Generator brands

[handirifle]

I looked for a few hours this AM, online, and saw some interesting things in the details. The Honda has a 3.5gal tank and that means fewer fill up and less chance of getting gas on myself from repeat fills. I looked at the DB ratings and at 1/4 load the Honda is MUCH quieter. I don't have model numbers right here, but ALL the ones I looked at were inverter models. Most of the others had DB rating at least 10db higher than Honda, plus most had a 1 or 1.5gal tank.

In addition, not all, in fact most did not have elec start. I will be mounting this on a frame at the back of my RV so it would be awkward to pull start.
Sounds like I am talking myself back into the Honda. I have seen them for $1999, which is better than $2500, but still high. To me, the priorities are, it should run my AC when I need it, it should be very quiet, and not have to be filled up every 4 hours.

 

[bucktaker]

Look at a pair of eu 2000 from Honda Generators & Accessories which is where I bought mine.... I only pair mine when the AC is required other times its a single unit for all our uses.

 

[joshuabardwell]

If tank size is a concern, you can get an external tank that feeds into the Honda EU2000 and extend the run time to something like 8-10 hours. If you plan to use the genny to run your AC, bear in mind that the 1/4 load noise measurements won't apply, since you'll be running closer to 75% or above (depending on various factors, of course). Oh, and if you do end up buying a Honda, for goodness' sake, find a way to disguise it, because they are a HUGE target for theft--especially the EU2000, which is a pretty easy grab-and-go. They have an awesome resale value. I know some people who intentionally bought the camo model just because the red ones are so iconic.

 

[Travelover]

............ Oh, and if you do end up buying a Honda, for goodness' sake, find a way to disguise it, because they are a HUGE target for theft--especially the EU2000, which is a pretty easy grab-and-go. They have an awesome resale value. I know some people who intentionally bought the camo model just because the red ones are so iconic.

This is one of the nicest generator locks that I've seen. LowPro LockDown security mount system for Honda EU2000i generator

 

[Diamondpilot]

If tank size is a concern, you can get an external tank that feeds into the Honda EU2000 and extend the run time to something like 8-10 hours. If you plan to use the genny to run your AC, bear in mind that the 1/4 load noise measurements won't apply, since you'll be running closer to 75% or above (depending on various factors, of course). Oh, and if you do end up buying a Honda, for goodness' sake, find a way to disguise it, because they are a HUGE target for theft--especially the EU2000, which is a pretty easy grab-and-go. They have an awesome resale value. I know some people who intentionally bought the camo model just because the red ones are so iconic.

We build tanks for the Honda 2000's that allow them to rin for 70 hours straight.

Chris

 

[PILOON]

Re hole in ground:
I think that it was the fact that the soil prevented any bounce or echo that the noise simply died there.
An ultimate cover or lid could be a plywood scrap with old carpeting stapled to a surface, then for sure you would complain of valve clacking noises. LOL

 

[3930dave]

Re hole in ground:
I think that it was the fact that the soil prevented any bounce or echo that the noise simply died there.
An ultimate cover or lid could be a plywood scrap with old carpeting stapled to a surface, then for sure you would complain of valve clacking noises. LOL

Too easy ! I like it.

If I don't go with an external add-on muffler on mine, I may try that first.

You're spot on though. I've come across many descriptions of successful exhaust supression on low cost air-cooled engines, where the final observation was "surprising amount of valve and gen-head noise remaining". Net gain though, as overall noise drops substantially.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

We build tanks for the Honda 2000's that allow them to rin for 70 hours straight.

Chris

Chris - non-boater here.... what do you recommend for quick connect fuel couplings for external tanks ?

(handirifle - apologies for drift.... )

Rgds, D.

 

[Travelover]

Too easy ! I like it.

If I don't go with an external add-on muffler on mine, I may try that first.

You're spot on though. I've come across many descriptions of successful exhaust supression on low cost air-cooled engines, where the final observation was "surprising amount of valve and gen-head noise remaining". Net gain though, as overall noise drops substantially.

Rgds, D.

I have a cheapo Coleman 4000 watt generator that I stuck a car muffler onto. The muffler knocked out most of the exhaust noise, but it is still quite loud. All those fins designed to radiate heat also radiate mechanical noise nicely.

 

[bucktaker]

Was At Rural King today and say they have the Champion inverter genset..... 549.00 humm a pair of these right at a grand might give you the low cost, low noise etc. If you do try these let us know how they work out ..

If I was in the market I would really give these a hard look.....I love my hondas and only paid 800 each when I bought mine but they are more now.

 

[handirifle]

Yea the wallet will end up making my decision for me I feel. I have not ruled out the Champion. I also FULLY understand that the unit would not be at 1/4 power to operate the AC but they have to have some standard for rating noise. According to the Honda web site, their 3000 puts out 48db at 1/4 power and the Champion was much more that 1db higher. On sales web sites they show a range of 48-59db IIRC for the Honda and I take that to mean idle to full load levels. The Champion was only rated at 1/4.

I agree on the theft issue, not something to leave sitting around when you leave camp.

On the parallel 2000's, how does that work? Although I do think that elec start will be a necessity, since it will be elevated and the rope pull will not be easily accessed. The pull start only was my big concern with the Champion.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris - non-boater here.... what do you recommend for quick connect fuel couplings for external tanks ?

(handirifle - apologies for drift.... )

Rgds, D.

Use marine grade outboard external tank type. Avaliable online, any marina, some Walmart Stores, and even my Menards.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a cheapo Coleman 4000 watt generator that I stuck a car muffler onto. The muffler knocked out most of the exhaust noise, but it is still quite loud. All those fins designed to radiate heat also radiate mechanical noise nicely.

My findings putting well over 50 generators onto house boats and campers is it the generator itself that is loud, not the exhaust so much.

Chris

 

[bucktaker]

They sell a cable kit to connect the eu200's together then a single 30 am plug i made my own with two male 20 amp plugs Y'd to a single rv 30 amp. since Im the only one running my gensets I understand the risk of the live plug.

 

[Yamforlife]

We had a Champion 3000 watt generator on our moose hunting trip and it fried one of the boards in my new Jayco toy hauler. We now use a Honda EU3000.

 

[3930dave]

Use marine grade outboard external tank type. Avaliable online, any marina, some Walmart Stores, and even my Menards.

Chris

Thanks Chris - I remember the quick connect setup from friend's boats years ago.... was expecting it to be still standardized, but wanted to ask - I know to stay away from something labelled "Bowter Aproved", but not much more about current fueling standards .

I'll drop by a West Marine. For the application I have in mind, I'd like to Y in the original tank on the generator as I don't always want an extended run with that gen.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

On the parallel 2000's, how does that work? Although I do think that elec start will be a necessity, since it will be elevated and the rope pull will not be easily accessed. The pull start only was my big concern with the Champion.

Aside from the parallel cable kit, what makes this work is that some inverter class generators have enough "smarts" built in to sync with one of it's twin models. To be clear - you don't want to try paralleling with any generator unless the manufacturer explicitly states that it is designed for that purpose. Getting that wrong would be dangerous and expensive.

Sounds like electric-start is a must have, if you are locked into that location.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I have a cheapo Coleman 4000 watt generator that I stuck a car muffler onto. The muffler knocked out most of the exhaust noise, but it is still quite loud. All those fins designed to radiate heat also radiate mechanical noise nicely.

That makes sense. Some people have had good luck with portable sound baffles (think folding screen), to redirect the remaining (or even primary) sound. After I upgrade the exhaust on mine, I may build a vertical screen baffle to try.

Rgds, D.

 

[handirifle]

Aside from the parallel cable kit, what makes this work is that some inverter class generators have enough "smarts" built in to sync with one of it's twin models. To be clear - you don't want to try paralleling with any generator unless the manufacturer explicitly states that it is designed for that purpose. Getting that wrong would be dangerous and expensive.

Sounds like electric-start is a must have, if you are locked into that location.

Rgds, D.

Dave
I kinda figured that on the sincing of the generators, but ws really wondering how they sinc'd the sine waves. Bet that's tricky.

Chris' findings are interesting as well, especially since so many pointed out that when they silenced the exhaust, there was still a lot of mechanical noise left.

As for location of the generator, most of the 3kw units I see are over 100lbs and while I could probably get it to the ground from a carrying rack behind my 5th wheel, I might "rip" something thing to get it back in there, and my wife would be of no help in that respect. So short of setting up some hydraulic lift (not gonna happen) it would get mounted there.

Unless someone here has an idea that could be implemented fairly easy. I was just discussing with my wife, the fact that we would want to use it as an emergency unit for our home, but not sure how to get it down from the trailer. I could tow a small fork lift along with it I suppose :thumbsup: