Honda Has a Question for EU2000i Owners

[robert3]

Given nothing else changed, including price, please evaluate this question and let me know your answer; include any relative comments, thoughts, opinions, etc. The Honda Design Engineering Team is currently living and working in a 5-wheel RV at the Reno Air Race event, and is collecting data, interviews, etc. from other RV folks. The team asked me to expand the data for this specific question, so let's hear it; post your answer to the thread or send to me via PM



-Robert@Honda
Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.

[jalichty]

If A or B are the only two choices, I would go with B for lower noise. However, I would ask the engineers to try and figure out a way to change, or fill, the oil reservoir easier. There has to be a better way than what is currently being done.

[NinerBikes]

I'd go with B, less noise. To go with A will create compatibility problems between running parallel cables for existing and newer models due to lack of a balance of equal power. Not good.

Introduce a 2600 peak model with 2200 continuous, or what ever it takes to run a 13.5k Dometic A/C unit, or convince Dometic to make a standard A/c model that will start and run at 6 or 7000 feet due to power loss from altitude.

[KendallP]

robert@honda wrote:

I'd guess RVer's have a slight edge over non-RV customers for the EU generators, but not by much. This is just a guess; I have no hard data to support this opinion.

-Robert@Honda
Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.

Roger.

But I would sure imagine so. That old commercial showing the quiet 1000W unit next to the campsite, in the evening, while everyone is chillin' by the campfire comes to mind.

Sure don't recall too many ads touting Hondas for construction sites, though I sure do hate loud generators for that purpose too. I grew up using a super loud, industrial generator for temporary pump sets for well testing jobs. I think my ears are still ringing 30 years later! Sure wish pop had that pair of Hondas back then.

(How was that for an endorsement?) 😉

[robert3]

KendallP wrote:
Hi Robert,

So whom, would you say are your biggest customers for this line of generators?

I'd guess RVer's have a slight edge over non-RV customers for the EU generators, but not by much. This is just a guess; I have no hard data to support this opinion.

-Robert@Honda
Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.

[ktmrfs]

Easy for me, choice B: Yes, on occasion more power would be nice, but IMHO the extra 200 watts isn' enough to start an AC. By the time I need 1800W continous, I'm paring my 2000's anyway.

but since for us the majority of time the generator is running at low output the lower noise would be worthwhile. at 50db, it would be comparable to the 1000 o the good 3000 (NOT the handy which IMHO is to noisy), which is noticeably quiter to me than the 2000.

[Dakzuki]

Robert,

I understand the Marketing people get a big vote in what the generator looks like but us RV folks also have a need to store these things in a. Anything that can make the generator dimensionally smaller is a huge plus. Sometimes fractions of inches count when getting them into a small bin. I know from looking inside my EU1000 and EU2000 that the size could be made smaller at the expense of the "sexy shape" of the unit. A folding handle would also be a plus.

On my last RV I modified a compartment so I could fit an EU2000 in it. On my current RV I'm still trying to figure it out.

[EPenney]

Robert,

I vote for "B".

Additionally, I would like to see Honda re-engineer the 3000iS to get weight down to 70-80 lbs, while keeping the same sound level specs it now has. I know the 3000i Handi is in the 70-80 lbs weight range, but the 65 dB(A) @ rated load of the 3000i Handi is quite a bit more than the 3000iS's 58 dB(A) @ rated load.

[KendallP]

Hi Robert,

So whom, would you say are your biggest customers for this line of generators?

Also, it seems to me that you CAN do both. Not together, but separate. A new model with more power, plus a "new," quieter version of the old standby. Something tells me that Honda can afford the engineering and manufacturing costs it takes to appeal to an even wider audience.

You could have the new 2200 and the "ALL NEW" 2000 "Super Quiet."

You're welcome. 🙂

[robert3]

Thanks to everyone who responded here and via PM.

The results?

More Power: 31%
Less Noise: 48%
No firm answer: 20%
Both: 1%

In contrast, I also surveyed the folks at the Yahoo! EU2000i group, as well as the Honda Generators and Honda Marine Facebook fans...they wanted power (44%) over quiet (30%), but these users are not all in an RV situation, and many use the EU2000i infrequently.

While this is an unscientific and informal poll, it does give the development team and idea what customers want, so it helps.

FYI, the team recently spent a week in a 5th-wheel at the Reno Air Races using a pair of EU2s and a Handi. This was a good experience for everyone, to actually go to a location and experience and use the products, as well as survey and interact with other RV'ers onsite.

Note the data cable connections used to log operation information...the inside of the RV was filled with test gear.



-Robert@Honda
Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.

[kincade]

Option B, quieter.

[Dakzuki]

atreis wrote:

DarthMuffin wrote:

However, sitting on the shelf at the store next to all the cheap Chinese generators ...

No way can Honda compete with them. If the purchaser doesn't know about the quiet of the Honda (or want it) and the better reliability (or not need it) they're not going to buy the Honda. Honda's prices are enough higher that they're not competing with the cheap Chinese generators.

People buy a Honda because they want The Best - quietest, long-lasting, good service and support, available replacement parts.

Disclaimer: I have a Kipor - one of the more expensive of the Chinese knockoffs, which has served me quite well. I wanted a Honda, but at the time the local Honda dealer was sold out.

I bought a Powerhouse 500 watt. That thing is as loud as my on board diesel 3200 watt generator. Big mistake.

[Dakzuki]

I would definitely go with B. That much power increase isn't much but I think 3 dB would be noticeable. I like to run a little Honda for battery charging as it's so quiet. If I need big power I just turn on my on board generator. This is common for winter dry campers to keep batteries charged.

Go to a ski area with dry campers and you'll hear the soothing putter-putter of little red generators during the day keeping batteries charged.

I think if Honda wants to go for more power they should make one that will run an AC unit like the Yamaha 2400 does.

I have both an EU1000 and EU2000 (and a noisy Chinese 500W).

[Okie1]

A please

[atreis]

DarthMuffin wrote:

However, sitting on the shelf at the store next to all the cheap Chinese generators ...

No way can Honda compete with them. If the purchaser doesn't know about the quiet of the Honda (or want it) and the better reliability (or not need it) they're not going to buy the Honda. Honda's prices are enough higher that they're not competing with the cheap Chinese generators.

People buy a Honda because they want The Best - quietest, long-lasting, good service and support, available replacement parts.

Disclaimer: I have a Kipor - one of the more expensive of the Chinese knockoffs, which has served me quite well. I wanted a Honda, but at the time the local Honda dealer was sold out.

[DarthMuffin]

B. Quieter for sure. I can't think of anything I would do with 1800W that I can't do with 1600W.

However, sitting on the shelf at the store next to all the cheap Chinese generators I would expect that the power output is what people will compare and what will sell generators. People don't realize just how nice the quiet is, and that 53 to 50db is noticeable.

In a perfect world I'd prefer option C, more user replaceable and adjustable parts. Like the ability to adjust mixture for high altitude.