New owner - Genny questions??????

I have two Honda 2KW with the parallel kit. I use the two when we need to run the A/C and one when no A/C will be required.

I like the flexibilty of the two but would prefer to haul just one. So my choice would be a 3000 or 3500 with a remote start feature (uses a key fob)and an extended run fuel setup. This will save trips outside to start, shutdown or fuel the genny.

Bear, Do you find it an inconvenience to unhook the parellel kit in order to run just the one genny, or can you leave the kit attached and just shut one unit off?

I own two Honda generators, a 2000i and the Companion. Love the flexibility the two generators provide. If I am not running an A/C I use the companion, but if I need the A/C, I parallel the two. Plus the Hondas give you more choices if you need a generator for a picnic or any other portable power demands. Oh, and the Hondas are super quiet and fuel efficient.

I have a 3000 watt Yamaha, which is a great unit. However, if I were to do it again, I'd buy the 4500 watt model or two 2000 watt Hondas. The reason is that with a 15000 BTU A/C, it can be iffish if the 3000 watt model can handle the locked rotor amps of the A/C. Two Hondas give you 3500 watts, which is enough headroom for almost any single A/C unit. Plus, if you need another 1250-1500 watts, you can buy a third 2000 watt Honda and the triple parallel kit from Wise Sales.

The Hondas give you a lot of flexibility as mentioned above. Plus, you have some fault tolerance as well.

Buy two Honda's and you do not have to take the kit off to use it.

I use two champions 2000s with the kit. It isn't hard to disconnect and it is handy to take only the one if that is all you need. I looked hard at the Yamaha 3+k units but I just didn't want to lug that much weight all of the time. Yes the run my 13500 ac fine and yes they are quiet.

The air conditioning load is tricky. Some people actually manage to run their A/C on a 2400 watt Yamaha or 3000W Honda inverter genset (but not in economy mode) and often do OK on a 3KW construction generator because of the different way it functions on overload.

However, the installation manuals for most RV air conditioners, 13,500 to 15,000 size, specify 3600 or 4000 watts as "minimum recommended" generator size. That's based on what the A/C manufacturer knows about the loads it creates, starting and running, and assumptions about other loads a RV will already put on the generator.

I would buy the parallel 2 KW sets, for the option of running only one, maybe even in economy mode, for light load boondocking, and having the pair available for running the A/C in our extremely hot weather, or the heat pump when it is running at it's operating limits, these 35-40 F nights.

You don't want to lug a 4KW genset around if most of the time you use a fraction of the capacity, and a 3KW is not just an awkward size, it is a pretty big purchase to find out whether it is actually big enough for the loads from your RV, in the conditions under which YOU will actually use it.

Mr.Beebo wrote:
I use two champions 2000s with the kit. It isn't hard to disconnect and it is handy to take only the one if that is all you need. I looked hard at the Yamaha 3+k units but I just didn't want to lug that much weight all of the time. Yes the run my 13500 ac fine and yes they are quiet.

I would keep the Champion inverter generators in mind. We bought one last year for half the price of a honda. Same basic output as the honda. Can run your A/C with the 2. But if you really don't need it for the A/C, I would just buy one 2000 w genny and give it a go for a season. If you ever decide that you need the second, then go get it. Without A/C, I don't see you needing much more than that itself.

wbwood offers good advice...

Does your newbie have the front slider?

I'd just get one EU2K (or other) for now.
The sweetness of the parallel thing is upgradability when needed.

We've seldom found a need for AC at higher altitudes...but that's here.
You may need AC in your locale when weather is permitting.

Been extremely pleased with the Honda Companion we have.
The brand choices available these days I believe are more than adequate for most users.

Most of all; Have a great time and congrats on the new Sunset Trail!

Ok, I will give you arguments both ways

3KW One box. Simpler hookup

pare of 2KW's. One a Companion one regular

Well, Odds are you will use one more than the other.. Thus odds are one will wear out faster.. And the other... Will be your "Spare" when that happens leaving you with half power. but half is better than nothing, epically in the cooler seasons.

Also you have 30% more total power when you need it.


Suggestion:

ON your house put a proper generator transfer switch and inlet.. You can likely use no more than 3.000 to 4,000 watts in the winter to keep food cold, house warm and lit and a bit of television so you can watch the news coverage about the power outage. I think I used 3,400 watts on my house (1700 twice) NOTE, these generators will not run an electric range or dryer.. But they will run the fridge, Freezer and Furnace if you have enough power.