Which Honda Generator ?

[Cluck]

Looking to purchase a 25-30 travel trailer. I will be getting a Honda generator for it, but don't know if I should get the EU2000, or 3000 ?

My use - just me.. maybe a few lights, water pump, water heater (only as needed) and 13,000 BTU AC / and or heater as needed.

Can I get away with just a EU 2000 ? I don't mind turning off the AC or Heat while other things need power - like the water heater. I would only use the water pump and water heater for an hour each night. Would never use Refrigerator, or other appliances.

[marcsbigfoot20b]

mlts22 wrote:
The only reason I would go for a 3000 watt model is the ease of mashing a button on a remote and having it start up. This way, you don't have to go out in the hot/cold/wet weather to start up two paired models.

Other than that, one can even pair three Honda eu2000i models with a Wise Sales kit. This will give enough energy to handle even a stubborn A/C that hits the generators with 60 or so locked rotor amps, or completely saturate a 30A connection even with starting loads.

Gotta admit, electric remote start is very nice.
My TT came with an Onan Microlite 2800 LP factory installed, so I leave the EU2000i at home.

[mlts22]

The only reason I would go for a 3000 watt model is the ease of mashing a button on a remote and having it start up. This way, you don't have to go out in the hot/cold/wet weather to start up two paired models.

Other than that, one can even pair three Honda eu2000i models with a Wise Sales kit. This will give enough energy to handle even a stubborn A/C that hits the generators with 60 or so locked rotor amps, or completely saturate a 30A connection even with starting loads.

[ktmrfs]

marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:
I just busted out my EU2000i for this thread. I haven't run it in 8 months. Warmed it up and started the dometic 13,500 brisk air circa 1999 and it fired right up with a small dip in rpms. Then cycled it off and put it on econo mode and turned AC back on. Took about 1-1.5 sec of throttle up and then ran fine.

After the AC was running I switched to econo mode on gen and it only needed about 1/2 to 3/5 throttle to run the AC on high.

Of course the temp was 75 and at 1400 ft and will probably use more power at 100+ degrees.

Btw, no hard start cap on my unit till it comes in the mail tomorrow.

My honda 2000 will start my coleman just fine at 75-80F, even in eco mode. But it won't when it get's into the 90's. But the brisk air is known for being easier to start than the colemans. However, the real test is above 90 and above about 2,000ft.

[marcsbigfoot20b]

I just busted out my EU2000i for this thread. I haven't run it in 8 months. Warmed it up and started the dometic 13,500 brisk air circa 1999 and it fired right up with a small dip in rpms. Then cycled it off and put it on econo mode and turned AC back on. Took about 1-1.5 sec of throttle up and then ran fine.

After the AC was running I switched to econo mode on gen and it only needed about 1/2 to 3/5 throttle to run the AC on high.

Of course the temp was 75 and at 1400 ft and will probably use more power at 100+ degrees.

Btw, no hard start cap on my unit till it comes in the mail tomorrow.

[JordanH]

I have the big 3000, and can carry it loaded with fuel by myself. I agree it is heavy but I am a big guy and can carry it around ok. I think it is a great generator, long run time, very quite and fairly cheap! The 3000 can also be paired to another if you wanted to purchase another down the road for powering your home during outages also

[NinerBikes]

xteacher wrote:
Get 2 Honda - 2000s and run them in tandem. This will give you 4000K, vs one 3000K, which is really heavy.

It will get your 3200k, continuous, and 4000 peak, for up to 30 minutes. A honda EU2000i is really a 1600 Watter, continuous.
You'll want both gennies out of eco mode and in regular mode the first time you start up that A/C, then put them in Eco mode once running and keep that A/C running.

[TexasTiger220]

THESE

ARE MUCH HEAVIER THAN THESE


I have a Handi and my buddy has the other. Both work on both of our campers. The heavier one is a little cheaper and has a larger gas tank. The Handi has wheels and one person can throw it in the back of the truck. You have to be a bad boy to lift the heavier one by yourself.

[ktmrfs]

If running the AC reliably, a single 2000 may disapoint you when you need it most. So you'll need either two honda 2000's a honda 3000 or a yamaha 2400

Honda 2000
easy to carry
two honda 2000's give you 3200W continous, 4000 peak, more than a honda 3000
price for two is virtually the same as a honda 3000
noiser than the honda 3000
no electric start
not as long a run time


Honda 3000 (the REAL 3000, NOT the handy)
much heavier than 2000
electric start
quieter at idle and full output than the 2000's
2800W continous, 3000peak

Personally I'd stay away from the honda 3000 handy. Yes it is less expensive, yes it is lighter, but it has less continous output and more importantly is not near as quite as the real 3000 or even the honda 2000s.

so figure out what is important to you.

And if your shopping for either the honda 2000's or 3000 seriously look at the yamaha offerings. Yes, I have the honda 2000's,love them, but 10 years ago yamaha didn't have comparable offerings. Today they definitely do and well worth considering.

[xteacher]

Get 2 Honda - 2000s and run them in tandem. This will give you 4000K, vs one 3000K, which is really heavy.

[Atlee]

I doubt you will find the EU2000i will reliably run 13.5K AC.

I bought a second EU2000i (Companion model). I can move 2 2000's. I can't move the 3000.

Also, the twin 2000's also put out more power than one 3000.

And when I don't need to run the AC, I only have to run one of the 2000's.

[samsontdog]

I had two Honda EU2000 gen and they took up more room than one single EU3000 so I now use the EU3000 when we camp and I am in my mid 70s and handle it just fine. I sold the EU2000 for what I paid for them after using them for two + years

[wrenchbender]

A 3k would be best for you.If possible get a gas hot water heater.

[bradyk]

I have a similar situation with my Champion gennys. One of the larger size and 2x2k units. If I was going to start over I would get 2x2k units instead of a 3 or 4k as mine is. I really like the fact I can lift them up myself and just throw them into the back of the truck. If we head to the mountains where it is not too warm I just take one of them and use it to charge batteries, run the inside electronics when the wife needs it etc. For the times I need more power just throw in the second one and be off.

[old_guy]

if it is just you, the 3K gen is or might be too heavy for you to lift. two 2000ui with the connecting cables might be the way to go. one guy can lift one with ease. and you can build an extended run set up too