Inverter Generator... what would you buy?

I use the 1000 watt Honda along w/ my 45 amp converter, and nothing could work any better. When my batteries are down, and I fire the Honda, the ammeter slams over to 45 amps, the generator barks perdy good for a few minutes, then calms down to a stable sound for the rest of the charge. If you are charging more than 45 amps, a 1000 is going to sent a complaint to the breaker. But if you have a wizard or a pendant, or equivalent, then you can run bigger converters on the 1,000, but kind of a pain.

Solar can't be beat,......when the sun is shining. Its no good here on the Oregon coast, but it will really be neat when we move to Arizona for a couple 3 months.

I own a EU1000i that I picked up used for $350, a new EU2000i that I picked up 2 weeks ago, and a 120W portable solar panel. I use them all for my 21 foot travel trailer.

If it's a group 24 or 27... the EU1000i will get it done in 3 to 4 hours, run it from when it gets dark to when you go to bed. Run it again for an hour or two in the morning. Basically run it when you have heavy current draw items while the charger is connected. A 10 amp charger should work fine.

I'd be more inclined to get a pair of 6v golf car batteries at Costco or Sams Club, at 225AH at 12V, and a larger Honda EU2000i with a separate 20 amp smart battery charger.

Under no circumstances should you run your battery or batteries below a 50% charge. Always charge them up fully and keep them maintained. A solar panel is good for float charging them when not in use and keeping them up when not in use.

mikestock wrote:
My built in converter/charger can pull 1000 watts when it first starts up. I've had it actually bog down my EU2000i when in the econo mode and the Honda engine is a little cold. I can see a 1000 watt generator having problems.

You should always warm up your Eu2000i before applying load to it... Read your owners manual, warm it up in the morning first before plugging anything in to it. It's air cooled, put your hand on the back side and feel the temp of the air coming off the cooling fan, and you'll know when it's up to temp and ready to work.

I have a Yamaha 1000 and a new Honda 2000. I use the 1000 the most, but if I could only have one I would pay the slight difference in price and get the 2000. When you need it, you need it.

I have the Honda 2000 and love it. I've added solar, and if were to do it over again, I'd get the Honda 1000.

Doug

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I cannot even begin to tell you how fortunate I feel after reading about stuff like this that I lived my era in the days of throwing a pack saddle on a mule, balancing 150 lbs on the animal, adjusting the stirrups on my gelding and riding off into the Sierras.

Well Mex .... you sure traveled in luxury back then. Try the same thing backpacking with 45 lbs. on yer back.

I still try to get out and do this in the High Sierras with the grandkids ... but it's tough. When I'm doing this kind of camping I can't get any sleep at night cuz I'm awake all night in the tent thinking of how much nicer it would be doing the same thing in our RV with it's comfy beds, AGM batteries, LED lights, Internet system, propane furnace and stove, air conditioning, and push-button generator. But rats .... no RV can get to where we backpack. :W

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Boondocking Vacations. Satellite TV, programmed coffeemakers. Climate control, a remote television in every room, high speed internet access, remote control this, microwave that...

I cannot even begin to tell you how fortunate I feel after reading about stuff like this that I lived my era in the days of throwing a pack saddle on a mule, balancing 150 lbs on the animal, adjusting the stirrups on my gelding and riding off into the Sierras. Shoot, an RV meant miracle luxury. Light off the propane lantern on the wall, a stove, a real stove with gas, knobs, and not a smoky camp fire. A bed with a mattress you didn't have to huff and puff to make it work. A real table. Not a stump or a rock you sat on and balanced a plate of rapidly cooling over or under cooked food on your lap. A little chilly at night? Throw on more blankets. Shiver when you race to heat up the coffeepot, light the stove, or pile on more firewood.

I guess I have outlived myself...

Mex

We roughed it for decades and now we have our rolling cabin. We still have all the old gear, just no desire to use it. Honey like comfy and the comfier Honey is, the more we camp.

Gulfcoast wrote:
I need a small inverter generator just to charge one deep-cycle battery with. Which one would you buy, and why?

Honda
Cause I have one and it starts and it's not noisy.

My built in converter/charger can pull 1000 watts when it first starts up. I've had it actually bog down my EU2000i when in the econo mode and the Honda engine is a little cold. I can see a 1000 watt generator having problems.

Just morning sun and I would still be tempted to go solar, battery, inverter.
Go with a 24 volt system. Maybe $2,000 self install.