portable generators

[ET]

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A PORTABLE GENERATOR TO USE WHILE CAMPING "OUT IN THE STICKS" ANYONE OUT THERE USED A GENERAC BRAND? LIKE OR DISLIKE OR ANY OTHER BRANDS THAT WOULD BE BETTER? QUIETER? OR ONE FOR SALE? I WAS LOOKING AT THE 4000 WATT SIZE. I HAVE A 5TH WHEEL WITH MOST OF THE COMFORTS OF HOME AND WOULD LIKE THEM OUT BY THE LAKE AS WELL.

ET

 

[DRR-24V]

Little Yamaha 650

We use the little Yamaha for charging batteries and running a TV or VCR. A Coffee Pot or Toaster will kill it dead. It will run about 8-10 hrs on a 1/2 ga. of gas.

 

[The Sequel]

Honda

By far the best on the market today, is the Honda EU series. they make a 1000, 2000 and 3000. They are an inverter type and are extremely quiet. The only drawback is they are also very expensive. Generac makes a good generator for the $ but they are loud for camping.

 

[Speedo]

I use a Honda EU 1000 to keep the heater going all night in my camper when it gets cold and it will run 11 hours on a tank of

gas (. 6 gal) and it is the quietest generator that I have found.

It is big enough to run the block heater on my truck which is a plus as I park where there are no plug-ins when we go riding

I have seen it down close to -40 degrees on occasion. It only weighs 28 lbs. and doesn't use up much space.

 

[ET]

THANKS FOR THE REPLIES. DO YOU THINK THE 3000 WATT HONDA WOULD RUN THE A/C, AND MICROWAVE AT THE SAME TIME OR WOULD THAT OVERLOAD IT? I'M NOT SURE OF THE WATAGE OF THE A/C BUT THE MICROWAVE IS A 1000 WATT.

 

[MABurns]

I would say 3000 is not enough for both. 4000 maybe, but the draw when the compressor kicks on may push you beyond that too. If I am going to use the microwave, I simply turn the AC unit to fan only and as long as I remember to switch it (or back) I never have a problem.

 

[claymike]

I purchased a Honda EU200i last summer. It runs everything on my 5er. Even tried the ac and it came on and ran just fine. I would not do this on a regular basis. Check out http://www.mayberrys.com/honda/generator/models/eu2000i.htm they had the best prices when I bought mine and great service also.



Mike

 

[CJ Johansson]

Genrac 4000

Hey, here's something I know a bit about! I run a Genrac 4000 watt generator, almost daily since it's the only source of power I've got right now (we're only $14,000 away from the power lines). I think it's called a 4000XL or something meaning extended life engine.



So far it's been mostly trouble free, it probably runs 4 to 8 hours a day, every day since winter hit (we charge a 500lb forklift battery to run the 12V stuff like the furnace when the genny is off).

It's not the quietest genny I've heard, but it's not bad. Seems to start on the first or second pull, even at 10 degrees. It has enough power to run the 1HP well pump to fill the trailer tank.



Now for the problems. Once it got cold, we kept having problems with the carb icing up. Turned out this was due to the crankcase breather tube which exhausts into the air cleaner box. Condensation in the crankcase would evaporate when it warmed up and freeze in the carb. I pulled the tube out of the air box and plugged the hole in the box. No more icing.



The only other problem was with the pull starter. The rope/recoil thing is held on with a plastic clip thing. Once, the engine fired backwards while pulling and pulled the rope out of my hand and broke the plastic clip thing. I drilled it out and fixed it with a 3/8" carriage bolt. It won't break that way again



-cj

 

[ggorremans]

Where does everyone haul their portable generators (and fuel) when traveling?

Gary

 

[JFitzgerald]

Honda

I'll agree, the Honda is the way to go. My EW171 works great. I take it on camping/Jeeping trips to run the A/C, lights, charge batteries and weld broken Jeeps. This model is a 170 amp DC welder/4000W AC generator. It is relatively quiet, I put it 50-100 ft. away and point the exhaust away from the camper. With the A/C on, you barely notice the generator. This thing can sit for months and start on the first pull, second at worst case. A friend has a Briggs powered unit and it is LOUD.



A 4000W will probably run a small microwave and an A/C unit. We tried running two camper A/C units on mine and it worked, but was really working it hard when the units would cycle.



The EW171 goes for around $2200, but I was lucky to find a used one for $600. The non-welders are a lot cheaper I believe.

 

[emarsh]

Cummins owns Onan generators, we have a 12kw Onan for standby, Onans are very quiet, also very expensive. i also have a honda EV 1000 that we have had for 16 years, just changed the sparkplug twice and changed the oil. Spend the extra money, if you take care of it, it will last a very long time. There is nothing more irrating than a noisy generator!

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I have a honda eu3000. I wouldn't have anything else. It runs my 13. 5kbtu ac fine.

 

[Plowboy]

Go for the honda. At work we have several brands, but the hondas always run, and start easily, even the beat up ones that have slid off trucks on the road! They usually don't get maintained so the duribilaty really shines. So even with the extra purchase price thy're worth it! At home on the farm we're phasing out the Briggs and srap iron engines for honda's.

 

[Fuzz]

2 Honda EU2000's

We have two Honda EU2000's. With the parallel cord. Can use one

when don't need the A/C. Or haul both when need the 4000W.

The two of them running is hardly any louder than one. At least to me.

Just slightly more money than the EU3000,and I can handle these

48lbs each.

Trade offs(some) no electric start,no 220v. No problem for us. The cheapest I found on the web were at:

http://www.southwestfastener.com/productshonda.htm

Fuzz

 

[5thram]

We've got a generac 3500W unit we bought at Sears a few years ago to get us through an ice storm. It's got a 6. 5hp ohv engine, can't remember the manufacturer (NOT Tecumseh). It's not enough to run the a/c (1 unit) and the battery charger in our 5-er. Noisy too, but it always starts easy. We've got the high-capacity a/c unit (15000btu, I think). IMHO spend the extra bucks, get the Honda or Onan. Go with at least 4000 watts.

Wish I were camping right now instead of working.

 

[NVR FNSH]

I recently went through the same debate I bought a Honda EU3000 and I couldn't be happier. I haven't tried to run my AC but I don't have any concerns about it not being up the task. Check www.irv2.com - do search and you'll come up with more info than you care to read.



My dad has a 4kw Generac and the thing is just too obnoxious IMO to use while dry camping. The EU3000 is extremely quiet - the reason I bought it - and worth every penny of the $1650 that it cost me. We were in the desert over New Years and you really couldn't hear my generator from 50 yds or so.



I bought mine from the Honda dealer in Ukiah, CA www.hondashop.com for me it worked out to be the best deal. Had my dad order it from his home in WA so no sales tax, I picked it up from the dealer 'for my dad' so no shipping



The EU3000 weighs 135 lbs - I can lift/move it myself but it is easier w/two people. I carry it in the back of my trailer - Patio Hauler 5th - at the very front of the patio. Trying to balance my trailer with motorcycles, generator, tool box, gas, water etc is interesting. Some stuff ends up in the bed of my truck.



Brian

 

[The Sequel]

Re: 2 Honda EU2000's

Originally posted by Fuzz

We have two Honda EU2000's. With the parallel cord. Can use one

when don't need the A/C. Or haul both when need the 4000W.

The two of them running is hardly any louder than one. At least to me.

Just slightly more money than the EU3000,and I can handle these

48lbs each.

Fuzz, I've been looking to do the exact same thing. I have not seen one of the parallel cords but was wondering, is it something you could easily make for less money? The $200+ for the cord kind of eats at me.

 

[Fuzz]

Re: Re: 2 Honda EU2000's

Originally posted by The Sequel





The $200+ for the cord kind of eats at me.

I haven't taken it apart(the cord). So not sure. On the IRV2 forum

there was a lot of discussion on this and I never really saw a definate answer. Couple of folks were going to try it. Never heard anymore. One person said although it was expensive,he knew of a guy who made his own and burned up one of the invertors. .

So... I bit the bullet (again)and ordered the cord.



When I get the shop manual for the Generators. . maybe it will have some info.

FWIW. . the cord has a Marineco 50Amp plug in the middle. I had to

purchase a adapter plug from Honda ($35)then some wire and a

30A RV plug to get it all to work. I still like the idea tho'. Mainly being to haul 50# instead of a 100#'s when not necessary.



Back to homemade cable. . fella might ask on irv2.com and see if anyone has done it yet.

 

[The Sequel]

I remember Pulltoy talking about it on IRV2 also. I agree with you on the weight issue as well. Since I don't need my A/C on many camping trips I figure only taking one would be great. But if I need the A/C, then I'd take both. Was ready to buy about 4 months ago but $ shortage hit so I had to spend the generator $ on bills Oh well, maybe the tax refund check will be big enough. Although an Edge EZ sounds nice too

 

[PRout]

My eu3000 will run the A/C & microwave at the same time at low altitudes, but wont at 6500ft. It looses too much power up there.



Its really overloaded running both, and wouldnt recommend it. Plan on needing 4k or more for both microwave & A/C.



Also, if its not quiet, you cant use it in a campground. Youll get run out. Nothing worse than listening to a noisey generator all day in the mountains!



The point about running 2 honda 2k's together might be the way to go, because you can get those in your truck alone. The 3k weighs 135 lbs (plus gas in the tank). Its a back breaker for one person.



The best way to haul one ive seen so far (what ill eventually do) is to mount a receiver hitch on the front of the truck, and slide in a "fold-down" rack to set the generator on. Then when your camping, take the generator off (if you want) and fold the rack up out of the way. Nice setup.