I am looking into getting a generator to take along when trail riding when no power is available...I would like to hear the pros & cons of the type you all have..and any recommendations of where to get the best deal...like everyone funds are tight and I want the biggest bang for my buck..preferably one as quiet as possible..THANKS
Posted 2010-11-15 7:16 PM (#127117 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
First off look for an Invertor type generator. They provide a cleaner sine wave type of power that any high tech device will require ( flat screen TV, Microwave, Cell phone chargers etc)
I personally like Honda or Yamaha.
I bought the Yamaha EF2400is. Because it has 2400 peak watts and 2000 constant watts. The A/c in most LQs need around 1800 watts to start up. So the Yamaha 2400 will start and run the A/C. While the Honda 2000 is just a little to small. The next step up for Honda is the 3000. Which if you can afford it and don't have to move it, Is a great choice.
The Yamaha 2400 is 72 lbs. The Honda 3000 is 135 lbs. So it's a One man vs two man job to load and unload .
Posted 2010-11-15 7:48 PM (#127121 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368 Location: Georgia
My choice is two Honda 2000s paralleled together. Each weighs 47 lbs and easily moved by most folks. I went with this set up because it will run everything in my trailer (maybe not at one time!) and I can handle the gens by myself. A little more expensive than the one 3000 but works better for me!
Posted 2010-11-16 3:49 AM (#127138 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I use a Yamaha inverter as well.... Hour meter is broken and it has better than 1500 hours of hard run time, not real sure how many hours it has now. No problems with it other than a battery replacement and the hour meter quit... I use Mobil 1, 10W30, full synthetic engine oil.
Posted 2010-11-16 9:43 AM (#127155 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: Ohio
I am using a Generac inverter gen. iX2000. Nice and quiet, although not as quiet as the Honda. I bought it off Craigslist new unopened box for $350. For the price, I couldn't pass it up and I'll deal with the couple db's more than the Honda. This gen runs at 56 db @ 21ft (self tested) at its quietest stage which is very comparable to the Honda, however, when its highly loaded (microwave) and the engine kicks up to its highest stage is when it is noticeably louder than the Honda, but it is still quieter than a standard briggs & stratton or those little 2 stroke gens.
There's been mixed reviews on them, but I've ran it pretty extensively this year and it starts on the 2nd pull every time. I know they are (new) about $400 cheaper than the Honda.
Keep an eye on Craigslist. Honda, Yamaha, Kipor, Generac, etc are commonly on there in my area. You'll spend extra for an inverter gen, but its worth it.
Posted 2010-11-16 11:28 AM (#127161 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Ours is a Cummins/Onan P4300ie (just an over sized Honda 3000ie). And we lok it, but it is not a one person generator. But we got a heck of a deal on it last year (was almost 1/2 of what the Honda was). Money talks!
Posted 2010-11-16 12:08 PM (#127164 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Expert
Posts: 2960 Location: North Carolina
"...quiet as possible..." means an inverter type generator. I took my home back-up generator to a well known endurance ride last year. Everyone was camped door to door in a field . I was too embarrassed to run it because it was SO LOUD.
This year I got a Honda 3000i It IS heavy, but here are my purchase reasons:
When camping, it stays in the bed of the truck. I use the tractor to lift it and there it stays. A security cable to the GN hitch break-away loop helps keep it there. No five fingered discount, it'll take four arms besides a cable cutter.
The electric start is very nice when I'm tired after a ride or just groggy in the morning.
Sound level is a function of the percentage of rated load. A 2400 watt generator running at 100% is louder than a 3000 watt generator running at 80%.
Two 2000i ' s will need a tank kit or several fuel fills to equal the runtime of one 3000i tank.
Lastly, SHOP and Bargain... I was able to get my Honda locally for less than the best internet price. It seems that construction supply and equipment rental places also sell the Honda.
Posted 2010-11-17 8:19 AM (#127205 - in reply to #127164) Subject: RE: generators
Veteran
Posts: 231 Location: Illinois
Thanks all... Hosspuller, tell me this, when the generator is in the bed of the truck...is the noise level amplified because it is in the truck and not on the ground...do you have it sitting on rubber? I have been places where generators are in use and they have them sitting a fair distance away from the trailers using long cords...am I wrong in thinking the longer the cord the harder it is to get full use/effect out of the generator..I understand the purpose to have them away from the trailer ( noise) ..but having it sitting in the bed of the truck ( if your hooked up) and having the generator running under your bunk seems like it would be fairly loud...I am asking cause I do not know..never delt with generator before..so I need to learn.. THANKS
Posted 2010-11-17 10:35 AM (#127210 - in reply to #127205) Subject: RE: generators
Expert
Posts: 2960 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by To Much Trouble on 2010-11-17 5:19 AM
Thanks all... Hosspuller, tell me this, when the generator is in the bed of the truck...is the noise level amplified because it is in the truck and not on the ground...do you have it sitting on rubber? I have been places where generators are in use and they have them sitting a fair distance away from the trailers using long cords...am I wrong in thinking the longer the cord the harder it is to get full use/effect out of the generator..I understand the purpose to have them away from the trailer ( noise) ..but having it sitting in the bed of the truck ( if your hooked up) and having the generator running under your bunk seems like it would be fairly loud...I am asking cause I do not know..never delt with generator before..so I need to learn.. THANKS
I never use the generator in the truck hooked up to the trailer when camping. The noise of the Honda isn't a problem. The bed sides & cab seem to block the noise, low level as it is. The Honda has soft rubber feet to isolate the genset from the truck bed. The issue is: the exhaust would be too close to the the sleeping area. I may be too cautious but it is a once-in-a-lifetime mistake. Long cords are only a problem when the size of the wire is too small for the load. Because of the a/c, I use a 50' 10 gauge cord. This keeps the voltage drop very low. I carry another 50' 10 gauge cord to use together if needed.
Posted 2010-11-17 10:41 AM (#127211 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
IF you do go with a generator in the bed of a truck, and leave it hooked to your trailer; DO NOT sit the generator under the neck of the trailer. All exhast fumes will rise, and if you have your windows even cracked just a little, your going to have carbon monoxide fumes entering your lq.
Either disconnect your trailer and pull your truck a little bit ahead; or at least have the generator right behind the cab of your truck. People have died from running a generator while sitting under the neck of a trailer.
Posted 2010-11-17 12:44 PM (#127213 - in reply to #127211) Subject: RE: generators
Expert
Posts: 2960 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by jim bob on 2010-11-17 7:41 AM
IF you do go with a generator in the bed of a truck, and leave it hooked to your trailer; DO NOT sit the generator under the neck of the trailer. All exhast fumes will rise, and if you have your windows even cracked just a little, your going to have carbon monoxide fumes entering your lq. Either disconnect your trailer and pull your truck a little bit ahead; or at least have the generator right behind the cab of your truck. People have died from running a generator while sitting under the neck of a trailer.
Jim Bob ... Thanks for reinforcing this point. Even if you have the windows closed on the GN, the underside of the GN is not sealed gas tight. CO will find its way into the sleeping area and kill the occupants
I always pull the truck away from the trailer to use the genset while camping.
Posted 2010-11-17 3:03 PM (#127220 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
I have 2 Honda 2000 generators and I am extremly happy with the setup, when we don't need the AC I just run one and when we do run the AC I run 2 in parallel. They are very light and easy to move around. I think the Honda 3000 is an awesome generator and I went back and forth but ultimatly decided that I liked the portability of 2.
Posted 2010-11-17 4:13 PM (#127221 - in reply to #127164) Subject: RE: generators
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by hosspuller on 2010-11-16 12:08 PM
"...quiet as possible..." means an inverter type generator. I took my home back-up generator to a well known endurance ride last year. Everyone was camped door to door in a field . I was too embarrassed to run it because it was SO LOUD.
This year I got a Honda 3000i It IS heavy, but here are my purchase reasons:
When camping, it stays in the bed of the truck. I use the tractor to lift it and there it stays. A security cable to the GN hitch break-away loop helps keep it there. No five fingered discount, it'll take four arms besides a cable cutter.
The electric start is very nice when I'm tired after a ride or just groggy in the morning.
Sound level is a function of the percentage of rated load. A 2400 watt generator running at 100% is louder than a 3000 watt generator running at 80%.
Two 2000i ' s will need a tank kit or several fuel fills to equal the runtime of one 3000i tank.
Lastly, SHOP and Bargain... I was able to get my Honda locally for less than the best internet price. It seems that construction supply and equipment rental places also sell the Honda.
You too can run parallel, if you need too... If you have 2 regular EU2000i, 2 EU3000 Handi, or 2 EU3000is, consider a parallel kit. The parallel kits include a built in 30A outlet (EU2000) or 50A outlet (EU3000), which is capable of providing the combined full power from both generators. Although the kit is more expensive than the parallel cords, it offers you more power from a single outlet.
Posted 2010-11-17 4:41 PM (#127222 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I have the Honda 3000 and I have had it for 5yrs without any issues at all. I got it from the Honda E Store and saved some $ and it was shipped to the nearest Honda dealer. I carry mine in the truck bed on the right rear side and I back the truck next to the GN maybe about 3-4ft away. If I could afford 2 2000's I would go that route just because I have to get a friend to help load it on the truck..But I like that I can basically run it all afternoon and evening on 1 tank of fuel.
Posted 2010-11-17 5:00 PM (#127223 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Veteran
Posts: 229
I have one of the Honda 2000's. I don't need AC, just sometimes a battery charge. If I needed more power, I'd go the two 2000's route. My consideration is the weight. I can lift the 2000 and put it in the wheel barrow to move. During the winter I use the 2000 for power outages and remote projects.
Posted 2010-11-18 8:36 AM (#127234 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Veteran
Posts: 141 Location: Helena, Ohio
My husband gave me a Honda 3000 for my birthday last year in anticipation of getting a LQ trailer. I never realized what a wonderful thing they are!! I can't load the Honda myself, but my husband can. We keep it in the rear tack of the trailer and I can always get someone to help me move it when I get my camp set up if hubby isnt around. It is very quiet and runs everything I need in my trailer. It is kinda annoying that I can't move it myself, but I surely will give up that little bit of independence for the luxury of just being able to plug in and run!!
Posted 2010-11-18 9:43 AM (#127238 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Veteran
Posts: 134
I have 2-Honda 2000's with a parallel kit. I absolutely love them. They are easy for me to handle and will run all night with my AC on. I love their portability. When we lost power for four days a couple of winters ago, they saved us. My husband loves them because if he needs to use them out in the field for fixing equipment, he can just load and go.
Posted 2010-11-18 9:55 AM (#127242 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Veteran
Posts: 114 Location: Home of the WNFR at Christmas
I have to recommend the Honda 2000 inverter generators I have had both the Yamahas and the Hondas and in my experience the Hondas have been superior, and I own a Yamaha motorcycle.
My Honda 2000 has somewhere in the range of 5000 hours on ( 60 to 70 hours a week while building some family homes plus the trailer use ) it and in that time I have only done, a couple of spark plugs, changed the oil every 50 or so hours, and replaced the starter cord once.
It is a great machine, a bit pricey but if you use it its worth every penny.
Posted 2010-11-18 10:04 AM (#127244 - in reply to #127111) Subject: RE: generators
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Had a Honda 3000 and wish I still did. Traded for an Onan Microlight 4000 and it is in the shop at 150 hrs. The Honda never had any problems in 5 yrs and an estimated 400 hrs. .....
generators
If you have 2 regular EU2000i, 2 EU3000 Handi, or 2 EU3000is, consider a parallel kit. The parallel kits include a built in 30A outlet (EU2000) or 50A outlet (EU3000), which is capable of providing the combined full power from both generators. Although the kit is more expensive than the parallel cords, it offers you more power from a single outlet.
