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Regular
Posts: 66
Location: Western US | I was set on getting the EU3000iS until I saw it in real life, and saw how big it is. And heavy. Even with the wheel kit (which makes it even a little larger) it seems like it will be cumbersom. Plus, it's going to take up SO much room in my first stall. I originally selected it because it was a little more powerful than the 2K, and has an electric start.So my other option would be two EU2000's, connected. Although that is still going to take up a fair amount of space. But they are much more maneuverable, and even though not electric start, they do seem to start fairly easily.Anyone have any advice?Thanks in advance! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
 
Location: Rayne, LA | I actually have both, the two 2000’s twinned and the 3000is. It depends what I am going do as to what I bring. I would not recommend the two 2000’s without an auxiliary tank. The auxiliary tank is nothing special but the generators require different fuel caps. The fuel tank on the generator only holds a little over a gallon of fuel. I have a 20 gallon tank mounted in my trailer that I have hooked up to them.I like this for several reasons. My aux fuel tank is mounted on the floor of my tack compartment. I have a wooden floor on top the tank with some hooks on it. I travel with the generators strapped to the wooden floor with a portable 6 gallon tank between the two. I leave the generators twinned with the fuel lines all hooked up while traveling. I set them up originally with the fuel lines long enough so I just remove them from the trailer and set them on the ground right near the back of the trailer. If I do need to add fuel I am not adding it to the generators, but to the aux tank.Last month we went to Arkansas for eight days. I started the generators when we got there and turned them off as the last thing before leaving. During this time I used a total of 32 gallons of fuel. I thought this was not bad because it was pretty cold and we primarily used electric heat. Lately the only time I have used the 3000 is when I set it on the back of my truck and run the shore cord from the trailer to the bed of the truck and leave it there. Sometimes this is just easier if I am going for 1-2 nights. It will run 9-12 hours on a tank of fuel.But often times I bring the 3000 as a back up if someone has generator trouble ( which normally someone does ) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
Location: Rayne, LA | One day I will figure out how to have paragraphs LOL |
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Veteran
Posts: 113
Location: Wi | I have the 3000 and wish I had 2000x2. The question to you would be, how often are you going to be running the AC. If a majority of time, then I would get the 3000. Easier to haul and run one that to run two.
Since 2010, I have only run my AC once (Live in WI). It would me much easier to pack one 2000 than my 3000.
As I get older, I wonder how much longer I can lift the 3000 without throwing out the back. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 259
Location: Topeka Ks | Personally, I would go with the twin 2k's. I permanently mounted my genset and don't use it like I thought I would. Maybe because of the price of fuel compared to the hookup charge. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 175
Location: Florida | Definitely depends at on your ability to lift or maneuver the weight of the 3500. We have the 2-2000 setup with the aux fuel tank. As described above it works real well, and even if you have both of them connected in parallel, you can shut one down if you're not running your AC (or microwave) to save fuel. The 2000's are right at 50# each vs the 125 or so # of the 3500. I find it easier to carry one in each hand to balance the load. The best price I found on the combination of gens, aux tank, and parallel wire kit is from a company called Wise Sales. You can find them on the inet. Freight was free as well. Connecting the 2000's is real simple - plug in 2 wires to each, connect the ground wire, and plug in your 30a RV plug into it. They are very portable and really quiet. |
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Member
Posts: 34
Location: Spokane Wa | I have the EU3000is and love it...the extra weight kinda gives me more piece of mind knowing that it can't be packed off like the two 2000's could, one in each hand. ( I guess it could be rolled off ) Also I just like the idea of having to maintain one. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri | I have the 3000 also. I put it on the back of the truck. I park the truck on the back side of the trailer if there's enough room when alone so I don't have to worry about trying to unload it. I love it!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | http://www.wisesales.com/ef2800i-yamaha-generator.html This will power most ac accessories |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350 | Use a good quality two wheeled hand cart, and mount your 3000 on it. If you have a ramp on your trailer, it is very easy to pull that hand cart up the ramp, and store the cart/genset in your front stall. Simply take it out of the trailer and plug it in when using it (don't run it in the front stall). |
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Regular
Posts: 66
Location: Western US | Thanks everyone for your great comments and suggestions.....Now here's another question.....I know it's not safe to run the gen in the first stall....what about wheeling it to the back of the trailer, and leaving the back door open and running it there?I don't have a ramp, so wheeling it in and out of the trailer isn't an option, if I go with the 3000, and obviously too heavy to lift myself.Thanks! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
Location: Rayne, LA | I personally would not suggest it. The only way I would consider POSSIBLY doing this is with the exhaust pointing out of the trailer with a fan in front of the generator blowing out the back. But again I would not suggest it. Lets hear other opinions. |
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Regular
Posts: 66
Location: Western US | Thank you! Yes, I would love to hear other opinions.....this is suddenly WAY more complicated than I thought.....regreting not sticking to my original rule of only trailers with built-in gens...... *sigh* |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa | I have a Honda 3000 and had some wheels put on it and I wheel it in out of the trailer myself and it's fairly easy. You can make yourself inexpensive ramps using two boards and some ramp ends. Easy to make too. I bought ramp ends from my local farm store and they have them on Ebay as well as the wheels. It does take up some room and I carry portable gates too but I still have room for hay & chairs.I was considering two 2000's but my husband wanted the 3000 to take camping on his hunting trips. I do prefer to have a switch rather than a pull start. If I didn't have the ramps and wheels I wouldn't have been able to handle the generator myself and would have went with two 2000 since the hubby doesn't ride. I wouldn't have wanted to deal with the parallel cables but I understand they're easy once you get use to them.I do carry a chain and padlock so I can chain it to a tree or something so it doesn't get wheeled away. |
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Regular
Posts: 66
Location: Western US | Thanks for the info! Did it take any kind of sawing or special tools to make the ramps? My skill set is limited when it comes to power tools.....I'm not much of a carpenter.Also, what does everyone do when it rains? My assumption is that the gens can't just sit out in the rain....And where I live (pacific northwest), it's more apt to be raining than anything else, even in the short excuse of a summer that we have. |
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Regular
Posts: 66
Location: Western US | If you figure out let me know! I can't seem to make them either! |
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Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina | what does everyone do when it rains? My assumption is that the gens can't just sit out in the rain..... I have a Honda 300I ... and pondered this very question.There are manufactured weather covers made for the Honda ... But they take up a lot of space when not in use.My solution was a piece of corrugated roof plastic. It's held in place over the Honda with two bungie cords. It forms an arch over the unit protecting the controls from rain yet allowing full flow of the exhaust and cooling air. When not in use the plastic panel is stored flat behind a tableI'll post a picture of it in place ASAP |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
Location: Rayne, LA | Hosspuller, that's a great idea. I may have to steal that one and use it myself. |
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Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina | Here's the cover laying flat. It is 25 inches wide by 39 inches longhttp://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u545/hosspuller/cover1_zpsbe618e19.jpgCover on the genset. Notice the bungie cords hooked to the handles.http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u545/hosspuller/cover2_zpsee01ff26.jpg |
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Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina | Sorry ... website won't let me edit the post. here are the links again .http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u545/hosspuller/cover1_zpsbe618e19.jpgand again ..http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u545/hosspuller/cover2_zpsee01ff26.jpg . |
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Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina | Looks like Cajunmuleman & I are similarly paragraph challenged on this web site... Please copy the links from "http" to "jpg" into your browser to see the photos. |
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Regular
Posts: 66
Location: Western US | Thanks for the photos.....very helpful! I appreciate everyone's input too....thank you! |
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Veteran
Posts: 179
Location: Illinois | enjoying this blog, a generator is on our list of buys this year. We are thinking of the 3000 also. Have any of you looked into the conversion for propane on them. If so pros - cons? Thanks |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
Location: northeast Texas | To me the Honda 3000 is really small and light.Would be fairly easy to wheel in and out. I have a Yamaha 4500, because the 3000 would not crank my AC. It is getting to be a tad too much to roll in and out, but I only need it when I use the AC, and there is usually someone around to help if needed. So I am looking at getting a 2000 just for winter camping. Also, if I will need the AC, I usually try and camp someplace where I have a plug in.
As to rain, my Yamaha 4500 has sat out and run all night in the rain many times. If I know it is going to rain beforehand, I unhitch and set it at the rear of the truck under the tailgate. I carry a long cable and lock and it stays locked to my trailer. Weight doesnt matter to thieves. They will find a way. |
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Veteran
Posts: 147
Location: Cornfield in Iowa | I want to look at these pictures but I can't figure out how to do it. I'm wanting a rain cover for my generator, also. Help, please? Originally written by hosspuller on 2015-01-03 5:00 PM
Sorry ... website won't let me edit the post. here are the links again .http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u545/hosspuller/cover1_zpsbe618e19.jpgand again ..http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u545/hosspuller/cover2_zpsee01ff26.jpg . |
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Veteran
Posts: 147
Location: Cornfield in Iowa | I figured out how to look at those pictures.....would this work on a non-inverter type generator? As in offering it enough protection from rain since it does not have the plastic cover over most of it? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
Location: Rayne, LA | It should work on any generator. It is just a cover. It is a great idea that doesn't cost much. I bet if you put a Honda sticker on it it would cost $150.00. |
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Veteran
Posts: 147
Location: Cornfield in Iowa | I was thinking I would have to figure out how to make it come down further on the sides because all the guts of my generator are in plain view and probably shouldn't get wet. I have a big Westinghouse. |
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Member
Posts: 17
Location: Southern Indiana | Originally written by CTRider on 2015-02-04 12:45 PM
To me the Honda 3000 is really small and light.Would be fairly easy to wheel in and out. I have a Yamaha 4500, because the 3000 would not crank my AC. It is getting to be a tad too much to roll in and out, but I only need it when I use the AC, and there is usually someone around to help if needed. So I am looking at getting a 2000 just for winter camping. Also, if I will need the AC, I usually try and camp someplace where I have a plug in.As to rain, my Yamaha 4500 has sat out and run all night in the rain many times. If I know it is going to rain beforehand, I unhitch and set it at the rear of the truck under the tailgate. I carry a long cable and lock and it stays locked to my trailer. Weight doesnt matter to thieves. They will find a way. Quick question we have a Honda 3000 and it worked fine in our 6' LQ. However we just purchased one with a 13.5 LQ are you saying our generator isn't big enough to run the air? If so what makes it too small? Is is the size AC on the trailer? If so what size is too big? Not even sure what we bought don't pick it up till saturday. Thanks may help me know what questions to ask on delivery. |
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Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina | Originally written by palo on 2015-02-06 6:04 AM Originally written by CTRider on 2015-02-04 12:45 PM
To me the Honda 3000 is really small and light.Would be fairly easy to wheel in and out. I have a Yamaha 4500, because the 3000 would not crank my AC. It is getting to be a tad too much to roll in and out, but I only need it when I use the AC, and there is usually someone around to help if needed. So I am looking at getting a 2000 just for winter camping. Also, if I will need the AC, I usually try and camp someplace where I have a plug in.As to rain, my Yamaha 4500 has sat out and run all night in the rain many times. If I know it is going to rain beforehand, I unhitch and set it at the rear of the truck under the tailgate. I carry a long cable and lock and it stays locked to my trailer. Weight doesnt matter to thieves. They will find a way. Quick question we have a Honda 3000 and it worked fine in our 6' LQ. However we just purchased one with a 13.5 LQ are you saying our generator isn't big enough to run the air? If so what makes it too small? Is is the size AC on the trailer? If so what size is too big? Not even sure what we bought don't pick it up till saturday. Thanks may help me know what questions to ask on delivery. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
Location: northeast Texas | Palo, I cannot answer that question. We have a 10 ft short wall and had a 13.5 btu Carrier Air V Heat Pump. Bought the Honda 3000 in May of 09, and got it home, hooked it up, filled with gas, and it would not start up the compressor for the AC. It says on their advertisement that they will start MOST 13.5 btu RV AC's. I live in Texas and it gets really hot with high humidity. Dont know if the generator perhaps had a problem or what. We called and they said bring it back, and they let us swap for the larger Yamaha, plus the additional cost of course. The 4500 will run my AC and I can use the micro or the coffee pot, etc without turning off the AC. I have friends who have the 3000 and it struggles some to crank theirs. Have one friend and it cuts off if it gets too hot outside. I just figure that is hard on the generator and the AC. We had to replace the AC this past year and went with a 15,000 btu Coleman Heat Pump. Glad I have the bigger gen now for sure. When we were looking, the dealers all pointed out that it says it will crank MOST 13.5 btu AC's. We did not try the 3000 with the additional boost feature. |
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Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina | Originally written by CTRider on 2015-02-09 9:53 AM
Palo, I cannot answer that question. We have a 10 ft short wall and had a 13.5 btu Carrier Air V Heat Pump. Bought the Honda 3000 in May of 09, and got it home, hooked it up, filled with gas, and it would not start up the compressor for the AC. It says on their advertisement that they will start MOST 13.5 btu RV AC's. I live in Texas and it gets really hot with high humidity. Dont know if the generator perhaps had a problem or what. We called and they said bring it back, and they let us swap for the larger Yamaha, plus the additional cost of course. The 4500 will run my AC and I can use the micro or the coffee pot, etc without turning off the AC. I have friends who have the 3000 and it struggles some to crank theirs. Have one friend and it cuts off if it gets too hot outside. I just figure that is hard on the generator and the AC. We had to replace the AC this past year and went with a 15,000 btu Coleman Heat Pump. Glad I have the bigger gen now for sure. When we were looking, the dealers all pointed out that it says it will crank MOST 13.5 btu AC's. We did not try the 3000 with the additional boost feature. CTRider .. Suggest to your friends about running their Honda with the load control off. It makes compressor starting easier on the Honda and the A/C unit. Also make sure their extension cords are short and heavy gauge. A long light extension cord increases the starting amps. |
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Member
Posts: 17
Location: Southern Indiana | I have another question. I wonder if you can hook a 1000 to the 3000 to get the power needed if my air is too big? It would be so nice to have a little one if not planning on using the air. I just can't justify the price of a small one unless it would fix the air also. Maybe worrying about nothing it's way too cold for me to think about trying it out now. May have to find my Honda manual. |
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Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina | Originally written by palo on 2015-02-09 5:19 PM
I have another question. I wonder if you can hook a 1000 to the 3000 to get the power needed if my air is too big? It would be so nice to have a little one if not planning on using the air. I just can't justify the price of a small one unless it would fix the air also. Maybe worrying about nothing it's way too cold for me to think about trying it out now. May have to find my Honda manual. The answer is NO. Honda says the units must be the same capacity to parallel. |
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Member
Posts: 17
Location: Southern Indiana | Originally written by hosspuller on 2015-02-09 9:31 PM Originally written by palo on 2015-02-09 5:19 PM
I have another question. I wonder if you can hook a 1000 to the 3000 to get the power needed if my air is too big? It would be so nice to have a little one if not planning on using the air. I just can't justify the price of a small one unless it would fix the air also. Maybe worrying about nothing it's way too cold for me to think about trying it out now. May have to find my Honda manual. The answer is NO. Honda says the units must be the same capacity to parallel. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
Location: Rayne, LA | Wise Sales told me they have a special kit that will allow you to parallel two different sizes of Hondas. I am not brave enough to try it but they said yes. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
Location: northeast Texas | You can get two Honda 2000's, a parallell kit and an auxiliary tank and then in winter just use one of the 2000's. Since I have the Yamaha 4500 already I plan to buy an additional Honda or Yamaha 2000 for when I dont need the AC. I wanted to put an onboard unit on, but this will be way cheaper. If I need the AC I usually try and go somewhere with hook ups, or I have someone around to help unload if needed. I usually do that by myself though, to make sure I can HAHA. The day I cant, I will install something different. Ive been thinking I could install a ramp and put a couple of blocks under it and roll the gen out on the ramp! |
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Generators-Honda 2000x2 or 3000?
