Need Generator Advice
 

Hi Guys,
Its been awhile since I visited this site. I'm in the process of trying to buy a decent portable generator. I purchased a cheap one that lasted one weekend and died. I was trying to save a few bucks and you know how that is... The generator was cheap and I jumped on it and got bit!

Now, I'm looking for a decent used generator or new generator that will power both my computer, trailer inside lights and my A/C unit on the trailer with no problem. I also need one that is quite and won't cost me the rent!

1. What wattage do I need to power everything I want to power?
2. Which generator is recommended and most cost effective?

Thanks in advance'


Bill Jackson

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Bill,

The Honda E3000 inverter unit will do the trick and unless you put you hand on it you won't even know its running. I have had mine for four years now and we run the MH with it because it is so quiet. The MSRP is 1999.00 but I got it at one of our Honda Dealers for 1650.00. I know that's a lot of cash, but if you truly want a quiet generator that will last, then you know the rest....

See ya at the track!

Ron
33 S/C

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

I have the 3000 its the way to go hands down well worth the money

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

My vote is for Honda also. I have a 2000i and it is great.
BB

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

I got a Generac 5500 for free a few years ago. LOUD, but starts on the first pull. I turn the fuel off at the tank to kill it, transport it with no fuel in the carb, just like the racecar. When I die's , I'm going to buy a diesel gen and mount on the back of my truck and run it off of the 50 gal auxiliary tank. The fuel should last most of the weekend.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Hey Bill......... you need to hook up with Matt Shurmann or Rich Beibel......... they are "the" generator guys that can put you on the right path........ they both post and read this site....

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIGITAL-3000-WAT...QQcmdZViewItem
TRY THIS.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Rather than the Honda EU3000i, you might want to consider a pair of EU2000i generators hooked up in parallel. I have a single 2000i, and when my big trailer generator dies I plan to add another 2000i for a parallel setup. You can make your own parallel kit fairly easily (PM me if you can't find any instructions, I have them bookmarked somewhere). The two of them are lighter than one EU3000i, and they're easier to move since you can move one at a time. When running lower current items you can just run one of them. Mine runs a 13,500 BTU air conditioner, a 1 hp air compressor, or a full size microwave just fine (but not at the same time). There are places like Mayberry's who sell them pretty cheap but can't advertise their prices online due to agreements with Honda. Last I heard, they are roughly $800 including shipping.

Regards,

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

I have a Honda 3000. You can't beat it. People walk by it and don't even know its running.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

I've got one of those Genera???? imported 4500 watt generators. It had more than enough power for evrything on at one time. About 6 hours after we first fired it up it got hot and died. Won't start now and nobody will work on it. The warranty will cover parts only but nobody will touch it. If anybody would like to try to fix it, they can have it for free.
Don't buy chinese imports.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

I have a Honda EU3000i and love it, however the pair of EU2000i generators is a very interesting option also.

I don't know if its been mentioned but the EU3000i has a "eco throttle" mode that only runs the engine as fast as at needs to cover the load. It makes them very fuel efficient. Last year during a big ice storm I ran mine from 7:00 in the morning until 10:00 a night on one tank of fuel. I don't know for sure but the 2000 is probably the same.

We went to a test and tune Friday night and raced yesterday on the same tank of generator fuel. It was running the whole time, granted most of the time on light load.

The non inverter types have to run at a constant RPM (usually 1,800 or more often 3,600) to maintain the 60 cycles.

Good Luck,
Bill

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

The EU2000i also has the 'eco throttle' function. Great generator, just wish it had cost $800.00 instead of what I paid.

BTW, I worked at an RV sevice and auto electric joint years ago and our techs thought Generac's were junk then.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Bill

I have a 3000 watt Onan in my Motor home and one in my trailer they both work great,are very quiet. they will even run a small air compressor or air conditioning in the RV
. But they are expensive and the parts are even more so. But it's a case of you get what you pay for.

Billy Baer

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Most have posted on the Honda generators and they are very good.However,I'm using a Yamaha and it's just as good as the Honda and is a bit quieter(not by much) than Honda and I think the price is comparible or cheaper.When I bought my Yamaha,it was much less than the Honda.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Cummins-Onan offers 2 very good inverter type portable units. Quiet, more power than Honda with wheels included...... a 3200 and a 4300 watt unit. Electric start and the ones we have sold have gotten great reviews by those who bought them. They operate at low rpm for low demand and go to full speed when needed. Saves fuel and runs quieter at the lower speed just like all the inverter based units. The biggest decision in a generator is fixed mount RV style or portable. Fixed mount needs space wiring and a fuel source (tank). Portables need nothing but a cable to plug it in.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

I bought a 5500 Onan for my L/Q trailer and am glad I did. Get out of bed in the am hit a button (if it's not already running) and coffee is ready in 10 min. I guess you do get what ya pay for........

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

I also own a set of the Honda 2000i generators with the adapter to join them.
I own both a travel trailer and a open car trailer and at the time my logic was
I have a bad back and two generators at 42 lbs each vs 134 lbs for the 3000
unit since I do not have a perminant place to mount them. If you use a enclosed
car trailer then the Honda 3000 is great since it is on wheels.

I looked at the ad for Mayberry and a few others, but ended up buying at Camper
World when I found them on sale.

The only thing to keep in mind when you buy a generator online and have it
shipped to your home or business is that it comes minus oil and no PM service
is done on the unit before you get it....you get the job of doing that yourself.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

I have a Quiet 7500 Onan diesel unit in my beautifully appointed low mileage Winnebago Chiefain which by the way is up for sale at a very reasonable price. (ok, sorry for the plug) It's awesome and runs off the motorhome fuel tank. Also had an Onan 5500 in the trailer, awesome too. I now have 2 Honda 2000's and I love em. Use them for more than racing. They're pretty quiet, but not as quiet as the 3000. You can't go wrong with either unit.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

You guys have convinced me to buy the Honda generator. I'm leaning toward the E3000 unit. Man I sure wish I had asked this question before I went out an bought $300 worth of junk! Thanks for your responses.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Just bought an E3000si (the super quiet one) on Friday, and installed it in our trailer. The thing is so quiet, you can stand next to it and have to check to be sure it's on... Pretty expensive sure, but worth every dime.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Chris, you are right on the money! I bought the EU3000si, and it's so quiet that I can't hear it run at all outside of the trailer. Of course I chain it up to the trailer:)) My pocket is empty, but I'm happy...

Thanks guys for this superior recommendations! I couldn't be happier. Well maybe if I won a few races:)))

Bill Jackson

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Everyone I race with is getting them. The first guy who got one is looking to Honda for a commission now :) Enjoy.

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Here is a link for the Yamaha generators. Cheapest prices I have found yet.

Why spend 50% more for less when buying a Honda

http://www.a-chainsaw.com/yamaha-all...-7_10_456.html

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

Here's the equivalent Yamaha generator (http://www.a-chainsaw.com/yamaha-inv...seb-p-242.html) to the Honda I bought, and the Yamaha is $200 more than I paid...

Re: Need Generator Advice
 

That's true for me too. I paid $1,699.99 out the door with NO shipping charge.