Generator Choices....

[KMeek]

I was recently on a camping trip with others who had generators. The Yamaha 3000 was noticeably more quiet than the Honda 2000.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

My Honda 2000 will USUALLY start/run the Emerson 13. 5 a. c. unit on our 5er - but it's pretty obvious the Honda is under more strain than it's happy with, so I wouldn't really consider that as a normal operation.



The Yamaha should start and run a 13. 5 reasonably easily, and still some wattage overhead left in reserve - and if the A/C was a determining factor, I'd go with the 2400.



Other than that, my 2000 runs great, and is a BIG improvement over the 1000EX it replaced.



As to the heavier weight of units like the Honda 3000, why must they be removed from the truck? At least in our case, we could as easily leave it in the bed of the truck and run it there, rather than wrestle it on and off the truck.

 

[JThiessen]

why must they be removed from the truck? At least in our case, we could as easily leave it in the bed of the truck and run it there, rather than wrestle it on and off the truck

I suppose generally speaking they wouldnt have to be. I do know that in a few scenarios, it wouldnt be feasible due to the layouts of the campgrounds that we go to.



I ended up ordering a new Yamaha off Ebay from MM Cycles in Wisconsin. Best price I could find anywhere on it. I did have the opportunity to purchase a 1 year old Yamaha 3000 locally for a hundred less, but I just couldnt see myself moving that thing around much.

 

[JanMitchell]

Mounting the winch on the receiver is a great idea. I was going to use something else like one of the stake holes. I already have a 12 volt winch and the jumper battery which I used to pull my Harley into my enclosed trailer. I think Harbor Freight tools runs sales on them periodically. As they say, just my humble opinion. I couldn't lift that Honda 3000 without hurting something but I think it is better than hooking up 2 2000 Hondas.

Stan

2005 QC 4X4 Brite White

 

[mtnrambo]

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

Because it's cheap insurance... .



It's still slippery and still has viscosity to it, but it is brown... I use Castrol 5w30, only takes a quart...

 

[desertbull]

5 years---thousands of hours in harsh dusty/dirty conditions in Baja and the deserts of North America---used to run trailer a/c's for days and days and days in 110 degree + heat... once in San Felipe, Baja we ran the generator nonstop for 11 days in the summer heat just filling with gas every 12 hours---



And unlike the other guy who changed his oil often--I've changed it a mere 4 times EVER... Total Abuse and still working fantastic!



Honda 3000 EU - Unbelievable...



Oo.

 

[EricBu12]

I have owned so far 2 Trailers and both have had built in generators. .



A 26' Toyhauler with 1, 13,500 A/C... . This had the Onan 4000 and was able to run the A/C and the microwave at the same time...



my current trailer is a 36' 5th and I have a 15K and a 13. 5K and the generator is a Onan 5500 Grand Marquis. . This is able to run both A/C's on low at the same time. .



Both of these trailers are Toyhaulers so the power needed is great...



One of the things I have learned is you can't have too much power if you are looking at 2500-3000, I would go to 4000 as a minimum... . Theay are also able to run on propane.

 

[JVantreese]

A cheap alternative.

I have been using a Yamaha EF1000is to charge my batteries on my travel trailer and provide lights when at deer camp. This is a very light and quiet unit if you only need a few hundred watts. I decided I wanted something larger to supply juice for my trailer's air conditioning. My search was limited to one that I could lift into the back of my truck and also be inexpensive enough that I could use it only a few times a year and not be concerned about the cost.



Walmart and few other places offers a Chinese inport called Proforce. This is imported by Coleman. This unit is rated at 3125 watts surge and 2500 watts continuious. If your trailer air can work on a 20 amp outlet it will do just fine on this generator. The unit weighs 96 lbs dry and about 120 lbs with the 3 gallon fuel tank full. These units are often found at a retail price of $299. I find the Proforce to be fairly quiet and vary easy to start. Out of box it did have a stuck needle valve in the carborator bowl that prevented any gas getting into the carb. It took about ten minutes to figure out the problem and free up the needle valve. All and all I find this a compact unit that is large enough to get the job done and does not require a second mortgage to bring it home.

 

[JVantreese]

My Honda 2000 will USUALLY start/run the Emerson 13. 5 a. c. unit on our 5er - but it's pretty obvious the Honda is under more strain than it's happy with, so I wouldn't really consider that as a normal operation.



The Yamaha should start and run a 13. 5 reasonably easily, and still some wattage overhead left in reserve - and if the A/C was a determining factor, I'd go with the 2400.



Other than that, my 2000 runs great, and is a BIG improvement over the 1000EX it replaced.



As to the heavier weight of units like the Honda 3000, why must they be removed from the truck? At least in our case, we could as easily leave it in the bed of the truck and run it there, rather than wrestle it on and off the truck.

Any portable generator should be grounded when it is running. Putting the generator on the dirt is one way to ground it. A better method is to use a grounding rod and a heavy copper wire. If you keep your generator in the pickup box, I would highly recomend the rod and wire routine. Remember that 2000 watts can be fatal.

 

[tdinut]

EU3000iS Question ...

Hi,



For those who have the EU3000iS, Until I see one in person, can the bottom feet or rails come off? Can the total height of the unit be reduced to 19"? The honda web site states a height of 22. 4" a little too high to fit under my tonneau cover. All replies appreciated.



Joe

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

Would it get enough ventilation under the tonneau cover? I am not sure it could breathe properly under there?

 

[tdinut]

I am sure I would have to either lift up the tonneau cover several inches, or drop the tailgate to get enough ventilation. That should not be a problem.



Joe

 

[BDeMartile]

Until this post I had never heard of the Chinese Kipor generators and then last week I was at a buddies shop and on the showroom floor here are these Kipor generators. I asked him if they were any good and he said his uncle has been running one for 2 years so it must be good. I know this uncle he lives as a recluse in the middle of nowhere plus 20 miles does no maintainance just adds oil as necessasary and gas. The price for the 3000 watt was like 899 on the floor but he said to shop it cuz the cost to the store was half that...

 

[AMink]

When I got my Honda, the owner of the shop told me that Honda is suing Kipor due to the "similarities" between the two units. He also said it might extend to those who sell Kipor. Don't know if it's true, but there are some pretty noticable similarities that might infringe on Honda's designs. Anyone else heard this?

 

[klenger]

I heard that Kipor was building the generators for Honda, using Honda's design, and decided to go into business for themselves. Shameless Chinese.

 

[kscheffler]

I purchased a Yamaha 2400Ei this spring and I ran a 11. 5 BTU portable air conditioner this summer in 100F heat. No problems and it is very quiet. This unit can also be run in paralle with another 2400 unit.

 

[BDeMartile]

Shameless Chinese is right and so were the Japanese when it came to using others technology to better themselves. Honda builds great stuff but if the buzz about the Kipor is true (ie its a Honda) then it sounds like those of us in the MARKET win. And I'm not sure how Honda would justify suing a seller of a legally imported product???

 

[tdinut]

Hi kscheffler,



Any idea on the run time of the Yamaha 2400Ei with about one half load? Does it have a variable throttle? I think this might be similar to the Honda EU2000i but with a little more power.



Joe

 

[Dick R]

Honda eu3000

Guess I will have to post my 2 cents , couple years back I checked out most all the generators and decided the Honda EU3000 was my choice , it does have a few extra lbs but at 49 decibels ( check it out no other brand or size is as quite) in the economy mode that is what I wanted , no one needs the racket when camping , its a pain when you have to listen to your fellow campers unit jumping up and down making all kinds of racket, as far as loading I built a four wheel dolly and roll it up on a couple of 2 by 10's onto the tail gate than into the bed of the truck , when I am not towing double bottom it goes onto an alum ramp on the back of the camper , if we need to lift it my wife helps or I just look for a burly fella to help , it has electric start and my wife just turns the key , and its easy on fuel , heck the darn thing just runs and runs and most people don't know its their , not sorry at all that I bought it , what more can a fella ask for .

 

[JThiessen]

Honda eu3000i: 58 dB @ rated load - 49 dB @ 1/4 load

Yamaha EF3000: 51 -57 dBA



You have to look at the whole picture for noise level. No generator is going to sit and idle. Sure the Honda is quieter at idle, but what is it going to do when I pull it down with the AC or something else.

For all intents, they are both about the same noise level.