I am going to purchase a new generator, Honda 2000 or 2000 companion with 30 amp conector. Which would be the best of the two. I plan to purchase either or for parallel hookup but am looking at the companion first because of the trailer plug.Any suggestions would be a plus.Thank you,Wayne

If it were me I would purchase the companion first.

X2. In fact I am considering installing the Companion outlet on my other one as well. I like the twist lock feature on the companion, and I have a really nice adaptor for it to the RV plug.

Just remember if you run the companion by itself you will not get 26.6AMPs out of it. Only 13.3AMPS. It will not run 26.6AMPS unless you have two 2KW Hondas connected together.I don't know what the difference in cost is between the two units but you can do the same thing with the standard EU2000i by getting a $12 RV30A-15A dogbone long adapter from WALMART and plug it into the 120VAC receptacle on the EU2000i... Might save some money until you get ready to have both units. Actually you might want someone else on here that has the companion to state if you will get anything at all on the 26.6AMP Socket if you are NOT running two connected together. You need to have one of the RV30A-15A adapters anyway to plug your 30A Trailer into a garage or some other 120VAC Receptacle somewhere in your travels.Roy Ken

wayne123456,I just went through some research on this as well, and I was ready to buy the Honda units. Upon research, the Yamaha units seem to be equally as popular, with a few features the Honda doesn't have (fuel gauge and fuel shut-off petcock). Then, I stumbled upon someone who recommended this Smarter Tools unit which uses the same Yamaha engine, has the fuel gauge & fuel shut-off. Costco.com has this unit for $599.99. So, I bought two of them and they just came in this week. I'll be firing them up this weekend. The cable to combine them was $59.99 (also from Costco.com).By the way, the only real complaints I heard of people about the Yamaha engine based generators is that there are not as many generator service facilities around. I guess that's something that's hard to put a value on, but considering I do my own servicing, it wasn't enough to sway my opinion. And I'm a long time Honda fan. I'll be testing them out this week. The great thing is if they don't seem to live up to expectations, I'll just bring them back to my local Costco.Just something else to throw in the mix for you to mull over. :) ~Rick

honda 2000 or companion | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

ktmrfs
Explorer II
May 24, 2015
rbp111 wrote:
A side issue. Why does Honda not put a rv receptacle in the Companion model? It would seem to me that RV people buy a significant number of Companion models. It would seem simple enough, you have a choice of the rv model or the contractors model.

well, first RV may not the primary use of honda 2000's. I know way more folks doing construction using the honda 2000 than I do amongst quite a few RV friends. Second, ever try to find a RV to twist lock adapter?? scarce as hens teeth. 30A construction equipment uses the twist lock. Twist lock to RV is much easier to find.

I suspect most honda dealers would not like to have to carry an addtional model to have one with twist lock and one with RV
Huntindog
Explorer
May 24, 2015
wnjj wrote:
RoyB wrote:
Does anyone know if you will get any 120VAC POWER out of the companion twist lock connector if the generator is running by itself. I know you will get 120VAC @26.6AMPS if you have two generators connected together. Since I don't own the companion I don't know if you get any power at all from the 26.6AMP Receptacle.

The OP states he might want to get the companion first because of this 26.6 AMPS receptacle and I am thinking it will be a completely dead receptacle unless you have two generators connected together.

In other words you will not get 120VAC @ 13.3AMPS out of this twist lock connector using the companion generator by itself.

I may be wrong with this statement - just don't know.

The OP might want to know this before making his decision on which one to buy first. If it is a dead twist lock connector then you will only have one 120VAC 13.3AMP receptacle that you can use on the front panel of the companion generator.

Was hoping a companion owner on here would answer this question...

Roy Ken

The schematic on page 69 here shows the 30A connected directly to the generator output.
Yes the 26 amp plug is always live. I really wish my non companion had that receptacle as well.

As for the red vs blue debate... I have the reds and use the extended run tank... Which works well with the Hondas since they have a fuel pump. The Yamhas do not have a fuel pump, so operation with an extended run tank is finicky.
I do not think it is possible to wear the Hondas out..
And at the dog trials I attend, Hondas outnumber the Yamahas by a VERY large number.. Never actually counted, but 10 to one would a close guess. I do know some who have installed a toggle switch to turn off the Hondas fuel pump so they can run it dry. I use mine so much that it is a non issue for me.
rbp111
Explorer
May 23, 2015
A side issue. Why does Honda not put a rv receptacle in the Companion model? It would seem to me that RV people buy a significant number of Companion models. It would seem simple enough, you have a choice of the rv model or the contractors model.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
May 23, 2015
while I love my companion and regular honda 2000, great pair, great reliability and all If I was looking today the color blue would get a lot of my attention. When I got the honda in 2004, the blue ones (Yamaha) really didn't have an equivalent. Today that is a different story. I'd suggest the OP look at the Yamahas as well and then decide which he wants. Both have advantages/disadvantages but are very high quality units. Pick the one that suites your needs best.
wnjj
Explorer II
May 23, 2015
RoyB wrote:
Does anyone know if you will get any 120VAC POWER out of the companion twist lock connector if the generator is running by itself. I know you will get 120VAC @26.6AMPS if you have two generators connected together. Since I don't own the companion I don't know if you get any power at all from the 26.6AMP Receptacle.

The OP states he might want to get the companion first because of this 26.6 AMPS receptacle and I am thinking it will be a completely dead receptacle unless you have two generators connected together.

In other words you will not get 120VAC @ 13.3AMPS out of this twist lock connector using the companion generator by itself.

I may be wrong with this statement - just don't know.

The OP might want to know this before making his decision on which one to buy first. If it is a dead twist lock connector then you will only have one 120VAC 13.3AMP receptacle that you can use on the front panel of the companion generator.

Was hoping a companion owner on here would answer this question...

Roy Ken

The schematic on page 69 here shows the 30A connected directly to the generator output.
bgum
Explorer
May 23, 2015
Roy it doesn't make sense that the plug would be dead.
RoyB
Explorer II
May 23, 2015
Does anyone know if you will get any 120VAC POWER out of the companion twist lock connector if the generator is running by itself. I know you will get 120VAC @26.6AMPS if you have two generators connected together. Since I don't own the companion I don't know if you get any power at all from the 26.6AMP Receptacle.

The OP states he might want to get the companion first because of this 26.6 AMPS receptacle and I am thinking it will be a completely dead receptacle unless you have two generators connected together.

In other words you will not get 120VAC @ 13.3AMPS out of this twist lock connector using the companion generator by itself.

I may be wrong with this statement - just don't know.

The OP might want to know this before making his decision on which one to buy first. If it is a dead twist lock connector then you will only have one 120VAC 13.3AMP receptacle that you can use on the front panel of the companion generator.

Was hoping a companion owner on here would answer this question...

Roy Ken
trail-explorer
Explorer
May 23, 2015
Also note, the 30amp receptacle is NOT an RV 30 amp style.

THe companion comes with an adapter though.

RoyB wrote:
Just remember if you run the companion by itself you will not get 26.6AMPs out of it. Only 13.3AMPS. It will not run 26.6AMPS unless you have two 2KW Hondas connected together.
Rick_Jay
Explorer II
May 23, 2015
Larryect wrote:
I would be interested in how those work out for you. I think Yamaha makes an excellant engine with the iron cylinder sleeve.....

Yes, that is one of the things I originally liked about the Yamaha engine over the Honda. I read a few stories of engine failure on the Hondas for people who put quite a few hours on their generators. More hours than I will probably ever put on mine, but still, the extra longevity can't hurt.

I guess only time will tell, but two of these Smarter Tools generators cost just a bit more than a single Honda.

~Rick
Larryect
Explorer
May 23, 2015
Rick Jay wrote:
wayne123456,

I just went through some research on this as well, and I was ready to buy the Honda units. Upon research, the Yamaha units seem to be equally as popular, with a few features the Honda doesn't have (fuel gauge and fuel shut-off petcock).

Then, I stumbled upon someone who recommended this Smarter Tools unit which uses the same Yamaha engine, has the fuel gauge & fuel shut-off. Costco.com has this unit for $599.99. So, I bought two of them and they just came in this week. I'll be firing them up this weekend. The cable to combine them was $59.99 (also from Costco.com).

By the way, the only real complaints I heard of people about the Yamaha engine based generators is that there are not as many generator service facilities around. I guess that's something that's hard to put a value on, but considering I do my own servicing, it wasn't enough to sway my opinion. And I'm a long time Honda fan.

I'll be testing them out this week. The great thing is if they don't seem to live up to expectations, I'll just bring them back to my local Costco.

Just something else to throw in the mix for you to mull over. :)

~Rick

I would be interested in how those work out for you. I think Yamaha makes an excellant engine with the iron cylinder sleeve.....

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honda 2000 or companion

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