quiet generators

[FettsWay]

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/models.aspx?page=models&section=P2GG&category=sq

These 1000 W and 2000 W quiet Honda generators are more expensive than I would have suspected. Has anyone used these? Or used other brands that perform the safe for less cost? I like the small footprint and the mobility it lends.

I would like to have one for camping, working, and DR for when I look power at the apartment. I could put it on my balcony, run a cord into my place and at least run a space heater off it.

thanks.

 

[IggyB]

I bought a Yamaha 2400is. It's reasonably quet, is an inverter type generator which means it produces a nice AC curve and can be safely used with computers. It weighs 70 pounds or so, but, supposedly will keep a 13500 BTU AC unit crankin'. In case I buy a hardwall trailer in the future. And it should keep the furnace in the house cranking out the heat if power goes out.

 

[kerry]

I recently bought the Honda 2k. Very quiet. Paid $909 including DC charging cables,shipping and extra high altitude jet from Wise Equipment on-line. Thought long and hard before dropping that amount of $$ on a generator when there are cheaper ones out there. I finally decided the Honda was worth it.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I've had the EU1000 for 8 years. It is so quite you can carry on a conversation in normal tones while standing right next to it. With it on the other side of our RV I've actually forgotten it was running.

That said, I never run it except to charge up the RV batteries on extended trips. IMHO it's very bad form to run even the quietest generator unless you really need to.

 

[kerry]

. IMHO it's very bad form to run even the quietest generator unless you really need to.

X2.

 

[adrenaline503]

x3, I hate the hum at campsites.

 

[Carlyle]

I have a Yamaha 1000 and it's quiet enough, my solar panels are even quieter when the sun is out.

 

[EMrider]

I've had the EU1000 for 8 years. It is so quite you can carry on a conversation in normal tones while standing right next to it. With it on the other side of our RV I've actually forgotten it was running.

That said, I never run it except to charge up the RV batteries on extended trips. IMHO it's very bad form to run even the quietest generator unless you really need to.

Ditto. I've had the eu2000 for 2 years and it is an excellent unit. It is used to fully charge the van batteries (2-4 hours on eco-mode) or run the microwave. Very quiet when running and fuel efficient. I use a very long extension cord and locate it as far away from campsites as possible.

And FWIW, I don't have any special jets but typically use it at altitudes between 8k and 11k. Always starts and runs fine.
R

 

[StumpXJ]

I am a factory trained and certified Yamaha and Honda (also BMW and Kawasaki) technician, to include the power equipment side. I have worked on literally hundreds ( I am from a Hurricane town, Charleston, SC) of both Yamaha and Honda generators. Hands down, without a doubt, I cant say it enough.... The Honda will serve you better for reliabilty, and performance. You wont find a better small generator than the EU series. I personally have owned an EU2K for about 7 years now, and have hundreds of hours on it. We used to use it to power our 30 foot enclosed trailer at the dragstrip when I was racing Top Fuel Bikes years ago. It would pull dang near anything we threw at it, and never missed a beat. It sips fuel, is rediculously quiet, and very light (for a generator...). I obviously have done all the maintenance on it over the years, and I havent done anything more than change the oil and one spark plug, and that was just for kicks. The valves have never been out of spec, and it fires right up after virtually any amount of down time if store properly. Again, we have hundreds of hours on this thing.

Generators are like many other things mechanical. You get what you pay for, and then some with a Honda.

~James

 

[mhiscox]

Another vote for the EU-series Hondas. I've bought one 1000 and two 2000s and they've been great. Beyond the obvious low noise and great reliability, one of the best things is that they start easily after you've let them sit for a month or two.

Given that these gensets are small, pretty light and portable, I find them a great solution. No need to take one if you won't need it, but easy enough to throw in if the need arises. And worth the money for a high quality one.

 

[Honu]

have a honda 2000 its very quiet in eco mode

my thought on the 2000 vs the 1000 was I can have the power if I need to and in eco mode its like the 1000 maxed out
with a extension cord at about 40 feet you have to stop walking and listen to hear the genny running
while I dont like to run them and if I am around others I go mention I need to run the batteries up a bit and plan on running it for a while around lunch time
I think loud talking campers are just as annoying I think its like anything common sense and courtesy goes far on both sides

also the newer small Yamaha or honda in eco mode is much much much more quiet than normal type generators which I do think are to loud

 

[toy_tek]

I bought an EU2000i 4 years ago. No issues, nice unit. Even my mom or g/f could lift it and/or start it if needed. This was a consideration for me since at home I had it on standby for my sump-pump if the power went out.

I paid about $900 new, but you can spot them on Craigslist and Ebay too. I think my buddy paid around $600 for one less than a year old off C/L.

 

[Ireland]

I have the Honda eu 1000 (Bought from a guy on here used) and it is amazingly quiet, reliable and easy started... Fully recommend this brand

 

[rusty_tlc]

Another vote for the EU-series Hondas. I've bought one 1000 and two 2000s and they've been great. Beyond the obvious low noise and great reliability, one of the best things is that they start easily after you've let them sit for a month or two.

Given that these gensets are small, pretty light and portable, I find them a great solution. No need to take one if you won't need it, but easy enough to throw in if the need arises. And worth the money for a high quality one.

I always drain the tank and run the unit dry before storing it. I've let mine sit for a year and it started right up.

 

[7wt]

At the RC field a couple guys use the Honda generators to run a bank of batter chargers. I cannot believe how quiet these things are. They are very miserly on the gas too, they will leave them running just about all day. I would love to have one but the cost is out of my reach for the near future.