But do they need to be the same wattage?

You dont want to do this! Each generator produces it's own phase. When you put two together you can burn up electric motors! If your only running something like a heater it wont make any difference on a resistance load. Its always nicer to have a little bigger generator "except for loading it" for any additional want's "microwave, etc. ". Good luck. Paul

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

You would probably be OK running the 13. 5 A/C with the 3000, but I doubt that you could do it on the 2000. I thought about getting the 3000 EU, but the weight was also a concern for me. My A/C is the bigger unit 15,000?, and my old contractor 3600 watt WILL NOT run it. I also thought about two 2000 in parallel, but decided to go with the built in Honda 6000 watt. It is a little loud when running just the microwave or something like that. I just spent a week on a houseboat running the EU 3000, it is a nice unit. However, I don't think it is any quieter than my 6000 when it is under load.

 

[JThiessen]

I just priced the Yamaha 2400, and they are asking 1250-1300 for it.

 

[JohnCooper]

You dont want to do this! Each generator produces it's own phase. When you put two together you can burn up electric motors! If your only running something like a heater it wont make any difference on a resistance load. Its always nicer to have a little bigger generator "except for loading it" for any additional want's "microwave, etc. ". Good luck. Paul

You CAN link two generators together if they have the capability to be linked like the Honda EU2000. With their parallel cables, the generators sink up there phases to double up the wattage of one generator.

 

[JThiessen]

My gut feeling is that they need to be the same wattage to link together. WHen I asked the question, I made the assumption that we were referring only to those that have the capability (inverter style).

 

[starkmr]

As far as linking two together, they need to be the same wattage and have the capability to do so.



I have the EU3000 and it is quite a bit to handle when you are by yourself. One solution is a receiver mounted crane and winch to help load and unload the unit. (another toy to have!!)



Personally if I had to do it again, I would go with two EU2000's linked together. You get an extra 1000 watts and they are easier to handle. The only time I need two of them is for the A/C.



I don't have any experience with the Yamaha units but have had the Honda for 6 years now without any and I mean any problems. Have changed the air filter and the oil on occasion and not all that regularly.

 

[mtnrambo]

Generator for camper

I got a 2001 Honda EU3000IS that just turned 2900 hours... I change the oil every tank full, which is about 25 hours and it only takes a quart... I've worn out 2 oil plugs !!! I've gone through 3 air filters and 3 spark plugs, only cause I thought it needed it...



It still runs hard, runs fine, and starts easy with the original battery...



They are a lot of money but in my opinion, well worth it... The noise level is so low, you can whisper around it while using it as a coffee table... My furnace in my camper makes more noise...

 

[Bertram65]

If you are comparing the Honda EU2000 to the Yamaha 2400IS, these are the pros and cons I came up with when I was trying to choose.

Two Honda 2000s was out of the question as it does not make sense to me to have two generators to maintain I would only want one, the Honda EU3000 was a too heavy and expensive though a great unit.



EU2000



pros

lighter

Honda reliability



cons

smaller engine, less hp less than 100cc 3. 5hp

marginal for 13. 5k AC unit

slightly louder



2400IS



pros

no question running 13. 5k AC

much bigger engine 170cc 5. 5hp, very close to the Honda EU3000 in size

Yamaha reliability

quieter



cons

heavier, not a problem for me 70lbs is heavy but managable

more expensive than EU2000

 

[JThiessen]

I've worn out 2 oil plugs !!!

I dont believe I have ever heard of that before! I think you've gotta win some kind of award!!! Oo.



I am kind of leaning towards that Yamaha 2400. As long as it always provides "enough" power, I will probably be happy that I choose the smaller one.

 

[mtnrambo]

oil plugs

Honest,



I've worn the heads off of 2 10MM oil plugs changing the oil every tank full of gas... 3. 5 gallons will run it about 25 hours... it just turned 2900 hours and still isn't missing a beat...

 

[Bertram65]

Honest,



I've worn the heads off of 2 10MM oil plugs changing the oil every tank full of gas... 3. 5 gallons will run it about 25 hours... it just turned 2900 hours and still isn't missing a beat...

So you have changed the oil around 116 times? Why do you change it so often? How dirty is it when you change it?

 

[CPittman]

My Yamaha 3000ISBE with the battery boost kicks off my 15K AC unit without much fanfare - granted my AC unit is fairly new and efficient.



I don't think there's any way one person could handle the Yamaha 3000 alone unless you are a HOSS! That sucker is heavy.



Several of my friends use the twin Honda 2000 setup and are pretty happy with them.

 

[AMink]

I got a Honda 2000 this summer and sometimes it started my a/c, sometimes not. I'm guessing I have a 13,500 unit. I was really surprised that it did start. I wouldn't want to do it too often, as I'm not sure if the compressor was getting all the juice it really wanted. I'm toying with the idea of a second one next year, with the parallel kit. One other thing to keep in mind is that they will lose about 3% power for every 1000' in elevation. At 5000', your 2000 watt is running about 1700 watts. If you camp a lot at higher elevations, maybe go for more than you think you'll need. My microwave wasn't real happy with the 2000. The light bulb never really came on all the way like it does when I'm plugged into shore power. I think the amps become an issue. Other than that, I love the Honda. Super light, very quiet, easy to stow.

 

[BDeMartile]

I read an article in trailer life magazine where a guy was complainng that Yamaha advertises their 2400 starting and running a 13500btu a/c unit and his wouldn't. It was actualla a letter to the ed as I remember it anyway the response was something like this look at the needed startup watts and look at what youre buying and that will tell the whole story. I have 2 friends with 2000 hondas (the quietest pieces of equiptment i have ever seen) neither of theirs will start their a/c units separately however they will start if ganged together then run off of one but if the unit shuts off and tries to restart they are out of luck. I ordered my 5ver with a 5500 onan starts and runs everything including their a/c's when necessasary. To the point the 3000 honda I have seen work with 15k a/c's the Yamaha I have no experience with other than the letter in trailer life. Good Luck!