RV Generator Question

[timswi]

Ok..We camp at a campground with woefully inadequate shore power...So, in the summer I will need to power my AC to keep my daughter comfortable.

I have been looking at the Honda 2K's run in series that produce 4k overall, this will power my 15K AC unit and other sundry sources.

Question is, has anyone heard these run under load with both gens operating. Are they tolerably quiet, especially for a campground (daylight operation only)?

Also looking at the Yamaha 3k with the temp 500w boost. That is pretty sizable for single handed transport though.

 

[brain55]

I've had an eu3000i and an eu6500is, they are super quiet. I can't imagine even two of the eu2000's would be very loud.

Brian

 

[timswi]

Thanks...As in not annoying quiet?..Very difficult to get a sense of this without actually buying them.

Did see a comparison on the Honda site, not bad but not the same as being there.

 

[brain55]

You can have a conversation with the generator running in between you and the other person without having to yell.

Brian

 

[timswi]

You can have a conversation with the generator running in between you and the other person without having to yell.

Brian

Thanks...Seems reasonable.

 

[newbury]

Since a lot of people now have android smart phones - there's an app I've got called Sound Meter so you can measure the actual sound level, or read the specs and crank something up to that sound level for comparison.

 

[juddspaintballs]

The EU2000i's are very quiet. There's also a Generac model very similar that is quiet too, but in a larger package. We use the Honda inverter generators a lot in the fire department, specifically for night operations during our river rescues, with attached 1000w flood lights on them. Bear in mind that these generators aren't rated to 2000w continuous. I believe they're only 1600w continuous.

 

[timswi]

The EU2000i's are very quiet. There's also a Generac model very similar that is quiet too, but in a larger package. We use the Honda inverter generators a lot in the fire department, specifically for night operations during our river rescues, with attached 1000w flood lights on them. Bear in mind that these generators aren't rated to 2000w continuous. I believe they're only 1600w continuous.

Thanks..3800 is more than enough..I'm told by the dealer that it takes a 3500 surge to start the AC, so that combo of 2k's should cover it...60DB, as I'm finding, is absurdly quiet..Thanks newbury for the app suggestion, never thought of that.

 

[RobertN]

Those are expensive generators. Is there an alternative RV Park?

I do not have a generator in my 5th wheel. I have considered it, but the cost is high. And, most of our trips are in RV park with good power, or high mountians where AC is not an issue.

 

[RobertN]

Our dept does too. They are pretty quiet. Easy to start.

My generator at home though, is 5500w construction type Porter Cable. LOUD...

The EU2000i's are very quiet. There's also a Generac model very similar that is quiet too, but in a larger package. We use the Honda inverter generators a lot in the fire department, specifically for night operations during our river rescues, with attached 1000w flood lights on them. Bear in mind that these generators aren't rated to 2000w continuous. I believe they're only 1600w continuous.

 

[timswi]

Those are expensive generators. Is there an alternative RV Park?

I do not have a generator in my 5th wheel. I have considered it, but the cost is high. And, most of our trips are in RV park with good power, or high mountians where AC is not an issue.

Not really..The conservancy (tree huggers) won't allow improvements...As is all campgrounds, it's all about the people there. That part isn't negotiable for us.,,We love it...I'll be dumping $2500 on this, just want to make sure it'll work for the need.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Buy a Honda. I bought a 2000 in 2001 for $900 new. Put it on Ebay in 2004 starting at $250. Sold it to a guy in California for $860 plus another $30 for shipping.

Only a few times in my life I have gotten that type of return on my investment. Two other times were on boats belive it or not.

Chris

 

[zzvyb6]

There are videos on YouTube showing up-close and far away sound demonstrations. Besides a lot of sound deadening, the Honda EU xxxxi and Yamaha's run at an engine rpm sufficient to generate the needed power. That compared to other generators which run constantly at 3600 rpm. Also, if you get a EU3000is or the EU6500is (the 's' indicates electric start), the inverter will draw from the starting battery to assist with supplying starting surge (for electric motors, for example). Tests of the Honda vs. Yamaha show the Honda will start an AC system but the Yamaha won't because of the battery assist feature.

I have a Honda EU6500IS and its sewing machine quiet. But, these things are VERY heavy. No way I can pick up the 6500is and a 3000is is also quite a heavy beast. I believe Costco and Home Depot sell the Generac units. Reviews are not very favorable because of reliability.
Also as I recall, the Hondas don't like gas with ethanol in it, so I buy generator fuel at a local station which sells pure gasoline. There's a website I found which identifies stations around the country which sell non-ethanol gas. There's one right here in Brighton. The 3000is and 6500is also have remote start kits and eBay shows a remote exhaust routing kit for further quietness.

 

[brain55]

Never had a problem with the "oxygenated" fuel in my eu3000is or eu6500is. I put somewhere between 4-6000 hrs on the eu3000 and I have nearly 4000 hrs on my eu6500. I've haven't exactly been very good keeping up on the maintenance either. At nearly 4000 hrs the 6500 isn't quite as quiet as it used to be, but people still comment on how quiet it is.

Brian

 

[Todd727]

Friend has two eu2000's. We camp next to them and barely hear them. Guy on the other side had a Generac 5500. I wanted to destroy that thing within about 2 hours. I saw a guy with an EU6500. I was amazed how quiet that was. Don't take a swig of coffee before you search for that one though. You'll have to clean your computer screen when you see the price.

 

[bucktaker]

I have the honda eu2000's to run my ac, Quiet yes noticable when running the ac yes but not real bad. IMHO a eu3000 is quieter than a pair of eu2000;s running a rv AC

 

[timswi]

I have the honda eu2000's to run my ac, Quiet yes noticable when running the ac yes but not real bad. IMHO a eu3000 is quieter than a pair of eu2000;s running a rv AC

Only problem is that I don't believe the Honda 3K has the 500w surge like the Yamaha..My TT dealer says that is necessary to start the 15k AC..That's what they use anyway. Price on the 2 is a wash, portability is the main issue. The Yamaha wont fit under my bed cover, so that creates a problem..Additionally, the Yamaha is pretty heavy for lifting on and off the truck by myself, ain't asking the little lady to get into that and can't always count on someone else being around (not leaving it).

 

[juddspaintballs]

I'd still buy the pair of EU2000i's and get the parallel kit for them. My local dealer has them priced at $999.00 each. If one breaks, the other one will still "get you by" for the rest of your camping trip.

 

[timswi]

I'd still buy the pair of EU2000i's and get the parallel kit for them. My local dealer has them priced at $999.00 each. If one breaks, the other one will still "get you by" for the rest of your camping trip.

That's kind of the route I'm looking into right now unless someone can convince me otherwise...The quietness and portability are selling points for me...

Honda EU2000i Parallel Combo Package Generators | Wise Sales

 

[juddspaintballs]

Good deal right there.