Generators - Honda? Yamaha?

[JohnVH]

Looking into a suitcase one this year, Honda 2000I or IA(for the 30a breaker), Or maybe a Yamaha 2000? Or? Champion ones look neat, or the generac, I dont know enough people with them to know what to really stay away from.

Thoughts? The honda/yamaha is over $1k, others are half of that or less.

Biggest thing Ill use it for is camping in the trailer, it has an ac and a microwave, coffee pot... But want something I can carry easy myself.

[SnakeEyes]

Honda and Yamaha are both great. I have a Honda 3000(really heavy).

The Honda 2000 Might be iffy to run the AC unit in your RV. You might want to ask around or do some research. Many people on the RV forums buy 2 Honda 2000's with the parallel kit to run everthing in their trailer. I have not run my AC unit yet, so it will depend on what type of camping you do. I was looking at the Yamaha 2400 pretty hard. I think it has a boost mode that might run the AC. Lots to think about but you cannot go wrong with either. For campground camping you will want to stay with the quieter units. Hope this helps.

[C-Money]

I would love a suitcase style Honda, but I bought a steel frame Honda 2500 for a bit less $$. I move it alone, not to bad of a job. It runs for a LONG time on a full tank, powering the heater fan, lights, TV, coffee pot, charging phones, lap top, water pump etc. with the AC on, I must turn off just about everything. I like my Honda, I think you would be a happy man if you spent a tad bit more and got the suitcase type. I kinda wish I would have because of the great design, and compact size. When the time comes, we have been replacing the steel frame generators at work with the suitcase style, and are finding they sure fit better in the cabnets on the apparatus.

[Tbar]

I say Honda all the way. If it's for your trailer the 1000 should be enough but the 2000 is even better.. If you keep good gas and oil in them they will run forever. Best machines out there, even for the money. 

[trophyhunt]

Honda all the way hands down! I don't have anything against yamaha but that Honda 2000i is easy to pack, lightweight, and having the ability to hook up to another 2000i with that cord to get 4000watts is pretty nice. Honda's always start but you just have to keep good gas in them as all small engines, no longer than 2 months or problems start.  I could NOT run my AC unit with the 2000i, I could run it with an older 2500 Honda but everything else had to not be running (big things that is). So I would reccommend the 3000i Honda if you need AC, it is heavier and more of a pain to lug around but it is also very quiet and will run your entire trailer. Expensive but worth it.

[Goldeneye]

I have a Honda EU2000I.  It's very quiet, always starts easy, and can be picked up and moved with one hand.  Very good unit.  They do cost more, that's the only thing.


My main use is for camping as well, but it has also ran power tools when I needed it to.  You can always bridge to another Honda if you need more power as well.  They sell those cables for cheap.  There is one camper in my elk camp that does this.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I have a Honda 2000eu also.
If your going to run tv's, comp's, microwaves ect you need the EU as your voltage will fluxuate with non EU and can easily damage your equipment.

The Genracs and Champions are ya get what ya pay for. Loud, non EU and heavy.

You cannot run a full size AC unit with a 2000. When I ordered my camper I had a smaller penguin AC unit installed that is rated at 9500 BTU's as opposed to full size models that push 11 to 12 thousand BTU's.

Microwave will run a 2000 full tilt as well. As will coffee makers ect.

[JackOfAllTrades]

The Genracs and Champions are ya get what ya pay for. Loud, non EU and heavy.

You cannot run a full size AC unit with a 2000. .

Microwave will run a 2000 full tilt as well. As will coffee makers ect.

 
I have a Coleman 1850 that will surge to 2000 and run the micro, but I don't even think about running the AC in the trailer with it.  Your converter, charging the batteries takes some amps, then you have microwave going and hit the toaster or the coffee maker/blender. Heaven forbid if your wife plugs in a curling iron and hits the hair dryer! You're done.
I get away with the Coleman 1850 through hunting season quite well, but 2500watt would be really nice. A tad heavier but usually not the big frame of the 3500+.  I would look for Honda all the way. Single pull starting and the quietest I've heard in camps.
 
-Steve

[JohnVH]

Good info, didnt realize the IA honda still doesnt have enough power, may as well save $150 and get the I model I guess.

Dont hear much on the yamaha's, but always hear good on the honda's. Wish they were cheaper, haha.

[6x6in6]

I have the Honda 1000 and it will not run the AC in my camper.  My AC's start up amps is 16 so there's no way it will run the AC with the 1000.
It will run the 750w microwave as long as nothing else is on causing draw, a light is OK, but the power wizard charging the batteries is not.  I rarely run my AC and if I do I just use the on-board Onan the camper came with.  But the on board is so damn noisy inside, it's just annoying.
Check your AC and microwave amps so you size your generator accordingly.

I got my 1k at the Honda dealer on Portal Way north of Ferndale.  It was a scratch and dent model they had, a couple surface scratches in the plastic was all that was wrong with it.  They knocked off 20%.  Paid around $550 for it 3 years ago. 

[ANDERWAGON]

I have a EU2000 Honda and love it but it will not run our MH A/C witch is 1535 watts. Remember the generator ratting is there peak performance and 2000 watts is only 16.6 amps. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Twin two Honda 2000UIs together and be happy! Plus you have redundiency if one should happen to have operating issues. Also there is a boat style gas can with an apaptor that takes place of the gas cap and it has 6 gallon storage for way long run times between fills. This is nice when we run the chest freezer in huntin camp or power outages at home.It is also easier to store two little ones than one big one.

[actionshooter]

The Yamaha and Honda are basically the same machine, both completely reliable, start easy. Can't go wrong with either 
 I have the Yami, just b/c my buddy is a dealer and it saved some coin.

[NRA4LIFE]

Both great machines.  I went with the Yamaha 1000 because it was cheaper, quieter and ran longer on a tank than the Honda.  All big pluses for me.  My buddy has an old Honda 800 that he got from an old buddy of his.  That thing's got to be at least 30 years old and still runs and starts great.

[SnakeEyes]

It looks like the Yamaha 2400iSH is about 28 lbs heavier. That is still quite a bit lighter than the Honda 3000is(150lbs) that I have. You might search the threads on the rv.net forum. Tons of reading to go over and get all the info you need. My consideration for the 2400iSH was so that it could run the AC if needed. It would depend on the size of your AC.

[JohnVH]

Just noticed the yamaha 2400, doing a little reading there too. Some people get a single honda2000 to run their ac, some can not.

[Rick]

Just noticed the yamaha 2400, doing a little reading there too. Some people get a single honda2000 to run their ac, some can not.

Yamaha designed the EF2400 to start a 13,500 BTU RV A/C. I've been using mine since '07. It'll start the A/C in my fifth wheel up to about 4500' in elevation.

[JohnVH]

Thanks, a little more research, its a few hundred $$ more, and 25lbs+ more, running ac isnt a huge deal. Have to think how bad I need ac to spend that much more and lug that much more around.

[Rick]

 Check out Wise Sales. They usually have the best prices and offer free shipping.

[JohnVH]

I see their have a free extended warranty, price is the same as other place I was looking though.

Still on the fence.