[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Honda Generators vs All The Rest? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 4/29/2023 5:22:36 PM EDT
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I need a new daily use generator. For a few years I've used a Champion 2000w inverter. It does 2000 peak/1700 Running, and it still works fine. Daily use is almost entirely battery charging and running the mini fridge in the trailer. The problem is that sometimes (maybe once a week or less now), we need to be able to run at between 1500-2000 watts. It will do it, but it's getting the shit worked out of it, and sometimes it will kick the internal breaker. I'm assuming it's when it gets too hot and it shuts itself done to prevent getting fried. Stuff like a shop vac and a trash pump really works it. Honda has the EU3200i inverter which is rated to run at 2600w. There's tons of other 3000ish watt options available too that are half the price or less though. The Craftsmen 3300w is about the same size and weight, less than half the price, and getting good reviews, made by Generac. Is it really worth paying the premium for the Honda when for the same money you could get two with similar specs. Even if the service life is half as long you aren't out anything. I can't really go much larger in size or weight for that application because we need to be able to move it around easily. I can always bring a bigger open framed one if we really have to put the juice to something, but I don't like using them unless I need to. |
| I have had the little Honda 1000iu for years, use it when camping. Very quiet, starts easily, light weight, compact. It has an "eco" mode that is even more quiet, and senses the load. I carry it in an old milk crate, which I invert and set the genny on top when running to keep it out of the dirt. I have heard good things about Yamaha, never owned one. Thumbs up for Honda. They are kind of the gold standard, or were, when I bought mine. They also probably cost the most. |
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Wen makes a nice option in the range you're looking for. I have one and it's been a workhorse. Wen GN400i |
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https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pulsar-4-000-Watt-Super-Quiet-Gasoline-Powered-Inverter-Generator-with-Recoil-Start-and-CO-Alert-PGD40ISCO/323778457 Not a recommendation  Edit: Sale over 
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Quoted: Yamaha or bust Quoted: Yamaha or bust Anything with a Yamaha or Honda engine will be great. Buy once, cry once. Quoted: Wen makes a nice option in the range you're looking for. I have one and it's been a workhorse. Wen GN400i Everybody within a mile will hate you for running something like that pretty much at all. |
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100 pages of information you are talking about Arf gen thread |
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Quoted: Everybody within a mile will hate you for running something like that pretty much at all. |
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I ran a Honda EU3000IS NON STOP, 24/7 for over a year before the engine lost enough compression that it wouldn't start anymore. Probably 11,000 hours or so. I guess it wasn't completely non stop, since I had to shut it off to change the oil many, many times. Before that, I had a Predator 3500 that ran non-stop for about 3 weeks before it had a catastrophic failure and blew a hole in the crankcase. I have a solar system now on my off-grid place, so I rarely need to run a generator anymore. Pic below is the workhorse that needs a rebuild. Tony  |
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Quoted: KISS seems better in this situation. Quoted: Quoted: What about buying another 2000 watt champion and running them both parallel only when the extra power is needed? KISS seems better in this situation. not if you are moving it a lot. Easier to move the one 2000 than one 3000+ I have the Predator 3500 and it is a solid bit of equipment. I also have a Champion 5500 and it is very good too, but shines the best due to wireless remote start. I am full time RVing and I am keeping both of them. |
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Quoted: not if you are moving it a lot. Easier to move the one 2000 than one 3000+ I have the Predator 3500 and it is a solid bit of equipment. I also have a Champion 5500 and it is very good too, but shines the best due to wireless remote start. I am full time RVing and I am keeping both of them. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: What about buying another 2000 watt champion and running them both parallel only when the extra power is needed? KISS seems better in this situation. not if you are moving it a lot. Easier to move the one 2000 than one 3000+ I have the Predator 3500 and it is a solid bit of equipment. I also have a Champion 5500 and it is very good too, but shines the best due to wireless remote start. I am full time RVing and I am keeping both of them. The suggestion was 2x 2000 since 1x 2000 was not enough. IMHO the 2x2000 sucks. I really do like my 1x 3800 though |
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Predator 3500 is 899.00 great machine for the money. Harbor Freight |
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Quoted: Before that, I had a Predator 3500 that ran non-stop for about 3 weeks before it had a catastrophic failure and blew a hole in the crankcase. Were you able to make a warranty claim on it? |
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Quoted: not if you are moving it a lot. Easier to move the one 2000 than one 3000+ I have the Predator 3500 and it is a solid bit of equipment. I also have a Champion 5500 and it is very good too, but shines the best due to wireless remote start. I am full time RVing and I am keeping both of them. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: What about buying another 2000 watt champion and running them both parallel only when the extra power is needed? KISS seems better in this situation. not if you are moving it a lot. Easier to move the one 2000 than one 3000+ I have the Predator 3500 and it is a solid bit of equipment. I also have a Champion 5500 and it is very good too, but shines the best due to wireless remote start. I am full time RVing and I am keeping both of them. It's easier to move one 3000 than move two 2000's and have to get them wired up together. |
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Quoted: After only three weeks? Did it run out of oil? Or was it something else that caused it? Â Were you able to make a warranty claim on it? Quoted: Quoted: Before that, I had a Predator 3500 that ran non-stop for about 3 weeks before it had a catastrophic failure and blew a hole in the crankcase. Were you able to make a warranty claim on it? I have a predator 4000, the old loud kind, that has countless days and gallons of fuel through it. It won't fucking die. We never use it anymore because of the noise and weight, but it always starts right up when I test it. |
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Fuck it, ordered one. Apparently they are rebranded Cummins. Import of course, but I'll give it a shot. Noise isn't the primary concern, although it is nice having the quiet on a jobsite. |
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Quoted: If you know so much why are you asking questions on here? Â To flaunt that you can afford Honda? Quoted: Quoted: It's easier to move one 3000 than move two 2000's and have to get them wired up together. If you know so much why are you asking questions on here? Â To flaunt that you can afford Honda? I asked about similar spec'd generators and how they compare. I didn't ask about getting two undersized units and running them in parallel, that application is over complicated for our use. Want to keep being a dick about it? |
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Quoted: Fuck it, ordered one. Apparently they are rebranded Cummins. Import of course, but I'll give it a shot. Noise isn't the primary concern, although it is nice having the quiet on a jobsite. Quoted: Fuck it, ordered one. Apparently they are rebranded Cummins. Import of course, but I'll give it a shot. Noise isn't the primary concern, although it is nice having the quiet on a jobsite. I’m tempted to order one at that price just for the hell of it. |
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Quoted: I’m tempted to order one at that price just for the hell of it. Quoted: Quoted: Fuck it, ordered one. Apparently they are rebranded Cummins. Import of course, but I'll give it a shot. Noise isn't the primary concern, although it is nice having the quiet on a jobsite. I’m tempted to order one at that price just for the hell of it. If it doesn't work out, then it's one more extra and I can move an older one on marketplace, not a huge deal. It's engine is twice the size of the one in my Champion, so I'm assuming it will have enough ass to fill the role we need it to fill. |
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Quoted: Fuck it, ordered one. Apparently they are rebranded Cummins. Import of course, but I'll give it a shot. Noise isn't the primary concern, although it is nice having the quiet on a jobsite. The big issue with new generators is the CO sensors. A customer brought in a Generac that was like new, maybe 100 hours on it, and it would shut off after a few seconds. After wasting my time trying to find a new part (Im not a dealer) I bypassed it per the customers request. The inverter generators are convenient, but the second it needs the valves adjusted or you break the shoe string diameter pull rope, good luck. 1 hour to do something that takes 5 minutes on a regular generator. |
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Quoted: The big issue with new generators is the CO sensors. A customer brought in a Generac that was like new, maybe 100 hours on it, and it would shut off after a few seconds. After wasting my time trying to find a new part (Im not a dealer) I bypassed it per the customers request. The inverter generators are convenient, but the second it needs the valves adjusted or you break the shoe string diameter pull rope, good luck. 1 hour to do something that takes 5 minutes on a regular generator. I agree. I had to clean the carb on one last year, fucking sucked. Worth it though to have the noise and fuel savings, especially for light duty work like battery charging. |
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Quoted: Wen makes a nice option in the range you're looking for. I have one and it's been a workhorse. Wen GN400i I've got a Wen I've had for 20 years. Great generators. |
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I'm a big Honda small engine guy but for the amount I run a generator it makes no sense to spend Honda money, so I'm good with Champion. Just posted this in GD where Amazon has a great deal on an open frame inverter with 4250 surge watts/3500 running watts for $435: Champion inverter generator deals on Amazon |
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Quoted: Wen makes a nice option in the range you're looking for. I have one and it's been a workhorse. Wen GN400i That's another great deal. Wen makes some low-end/homeowner-grade stuff in general but their generators are pretty well-regarded. And I agree with the post about avoiding anything with a CO shutoff, if you're not an idiot you don't need it and it's another failure point. |
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Quoted: I need a new daily use generator. For a few years I've used a Champion 2000w inverter. It does 2000 peak/1700 Running, and it still works fine. Daily use is almost entirely battery charging and running the mini fridge in the trailer. The problem is that sometimes (maybe once a week or less now), we need to be able to run at between 1500-2000 watts. It will do it, but it's getting the shit worked out of it, and sometimes it will kick the internal breaker. I'm assuming it's when it gets too hot and it shuts itself done to prevent getting fried. Stuff like a shop vac and a trash pump really works it. Honda has the EU3200i inverter which is rated to run at 2600w. There's tons of other 3000ish watt options available too that are half the price or less though. The Craftsmen 3300w is about the same size and weight, less than half the price, and getting good reviews, made by Generac. Is it really worth paying the premium for the Honda when for the same money you could get two with similar specs. Even if the service life is half as long you aren't out anything. I can't really go much larger in size or weight for that application because we need to be able to move it around easily. I can always bring a bigger open framed one if we really have to put the juice to something, but I don't like using them unless I need to. For the money Champions are hard to beat but Honda makes the best portable generator on the market . |
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4250 watts of Champion inverter (open frame) for $435.00 4250 watt Champion @ $435.00 |
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Quoted: Fuck it, ordered one. Apparently they are rebranded Cummins. Import of course, but I'll give it a shot. Noise isn't the primary concern, although it is nice having the quiet on a jobsite. I don't think Cummins makes Pulsar generators. Ford generators are actually rebadged Pulsar models. |
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Quoted: That's another great deal. Wen makes some low-end/homeowner-grade stuff in general but their generators are pretty well-regarded. And I agree with the post about avoiding anything with a CO shutoff, if you're not an idiot you don't need it and it's another failure point. |
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Quoted: No, he just didn't change the oil and got one shitty forum post out of it |
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Quoted: The GN400i is probably the best bang for the buck for an inverter you can find. And it's not even close. Most non-inverter generators in that wattage range cost more than that. And the Wen output is cleaner than wall power. I've put it on the scope numerous time. I can post the waveforms if you're curious. Overall, they make good stuff. The only drawback about the 400i is the gas tank is on the small side. Two gallons, and you go through it in about 7 hours if you don't overload it. That's not great. I have a marine tank (9 gal) that I use that stretches fuel ups to about 20 hours. I'm waiting for the next hurricane and outage so I can fully test it out. Quoted: Quoted: That's another great deal. Wen makes some low-end/homeowner-grade stuff in general but their generators are pretty well-regarded. And I agree with the post about avoiding anything with a CO shutoff, if you're not an idiot you don't need it and it's another failure point. The gas tank on that Pulsar seems to be it's biggest con. 1 gallon on a something that size won't last long. It's a non issue for us, portability is more important, but if you were using it to power appliances or something during an outage it would get incredibly annoying. I actually use the Champion when our power goes out (if it's home when we need it) and just run the coal stove and circulation fan, then rotate in the fridge and freezers as needed. I'll run the TV and Playstation as well. I can use an open frame or the portable welder if it's not home, but those just blow through fuel. Works great for that application because just the stove at night is an extremely low load, so it sips fuel. Last time we had a multi day outage a few friends of mine had to use their 6000-7000w open frame jobsite units and they spent hundreds on fuel. One of my projects this summer is prepping for a whole home backup unit. We get 4-5 outages a year, that last from a few hours to a few days, it's getting old. Last one happened when I was pouring 400 yards over an hour from home, my wife called and I walked her through getting the generator going.....and she plugged in the wrong cord so the stove went out and it got cold in the house. She went to her parents and I got home at 8pm to a cold and dark house and had to get the heat going again, sucked. |