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TomChum
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 16:01 - Edited by: TomChum
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There are such a mix of brands and qualities out there. I think 2000W is perfect for a small cabin. Anyone want to comment about 2000W generators? The Honda's 47lbs, Yamaha is 44lbs, easy to carry with one hand.
I have a Coleman 5kw, and a Honda EX1000, both run perfect, both 20+ years old. The Honda EX 1000 is tiny, and n58 lbs, The Coleman's too loud and the Honda's too small (to run the "equalize feature" of my inverter/charger).
I'm thinking about getting the EU2000 companion kit (and ditch the Coleman too) to have some overhead for compressor, table saw, and other stuff. It comes with a 3 year warranty from HONDA.
I'm thinking about digging a hole on the side of the hill (45deg) and hide the generator in a little concrete bunker, it would have a stump screwed to a well-vented and hinged lid. It would be almost invisible (in theory), all the wires buried too.
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wakeslayer
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 16:33
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Cannot comment on the 2000, but I have the EU3000, and love it. With wanting to run some bigger power tools and a compressor, it may be worth the jump up. I have had mine since 2007, and never had an issue. It sits for months at a time, and I have never even needed to pull start it.
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TomChum
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 18:26
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Quoting: wakeslayer With wanting to run some bigger power tools and a compressor, it may be worth the jump up.
This is why I'm thinking about the pair. Normally I'd only have to carry 47 lbs. And to run power tools to run then I "pair" the two for 4000W. I think the EU3000 is 130 lbs, quite a bit more than both 2000s.
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PA_Bound
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 18:40
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Tom... I absolutely *love* my honda generators- and I think the EU2000i is perfect for most cabin applications- except when driving a well pump. But, before I bought two of them, I would look close at how many watts you need to supply. The 2000's cost nearly $1K each. At $2K for a pair thats pricey. If you actually need 4000 watts now, will you need it when construction is complete? If not, I would buy a decent, cheap larger generator for the construction phase, then sell it and put whaterver you get into a Honda eu2000i for the ongoing operation.
But whichever way you go, I don't think you can beat a Honda.
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TomChum
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 19:14
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I think you're right. I already have an obnoxious 5kW. But need it very very seldom. If the EU2000i will run my little table saw it might be all I need to buy.
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bobrok
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# Posted: 13 Feb 2012 22:06
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Quoting: TomChum If the EU2000i will run my little table saw it might be all I need to buy
It runs my little 8" Craftsman very well, even though the saw is rated at a somewhat higher amperage draw than is the output of the generator. Somewhere in a previous thread Mtn Don and I talked about 'pulsing' the power tool on startup so as to avoid a total generator meltdown. I've been doing this and it works. Once it's running I've never had a problem unless I push the saw a little too hard, or the wood is a little too wet.
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justincasei812
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# Posted: 14 Feb 2012 09:41
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I would love to get away with a smaller generator!! Due to having a well pump that is a 240v I need to buy a 4000w + Right now I am running everything with a cheap 2000w generator just fine (just a little noisy). When spring arrives it will be a bit different with the well pump. I will be putting a cellar with a trap door under the shed and vent it for the generator for noise reduction (if need be with a Honda) and consealment. I had thought about pairing two Honda's up but need the 240v to run the well.
PA_Bound has a good thought buy a cheap one and do the construction then buy a smaller Honda to run the cabin if you can. The smaller ones are better on fuel and less noisy even when comparing Honda to Honda.
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tbjohn
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# Posted: 14 Feb 2012 16:37
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I was just reading your post and wondering if you are planing on putting the generator in that cellar? I hope not. Way too many fumes to depend on a vent. You can use a 3 sided box that has a roof and is out where the fumes will just disapate. That is way safer. Just my way of thinking.
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wakeslayer
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# Posted: 14 Feb 2012 17:35
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Justincase. How much is a 120v well pump? Maybe it would be easier to convert that in the long run. I have a 120v pump that pumps uphill several hundred feet to my holding tank, after pulling it from 220-230 feet below . My receipt is at my cabin or I would be able to tell you model and cost.
I had someone plumb a copper exhaust pipe onto my EU3000. It comes with just a vent for the exhaust. I leave mine inside my baby polebarn (8x8) and run it there. The pipe just sticks out the side of the building a few inches. I do leave the door open as it gets hot in there.
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davestreck
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# Posted: 14 Feb 2012 20:51
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I'm seriously considering upgrading from my current Northern Tool genny to a Honda EU2000. All I have heard about them is positive, and since I found this web site, I'm 99% sold:
Tri-Fuel Honda Generator
It would tie-in well with the propane setup I have planned for my cabin. I'm considering ordering one now so I can pick it up on my way north this summer.
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justincasei812
Member
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2012 11:19
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tbjohn,
I was going to put the genny in the cellar, I have seen it done before. Normally the cellar is put in a corner so there would be a vent on two sides and an additional exhaust pipe is added and long enough to the ouside. When running the genny the trap door would be open and if nessassary the shed door as well. This should vent enough fresh air in with no problems. just need to pick the best corner for good air flow. It also allows you to leave the generator there if hidden properly.
Wakeslayer,
I am not sure. When I bought the cabin (not long ago) the 240v pump was already there. i do know the name of the company that drilled the well so I could get a hold of them to see if that would be possible to do. I was just thinking that since the well was drilled in the past 5 yrs that and it was 110 ft down they would have put in the optimal pump. If I can get away with a 120v that would be awesome!!
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Kharkov43
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2012 11:24 - Edited by: Kharkov43
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Can't beat the Honda EU3000 Generator. We've had ours now 5 yrs at the cabin. Good on fuel and quite!
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rayyy
Member
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2012 18:37
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I love my eu2000i.I use it everyday for a couple of hours.I can run the microwave or toaster along with watching tv or on the computer.And with it on eco mode it just idles when I am watching tv or comp.The noise is no more than a fan or ac running.You get use to that and not even think about it.All the while charging my batteries,too.If you shop around on line you can find pretty good deals.
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AU2009
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2012 18:56
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We spent a while looking at all of the generators. First of all, if you are going to buy one, then buy a good one and a quiet one, especially if its going to be used for camping in any way shape or form. We ware pretty much sold on a Honda EU2000, it is easy to carry for one person, would power pretty much all we need to power, etc. We were on the edge about the 3000 because you could for sure power anything you needed at the same time, but it was heavy.
I started looking at the Yamaha 2400 watt. It was an in between of the 2000 and 3000 honda. And the local yamaha dealer had one left that he used as a display so we got a really good deal on it. One thing I like about the yamaha is it would power some of our tools that the honda wouldn't, and will power a 13500 btu ac unit, full size refrigerator (used as a home back up for power outages in addition to the cabin), and is still light enough to be handled by one person.
One nice thing about the honda is that you can hook up an auxiliary fuel tank, like an outboard tank and essentially have as much fuel as you want. The yamaha doesn't use a fuel pump so you can't do this, but a gallon of gas will run all the way through the night (even though I haven't ever needed to run it through the night).
So if you are torn between the 2000 and 3000 honda check out the 2400 yam.
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Toofewweekends
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2012 00:42
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X2 for all of the good words on the Honda 2000. Ours came with the cabin, so maybe 6 years old. Runs well in sub-zero, I change the plug every year but not really sure why as it never seems fouled. Plenty of power for one power tool at a time, and anything we want to run in the kitchen.
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humv
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2012 23:48
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I love the Honda's. Generators are an area where you get what you pay for. On the smaller Honda's you can a boat fuel tank fueling system to keep the gen running for long periods. One thing to consider is battery based power system. You can have power 24 x 7 and just charge the batteries in the cabin when you need it. This reduces gen run time and noise.
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skootamattaschm idty
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# Posted: 1 May 2012 09:18
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I have the Honda EU3000w generator that we have had for about 7 years now. Works great, even in very cold weather. I have mine on a small piece of plywood with pneumatic tires attached, making it quite portable. It will run everything I need at the cottage except for my Campbell Housefield 3hp compressor. I bought a smaller compressor to keep at the cottage and it works fine. Good fuel economy and runs quiet, especially with the eco feature. I also have an 8" portable table saw that the 3000w has no problem running. I highly recommend it over the smaller model.
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TomChum
Member
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# Posted: 6 May 2012 14:30
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Does anyone have direct experience using a Honda EU2000i to power a "15A" jobsite table saw?
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 6 May 2012 15:30
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Tom my makita chopsaw is 12 amp and only on occasions, such as a wet piece of wood or a knot or very hard wood does it give me trouble with my eu2000i.
I have used my craftsman 8" table saw with similar results, but I don't have the saw with me here so I can get back to you with the amperage when we get home in a day or so.
I've found if I don't push the saws too hard the Honda will usually keep up.
Hope this helps.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 6 May 2012 16:49
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I have a Honda EU2000i and it runs my cabin, it runs my air compressor (for air nailing) plus everything else I have used to build the cabin, ie worm drive saw, shop vac, sanders, routers, and it does it all on "eco throttle" (quiet mode) with ease. I run it all day long and through the evening and it doesnt even run out a tank of fuel. I also have a Honda EU6500is, much more $$$, but its rated the same noise level as the little 2000. Get the Honda, if its money you want to save, buy it online. Try http://www.wisesales.com and they will ship it to you no sales tax for $850 (retails for $1099). Another good place is http://www.bigskypower.com but it will be about $899.
I also have a Honda self propelled 21" mower. Honda power equipment is the finest on the planet, second to no one.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 6 May 2012 16:59 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Quoting: justincasei812 PA_Bound has a good thought buy a cheap one and do the construction then buy a smaller Honda to run the cabin if you can. The smaller ones are better on fuel and less noisy even when comparing Honda to Honda.
Not needed. The Honda EU2000i wil run all your powertools, including air compressor (get a diaphragm type compressor, not a piston type, piston types need much more start up torque), even on "eco throttle" mode. I know, I have done it. It wont run everything at the same time. So if the compressor is running, wait till it quits to run a circular saw is all. My compressor is a 6 gallon Porter Cable. The worm drive saw draws the heaviest load on start up. So I just let it spool up before I get into the wood with it is all. THE AC is done electronically, so RPM doesnt need to be 3600 like a 2 pole gennie to obtain the 60Hz, it can do it even at just above idle. Also, if the load is excessive, it shuts off the electrical to protect itself and other sensitive electronics. But the engine will still run. To reset it, turn the gennie off, restart it.
I built my entire cabin on this little gennie and used air nailers all the way through.
Table Saw
Router
Worm Dive circular
Shop Vac
Belt Sander
Roto Zip
I do not run a well. If you have a well, maybe get a 110V pump instead of a 220. But not sure about amperage. The little Honda is rated for about 16.3 surge, about 13.5 continuous.
I might add, there is a new model, called the EU2000i "companion" and it doesnt have the built in battery charger, but in place, you get a 30A 110VAC RV plug, and it puts out over 25 amps. I always though the battery charger was a waste anyway, if i wanted to charge batteries, I'd plug in a battery charger and use an external charger.
It only have 1 110V plug plus the 30A 110V RV plug. But you can just use an extension cord with a 2 gang (4 plug) box on the end of the cord plugged into the RV plug to take advantage of the extra amperage.
Companion is $100 extra
Real Tree Cammo, $200 extra, but then, your just lose it because its so quiet. Cammo comes in regular and companion models. 
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TomChum
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# Posted: 6 May 2012 18:20 - Edited by: TomChum
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Thx guys, for the large volume of "direct" info! I'd still like to know it anyone has direct experience running a "15A" jobsite tablesaw (10") which is a hungry tool i will use a lot this summer.
If a 47lb generator does all that, and quiet, i suppose its the one for me. The companion option is interesting too. I still have the $300, 5kw coleman angry as a wild bull, which I would like to use ony as a backup.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 7 May 2012 10:53
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Tom, I suspect it will run your table saw. Its capable of 16.3 amps start up. But be nice to actually try it on one first. I have a Porter Cable 8" table saw, starts up with ease.
Once you own this gennie, you will throw rocks at everything else. In eco throttle mode, its about 48 db. A normal conversation between 2 people is 60, this gennie at full power runs 59 db (eco throttle off), so 59 db is the loudest it will be.
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analogmanca
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# Posted: 8 May 2012 02:42 - Edited by: analogmanca
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TomChum
It would not matter if some one told you they had done so or not, You are to close to the limit of that gen with a heavy inductive load, I have not run the saw you speak of but have used both the 1000, and 2000,
I will guess no chance...tripout on start up or bog down on heavy load, other variables are does the motors start winding have a start cap? Run windings, do they have a cap, is the cord on the saw of sufficient gauge so as not give a high voltage drop.
To many variables with insufficient headroom on that gen. One model of saw "might" just run but another may not. Also elevation with a Naturally asperated engine can come in to play,then you have to consider the fuel, with increasing amounts of $3@# ethanol being blended in, engine performance suffers..... My money is on no, but if I remember right I thought with the 2000 series, and up you could
parallel the output of two units together..something to check out, and having a second unit is a good thing....though I prefer diesels
Worst case,3000+ in elevation, 15%or more ethanol in your fuel, no start or run caps, a 18 or 16 gauge cord( I have seen them on 15 amp inductive loads!) , Then no way with that gen
I have used a 8 inch saw, 2000 feet, no ethanol, and no problems with a 2000 series.
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bobrok
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# Posted: 9 May 2012 22:17
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Well, we're back home and, sorry to say, I have a baby table saw (@7.5 amps) compared to some of the others here, including yours.
But I promised I would get back...
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livfree
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# Posted: 31 May 2012 11:53
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We bought a EU2000KC2M a month ago and love it! It has a throttle control (not sure if the one your talking about does) so it doesn't run fully open all the time, its on demand power.
We can run our chop saw and skill saw at the same time no problem. Its very portable too, light, and super quiet! Would definitely recommend this generator!
Also if you ask the honda guys to see if it will run your table saw or whatever your concerned about they probably will let you buy it, try it, and if it doesn't work, return it. Thats what they did for us, but it worked so we didn't return it.
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TomChum
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# Posted: 31 May 2012 13:32 - Edited by: TomChum
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Great idea, and thanks for the test data. I should have thought of taking my tablesaw to the HONDA dealer. But it's (sort of) too late, I already bit the bullet ordered the set of 2 (companion kit) will be here tomorrow!
I have a 'barn' that is not 'adjacent' to the cabin and decided that it would be handy to have a generator for the barn too. The EU2000i and EU2000i "companion" can connect to make some decent power (4000W) when necessary.
Good idea on the 4-gang for the 30A plug!
Also interesting thoughts that it's 'close to the edge' and possibly ethanol in the fuel could reduce the performance to below adequate.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 31 May 2012 14:25 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Quoting: TomChum Good idea on the 4-gang for the 30A plug!
Tom, my dad showed me that years ago. Nothing more frustrating then each time you run a different tool, unplug it and plug in another. So dad made a cord, cut off the plug end, got a surface mounted metal conduit box, 2 gang, installed 2 duplex outlets, strain releif so you dont pull the wire out and now you have 4 plugs. In this case, the 30A RV plug to utilize that gennie plug space (perfect for your building and power tools). Leave the table saw, skil saw, compressor and router plugged in all the time. I guess you'd want to use 10AWG wire to it as that circuit is rated for almost 30 amps, then you should be able to run that table saw without an issue.
Do you have the gennies yet? Tom, you will throw rocks at everything else. And when you are in your cabin in the evening, and its running, you wont even hear it. Even setting right next to your cabin. The parallel kit will make it a powerhouse combo pkg for sure if you ever need it.
I bought the big EU6500is for my house, it ran everything, ie electric dryer, electric hot water tank, electric range, all on eco throttle to boot (not all at the same time of course)
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TomChum
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# Posted: 31 May 2012 17:32 - Edited by: TomChum
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Hi TMT, I have one of those, just need to find a 30A pigtail for it.
The new EU2000s arrive tomorrow. I am planning to test how well the combo can run my Miller 140 120v wirefeed welder (20A) before I head out to the boonies.
I have a full solar system that cost a lot less than one of the generators, and its truly silent, and takes no gas at all (except in the winter) 
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aktundra
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# Posted: 31 May 2012 17:50
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Thanks for posting the links to wisesales.com !!
I have used the Honda EU2000i at work and it's a great generator. For our cabin we bought the Yamaha EF2000iS generator, mainly because I could get it locally for $800 vs. $1099 for the Honda. After reading these posts, I'm thinking my generator is a wimp! Both Yamaha and Honda are rated at 16.7 amp @120V. My Skilsaw bogs down the generator and it's only a 13amp saw? The generator powers it, but halfway through long cuts, I have to stop and let the generator catch up.
I haven't compared the Honda I used at work side by side to my Yamaha, but the Honda does seem quieter.
I like that I can charge 12V batteries with the generator being in a remote location (in case I need to charge the boat battery). I used it to charge a 4stroke snogo battery after it got too cold and wouldn't crank.
I really like the 2000W generators because they are really quiet and easy on fuel. I plug the generator up to my airplane (preheat the engine at -30F) which I have electric cylinder heaters and oil pan heaters (about 1000W). I like how efficient the generator is on fuel, and how light it is (throw it in the back of the plane). It's also fairly easy to start in the cold
AKTUNDRA
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