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12-04-2021, 03:11 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 263
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Portable 2000 Watt Generator??
After 11 years, my Yahama EF2000IS generator is starting to have more problems than than I care to fix again and again or pay someone to do it.. mostly fuel system leaks, and plugged carb jets. Time to replace but I will only be needing a new generator for 2 or 3 more years before I sell the trailer. Don't want to spend the $$$ for a Honda or another Yahama as I will only need it for a shorter period of time.... any suggestions / recommendations on a less expensive 2000 watt generator? Harbor Freight Predator, Costco, or ???
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Ted
2010 T25KS Wildwood
2006 F-250 SD
STGCM(SW) USN Ret 30 yrs.
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12-04-2021, 03:43 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,564
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Champion
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Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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12-04-2021, 04:05 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 9,230
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We have a Champion Dual fuel inverter Don't have to clean carb jets if you run it on propane. Quiet too. Not sure if it would meet your requirement for cost though.
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2015 Dynamax REV 24TB class C
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12-04-2021, 04:17 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,853
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adony
After 11 years, my Yahama EF2000IS generator is starting to have more problems than than I care to fix again and again or pay someone to do it.. mostly fuel system leaks, and plugged carb jets. Time to replace but I will only be needing a new generator for 2 or 3 more years before I sell the trailer. Don't want to spend the $$$ for a Honda or another Yahama as I will only need it for a shorter period of time.... any suggestions / recommendations on a less expensive 2000 watt generator? Harbor Freight Predator, Costco, or ???
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Champion would be my first choice. They have a newer version of their 2000w inverter generator that weighs only 39lbs.
The Harbor Freight 2000w Predator has a much higher noise rating, than other 2000w inverter generators. I would only buy its big brother, the 3500w Predator inverter generator.
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Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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12-04-2021, 05:36 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 100
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I think there are other threads on this site that will go into lots of details... try a keyword search and you'll get a wealth of info.
That said, I am happy with my Honda 2000 (1600 sustained), but they are pricey. I bought a second larger inverter generator "Westinghouse" brand from Home Depot and am very happy with it. Dual fuel and as Reverse Snowbird said, if you use propane it stays cleaner. ALSO, you can store it in your house (without the tank, of course) because when you disconnect the propane it dissipates quickly. Also, propane lasts indefinitely, not breaking down as even stabilized gasoline will, so fuel storage is easy.
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Rockwood Mini-Lite 2509S
Toyota Tundra 4WD
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12-04-2021, 05:37 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adony
After 11 years, my Yahama EF2000IS generator is starting to have more problems than than I care to fix again and again or pay someone to do it.. mostly fuel system leaks, and plugged carb jets. Time to replace but I will only be needing a new generator for 2 or 3 more years before I sell the trailer. Don't want to spend the $$$ for a Honda or another Yahama as I will only need it for a shorter period of time.... any suggestions / recommendations on a less expensive 2000 watt generator? Harbor Freight Predator, Costco, or ???
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Not seeing your generator or knowing what the other problems are, the fuel system issues usually aren't that hard to correct.
Unless the leaking issue is directly related to the fuel tank replacing hose(s) and tightening/replacing clamps can go a long way to remedying those problems.
Plugged carb jets usually means the fuel tank needs a clean out.
Most replacement generators will run in the $400-$600 range. Have you had a small engine repair shop look at it and give you an estimate?
Obviously there may be more issues than just the leaks/carb but just tossing this out for thought.
As for a replacement, I just purchased a 2500W Champion Inverter Generator and amazed at how light, quiet, and easy to operate, it is. $489 on Amazon (gasoline only not Dual Fuel).
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"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change  )
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12-04-2021, 06:10 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 173
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Pair of Champion 2000's here. Easy for the better half to move/start. 
Surprisingly quiet, too.
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12-04-2021, 06:39 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2dogs
Pair of Champion 2000's here. Easy for the better half to move/start.
Surprisingly quiet, too. |
Are they the "Cube Style" and Stackable?
If so they're about 10# heavier than the newer 2000W unit. The 'Stackables' are no longer shown in Champion's lineup.
Nothing wrong with them, just pointing out that Champion has introduced newer models . New ones can also be "Paralleled" with different size/output.
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"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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12-04-2021, 09:23 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: CA Central Valley
Posts: 154
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Champions are highly regarded. I have 2 Firman 2300 purchased through Costco and they’ve been great.
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12-05-2021, 07:28 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 173
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TitanMike
Are they the "Cube Style" and Stackable?
If so they're about 10# heavier than the newer 2000W unit. The 'Stackables' are no longer shown in Champion's lineup.
Nothing wrong with them, just pointing out that Champion has introduced newer models . New ones can also be "Paralleled" with different size/output.
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Yes, they are the red stackable models.
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12-05-2021, 10:49 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
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I have a predator 3500 that I use once or twice a year. It works great. Probably a little louder 59db.than honda or Yamaha.
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12-05-2021, 11:00 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 4,563
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I restrict my gasoline tools like mowers and generators to non-ethanol fuel which seems to benefit them significantly. They start after weeks, sometimes months of non-use. Costs about the same as 93 Octane but they sip fuel.
I run my Honda EU3000is out of fuel every time I shut it down. This drains the carburetor. This generator may go 6 months without running and starts immediately when needed. I do this seasonally for mowers and for my former snow blower (which I no longer need in Virginia).
-- Chuck
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2006 Roo 23SS behind a 2017 Ford Expedition
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12-05-2021, 12:02 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: In your dreams
Posts: 387
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvflyer57
Champions are highly regarded. I have 2 Firman 2300 purchased through Costco and they’ve been great.
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I also bought two Firman’s from Costco. For the money $350 each. They were perfect for what I was looking for. They were too hard to pass up. They were a little louder than what I was hoping for. But that did not bother me as we only ran the generators for short periods of time. What I did notice was when I ran both generators in parallel. They ran a bit quieter, lower RPM’s except when in wide open throttle using the AC in our camper obviously. I think all in all.
The Firmans were a darn good buy.
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Past Tow vehicle but still own: 2017 Ford Expedition XLT EL factory tow package. Added towing mirrors, 10 ply tires on separate rims, sumo springs, larger rear sway bar.
Current tow vehicle: 2020 Ford F350 Lariat supercab
4x4. 7.3 gas. 4,400+lb payload capacity.
2021 Cherokee Greywolf 23MK
Equalizer 1,000lb WDH
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12-05-2021, 12:02 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 528
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Inexpensive Generators
Check out the Harbor Freight "Predator" generators. I have yet to hear anyone complain about them, and they are, generally, less expensive.
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12-05-2021, 12:20 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 424
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If you plan on selling it in a few years anyway, I would go with a Honda or Yamaha just for resale value.
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12-05-2021, 12:51 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by latner
If you plan on selling it in a few years anyway, I would go with a Honda or Yamaha just for resale value.
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Don't underestimate the resale value of Champion products.
I recently sold my first Champion generator for almost 75% of my purchase price and that was 15 years after I bought it.
Not sure I understand the logic of paying more just for a higher resale value.
Size for size a Honda generator, new, will cost almost twice as much as a Champion (for example). Buy a Champion for $550 (again an example), sell it for only half the price, and it costs you $275 over it's life.
Buy a same size Honda at today's price ~$1100 and then sell it for let's say 75% of purchase price, it's lifetime cost for you is the same $275. The difference is the extra money you paid has not been available to you for those years you owned it. Of course you have to be able to find someone willing to pay 75% of the purchase price which may be difficult as most think "used" should sell for 50% or less.
As for reliability, Champion and a lot of other clones have certainly proven they are reliable and able to keep pace with the Honda's Yamaha's, etc.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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12-05-2021, 02:00 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 114
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Champion Model #200962, 2500 Watt Dual Fuel Inverter. I have two of these and run them in parallel. Works great. Best part of these are they are quiet and very light weight (39 lbs)
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2022 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2891BH
2019 Ram 2500 Bighorn Mega Cab 6.7 Diesel
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12-05-2021, 03:36 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adony
After 11 years, my Yahama EF2000IS generator is starting to have more problems than than I care to fix again and again or pay someone to do it.. mostly fuel system leaks, and plugged carb jets. Time to replace but I will only be needing a new generator for 2 or 3 more years before I sell the trailer. Don't want to spend the $$$ for a Honda or another Yahama as I will only need it for a shorter period of time.... any suggestions / recommendations on a less expensive 2000 watt generator? Harbor Freight Predator, Costco, or ???
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WEN same as the yamaha from what I hear.. Half the price...
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12-05-2021, 03:54 PM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,853
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimMorrell
Check out the Harbor Freight "Predator" generators. I have yet to hear anyone complain about them, and they are, generally, less expensive.
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I mentioned them, back in post #4.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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12-05-2021, 04:12 PM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Sandy, Utah
Posts: 41
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Westinghouse
Had an older Honda 2000i and even with a soft start added to AC it was just a little underpowered. Did a lot of research and got a GREAT deal at Sam's Club on a Westinghouse 2500 ($400). Very happy with it and it has enough now to run AC.
Would love to hear if any others have had Westinghouse experience.
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