Question on a generator

[Guest TankerHC]

Need to buy a new generator but dont want to spend a fortune. Trailer is set up for 50 Amps but will run at 30. Needs to be quiet. Only going to be using it when not in a campground. Needs to be as small as possible, will be totin it around in the bed of my truck, need to save all the room I can.

 

Any suggestions?

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Amazon has many sizes and decent looking
prices.

[Randall53]

The only quiet generator I've ever seen is the honda's, but they are very pricey.

[runco]

Honda all the way.  There is none as quiet as those, 58 dB(A).  From personal experience with a 30ft camper, A/C, microwave, elec. water heater, TV,  and one wife's hair drier, this will work:

 

http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu3000is

[monkeylizard]

Roger that. Honda for the quiet. I was at a car show about a year ago where a guy was running a Generac 2Kw inverter, the one they made to look like the Honda EU2000 and basically claim it's as good. It was almost as loud as a regular generator. I almost tripped over a Honda EU2000 because I didn't hear it over the noise of the Generac 8 cars away.

 

I found a Honda EU6500 on Craigslist for an awesome price. Dude was moving to an apartment and had to get rid of it. I had to go to Knoxville to get it, but it was worth it. I watched Craigslist via www.searchtempest.com for about 2 or 3 months before it finally showed up. I was actually looking for either a couple of EU2000s or an EU3000, but when the EU6500 came up I had to grab it. I still think about grabbing an EU2000 at some point for the portability factor.

 

The Yamaha inverters are reportedly about as quiet as the Hondas and have a broader selection of "sizes".

Edited May 9, 2013 by monkeylizard

[cannoncocker]

Honda.

 

I have two 2000 watt Honda EU 2000i's.  They can be run in parallel to provide 3200 watts of continuous service and weigh 46 pounds each. The Honda 3KW (2800 watts continuous) weighs 134 pounds. I modified a 6 gallon outboard fuel tank to feed both generators for 24 hours plus of run time.

 

Yes, they are expensive.  Total delivered Internet cost was just under $2000.00. You get what you pay for.  Try carrying on a conversation standing 6 feet from a $300.00 Champion special.

[monkeylizard]

I see Honda EU2000's going on Craigslist for as low as $550-$600 each. You have to watch for a while to see one of those and grab it quickly, but they're out there.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I got a Honda 2000i, haven't used it much but it sure is more convenient than a bigger one, quiet, seems well built so far.

 

When I was researching for one, had about decided that 2000 watt ballpark inverter generator from Honda, Yamaha or Subaru would all fit the bill about equally, and the honda was the first one I saw in-stock locally. I don't like to mail order big heavy things because they are too expensive to send back if you happen to get a bad one, which can happen even with the best brands.

[runco]

I purchased my Honda EU2000 from a major Honda retailer online up North, I will try to find the business name.  They were like $200 cheaper than any retailer locally, + free shipping and no other fees.

[monkeylizard]

FYI - If anyone wants to search Craigslist using something like www.searchtempest.com for one of these Honda genny's, don't use the model number. Just search for "honda generator". You'll get other results (including cars, boats, ATVs, and cheap generator brands with a Honda motor) that you'll have to filter through, but some people will list an EU2000i as an i2000, 2KW, EU2000, 2000i, small red one, the quiet kind, ...you get the idea. They will all have "honda" and "generator" in the ad.

 

I find that searching Craigslist works best if I keep the search terms as generic as possible.

Edited May 9, 2013 by monkeylizard

[Slappy]

Hondas are hard to beat but also take a look at the Yamaha generators. I use one for the farm and its about as quiet as a Honda (also very portable).