Looking for a 2000 watt generator

[Capt Steve]

I am shopping for a generator to use with my 18' travel trailer. I am thinking around 2,000 watt, compact/portable inverter type. It will be used primarily to top up the batteries and run a few AC toys (Microwave, TV, computer, power tools etc., but not refrigeration as that is propane). While a unit this size will probably not run the AC in the trailer (perhaps on the lowest setting if everything else is turned off???), this doesn't pose a problem as if it is hot enough to require AC we probably won't be there.

Everyone shouts get a Honda and while they have a great reputation they are pricey. For as little use as it will get (an hour or two every couple of days), I have a hard time justifying $1,000 when the competition is about half that price. Generac, which is the Chinese knock off of the Honda and the Honeywell, also made in China, go out the door for around $500. All three have comparable output, size/weight, noise levels etc. and while the Honda is the quietest it's not by much. So who has some experience and/or recommendations? I am leaning towards the Honeywell with an on line purchase from Home Depot which eliminates freight and tax and gives me a place to go back to if I have a problem. I've looked for a nice clean used one but they are few and far between.

 

[JOERM]

I have the Honda 2000, it starts easy, has never broke down, runs great, very quite, runs forever on a tank of gas and is fairly light and compact. It fits in the campers storage compartment just fine.

I'd stay away from the Chi-Com generators if at all possible, I know the price is tempting. Getting parts for these can be a pain.

If you can handle the extra cost you will be way ahead with the Honda. Oh yeah, my 2000 watt runs the air just fine.

Joe

 

[DGNY]

2000 W Generator

Honda. Had mine for 19 years. Perfect. Keep a spare plug on hand, change the oil and it will run forever..

Regards,

Dyson

 

[Capt Steve]

I have the Honda 2000, it starts easy, has never broke down, runs great, very quite, runs forever on a tank of gas and is fairly light and compact. It fits in the campers storage compartment just fine.

I'd stay away from the Chi-Com generators if at all possible, I know the price is tempting. Getting parts for these can be a pain.

If you can handle the extra cost you will be way ahead with the Honda. Oh yeah, my 2000 watt runs the air just fine.

Joe

Joe, What kinda of camper and what size is your AC (BTU)?

 

[JOERM]

It's a 21' Comfort Resort, don't know the wattage of the air but when I turn it on the generator does not bog down at all, maybe a little for a second but once the air is up and running the 2000 watt generator does not seem to be working to hard. Before I tried it I thought for sure the air conditioner would draw way more then the generator would put out, I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.

When I get home from work I'll check the BTU and get back to you. OH NO! I'm busted playing on SWF while at work. Isn't that in code: BPOSWFWAW?

 

[oldman45]

I am in three RV clubs and have owned several RVs.

Depending on what kind of camping you will be doing and the tempratures, a 2000 watt may not be enough.

As said above, the foreign gensets needs to be avoided but the B&S gensets worked good for me. My first was a 4000 watt and I found it would not fully power a 32 ft Holiday Rambler. I sold it after three years when I got a larger rig and bought a 5500 watt. It worked beautifully at campgrounds like Talladega and Texas Speedway. I was also able to use it out in the woods when hunting. There is a way to modify them so they are as quiet as a car running.

Since buying my diesel pusher motorhome, I no longer need it for camping but use it when the power goes out at the house and it powers everything but the central air system.

They are reasonably priced, runs 14 hrs on one filling and is easy to handle as well as start.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Honda EU2000. Silent and a gas miser. Quite often I opt for lesser priced products... but not when it comes to generators.
I bought my EU2000 on line from these guys several years ago and saved a couple hundred over the local price. They got a ton of accessories for it too.

Honda generators - Model EU2000i - Mayberrys.com

 

[sar4937]

Be aware that some of the off-brand generators are not rated to produce 2000 watts continuosly. Regulation is not as controlled. That Honda is quiet, and easy to start.

 

[NE450No2]

I would look at the Honda or the Yamaha small generators. They have a system where you can hook 2 together, which might be necessary to run an AC. If you do not need the AC then you run only one.

 

[off road]

Honda, maybe Yamaha in a pinch. Sure a 2,000 will be enough?

 

[kennyb]

honda...all the way....

 

[truckemup97]

The Honda 2000W inverter model will be the most efficient. That said, I've had two Coleman 2000/1800 watt setups. I bought both used, so I'm not sure what MSRP is, but I'd guess well under $400. They have a Subaru/Robin engine which is quite efficient. I ran the first one for three years, probably 10,000 hours, until one day it wouldn't start. Next day I found the other one in a pawn shop. I run a 13000 btu A/C, a 1500 watt ceramic heater, and a microwave with it. Not all at the same time, of course. There is a plug for 12v charging, 15 amp, IIRC. And it's fairly quiet as generators go.

 

[mtgianni]

What the extra money buys is quiet. The Chi-Com generators are much louder than a Honda.

 

[Wayne02]

I use the Honda eu2000. Works well to power a 23' travel trailer with two 6V golf cart batteries powering all the 12V stuff. It runs the 13500 AC, but I've only used it during 90 degree ambient temp.

Starts easy, I'm able to lift the thing in and out of the truck, the suitcase style means I can carry it to my side without too much strain on my old back. Nice and quiet. Did I mention it was quiet?

It would be nice if it had remote shut-down so I would not have to get out of bed and interrupt my nightly movie watching on the big screen just to go out and shut off the gen. This modern day 'camping' is rough, but somebody has to do it.

The only other small inverter generator I'd consider is the relatively new to the scene Champion 2000. There is a thread on this unit over on rvnetdotcom called, 'Official CPE 2000W inverter generator thread'. Lots of info on the Honda and other inverter generators over there as well. Although the generator wars can be as bad as the .45 vs 9mm arguments.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Why would anyone want a 2kw generator???? for just a bit more weight you can get a 5.5kw.

 

[novalty]

Generac has a 2k watt generator out as well. If you think you will need more than 2k, but want to start out with a 2k, the Honda would be the way to go as you can link them-but boy are they expensive.

 

[Rangerpat]

I use a Honda eu3000 for my 23' trailer, it runs the a/c with no problems and weighs around 130 lbs. It is allowed in U.S. National Parks throughout our country, if that makes a difference.

 

[Wayne02]

Generac has a 2k watt generator out as well. If you think you will need more than 2k, but want to start out with a 2k, the Honda would be the way to go as you can link them-but boy are they expensive.

Good point about being able to run them parallel.

The Champions can go parallel as well.
Info:
http://championpowerequipment.com/doc/CPE Inverter White Paper.pdf

Check the noise specs, output, and price against the Honda.

 

[HCD]

Well I can only speak to the noise level, I have read lately that tree poachers are using electric chain saws hooked up to gennys to steel valuable trees from National Forests. They are making them almost noiseless buy running the exhaust into a bucket of water after putting a muffler on the end of a piece of flexible exhaust pipe. Sure sounds like it would be quite but I don’t know if it is more trouble than you want to put up with. And it sure can’t look good outside of the camper.

 

[Capt Steve]

Why would anyone want a 2kw generator???? for just a bit more weight you can get a 5.5kw.

The weight is doubled (at least), you can't get an "inverter" type generator in that size, 5.5's don't come in "quiet" and I don't need anywhere near that much power. But other than that Mrs Lincoln..... However, I sure like to shoot my Dan Wesson 44 mag at paper targets so go figure. (o;