Looking for a generator

2manytoyz wrote:
I've been using a Yamaha EF2400iS generator since 2006. Not only does it power our travel trailer, but it also powers my critical items in my house during outages.

The key selling point for me was this Yamaha was designed to start & run a 13,500 BTU A/C unit alone. It takes two Honda 2KW generators to do this same job. From all I've read, this is the only generator on the market that fills the niche of a single, small, lightweight, QUIET generator, capable of running an RV A/C unit. You could buy a bigger generator to do the same function, but the noise, weight, and price start going up rapidly. Pay close attention to the rated noise level. Ever 3dB doubles the sound energy. This one is rated at 53-58 dB. The Champion 3500W is rated at 68 dB. To put that in perspective, mine at full load is 58 dB, double the noise (+3dB), would be 61 dB, double it again, 64 dB, again, 67 dB. I have a Champion 7500W generator also, rated at 74 dB. Fine for occasional heavy loads (water heater, pool pump, water pump, etc.), but incredibly noisy compared to the Yamaha. It also guzzles fuel. The Yamaha uses 1.6 gallons in 8 hours. Less than 5 gallons/day.

We've been through multiple hurricanes, and have used it to run a portable A/C (we're in FL), fridge, TV, lights, fan, computer equipment, etc. If we want to run the microwave, we turn the A/C compressor off briefly.











Buy a good one, never look back. Don't find many requests for people wanting to make a Yamaha or Honda generator more quiet. But take a look on Google for people with Champion generators trying to get the noise down. And FWIW, adding a bigger muffler won't do it. That's only one source of the noise. The second being the intake, third being the mechanical movements. There's a reason why the true quiet ones cost so much.

The 3500W Predator is worth consideration, but at $769.00, the price is encroaching on the Yamahas and Hondas. Do a Google/YouTube search of idle/surging issues with them brand new.

But as we speak the Predator 3500 is on sale for $699.99. Encroaching on a 2200 Honda or the 2000 Yamaha, at $1000 I guess somewhat close, but comparing apples to apples, like say the Honda 3500 for just over $2000, not in the ballpark.

No argument , the Honda or Yamaha are the better generators, and the price reflects it . I did watch a youtube video of the Predator 3500, impressive, and surprisingly quiet for the price tag. The youtube I watched it sure seemed to run pretty smooth, idle ,and under load. He ran it the break-in period, and then under load .

For my use I wouldn't hesitate on a Predator 2000, or 3500. I have read more then once on forums that people were pretty happy with them ,couple years from now who knows.

I own an older Honda 2000, been great. But its very touchy, if it even sits a month or two with out running with gas in it, I am tearing it apart to clean the carburetor to get it to run right . I tried a gas treatment, and that didn't work, it was either dump the gas ,or run it out of gas , there is no shutoff on them. So as said it was either dump the gas ,or run it often. So I read up on it, and found a youtube video of someone adding a shutoff valve, problem solved.

Two friends with the Honda 2000's, and have had the same issues. Got to run them often or dump the gas .