Honda EU2000 or Companion?

mkirsch wrote:

trail-explorer wrote:
Another thought, if you remote camp a lot and use the gen in the woods a lot, spend the extra coin on the camo model.
Why? It's not a red target sitting in camp for the thieves to target.

Umm, okay... The thief is going to hear the generator running, but he's not going to be able to find it because it's camo?

WHAT? You cannot hear my Honda 2000 running. It is red so I can find it, even when it is running. :B

Trying for a little humor.

Even if you have an EU2000 and decide to get a second, there's still NO reason to buy the "Companion". They make no more power than any other EU2000. Two will make about 26 amps, Companion or not.
And I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the 30-amp socket on the Companion is THE WRONG ONE! It's a twist-lock, not an RV30. So, you still need an adapter. What's the point?? It's just marketing hype.

X2 ! ! !
IMO, there is no reason at all to buy a companion… IF they offered it with a 30A RV socket, then maybe.
Those who complain about the 8A 12V battery charger clearly haven't used it to start a car with a dead battery… works like a charm! (true, it's not a practical way to recharge a deeply discharged RV battery)
Just get the regular EU2000i. If you ever decide you need more power just get a second one and buy (or make) a parallel kit with a 30A RV receptacle in it.

-Mark

trail-explorer wrote:
Another thought, if you remote camp a lot and use the gen in the woods a lot, spend the extra coin on the camo model.
Why? It's not a red target sitting in camp for the thieves to target.

Umm, okay... The thief is going to hear the generator running, but he's not going to be able to find it because it's camo?

While very, very tempted to try a Champion, I went with the Honda EU2000i Companion. It was only 30 bucks more, and I see the 12v charging option of a base EU2000 as superfluous. The twist lock 30 amp connector is the same on my 6,500 watt frame generator at the S&B, so that doesn't bother me. Besides, I bet I could reach in there and swap out the locking 30A receptacle to a RV style if I got really bored one day (probably while I'm securing a steel base plate to it for security).
Honda was my second choice behind Yamaha, but I couldn't conveniently, in a reasonable time frame, procure the Yamaha. That set the tone for future customer support from Yamaha.
Fudge it. I got a Honda and I've had zero cognitive dissonance about it. I plan to use the heck out of it camping, at the S&b, as well as on job sites and not replace it for a long time. I also like the convenient arrangement for adding an an auxiliary tank. I purchased it at a local Honda dealer I've patronized for 15 years. The Commonwealth of Virginia had a Hurricane Preparedness Tax Vacation for a week in May, which saved me 5.5%. The dealer also waved their standard "Start up/Pre-delivery Inspection Fee" (they put gas and oil it, then start it up) of 50 bucks. Out the door for less than $1,000 and I supported a local, family owned establishment.

I bought the anti theft bracket. It fits right on the handle and would make it a bit harder to cut and remove a cable if that is how you secure it. It does rattle a bit though and can be annoying if you are standing near it while outside.

Guess it works as I still have the generator after 2 years of camping and securing it with a cable lock while on the road and stops at night with it in the hitch haul running for the a/c.

You definitely don't need the Companion model. You can still parallel two regular Honda 2000i generators with the kit. I bought the Companion because I got it for the same price as a regular 2000i. Since you aren't planning to parallel generators, save the money.

Even if you have an EU2000 and decide to get a second, there's still NO reason to buy the "Companion".
They make no more power than any other EU2000. Two will make about 26 amps, Companion or not.
And I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the 30-amp socket on the Companion is THE WRONG ONE! It's a twist-lock, not an RV30. So, you still need an adapter. What's the point?? It's just marketing hype.

gregdennis53 wrote:
Buy a Coleman Polar Cub AC and your Honda EU2000 will run it just fine. If you are one of those lucky guys who owns a camper with 3 rooms and a wine cellar, you may find that the Polar Cub does not meet your needs, but for the rest of us, it works pretty well.

PS - has anybody tried the anti-theft adapter that Honda is marketing. Kind of a metal overplate for the plastic handle of the generator to keep creeps from cutting the handle to steal a generator locked by a cable? Camping World has them and they look pretty slick.

Happy Camping!

The anti-theft handle brackets are a must have. However, if I were to recommend a true anti-theft solution, I'd recommend the LowPro LockDown bracket. One part is held on by the screws that hold the generator's feet, the other part bolts to a secure surface, and a hockey puck lock ensures the two stay together. I like this since it can't just be cut with bolt cutters.

Buy a Coleman Polar Cub AC and your Honda EU2000 will run it just fine. If you are one of those lucky guys who owns a camper with 3 rooms and a wine cellar, you may find that the Polar Cub does not meet your needs, but for the rest of us, it works pretty well.

PS - has anybody tried the anti-theft adapter that Honda is marketing. Kind of a metal overplate for the plastic handle of the generator to keep creeps from cutting the handle to steal a generator locked by a cable? Camping World has them and they look pretty slick.

Happy Camping!

Some of the posts here are a bit misleading and are implying that you need the Companion model (with the 30 amp plug) in order to run the A/C. This is not true.

The 30 amp plug does not increase the output capability of the Companion model, it only gives the ability to get 30 amps when combined with a standard EU2000 model.

Me, I'd just buy the normal EU model There's no point in spending the extra money now. If years down the road you change RVs and need more more, then buy the Companion model to go with your standard EU

THese points are correct, thanks for explaining it Reddog1:

Reddog1 wrote:
.... The single honda 2000 will not put out 30 amps, so what is the point of a single Honda with a $160 30 amp adapter?

As for the Yamaha being the same generator but a different color, I have to ask how anyone could come to that conclusion? The Yamaha is cheaper, but also I believe it is much harder to find parts and a repair shop. I do have a 6000 watt Yamaha, and it has not had any problems for over 20-years. All most unbelievable. But, I have to order an air filter simply because the few Yamaha dealers in my area do not stock parts for nor repair the Yamaha generators.

Wayne

Saying a Yamaha is the same as a Honda, just a different color (which someone said earlier) is like saying a Ford is the same as a Chevy, they just have a different emblem on the grill.

THe Yamaha 2400 does not have the eco throttle like all the Hondas do. I see that the Yamaha 2k does have eco throttle switch.

Sometimes I need to hit the eco switch to run the gun at high rpm in order to start the A/C, then once it's running I enable the eco mode again.

Service on Honda - Like Reddog1 says, it's more available, either at a power equipment store or motorcycle dealer that carries Honda power equipment.

Another thought, if you remote camp a lot and use the gen in the woods a lot, spend the extra coin on the camo model.
Why? It's not a red target sitting in camp for the thieves to target.

I was at a campground in Oregon and the staff told me to keep an eye on my generator because thieves (meth-heads) come along and steal them to run the meth cook shacks out in the woods.