Small Gen Opinions ? UPDATE--Should I Switch?
Update- 7 Feb 17 alternative gen maybe? ------------------------- Original OP: Local shop is selling these for $200 (Can) next week. (about $152 US) http://www.powerhouse-products.com/power...
Forum Discussion
I have an Earthquake 700/800 VA generator that I've had very good luck with. Comparing the specs, it's a bit larger than the Powerhouse 500Wi, but not much. It's considerably smaller and lighter than an eu1000i, which is why I took a chance on it. Through the converter its maximum charge rate is 25 to 30 amps.
I also have an eu2000i, and use the little guy whenever I'm able to because it's so much easier to carry around. On the sound meter it's not much louder than the eu2000i, but it's a higher pitched sound that is simply more annoying. The Honda is easier on the ears. On the scope, the sine wave isn't as clean as the eu2000i, but also not too shabby. Definitely cleaner than a small non-inverter genset. It has good throttle response and voltage stability when the load changes, something I've found sorely lacking in some other inverter gens that do a lot of hunting around with big voltage swings. The Earthquake generator is from a Chinese OEM manufacturer and sold under a few different labels. Amazon also has a Porta Source and Dirty Hand Tools generator that both look like they're the same one to me. Here's the Amazon page for it: https://www.amazon.com/Earthquake-11613-Starting-Portable-Compliant/dp/B00FL89I2W
Edit: The Homegear genset linked to in the previous post also looks like the same one as the Earthquake. One quirk if you get one is that it's easy to overfill the oil, and it smokes like crazy if you do.
I also have an eu2000i, and use the little guy whenever I'm able to because it's so much easier to carry around. On the sound meter it's not much louder than the eu2000i, but it's a higher pitched sound that is simply more annoying. The Honda is easier on the ears. On the scope, the sine wave isn't as clean as the eu2000i, but also not too shabby. Definitely cleaner than a small non-inverter genset. It has good throttle response and voltage stability when the load changes, something I've found sorely lacking in some other inverter gens that do a lot of hunting around with big voltage swings. The Earthquake generator is from a Chinese OEM manufacturer and sold under a few different labels. Amazon also has a Porta Source and Dirty Hand Tools generator that both look like they're the same one to me. Here's the Amazon page for it: https://www.amazon.com/Earthquake-11613-Starting-Portable-Compliant/dp/B00FL89I2W
Edit: The Homegear genset linked to in the previous post also looks like the same one as the Earthquake. One quirk if you get one is that it's easy to overfill the oil, and it smokes like crazy if you do.
