Which Portable Generator?

I decided to keep my Yamahas....money was not the issue. I like the Yamaha design better and I believe that they are more durable. What I did was purchase a 10$ hard start capacitor and hooked it into my 15000btu AC and I have no more start issues.

There's no doubt that the Hondas have a better surge rating and a larger motor but for my use which will not include a lot of high amperage use with the exception of occasional AC, I think that the Yamahas are better suited for me.

Time will tell if I made the correct decision but I could not get past the plastic cam and timing belt of the Honda, the lack of the fuel gauge and petcock, and the much lower CARB rating which I equate to durability.

smcrea wrote:

BillyW wrote:

Ajones42 wrote:
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.

I think this is the correct answer.

I think that the Auxiliary fueling is key because while camping we would sometimes want to run our AC all night if its hot. Also in man emergency having this will be useful to keep the freezer and fridge running!

This guy sells a kit for self-install on Yamaha gens to add auxillary fuel tanks. See it here: http://www.pinellaspowerproducts.com/products/26/extended-run-time-auxiliary-fuel-tank-kit

EDIT: This guy sells the extended runtime kit for the Champion, but in reality, it is packaged by Pinellas power products. see: http://www.bottomlinetrading.com/Champion-Inverters.html

I have the extended runtime kit added to my Champion, and it works great. I bought a 6 gallon marine tank with the quick disconnect fittings. Can run for days on that, and refuel as needed.

Here is my experience:

For a 15k BTU A/C, a 3000 watt Yamaha iSE (without battery boost) is iffish on starting. My trick is to start the genset (ensuring it isn't on Eco Throttle), let it warm up, run the microwave for 30 seconds, and just as the microwave is about to turn off, fire up the A/C. This way, it easily "catches" the inrush current from the compressor. Then, once running, all is good from there.

There is a battery "boost" model, but I'd rather do one of two solutions, were I doing it over again:


1: Best solution is an Onan with a generator controller. No having to walk outside to pull a rope, just push the start switch from inside. I have seen some very innovative Onan installs, including retrofitting a travel trailer with a 25 gallon gas tank and putting the genset underneath. However, this isn't at all possible in a lot of cases.

2: Two Honda eu2000i models that are parallel capable. Canadian models, and the GFCI models are not, so one needs to make sure that there are receptacles for the parallel wires. Plus, if one needs more than that, Wise Sales has a 3 generator parallel kit. Extended run tanks are available, because the 2000 watt generators have a diaphragm pump.

3: A larger generator with a remote start option. These are expensive and heavy, but if I were going with a generator for my current travel trailer's use again (which is going to change when I get around to things), I'd probably go with the 4500 watt Yamaha, or the Honda eu7000i, which has a dB rating as good as the 1000/2000 watt models. With remote start, it makes life relatively easier, and having horsepower to spare is nice, especially if one uses the variable speed setting so the generator can handle the power needed for an A/C at lower RPMs. An advantage of the bigger generator is the option to use it for the house if a disaster happens.

Winged One wrote:

RJCorazza wrote:

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.

I don't think anyone has addressed this yet.

Especially when the OP stated that "maybe more importantly" to use as a gen for the transfer switch at the house.

The transfer switch is only supplying 120v loads and not my AC or pool pump. The main objective being to keep the fridge and freezer running, the family room and office as well.

I demimonde the loading to stay within 3Kw 120v.

Thanks!

Years ago I listened to a Yahama salesman.. had I needed a Generator I would have gone with him but now days.. I am not quite as sure.

Arguments:
Hondas are very populer with the 5 finger discount crowd.. Yahama's being a different color, are not so much. However proper security can cover this.

Yahamas use higher quality main bearings on the engine crank shaft.. Theory has it this means they will last longer.

Honda's have a genuine FUEL PUMP that can suck gasoline out of the tank.. This means you can get an "Extended run" tank for the Hondas it is a kit considting of a 2nd (I think larger)fuel tank and a special Gas Cap with connecting hose, as the pump sucks gas out of the MAIN tank it is sucked out of the Extended run tank... Hondas have a fully sealed gas tank (unless you open the vent which is in the cap) (If you want to know ask)

For MY Needs a Yahamna 1200 is ideal.. Or a Genrac 1000 (Which I own if Iever find it).

But if I want A/C well,. that job belongs to Mr. ONAN, (I need one that can just power my battery charger, NO MORE)

But if I were buying for use as the primnary generator.. i'd seriously consider the Honda due to that extended run feature.

RJCorazza wrote:

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.

I don't think anyone has addressed this yet.

Especially when the OP stated that "maybe more importantly" to use as a gen for the transfer switch at the house.

bill-e wrote:
OK, this never happens to me. I emailed my online vendor, http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv_parts_rv_accessories.htm, and they have agreed to take the generators back...without a restocking fee. I will have to pay for return shipping which wont be cheap, but hopefully I can get away with only losing about 100 bucks on the deal. They don't sell the Honda's so I will have to find another supplier.

Great customer service

I think that this statement by Soundly is the clincher!
"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."

If you intend to load these things with an AC unit then this information is absolutely critical!

I'm glad that this post has helped both is us bill-e!

Steve

OK, this never happens to me. I emailed my online vendor, http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv_parts_rv_accessories.htm, and they have agreed to take the generators back...without a restocking fee. I will have to pay for return shipping which wont be cheap, but hopefully I can get away with only losing about 100 bucks on the deal. They don't sell the Honda's so I will have to find another supplier.

Great customer service

BillyW wrote:

Ajones42 wrote:
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.

I think this is the correct answer.

I think that the Auxiliary fueling is key because while camping we would sometimes want to run our AC all night if its hot. Also in man emergency having this will be useful to keep the freezer and fridge running!

Ajones42 wrote:
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.

I think this is the correct answer.