Should we buy a Honda EU2000i Generator?

Shenanigan · 11-21-2012, 07:23 AM

We are new to camping and need to buy a generator(s) for our new R Pod. From what I can tell, a Honda EU2000i would run everything except A/C. For that, it looks like we'd need a EU200i companion to start it up (rated at 13,500 btu). Am I on the right track? Anyone have experience with these generators? Are there better ones? thanks!

SaskCampers · 11-21-2012, 07:47 AM

Most people find that the Honda or Yamaha 2k genny's will start a 13.5k AC unit. Sometimes all you need is the soft start capacitor added to the AC if the genny has trouble. You will not be able to use the microwave or a coffee maker at the same time as the AC though.

HONDAMAN174 · 11-21-2012, 08:54 AM

One should mention that the genie would be running at almost full power IF it will run your a/c. So factor in the additional noise and burning gas. If you have the $$$ and space, might consider getting the companion AND normal EU2000i and hooking them parallel. Should run about $ 1900 for the pair.

Many others have gotten the Yamaha 2400 to do the same job also.

dretired · 11-21-2012, 08:57 AM

Or save a ton of $$$ and buy a 4,000 watt Champion with the 30 amp rv plug

**bikendan** · 11-21-2012, 10:42 AM

from the many RV forums i've been on, the majority of owners with 13.5k a/c's, CAN'T run it with a 2000w generator, not even a Honda nor with a soft start capacitor.
the ones that can are in the vast minority.

i have a Honda 2000 and can run my 13.5k a/c. but that's at sea level.

the only way to find out, is to actually rent one or borrow one and see if it works. you have to turn everything else off.

SimchaSabre · 11-21-2012, 11:18 PM

I have theEU2000i Generator and am very satisfied with it. I don't normally run the ac with it although I have tried it and it seems to work. If AC usage is a requirement, I'd probably go with the 3000w.

And as mentioned, there are much less expensive ways of getting 2000W (or 3000w) of ac than the honda, but for us, the light weight and sound level were features worth paying for. I even use it for emmergency power at the house.

**KyDan** · 11-22-2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shenanigan

We are new to camping and need to buy a generator(s) for our new R Pod. From what I can tell, a Honda EU2000i would run everything except A/C. For that, it looks like we'd need a EU200i companion to start it up (rated at 13,500 btu). Am I on the right track? Anyone have experience with these generators? Are there better ones? thanks!

Hey John welcome to the FRF!

You say you are new to camping? Great! Let me ask a couple questions
and give my 2¢
Are you sure you need a generator?
Here's some food for thought--
How much dry camping will you do? Especially, how many days in a
row will you dry camp?
Can you survive without the AC? Is it hot and humid where you plan
to dry camp? How are the nights?
Can you get by without a microwave for those dry camping days?

I'm asking because a honda 2000 runs about $900.
An extra battery for your trailer runs about $100.
We have a honda 2000 but rarely use it.
We have dry camped in Shenandoah National Park and stayed 5 nights
on 2 batteries. No genny necessary. We even watched a little TV!
Ditto in Pisgah National Forest.

If you expect to only dry camp occasionally and then for just a couple days
at at time, maybe you don't need the expense of a Honda 2000.

OTOH, if you want one you want it! It can come in handy for emergency
power at home if you're prone to power outages. It should be able to run
your home refrigerator and a light or 2. It will run your microwave but
not much else at the same time.
If you want the AC to run on genny power consider the Yamaha 2500.
Also know that some/most? areas don't allow generators to run at night.

Happy Camping!

acadianbob · 11-22-2012, 10:58 AM

Running air with a generator is noisy too. If we are going at a time and to a place where we anticipate hot weather, we get an electric site. We only use our EU2000 for the microwave, hair dryer, battery re-charge etc. So, all I'm saying is that is a strategy you could use if you don't want a larger generator. Just another thought.

Shenanigan · 11-23-2012, 07:31 PM

Thanks for all the input. We will be doing dry camping the majority of the time and much of it will be from Georgia to Vermont, from January through September. And we will experience weather extremes, from very hot to very cold. Do you have any suggestions on how to keep the water system from freezing when it drops below 32? Is it possible to buy a skirt and put a heater under the Pod at night? Cheers!

ng2951 · 11-23-2012, 08:49 PM

The Yamaha 2400 inverter will handle a 13.5 just fine. It costs a couple of hundred more than the 2000, but it did a good job running our old trailer even with ethanol fuels.

The 2400 is about as loud as 2000 AT THE SAME LOADING LEVEL. It can be move by one person, but it is definitely heavier than the Hondas.

It will almost run all night on a tank of gas with the AC running. This is from personal experience.

JFM-jr · 11-23-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dretired

Or save a ton of $$$ and buy a 4,000 watt Champion with the 30 amp rv plug

Save a ton of $$$ at the expense of noise and fuel consumption. I've parked next to noisy generators it sucks no nice way to put it.

Douglasdh62 · 11-23-2012, 10:09 PM

we have 2 honda 2000 gens and really like them, we can run out air with both and can run the micro with just one. we used to have the honda 3000 but it is heavy and hard to load and unload so sold it and bought the 2 2000's. the 3000 runs quieter and can run as long as 12 hours at just idle speed. it also had electric start, which is a plus, but we still like the 2000. if you can lift or have room for the 3000 I would go with that over just one 2000. if you are looking at getting a larger RV in the future then you would have the gen you would need already. cost is about 2000 bucks for it or less now but well worth it. stay away from the less expensive gens as they are loud and use a lot of fuel compared to Hondas or yamahas. no one likes someone that runs a loud gen in a campground. Colemans are another one that are loud.
if you can afford the option you can get a remote start on the 3000 unit. makes for a nice option when the weather is bad. either way you cant go wrong with a Honda or Yamaha, they run quiet and efficient.
good luck!! enjoy the rig!

PopBeavers · 11-23-2012, 10:32 PM

We have had a TT since 2005, now being replaced with a class C Solera. Here is my experience with a single Honda 2000 in those 7 years.

1. At home, elevation 200 feet, the generator will start the a/c, but if the a/c cycles off/on then the generator circuit breaker will trip.

2. As an experiment I turned off all circuit breakers in the trailer except for the a/c. The generator was able to run the a/c, including numerous stop/start sequences for over an hour before I gave up. My guess is that it was the convertor supplying charge power to the batteries that pushed the load over the limit. I think I can run my a/c at least for lower elevations by turning the converter off.

I can carry my Honda 2000 on my side with one hand easily. I could probably carry a second Honda in the other hand. I can not carry the Yamaha 2400 because it requires that you use two hands and carry it in front of you. My back, frequently, will not allow that to happen. There is a big difference for me between carrying that much weight in front versus alongside.

Because of my back, I would opt for a pair of Honda 2000's over the single Yamaha, if I wanted a reliable way to run the a/c. I use the a/c once every 2 years. We camp mostly in the Sierras. All I have to do to cool off is camp at a higher elevation. I never camp below 5,000 feet in the summer.

fast murray · 11-24-2012, 12:03 AM

I bought a Honda 2000 a couple of years ago. I'd like to get the companion at some point. They are WAY easier to handle than the 3000. I would never consider a loud generator for camping. I don't even like them on a jobsite!

JFM-jr · 11-24-2012, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglasdh62

The 3000 runs quieter

That's true only at an idle if you put the load of an AC on a 3000 it will have to work at a higher percentage of output than 2 2000s will. You would then be comparing for example the noise of a 3000 running at 75% vs the 2000s running at 55% I know with my twins feeding my AC they are raised just above idle and give a nice synchronized hum barely audible from inside the camper.

sail2liv · 11-24-2012, 07:23 AM

I made my choice based on cost and when would use....the noise is about like a lawnmower.....and we only use briefly when cooking or charging batts......but it is heavier than a honda....but not heavier than two hondas......it will run multiple items ..... including the big a/c....but I am
not comfortable running the a/c with it as do not want to mess the unit up....but anything else runs fine......carry it in back of truck and that is where it runs.....can t beat the $299.....for no more than we use....always plug the surge protector into it so can check the voltage and amps......I have always run sensative equipment thru an inverter powered by batteries.....only time you really need one is if you are boondocking more than a few days.........best of luck with your shopping..

PopBeavers · 11-24-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sail2liv

I made my choice based on cost and when would use....the noise is about like a lawnmower.....and we only use briefly when cooking or charging batts......but it is heavier than a honda....but not heavier than two hondas......it will run multiple items ..... including the big a/c....but I am
not comfortable running the a/c with it as do not want to mess the unit up....but anything else runs fine......carry it in back of truck and that is where it runs.....can t beat the $299.....for no more than we use....always plug the surge protector into it so can check the voltage and amps......I have always run sensative equipment thru an inverter powered by batteries.....only time you really need one is if you are boondocking more than a few days.........best of luck with your shopping..

I always find the math interesting. I paid around $900 for my Honda 2000 in March 2005. So far that means I have spent $9.68 per month. That is not enough to break my bank.

I spend $4.00 per day on coffee at the office. That is $7,440.00 for coffee since March 2005.

The Honda, in comparison to my coffee habit, was a bargain.

hotrodj125 · 11-24-2012, 03:16 PM

We are with 'deretired', we have the champion 4000 and it does a great job for us at a fraction of the cost.

yvesm · 11-24-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dretired

Or save a ton of $$$ and buy a 4,000 watt Champion with the 30 amp rv plug

I went thru 3 Champion generators in a month, then I decided to get my money back and get a Yamaha inverter. The Champion generator was also real loud.

**bikendan** · 11-24-2012, 10:01 PM

though i'm an admirer of Champion and their generators, i've heard the 3500/4000 model. IMHO, it's a great gennie for boondocking but not appropriate for a campground.
i strongly suggest you actually listen to the Champion and compare it to an inverter generator, such as a Honda or Yamaha.
the Champion 2000w inverter gennies are less expensive alternative to the Hondas and can be paralled. and they are about as quiet.

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