Traveller

My ease or difficulty at pull starting a motor may be unlike your experience. To be sure, I would recommend that you visit a dealer or a friend of similar ownership, and try one for yourself.

It has a solid state ignition and modern overhead valve design. It's not a very large HP motor,and even when coupled to an inverter, has a relatively small rotating mass. Any average person should easily be able to start this generator. By eliminating the electric start, you also save the additional weight of a starter and battery to move about.

BOL  Gard

Originally written by genebob on 2009-03-27 11:09 AM

I noticed in comparing spec's of Honda and Yamaha that they disagree as to how many watts it takes to start up your 13,500 btu air conditioner. Honda says it takes 2800 and Yamaha says 2500. Just wondering which is correct?

They may both be accurate.

I would think there would be variables among the various A/C manufacturers, regarding starting and running draws, and wiring installation configurations. Also the age of your equipment will alter the loads, as it become less efficient with age and wear.

Some generators have a better tolerance for starting surges and overloads than others. That's why they often have a maximum rating, a working rating, and a half load rating. Very few can be run continuously at their maximum ratings indefinitely.

Gard

I found a Honda 3000 on the local Craigs List for $1,510.  Seller claims the check would be written directly to Honda in that he is selling a demo unit for a dealer.  Hmm, price sounds okay, I think, but the rest of it sounds a bit curious. 

I own and have used the Yamaha EF2400is for the past 3 years.  It will start and run my A/C unit.  I can not run a Microwave or Hair dryer at the same time as the A/C. But I can run my stereo and a few lights at the same time as the Air.

It's 72-74lbs so it luggable to lift in and out of the truck bed. I don't find it very hard to pull start. I usually leave it in the bed of truck and just reach over and pull the starting cord. So you know that is not a great angle to get any strength on the pull. But it starts right up.  I think the honda's are just a tad bit quieter. But the Yamaha is a lot quieter than most generators I hear.  You can join two of them together like the hondas if you need more than 2400 watts. It's an invertor technology product, So it will produce clean power for your electronics.

If you want to run your A/C AND another appliance ( like a Microwave, hairdryer, coffee maker) get the 3000 or bigger generator. For me I rarely run my A/C, so the Yamaha worked great for me.

You are able to run your stereo and lights because they are 12 volt and are running off the battery/converter, whereas the hair dryer and micro are 120 volt and are direct from the genny.

You are able to run your stereo and lights because they are 12 volt and are running off the battery/converter, whereas the hair dryer and micro are 120 volt and are direct from the genny. {QUOTE}

The converter is also powered from your AC source, and is part of your total amperage/wattage draw from the generator.

Gard