Which Portable Generator?

If you are looking at auxiliary fueling, the Yamaha is out because it does not have an internal fuel pump and requires a pretty elaborate setup to aux fuel. The Honda is a piece of cake in that respect.

smcrea wrote:
Hi,
...snip
I need this for not only powering our TT AC but also and maybe more importantly as a standby gen that will plug into our transfer switch on the side of our house during an emergency.

For me two brands come to mind.. the Hondas and the Yamaha's..

So the Question:

Which do you recommend and above all WHY?

Thanks!

Steve

I am not a electrician, but most home backup gensets that connect to transfer switches are 220v. I suspect there are 220v inverter gensets, but not the small parallel ones.
Of course I could be totally off base if your transfer switch is only supplying 120v loads.
Of the 2 brands, I went with blue 2800w running 3500 surge (heavy). I prefer one genset to run the RV AC, but many folks here like paralleling. My selection of Yamaha over Honda was solely due to there being a Yamaha dealer close by. Red or Blue.... That thing is some kinda quiet!

SoundGuy wrote:

bill-e wrote:
I just purchased a pair of Yamaha EF2000is and the jury is still out. I had an issue where they would not start my AC until I loaded them up first. I don't know if it is because they are new or if it is because they have some issues. I called Progressive Industries to make sure it wasn't my voltage protector and he said that the Yamaha's sometimes have an issue like that...but again it was only hearsay for him and he doesnt know if the reports are from new or broken in units.

I wouldn't call it "heresay" when Progressive has this warning about the Yamaha EF2000iS posted on their own website. ;)

While the EF2000iS does offer a couple of features the EU2000i doesn't have - fuel gauge and separate fuel shut off - it's surge rating isn't even remotely close to that of the Honda, 20 sec max @ 2000 watts vs 1/2 hr @ 2000 watts and is the reason I've twice chosen red over blue. As with tow vehicles there's no replacement for displacement. ;)

Geez, I wish Ihad known that before I bought these. I think I can hopefully work around it with a Hard Start capacitor and/or power management but this sucks.

I''ve used the Yamaha 2k for years at our remote hunting camp. The fuel shutoff feature and gas gauge are valuable features for that application and I'm glad we made that choice. However, when it came time to outfit the TT it was a pair of Honda 2k's that offered the right fit. The built-in 30amp RV receptacle on the companion model and extra surge sold me. Both brands have their merits and parallel together easily but the Honda seems a better choice for the RV crowd. Copycat brands are largely unproven and all seem to use the "just as good as...for less money" sales pitch. For me, the inveerter gensets continue to be a "you get what you pay for" item.

bill-e wrote:
I just purchased a pair of Yamaha EF2000is and the jury is still out. I had an issue where they would not start my AC until I loaded them up first. I don't know if it is because they are new or if it is because they have some issues. I called Progressive Industries to make sure it wasn't my voltage protector and he said that the Yamaha's sometimes have an issue like that...but again it was only hearsay for him and he doesnt know if the reports are from new or broken in units.

I wouldn't call it "heresay" when Progressive has this warning about the Yamaha EF2000iS posted on their own website. ;)

While the EF2000iS does offer a couple of features the EU2000i doesn't have - fuel gauge and separate fuel shut off - it's surge rating isn't even remotely close to that of the Honda, 20 sec max @ 2000 watts vs 1/2 hr @ 2000 watts and is the reason I've twice chosen red over blue. As with tow vehicles there's no replacement for displacement. ;)

I just got a pair of champion 2k's from Supergen products. Haven't used them a great deal but tried everything out and they had no problem running everything. Rated at 53 db, which is close to the Y and H units. Nice little parallel kit was included. Think I'll be happy with them, at much less cost.

I just purchased a pair of Yamaha EF2000is and the jury is still out. I had an issue where they would not start my AC until I loaded them up first. I don't know if it is because they are new or if it is because they have some issues. I called Progressive Industries to make sure it wasn't my voltage protector and he said that the Yamaha's sometimes have an issue like that...but again it was only hearsay for him and he doesnt know if the reports are from new or broken in units. I will continue to experiment with them and I will be installing a Hard Start capacitor in my AC unit.

I also have an EF2400 which I feel worked very well, but I wanted more power so I went with the pair of 2000's. The Yamaha's have more features than the Honda's and double the CARB life so if I can get past this issue I think they are the better generator, though the Hondas are reportedly great too.

I bought a Dometic LW 3000plus inverter generator and I would not recommend it. After I bought it, I found out it was a cheap machine made, I believe in China. Finding parts is tough. The RV store where I bought it could not locate the parts I needed. If I were going to buy another 3kw, I would spend the extra money on a Honda.

I have a Honda 2000 so of course I think it's the best. Either of the two you are looking at should serve you well.
Also you should consider a hard start kit (capacitor) for the AC unit. Saves work for the Inverter/generator and the AC compressor.

I purchased the Champion 3100 watt inverter generator. It has the 30amp RV plug and will not have any problems running the A/C in your 5th Wheel.

Dollar for dollar it is one of the best buys for an inverter generator. I got mine at Costco on sale for $699 with free shipping.