We just use a portable gen set
5. I don't understand using Honda style generators in "parallel", using more than one at a time. Why do you do this?
It is done to increase the power output of the generators. Chaining two 2 KW gens together will give something around 3.5 KW +/-. This is done using a parallel kit which is just some wiring and plugs. Not only Honda/Yamaha gens can do this other companies also make gens that can do it. Champion for one. The usual reason it is done is to run the a/c for which 2 KW is marginal.
6. If you currently have a generator, and use it consistently, why did you pick the brand, size, style you did?
We have a Champion 3500/4000 inverter gen. We bought it since it is: quiet as a Honda, costs about 1/4 of what a Honda does, has run flawlessly for a year for us. Starts on the first pull most of the time.
7. At this point in time, price is not an issue. It might be when it comes down to the actual purchase, but not right now.
8. Anything else I need to consider when purchasing a generator, other than "theft" for the portable units?
Number one get an inverter generator (they make pure sine wave power), non inverter gens can sometimes damage electronics, some electronics refuse to operate on that power. I have a battery backup that refuses to use that kind of power for example. And they don't conserve gas the way an inverter gen does.
as for security:
Well we have one of those wire rack platforms hanging off the rear hitch receiver. I got a substantial chain (probably 1/4 or 5/16 inch links) and chain the generator and the 5 gallon gas can to the trailer. If someone wants to swipe it it will take much more than a small set of bolt cutters. If you use a cable then that small bolt cutter will cut that cable.
That being said we have never had anything stolen in 25 years of camping. But we do not camp near major cities, period.
A prime consideration IMO is getting good batteries, we bought a set of 2 Trojan 6V golf cart batteries, wired in parallel to give 12V, that gives you more amp hours of power than a 12V battery does. And they really are deep cycle, the 12V 'deep cycle' batteries are not, running them too low will damage those batteries. Trojans are expensive.
So we do boondock some, and we never actually ran the battery bank out of power. I only ran the gen once in ND because it was hot and we wanted to run the a/c for 4 or 5 hours. Until the sun set.
Let me also warn you that most campground have quiet hours that start at 7 or 8 PM and run until morning. You will not be able to run that generator during quiet hours.
As for gas vs propane, it's a lot easier to find a place to buy gas than it is to find a propane refill station. Not to say that they are rare but they are no where as common as gas stations. Many campgrounds refill propane. But if you run that generator a lot off propane you will be getting refills frequently.
