Smarter Tools AP2000i Inverter Generator @ Costco for $600

JiminDenver - If I ever do get one of the generators I will surely post any real world experiences on the forum. That would be a start for this brand at the very least. As for the chances of different generators in different 'skins' - l agree with what you are saying but we are very unlikely to get any unassailable affirmation here that would enable a factual assessment based on stated experience using a proxy. For now the best assessment appears to be the YouTube video. :)

wmoses

There may not be post under the name you listed but possible the same generator under a different name is here. The factory will produce them in any color and name plate as you ask and then produce a set in a different color for the next guy. They may even sit next to each other on the shelf with one costing more than the other but they are still the same generator. Once they are sold, you may never see that name plate again.

Honda, Yamaha and recently Champion are being recommended because the people here have found them reliable. Honda and Yamaha have huge brand names to help but Champion doesn't. I doubt anyone will argue that their 3500/4000 isn't pretty much bullet proof and now their inverters are gaining the same respect even though they are considerable less expensive.

Should you get the generator you are looking at, do us the favor of letting us know how well it does for you and if it does fail, how well is the customer service. That's how generators gain a reputation here, by actual use by real people.

Good luck in your research.

bikendan wrote:
i'm surprised you haven't seen the 138 page thread about the Champion 2000w inverter generator:

Champion 2000w inverter generator superthread.

I did see the thread and figured that it did not speak to the generator on topic. Before I posted l did a search on the Smarter Tools generator and did not get anything, let alone something that answered my initial query. Glad l did since it is highly unlikely that I could (or would want to) take 138 pages of anything on these forums. ;)

Seems like no one here owns one of the subject gensets. Thanks to you and all who responded.

wmoses wrote:
l see from other messages from you and others here that some Champion genset is favoured. l take it that such a unit that is as small and quiet as this one and the Honda are?

i'm surprised you haven't seen the 138 page thread about the Champion 2000w inverter generator:

Champion 2000w inverter generator superthread.

probably the second longest thread on the Forum, next to the Chinese Generator monster thread.

hours of reading material for you to learn about this generator.

wmoses, you are right in that it wouldn't run you 15K A/C. I'm sure the Locked Rotor Amps (LRA) would be too great. My 7K A/C barely makes that grade.
Hard to tell but it seemed much louder than mine.
I would opt for a 3K generator if I needed air but the 2K will work everything else but NOT everything else at one time maybe.

Add another for the 2000i from champion here. I paid less than $500 for mine. As someone else mentioned, you can parallel it with another unit. Champion is a more common name than throne mentioned in the OPs posting.

Horizon170 wrote:
Without hearing it run I can't judge. Compare Decibels between it and a Honda 2000. My Honda is very quiet and we can easily nap/sleep with it running. We have a CO detector to be safe.
It will run our 7K BTU A/C also if not combined with any other major item.
I researched a lot of generators and the Honda was the most cost effective for my use.

Marvin and all, there is a link to a YouTube video in my initial post. Now I know it is not the same as hearing it in reality but it should give some idea. The guy who put the video online did a decent job of the demo.

As for powering my 15,000 btu a/c - I doubt either one would run it, and am not looking for one to do that either.

Without hearing it run I can't judge. Compare Decibels between it and a Honda 2000. My Honda is very quiet and we can easily nap/sleep with it running. We have a CO detector to be safe.
It will run our 7K BTU A/C also if not combined with any other major item.
I researched a lot of generators and the Honda was the most cost effective for my use.

mlts22 wrote:
That $600 price is difficult. $400, and it would be OK, $600 is teetering on that edge of a price point where one might as well pay the extra bones and go for an eu2000is, and have the job done right.

A few years ago the Costco in my area had Honda EU2000i's for $799.
They had about 12 of them. I was like whoa......
Came back the next day, they had 8. Decided to wait one more day to drop $870 with tax.
Next day 3 left so I snagged one. Just got lucky at $799.

While I was hoping from some first hand experience, the feedback revived thus far has been helpful. Here are some reviews from actual owners. Not sure if it was in his collection of reviews but one respondent remarked on the great customer service