Gas Generators

[Hambone]

Looking at Honda 3,000 and 3,800 watt. They seem really quiet, which is important.
Are there any other brands I need to look at?
Right now I have a 4,000 watt with a Briggs and it is just louder than loud. I just wish the Honda had some other name like American Generators or something.....

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Why not just replace the muffler on the Briggs generator?

 

[Hambone]

I tried that Bob. I was miffed afterwards too. I replaced it with an original. Kinda looks like a bell type. Was still loud. Then I went to TSC and bought one for a tractor, about 6" diameter and 10" long and the thing is still pretty loud. If I could get it quit I sure would but ran out of ideas..

 

[Gatorboy]

The Honda generators are very quiet. Yamaha makes quiet ones as well.

 

[Highbeam]

Honda and Yamaha are the leaders right now. The robin/subaru company has a clone as does the Kipor company. If quiet is important, then look for the decibel ratings. If the generator doesn't offer this information then it is a loud one and they are embarrased.

You can buy 2 of the lunchbox honda 2000 watt units and hook them together for 4000 watts. The 2000 watt hondas are available for 850$ each delivered and really can't be beat. They don't weigh much and are easily carried in one hand.

Quiet is expensive. Loud is cheap and you can NOT make a cheap generator quiet without sacrificing greatly. I've tried and anything short of building a CMU building is not going to make a Honda out of a Coleman.

My loud Coleman still has a place. It can kick out 6850 watts and does it well. Just not quietly.

 

[Soundguy]

My generator just happens to be as loud as my tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

( pto generator.. )

I have a 12kw/13kw surge unit.. my stepfather just bought a 27.5kw unit.. I'm very jealous!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


I guess since he was without power for 3 weeks last year during the 'month of hurricanes in florida.. he will be ready this time..

Soundguy

 

[Av8r3400]

Nearly as quiet as my buddy's Honda and it was FREE! Does Kubota still make these? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Hambone]

Interesting. I priced the 3,000 quiet Honda for $1799. The two 2,000 unit would be a tad cheaper with higher output. I will have to measure my door opening in the trailer and see if that will fit.
Will also have to check fuel consumtion, 2 vs. 1.
Another thing, the two smaller ones might make more noise that the 3,000.

Thanks for the input guy's!!!

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have a Yamaha generator and really like it. I also considered Honda but got a better deal on the Yamaha.

 

[Hambone]

"The 2000 watt hondas are available for 850$ each delivered and really can't be beat."

Where do you get this price? I have seen $999.

 

[Panache]

I saw this title and thought "bean burrito". Bad Panache, bad Panache.

 

[EastTexFrank]

Yes, Kubota still makes gas and diesel generators although I don't think you'll find that particular model. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Still the price was right and it obviously still works. What else do you need?

Honda is good but they are proud of them. Quietness doesn't come cheap but if that's what you want or need, you won't find better. Yamaha is probably a few dollars less and every bit as good.

 

[Highbeam]

"Interesting. I priced the 3,000 quiet Honda for $1799. The two 2,000 unit would be a tad cheaper with higher output. I will have to measure my door opening in the trailer and see if that will fit.
Will also have to check fuel consumtion, 2 vs. 1.
Another thing, the two smaller ones might make more noise that the 3,000. "

I will recommend that you visit RV.net as these little hondas are all the rage and there is a wealth of real world experience with them there. The 2-2000 watt units would be cheaper, they would also be light enough to carry around where the 3000 is a heavy bugger. If you don't need 4000 watts then you only use one. In the RV world, if you don't need AC then leave the second honda at home. The 2-2000 watters do not make twice the sound as a single 2000 watter, it doesn't work that way.

You really have to listen to one run to appreciate the quietness. They use an inverter to produce the 60 hertz required so they do not need to run at 3600 rpm (60Hz) to make power. So basicly they sit at idle unless your power demand requires the engine to rev up to meet your needs. Totally automatic.

The 2000 will fit through any man-door. They are bigger than a lunchbox, about the size of a five gallon gas can on its side.

I will repost with the business name that sells them cheap. I am almost positive it is Mayberries. Honda has a corporate policy that does not allow the retailer to post the sales price on the net, weird, you have to call.

 

[Highbeam]

Mayberrys, $879 and free Fed-Ex shipping. Delivery time 3-5 days...

www.mayberrys.com

Also an outfit called Alamia.

 

[Highbeam]

Also, the 3000 is 150 lbs where each 2000 is 50 lbs. My stock Honda trail motorcycle puts out 87 decibles at mid revs. The most sound that either of these generators puts out is 59 decibels. Since the decibel scale is logarithmic, every 3 decibles is roughly double the sound energy. Just amazing.

 

[Hambone]

Thanks for all the reply's. I talked to Mayberry's. Really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable gal.
The cable is $240. Works out the two smaller ones are $200 more, but you get 1,000 more power. Two engines to maintain, yadda yadda yadda
Yamaha in the 3,000 was $50 less.
Decision time........
I dont mind doing the research, but when it comes so shelling out the clams....................

 

[Highbeam]

On that parallel cable, the cable that connects the two, there are many people that make their own. Apparently there isn't much to it and the price for a premade one is ridiculous. If you're interested I can find you the directions.

Don't let the cost of the parallel cable turn you off.

 

[Phils]

Highbeam is right on.

Make your own cable if you get two 2000 Hondas. As he said, www.rv.net/forums has enough posts to keep you reading for days about these and other small generators.

I bought a Honda 1000 3 or 4 years ago from Mayberrys after learning about them at rv.net. Best price, quick shipping. On hindsight, I wish I'd gotten the 2000 as the 1000 is too small to run our RV's microwave [you know.... when we are "roughing it" somewhere]. A second 1000 would allow the microwave use, but that's the only benefit. If I'd bought a 2000 (which would allow the micro use) and now bought another, I could run our air conditioner. Of course, it's rare that we "camp" anyplace hot enough to need it, but you never know.

Phil

 

[Hambone]

Well I did finally bite the bullet. Bought the 3,000 watt Honda. Bought here locally at the Honda Motorcycle dealer. Have used it three weekend racing trips. Last weekend was the big test. Staying at track for two nights, three days. Honda did amazing. Not only quiet but 3,000 watt is plenty of power. At one time, just for fun, the fridge was running, started coffee pot, put down some toast, turned on small micro. No overload light.
Thing will go about 19 hours on 3.4 gallons of gas under my normal conditions.
Did I mention it was amazingly quiet?? WOW,.