Portable Generator Solutions

But why do you ASSume we have that option? There isn't electricity where we have to go for football games.

SoundGuy wrote:

Atlee wrote:
There are times down here in Virginia, and Atlanta, GA around Labor Day weekend when running the AC 24/7 is almost required, especially so in Atlanta. Being in Ontario, you probably don't know what it's like to be in 95 degree heat and humidity in the 60's plus.

Why would you ASSume that just because we live in Ontario that we don't travel and camp elsewhere and therefore don't appreciate why A/C is so important to some? Answer - we do. If we're somewhere where A/C is something we feel we need we seek out an electric site rather than drag around a genset and gallons of gas to feed it. :)

IBcarguy wrote:
There are a lot of loyal Honda owners out there but I could never understand why people would buy TWO expensive smaller units, then hook them together to run their RV AC unit. I don't get it. My 3100si is quiet, reliable, and modestly priced and it runs everything with no problems.

For me the two units was mainly for my photography biz and powering lights when shooting larger subjects or spread out lighting scenarios. But I then came to like the fact that if I was camping and didnt need the extra power I just needed one small unit.

Yamaha has this feature that seems great for winter storage. Does anyone have experience with it?

"Gasoline petcock lets you shut off the gas to run the carb dry for storage and helps prevent stale gas problems."

I appreciate everyone's input. I'm learning a lot!

Let me share a little more about my situation. I will be towing with a Toyota Highlander (SUV). Initially, I don't expect to use the generator very often. Perhaps 6 times a year and not at all during the winter.

So, I am concerned about weight and size. I don't have a pickup bed and I don't want the generator in the car so it has to fit in the trailer.

I'm willing to spend more to get the weight/size down and the amps up. Looking at Yamaha and I don’t see many replies about those generators.

A bit more information about the Honda eu2200i that might help with some comments about engine size and how the 2200 came to be produced:

The EU2200i is powered by the Honda GXR120 Commercial Series engine. The GXR120 delivers exceptionally quiet, smooth, fuel-efficient performance in a small, lightweight package. The size of a generator's engine directly correlates to how much power it can produce. At 121cc, the GXR120 is at the top of its class - ensuring the EU2200 always produces the power you need to get the job done. Originally developed for heavy duty construction equipment, the GXR120 also delivers superb durability and reliability.

I have 2 hondas and as others have stated when I purchased them the choices were honda or yamaha. Since then there have been many more that have come to market that folks have had good luck with, Champion, Kipor, Predator just to name a few.

I just got an email from HF that the predator 3500 is on sale for 700 bucks. A friend of mine has one and has had great luck with it. They have great reviews, electric start, inverter, quiet, etc.. I think if I was to do it again I would seriously look at those.

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
If size and cost are your concerns look at the Westinghouse i-gen 2500.

uses a honda clone engine, the same size as the new 2200 watt honda.

SoundGuy wrote:
Nice try, but not even close - the Westinghouse eGen2500 has a 98 cc engine, the new Honda EU2200i has a 121 cc engine. Now which do you think will most easily sustain heavy surge loads without falling on it's face? :W

valhalla360 wrote:
Which puts out more power a vinage 1980's 5.0l V8 or a new 3.5l Ecoboost?

Yes, the later is turbo'd but displacement is not the only criteria.

Unfortunate that Honda engineers don't have your expertise in generator design and decided to fit their new EU2200i with an unnecessarily large engine. :W

valhalla360 wrote:
Must have got lucky. I've tested and on the current trailer, the last trailer and a similar size unit on our boat measured 9-11 amps continuous load. It does vary a bit depending on conditions but haven't seen anything close to 14amps.

That's not to say an individual unit might not pull a bit more as there is some variation unit to unit but 14amps would be way at the high end of what to expect.

14amps is 1680w @ 120v. The little 2000w generators can typically only handle 1600w continous but people report them working if they can get past the compressor start up.

Screen shots of two of the most common rooftop 13,500 BTU A/Cs installed on RVs these days ... 14 amp draw is hardly at "the high end". :S

Coleman Mach 3+




Dometic Brisk II

SoundGuy wrote:

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
If size and cost are your concerns look at the Westinghouse i-gen 2500.

uses a honda clone engine, the same size as the new 2200 watt honda.

Nice try, but not even close - the Westinghouse eGen2500 has a 98 cc engine, the new Honda EU2200i has a 121 cc engine. Now which do you think will most easily sustain heavy surge loads without falling on it's face? :W

Which puts out more power a vinage 1980's 5.0l V8 or a new 3.5l Ecoboost?

Yes, the later is turbo'd but displacement is not the only criteria.

SoundGuy wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
To run an air/con, you need around 10-12amps continuous but you need 2-3 times that for a second to get the compressor turning.

A typical 13,500 BTU A/C draws ~ 14 amps with the compressor running, fan on high speed but starting LRA can easily be 4 times that. :E Adding a hard start cap like a Supco SPP6 will help with starting inrush current but only marginally compared to equipping the A/C with a Micro-Air Easy Start Soft Starter Kit which will reduce initial starting current demand dramatically, sufficiently so that a 2K genset like a Honda EU2000i or the new EU2200i can easily start that A/C at moderate elevations. :B

Must have got lucky. I've tested and on the current trailer, the last trailer and a similar size unit on our boat measured 9-11 amps continuous load. It does vary a bit depending on conditions but haven't seen anything close to 14amps.

That's not to say an individual unit might not pull a bit more as there is some variation unit to unit but 14amps would be way at the high end of what to expect.

14amps is 1680w @ 120v. The little 2000w generators can typically only handle 1600w continous but people report them working if they can get past the compressor start up.