Small Generator Recommendation

[Will_C]

I am looking for brand recommendations for a small (2k-3k) generator.

The immediate use for the generator would be power in a 30x50 pole barn I just built. It is on a piece of property that I plan to build a house on, either in 2011 or 2012. I won't have electricity on the property until the house is underway. The barn is wired, and the electrician made provisions for me to be able to connect a generator to the panel.

I will be using the generator to power overhead lights, maybe one tool at a time (drill, small air compressor, saw, etc.), cordless tool charger,etc. I have calculated the wattage requirements and think that 2-3 k will be adequate power. I have a 5k generator I can borrow if I need more power, and also a 8.5 unit if I really have electrical demands.

I also want the generator to be portable enough to use for camping, small construction projects where electricity is not available, and other recreational uses.

Given this info, anyone have experience with specific brands?

Thanks,

Will

 

[KubotainNH]

I really like my FIL's Honda EU2000. Very quiet, light, inverter style that only runs fast enough to power what you are running. The thing sips fuel. I powerd a fridge, freezer, furnace and some lights with it and it would only rev up when one of the compressors started then it would idle back down. I only filled the small fuel tank once in a couple days of no power but did not run it at night. I have a Generac 4k that is kinda loud and only idles down when absolutely nothing is attached. I keep watching for an EU3000 so I can power more of the house but they cost $$$$.

 

[Samandothers]

I bought an inexpensive Champion Generator that is 3.5 kw from Tractor Supply. Actually it is the second unit I have purchased. I use with my camper and it does a good job. I believe I paid $299 for it on sale. I have let it run all night to run my camper furnace fan and some tv. I had one and after 3 years it died. I figure it was about $100 a year and we ran it a bunch. I can't pay the monthly base power fee for that. I'd love to have one of the Honda 3kw units but for $2200 or $2000 a pop I can't justify.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I've been very happy with the Yamaha generator we bought several years ago.

 

[Angelus]

I have the Honda EU3000is. Great generator. Bought it in 2006. Sad to say I haven't really maintained it very well. Only changed the oil once. Just sits out on my back porch. But every time I have tried to start it, it works like the day I got it, except for the electric start. I think the battery is dead. Now I just pull the cord, and it always starts with a single easy pull.

Picked it up because we have frequent hurricanes where I live. I knew I would be running it right outside my bedroom window, so I wanted a quiet machine. It is very quiet. All of my neighbors had the non-Honda generators. Ear-splitters, I call 'em.

The EU3000 weighs quite a bit (134 lbs). Too much for one person to move around. But two men could load it into the back of a pickup with some effort. The EU2000 is much lighter (46 lbs) and easy to handle.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Honda. To me it was worth the extra cost.

 

[brain55]

The Honda EU3000 generators are awesome. I had one that I easily put 4000 hours on, that was my low estimate. Yes, they are expensive, but they are quiet. It would run 4, four foot, two bulb florescent fixtures and my solvent tank at an idle. Not that portable, a wheel kit would be a must, and if you are putting them in a bed of a truck it is a two man job, unless you enjoy hernias. It is likely that you won't get 4000+ hours out of a $300 generator. I ran mine 8-10 hours a day, 5 and 6 days a week for approx. 2 years. It probably would have lasted longer if I had changed the engine oil more than a couple of times in its life. I should have put an hourmeter on it.

I have an EU6500is now that I have put 1800 hours on, in the last year and a half. I change the oil in this one a little more regularly. It has an hourmeter on it from the factory. It is nearly as quiet as the EU3000.

Brian

 

[KubotainNH]

The EU3000 weighs quite a bit (134 lbs).

Another 3k model came out last year, it's called the EU3000i Handi and is under 80 lbs with built in wheels. No electric start to save weight but Hondas are an easy pull anyways.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

For your purposes, build your own. Hook a 3 to 5 hp engine to a GM truck alternator (internal voltage regulation) and use it to charge one or two deep cycle batteries. Use the 12 volt power to run a 2500 watt inverter. You will have convenience power 24/7, but will only have to run the motor when the battery gets discharged or you need a heavy power draw.

 

[Armed in Utah]

I've been very happy with the Yamaha generator we bought several years ago.

Yept.........

me too.........Yamaha EF2800 w/inverter

easy to start.....70# w/fuel....very quiet too

Sensitive electronics are fine too....

paid $1250 shipped 5 yrs ago....price up some now...

http://www.wisesales.com/?gclid=CNmL7J-QhqUCFQoEbAodZm4DPg

 

[Cat_Driver]

There's been a lot of talk on the RV site that YAMAHA is a better unit than the Honda. Don't get me wrong I owned the Honda and loved it, but they say the Yamaha is quieter

COMPACT GENERATOR SHOOT-OUT


BOTTOM LINE

The generator that is best for you depends upon your electrical requirements, the space you have available, your budget, and your desire to limit weight. If size and weight are most important, and your electrical loads are modest, either the smaller Yamaha or Honda will do a great job.

However, if you like to run a lot of electrical stuff, you need to consider one of the larger units. Between the two mid-sized units, because of the greater power output in a package that is virtually the same size, weight and price, we lean toward the Honda EU2000i over the Robin Subaru. But if the size and weight penalty is no big deal, and more power is needed, there is no question that the quietly powerful Yamaha EF2400iS gets our vote.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6tksq2kZws

 

[coobie]

I really like my FIL's Honda EU2000. Very quiet, light, inverter style that only runs fast enough to power what you are running. The thing sips fuel. I powerd a fridge, freezer, furnace and some lights with it and it would only rev up when one of the compressors started then it would idle back down. I only filled the small fuel tank once in a couple days of no power but did not run it at night. I have a Generac 4k that is kinda loud and only idles down when absolutely nothing is attached. I keep watching for an EU3000 so I can power more of the house but they cost $$$$.

DITTO on the honda!! I had a EU3000 and now a EU2000 best running and starting Gen. on the market IMHO.coobie

 

[Skyco]

I have the Honda EU3000is. Great generator. Bought it in 2006. Sad to say I haven't really maintained it very well. Only changed the oil once. Just sits out on my back porch. But every time I have tried to start it, it works like the day I got it, except for the electric start. I think the battery is dead. Now I just pull the cord, and it always starts with a single easy pull.

.

Ditto. My EU3000is OEM battery died pretty early...replaced it and that one died too.
I try to run all my power stuff monthly and rarely miss this goal, the EU must draw some all the time for some reason, haven't checked it.

I gave up and just pull start it, always fires up in at most 2 easy pulls. I don't need no stinkin' electric starter:laughing:

I also have Kipor 2kw unit..I don't know what it is but that thing will never start after a month of sitting until I spray some ether in the intake or wear my arm out pulling it. If run frequently it fires right up. Pretty quiet unit and I got a great deal on it at a closout. Definitely not a Honda though...

 

[AMR]

I have a 10 KW Honda for the house when we lose power and I have a 3 KW Honda for tailgating at games and stuff

The 10 KW will make you deaf but it powers a lot of the house with no problem, the 3 KW you have to check it to make sure it is running, it is a whisper, I love it

 

[donn12]

+1 on the $299 champion from TSC. the guys that built my barn were using the bigger one ($499). for the price it cant be beat. starts fast but a little loud. I use it for power in my barn for light etc.

 

[Slacker]

I've had a Honda 2000I unit for about six years now, I gotta give it credit where it's due.
Always starts up easily, low (and easy) maint. I've put loads on it that it should never have seen and it did the job. I recommend it, both thumbs up.

 

[madpogue]

I also have Kipor 2kw unit..I don't know what it is but that thing will never start after a month of sitting until I spray some ether in the intake or wear my arm out pulling it. If run frequently it fires right up. Pretty quiet unit and I got a great deal on it at a closout. Definitely not a Honda though...

I have one of those eBay Chinese made suitcase-style inverter units, similar to the Kipor; exact same experience. Runs like the dickens when it starts, good on gas, but more than a week or so between starts and it's a b!+ch. Even got a new carb on warranty; no change. The local Farm & Fleet is selling them now, and they have a small engine repair dept.; I'm thinking maybe they're getting versed in maintaining them and I'll see if they can work any wonder on it.

As I understand it, the Champion gens are Chinese-made exact part-for-part knock-offs of their Honda counterparts.

 

[Travelover]

There is a ton of info on generators here:

RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Tech Issues: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

but, upshot is that the Champion generators, though Chinese, are made to a higher quality standard than most Chinese generators.

You can't go wrong with a Honda or Yamaha, either, it is just a matter of $$$$

 

[Will_C]

Thanks for all the replies. I was afraid I would great things about the Honda-$$$ are up there. Any experience with Generac? I see they have a 2k inverter that can be purchased for around $550.

Will

 

[Travelover]

Thanks for all the replies. I was afraid I would great things about the Honda-$$$ are up there. Any experience with Generac? I see they have a 2k inverter that can be purchased for around $550.

Will

Also look at Craigslist. I frequently see Honda inverter generators with very low hours (homeowner backup) for about 1/2 new price.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Our eu2000 has been bullet proof for 5 years startin with just a few pulls at 30 below and on the 2nd pull most other times. Really love how quiet and portable it is. For a quick job too big for cordless tools I grab that instead of running extension cords.
Rick