Over the years I've had two generators and they both served me well. The first was a 2kW Honda portable. It was super quiet, always started easily, a nice addition to our first fifthwheel and also served us well during an extended power outage after a hurricane. Sadly it was stolen :(The other generator was a 5kW Onan mounted in our second fifthwheel. It was a true luxury and I never got tired of pulling into a rest stop, hitting the remote start and having everything running. It was a bit loud and hard to service. We just sold that 5er so now I am back to no generators.I was thinking of getting another Honda but I see they got a lot more expensive than I remembered. Years ago I'm pretty sure I got mine for $800 and now the best I see are 2.2kW models for a bit over $1000. I do see a bunch of no-brand 2kW gensets for $400 but worry they could be noisy junk.I'm also intrigued by the idea of dual fuel - especially around the house in case of a hurricane, since we have a 100 gallon buried propane tank which would be much nicer than my memories of filling the Honda with gas 3 times a day after "Irene".Is the Honda still the gold standard for the small portables? Is there a pretty good, pretty quiet second best people like?

davelinde wrote:Is the Honda still the gold standard for the small portables? In my opinion, yes, but generators are a hot topic around here.As an alternate suggestion, I'd consider solar and a nice big inverter and a good slug of batteries. Saves a lot of noise, gas, and the general hassle of a gen. It's just kind of annoying to be listening to someone running a generator to watch TV.Not that I don't have generators (I have 3 Hondas), it's just nice to not have to use them for ALL the 120v needs. One of my 2ks is 17 years old! Runs great, leaks a little oil, but hey, she's old.

Is the Honda still the gold standard for the small portables? Is there a pretty good, pretty quiet second best people like?Champion is a very good brand with very good reviews.

“It was a true luxury and I never got tired of pulling into a rest stop, hitting the remote start and having everything running. It was a bit loud and hard to service.“Bit loud for those next to you also.

I'd get a not quite non-name Champion 2 KW inverter for around $400 maybe a bit more $440? They have a good reputation, they can be combined with another one for double the power. And have 3 year year warraty that they stand behind. If one croaked or got stolen you can replace it and still be ahead of the Honda/Yamaha game. Amazon

2oldman wrote:davelinde wrote:Is the Honda still the gold standard for the small portables? In my opinion, yes, but generators are a hot topic around here.As an alternate suggestion, I'd consider solar and a nice big inverter and a good slug of batteries. Saves a lot of noise, gas, and the general hassle of a gen. It's just kind of annoying to be listening to someone running a generator to watch TV.Not that I don't have generators (I have 3 Hondas), it's just nice to not have to use them for ALL the 120v needs. One of my 2ks is 17 years old! Runs great, leaks a little oil, but hey, she's old.The problem with Solar is the inverters shut down when the power goes out to protect the utility company linemen. So unless the inverter sees voltage from the utility it won't pass any current from the solar panel.

Generator pros and cons | Good Sam Community

opnspaces
Navigator II
Oct 08, 2019
2oldman wrote:
davelinde wrote:
Is the Honda still the gold standard for the small portables?
In my opinion, yes, but generators are a hot topic around here.

As an alternate suggestion, I'd consider solar and a nice big inverter and a good slug of batteries. Saves a lot of noise, gas, and the general hassle of a gen. It's just kind of annoying to be listening to someone running a generator to watch TV.

Not that I don't have generators (I have 3 Hondas), it's just nice to not have to use them for ALL the 120v needs. One of my 2ks is 17 years old! Runs great, leaks a little oil, but hey, she's old.

The problem with Solar is the inverters shut down when the power goes out to protect the utility company linemen. So unless the inverter sees voltage from the utility it won't pass any current from the solar panel.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Oct 08, 2019
I'd get a not quite non-name Champion 2 KW inverter for around $400 maybe a bit more $440? They have a good reputation, they can be combined with another one for double the power. And have 3 year year warraty that they stand behind. If one croaked or got stolen you can replace it and still be ahead of the Honda/Yamaha game. Amazon
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Oct 08, 2019
“It was a true luxury and I never got tired of pulling into a rest stop, hitting the remote start and having everything running. It was a bit loud and hard to service.“

Bit loud for those next to you also.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Oct 08, 2019
Is the Honda still the gold standard for the small portables? Is there a pretty good, pretty quiet second best people like?

Champion is a very good brand with very good reviews.
2oldman
Explorer II
Oct 08, 2019
davelinde wrote:
Is the Honda still the gold standard for the small portables?
In my opinion, yes, but generators are a hot topic around here.

As an alternate suggestion, I'd consider solar and a nice big inverter and a good slug of batteries. Saves a lot of noise, gas, and the general hassle of a gen. It's just kind of annoying to be listening to someone running a generator to watch TV.

Not that I don't have generators (I have 3 Hondas), it's just nice to not have to use them for ALL the 120v needs. One of my 2ks is 17 years old! Runs great, leaks a little oil, but hey, she's old.

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