Generator or inverter generator

[rodwood1]

I am new to RVing can anyone help out with this question. We want to buy a generator, were thinking of 2 Honda EU 2000i's, because we can use one or tethered we can have enough to run our AC and there light enough to manually carry around. the question is whats the advantage or disadvantage of inverter generator or just generator's exclusively.we don't have a huge battery bank just 2 6 volt deep cycle. is it that the inverter generators will charge the batteries faster or better than running through the on board converter? I'm not sure what would be our best option?
Help
Rodwood

[bushman512003]

I never had any trouble with gas and use nothing in any of My motors but I do buy fresh gas and keep every thing topped up.And Run the gens about every 2 to 4 weeks for about 5 min. under a load...

[magic43]

The above recommendation would apply to all generators.

[TXiceman]

On the Hondas, be sure and loosen the carb drains and clear all of the fuel from the carb. Also keep Stalbilt or SeaFoam in the fuel at all times. The ethanol fuels do not take well to setting in the tanks for extended periods.

Ken

[bushman512003]

Fly with Honda pay now or later and do not forget the noise Hondas are wait are they running? yes but I can't hear them ...

[rodwood1]

Thanks guys I think I have a good path spend the extra money and get the inverter generator's, no its not my plan to sit in the AC while were camping but when needed its nice to have options. thanks again

[valhalla360]

smkettner wrote:
Are you really going to run the generators all day to sit inside and stay cool?

This is a common thought for a new RVer. Truth is you will be out doing stuff or just relaxing in the shade.

For battery charging all generators are about the same. The inverter style will run slower with less noise and lower fuel consumption. The real key to fast charging is having a good converter.

When it's miserable hot and the campground power goes out..that is exactly what happens. More commonly it's on a hot night in an isolated location.

As far as your confusion, don't worry about the fact the generator starts with DC. For practical purposes, assume you have a nice high quality AC power supply. Yes, some gets converted back to DC for battery charging and lights but assuming you aren't just using it for charging, it's a very minor portion of the power generated. If you are just charging the battery bank, it still works out better as the direct DC connection on the generators only put out a few amps. The built in charger in your RV probably puts out 40-60amps, so it still works out more efficent.

[magic43]

I have had an EU2000 for 11 years with absolutely no problem. When I bought the FW, I added another EU2000 to the corral. A 5 gallon BERG system eliminated the gasoline fill up issue. The EU2000's only weigh ~47 pounds so I can easily load them whereas I could never load an EU3000.

[Dtank]

rodwood1 wrote:
I am new to RVing can anyone help out with this question. We want to buy a generator, were thinking of 2 Honda EU 2000i's, because we can use one or tethered we can have enough to run our AC and there light enough to manually carry around. the question is whats the advantage or disadvantage of inverter generator or just generator's exclusively.we don't have a huge battery bank just 2 6 volt deep cycle. is it that the inverter generators will charge the batteries faster or better than running through the on board converter? I'm not sure what would be our best option?
Help
Rodwood

.

RW - spend some time on the *Tech Issues* forum (here).

*Everything* "generator" can be found there...:W

Use the "Search" feature for: brands, cost, info & comparisons, etc.

Fuel capacity: Easily solved.

Expense: Champion inverter gens are way less than Honda - with xlnt customer service.

:C

[ventrman]

One thing I would suggest no matter what Generator you have, is to run them at least every two Weeks.
If you don't they will get where they do not start at all.
Then you have to take it somewhere to get them to work on it.
I learned that the hard Way.
Now I try to start mine at least one a Week.
I have a Champion 50 State Generator. It always starts on the first Pull.

[laknox]

rodwood1 wrote:
I am new to RVing can anyone help out with this question. We want to buy a generator, were thinking of 2 Honda EU 2000i's, because we can use one or tethered we can have enough to run our AC and there light enough to manually carry around. the question is whats the advantage or disadvantage of inverter generator or just generator's exclusively.we don't have a huge battery bank just 2 6 volt deep cycle. is it that the inverter generators will charge the batteries faster or better than running through the on board converter? I'm not sure what would be our best option?
Help
Rodwood

My biggest issue with the 2000s is that they have a very short run-time. The 3000, and up, inverters, have a much longer run-time because they have much larger tanks. Yes, they are heavier and less convenient, but, unless you want to frequently move them, the larger ones are better, IMO. Now, you =can= buy extended run tanks, some with a T-connection to run 2 2000s, but I consider that somewhat of a bandaid.

Lyle

[time2roll]

Are you really going to run the generators all day to sit inside and stay cool?

This is a common thought for a new RVer. Truth is you will be out doing stuff or just relaxing in the shade.

For battery charging all generators are about the same. The inverter style will run slower with less noise and lower fuel consumption. The real key to fast charging is having a good converter.

[rodwood1]

So an inverter generator creates DC power then inverts it to AC, connected to the Fifth the AC power converts back to Dc for lights ect. but for your AC loads this power is better for computers phones ect. this is the main advantage or am I still confused?

[AZ_T_T]

Cleaner power and quieter operation. You can't go wrong with the Honda EU2000, I have had mine for around 7 years, have had zero problems and it always starts on 1 or 2 pulls.

[Dakota98]

Since you're interested in an Inverter type generator, you may want to consider Champion in the mix also. This distributor offers a full line of Champions & even has "refurbs" for sale. Champion is well know & has an excellent record concerning customer support. Besides, You can purchase two 2000 watt Champions for just a bit more than one Honda 2000. Champion is located in California.

SUPERGEN

Also, here's an article that has reviewed Champion generators amongst all others.

Generator Reviews