Looking for a 2000 watt generator

[ChattanoogaPhil]

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

I have a Honda EM5000 and it weighs 225 dry. EU2000 is 45.

you can't get an "inverter" type generator in that size, 5.5's don't come in "quiet"

The EU series has a 6500. It is rated at 60db (only 52db at 25% load). The EU2000 is rated at 59db. The EU6500 is hefty at over 250.

 

[Capt Steve]

Guess it will have to be the Honda 2000w

Phil - I'm, guessing that "Hefty" not only describes the weight of the EU 6500 but the price as well. How much do they go for? Getting back to my original post I am looking for something smallish (+/- 2,000 watts for well under $1,000), don't need and definitely cannot afford anything bigger. You folks have convinced me that the Honda 2000 is the way to go. Now I am out shopping for the best deal I can get and that will probably be used. (o;

 

[Wayne02]

Steve,
I think you will be pleased with the Honda. I know I had to choke back a tear when I purchased mine, but the acquisition cost was quickly forgotten the first couple times I used the unit.

I hate generator use while camping and if I could get away with it I wouldn't use one, but the wife and I both use 12V cpap air machines every night and they are power suckers. So we use the Honda to recharge the trailer batteries when we are camped for more than about 2 days consecutive, and to occasionally run the AC.

I've tried using the open frame contractor type generators and they were way too noisy for my tastes. They have little to no sound deadening material and run at full throttle all of the time regardless of load. The Honda is not silent of course, but it doesn't ruin our camping experience like the noisier generators did.

If we are camped at a nascar race or fairground then it doesn't really matter as everybody has their big generators running all the time, but we like to camp in remote, quiet places and value the silence.

Having said that, if running the AC is critical to you, just be aware that the Honda 2000 will run the AC for some folks, but not others. Extensive discussions on this subject over on rvnet. It happens to run ours (and others) but it's not a slam dunk that it will run the AC on everyone's rigs. There are 'hard start capacitors' for installation on some AC's that will allow the 2000 gens to start the AC in some cases.

Third post down in this thread has references to other threads on the subject of small gens.
RV.Net Open Roads Forum: General RVing Issues: Generator help question

I paid $845 shipped for our honda 2000 a year ago and I purchased it from Wisesales.
Honda Portable generators > Great For Camping, RV, Tailgating

Also, don't forget that you will need an adapter plug as the honda does not have an rv receptical. I ordered the adapter when I ordered the gen. The companion model does have a 30amp outlet, but I don't recall if it is an RV 30 amp configuration or not.

As I mentioned earlier the Champion inverter 2000 is the only other 2000 I'd consider beyond the honda. My understanding is it cost $500 at places like sams club.

 

[Capt Steve]

Wayne (and everyone else), thanks for all of the good info. I'll give Wisesales a call tomorrow for a quote. A guy down the street has two and wants to sell them as a set. I'm going to make him an offer on just one and see if he's interested. Failing that I'll probably just suck it up and get a new one at the best net cost I can find - dodging tax and freight being high on my list. I think the 2000 will run my AC if I turn everything else off, start with just the fan running on low and slowly crank in the AC. If it won't it's no big deal as we almost never use it but it would be nice to know it's available. I have an adapter from 30 amp down to the standard three prong but it would be nice to have a dedicated 30 amp outlet on the generator. When I camp with my buddies with big RV's with built in gensets I just plug into their rigs - I use the 30' of 30 amp cord plugged into a 12 gauge 50' extension cord and that runs everything.