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Old 01-24-2011, 04:37 AM   #1
brenkco
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Which model generator

We have been following the other generator thread. If you had it to do again what size would you choose? I am looking at the Honda 2000i and the companion OR the 3000i.

Honda has come out with the 3000Handi that is 78 lbs dry (with wheels) vs the 3000ISan which is 134 lbs. Each 2000i is 46 lbs.

DW thinks I'm nuts (she's probably right) as the 2000 is lighter and easier to handle. The new lighter 3000Handi has my interest, one machine rather than 2.

What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Ken
 
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Old 01-24-2011, 05:26 AM   #2
exav8tr
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Ken, the 134lb 3000ISan turned me to the 2000 at 47 lbs. As I said earlier, I am not a boondocker so don't really need the larger unit, however, IF the 78 lb unit was available when I bought mine I would have gone with the larger unit. I would have to look at the specs on the 3000 unit, like constant power, before making a decision. Another words, is it truly a 3000 watt genny or is that peak power?
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Old 01-24-2011, 05:33 AM   #3
bncinwv
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We have an Onan 5.5 built in, a Kipor 3000 and a Honda 2000. The Kipor weighs 150 or so pounds but it will run the 13,500 air conditioner in the rig. That is the primary use we had for it was to run the air since we crated the pets in the old rig during travels (installed front receptacle to facilitate this). The new rig with the built in eliminates the portable genny problem, but knowing what I know now, if the lighter Honda 3000 was available then, that is the selection I would have made. A pair of Hondas would run the air as well, but again, one versus two sounds attractive to me.
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Old 01-24-2011, 05:52 AM   #4
brenkco
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Phil
The two 3000 are both 3000w,
3000iHan is 2600W rated 21.7A, pull start, 1.56 gal, 78lbs dry
3000iSan is 2800W rated 23.3A, pull or electric start, 3.4 gals, 134 lbs dry

Otherwise they look the same(?)
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/p...GG&category=sq

Bingo.

Where did leave the generators when you were in motion? In the monte or bed of the truck?


Thanks!!!
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Old 01-24-2011, 06:28 AM   #5
jpbcny
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by brenkco

Phil
The two 3000 are both 3000w,
3000iHan is 2600W rated 21.7A, pull start, 1.56 gal, 78lbs dry
3000iSan is 2800W rated 23.3A, pull or electric start, 3.4 gals, 134 lbs dry

Otherwise they look the same(?)
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/p...GG&category=sq

Bingo.

I think your link is a little skewed...
you might want to try this one: Honda Recreational Generators
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Old 01-24-2011, 06:37 AM   #6
bncinwv
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Ken,
Bed of the truck, against the cab, locked in place with two steel cables. Had a 30 amp to 50 amp 25 ft cable that was used to power the rig when in motion via the front receptacle.
Jpbcny,
Not my link,
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Old 01-24-2011, 06:40 AM   #7
Art-n-Marge
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Discovering that a generator model number is the typical maximum peak power, I had a bunch of factors on my criteria list back in early 2006:

#1 Weight - I needed to be able to lift it, move it around and put in in my truck bed. Wheels only help if it remained on the ground but only added some weight when it was lifted. There were several small models to pick from and a lot of suspect products based on the other criteria below.

#2 Power capacity - I wanted a minimum of 30 amps. A single 3000 watt genny provides under that, typically 22-24 amps, and was not enough. However two 2000w Honda together provide 4000W which gets much closer to the 30 amp number, but required purchase of a cable and the power panel (the new Companion eliminates that but wasn't available, yet).

#3 Clean 110v power - Besides the RV, I wanted to use the generators for other reasons and running TVs and computers and other sensitive electronics need clean power. A lot of generators fail this one. Beware many of the chinese-made/branded models do not do this even if they said so, plus their quality was suspect.

#4 Size - It needed to fit under the truck bed rails and therefore under the truck bed cover for some security and protection. The Honda 3000s and most other 4000W generators miss this remark and many of the others that did fit couldn't provide the other criteria.

#5 Cost - With Honda and Yamaha the only ones on the list at the time, Honda won the price race against Yamaha even though their cost to other models was higher. But since all the other models did not meet any of the other criteria, they didn't count.

Since then, there are newer smaller better models out there, but I don't know if they interconnect, or know how close they meet all my criteria. I'm stuck with the Hondas.

A new development! There is a product that allows a 3rd Honda 2000 generator to be interconnected to provide 6000W of clean portable power (50 amp) but while I have the link for it, I don't know how it works. I have not seen this for any other generator. I won't need to consider this until I get a 2nd A/C.

These are just my experiences and how I picked my dual EU2000s. A bigger fuel tank and the hoses to go along with it to increase runtime are on the list and we won't be doing much boondocking until then. In the meantime they make a great temporary power source for the RV and many other uses. I am very happy with them especially as each day goes by and I get farther away from what I paid for them that day.
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Old 01-24-2011, 11:49 AM   #8
arcateq
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Thanks Art, that information is helpful to me. The bedsaver and generator are my next purchases. Sounds like the EU2000s and companion will be what i get.
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Old 01-24-2011, 01:18 PM   #9
mlh
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The Honda 3000 Handi is rated st 57 to 65 DB while the 3000 IS is rated at 49 to 58 DB. That doesn't sound like much but 6 DB, I think is double the sound pressure. Somebody please let me know if this is not correct. So this is quite a difference in noise.
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Old 01-24-2011, 02:12 PM   #10
mhs4771
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The nice thing about dual Hondas or similar units. If you don't need high power you can run just one. For a few lights and the TV or Stereo, one Honda will supply enough power at an idle, thus extremely quiet. But if you need the power to run the AC, you pull number 2 out and connect them together.
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