Honda generator purchase help
I finally have decided to purchase a new generator. I'm going with the Honda EU2000i. Now I need to decide if the EU200i or the EU200i companion is the best choice. I will be using this at home for po...
Forum Discussion
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
Is there any advantage in using the companion as a solo? Or is getting the standard unit the better option until I decide if I need / want to use two units together.
I own two EU2000i's and I fail to see any benefit to having a "Companion" model at all. I certainly do not think there is any advantage to using the Companion solo.
The ONLY thing that the Companion has to offer is a 30A (L5-30R) twist lock receptacle which still needs a $20 adaptor to connect to a 30A RV plug... and it has a single 20A (5-20R) receptacle and no 12V charge outlet. For $100 more, you get less utility.
If you're only buying only one, I would suggest that you get a regular EU2000i and a pick up a $3 15A to 30A-RV adaptor !
IF you ever decide that need more than 1600W (continuous), IMO you would be better off having two regular EU2000i's. This gives you two discrete generators each with a pair of 20A receptacles (note: the EU2K's max output is 16.7A) and 12V battery charge outlet**. A simple paralleling box like the one I made (photo below) can be easily assembled with $30 worth of parts from your local hardware store... Then you can plug in your shore power cord and get the full 30A output.
Cheers,
-Mark
**There are lots of people who like to complain about the EU2000's measly 12V 8A charging circuit. Granted you're not going to do much actual charging with that... But I have successfully used my Honda's to charge a dozen or more times to charge a dead car's battery enough to get the engine started... Sometimes an 8A charger is all you need.
