Honda Generator?

alta825 · 03-29-2008, 10:25 PM

Looking at perhaps picking up a small generator to help top the batteries while camping for more than 3 days in one spot. looking at the super quiet Honda eu1000 or eu2000. I know the 2000 is more than adequate but it's bigger, heavier and a fair amount more expensive.

Will the 1000 do OK to keep my house batteries topped off? FYI - no AC or microwave, just the fridge, fan and lights.

anyone use one from time to time w/ their SMB? Also am considering the Yamaha 1000...

Thanks

-d

EMrider · 03-29-2008, 11:19 PM

The eu1000 will be perfect for the usage you describe.

But keep in mind that if you do need/want to use the micro, the draw will probably exceed the eu1000's max output. So you'll need to run it a bit to get a full charge back into the batteries.

I've got the eu2000 and have been extremely happy with the reliability, ease of use and sound output. But my usage is about the same as yours and I could have been just as happy with the eu1000. The eu2000 can usually fully charge the batteries in a few hours or less. Assume a bit longer for the eu1000.

Rob

Greg In Austin · 03-30-2008, 06:47 AM

We do not have our SMB yet, but we have had a Honda 2000 for a a couple of years now. We have used it mainly for tailgating at college sporting events, and a couple of times whe the power went out at the house.

It is larger than the 1000, but it really is not that much larger or heavier. The difference in the 1000 and 2000 seems much smaller than between the 2000 and 3000.

And they are super quiet. One thing we don't like about some tailgaters is their lack of cosideration for others, sitting a loud generator on the other side of a vehicle so that everyone else but themselves gets the sound of their generator. With the 2000 you can have it sitting right there and hardly know it is on. (before we got the generator we used a silent battery bank and inverter)

One other thing you might think about is how your load will affect the generator. If it can just idle then it will be that much quieter and use that much less fuel.

Ford_6L_E350 · 03-30-2008, 10:13 AM

For about the same cost as a generator, you can have a solar panel that will keep your batteries charged. The fridge, fan, lights, furnace and radio will pull down our house batteries in a couple days. The solar will keep the batteries charged every day and prevent issues.

We can dry camp for weeks without worrying about the batteries.

Unless you have AC or a microwave, the real advantage I can see for a generator is in cold weather camping. You could have the house system plugged in and plug in the engine block heater (if you have one). In sub-zero weather, that could make the difference between being able to start and camping another day.

Mike

alta825 · 03-30-2008, 10:26 AM

Solar would be a great option however, right now $$$ is a concern and I can get my hands on either the Honda or Yamaha 1000 series generators for about 650-700.00 new. Off of SMB's pricing it would be @ 1300.00+ not including install.

I also use the roof racks a fair amount and would be concerned about wear/tear on the panels.

Anyone have any thoughts of the Honda eu1000i vs the Yamaha ef1000is other than red vs blue??

TIA

-d

oclv · 03-30-2008, 04:26 PM

There is a brief comparison test between the Honda 1000, 2000, and the Yamaha 1000 in Camping Life that I found on line. Here is the link to it:

http://www.campinglife.com/output.cfm?id=1112113

Can someone tell me what the distance is from the floor to the bottom of the bed on a "50" floor plan? I am guessing that these won't fit under the bed.

oclv

travlinman · 03-30-2008, 09:15 PM

We debated the generator vs solar in the run up to purchasing our van, in the end we went with the solar. For full time use I cannot imagine dealing with the generator. We can go for a full day of climbing or cycling and the fridge can run and the batteries are fully charged. No worries about the generator being stolen and no gasoline to buy or carry. Sure the generator is cheaper to start but at $4 per gallon it will catch up quickly to solar and it is a lot more trouble.

S

jage · 03-30-2008, 09:58 PM

Plus with the solar you can point to it and say to the greenies, "Whaddya mean, it's *solar* powered!"

Also I've been meaning to post this video from Death Valley for those considering a Honda 2000:

Windows Movie 582KB

or if you want the original:
AVI Movie 12MB

NRL · 03-31-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alta825

Looking at perhaps picking up a small generator to help top the batteries while camping for more than 3 days in one spot. looking at the super quiet Honda eu1000 or eu2000. I know the 2000 is more than adequate but it's bigger, heavier and a fair amount more expensive.

Will the 1000 do OK to keep my house batteries topped off? FYI - no AC or microwave, just the fridge, fan and lights.

anyone use one from time to time w/ their SMB? Also am considering the Yamaha 1000...

Thanks

-d

I have both the 1000 and 2000. My buddy has my Honda 1000 which keeps him charged when he gets to camp before me.

We replace it with the Honda 2000 once I get to camp to charge both Vans..

Main reason I got the Honda 2000 was that it runs the portable Air Condition on the hottest days. The Honda 1000 bearly gets it going.

John and Dana · 03-31-2008, 10:09 PM

I am still waiting for my van so no practical experienc but I do know a lot about electronics. I would start by looking at the battery charger to see what the peak current usage is, it should be listed somewhere on the unit. If it is below 900 watts or 7.5 amps it will never draw more current than the Honda EU1000 can put out. The only reason then to buy the larger unit is if you wanted to power appliances other than the battery charger for extended time periods.

I am also looking into a small generator for my van eventhough I have solar because in the Pacific Northwest you can't count on the sun to charge your batteries. I found Briggs & Stratton makes a small generator that runs as quietly as the Honda and sells for around $525.