Found a use for the Honda EU1000 generator

[Brian894x4]

Been doing some excavation work at some abandoned logging RR/camp sites looking for artifacts, but now that it gets dark earlier, it just always seems that right when the sun goes down we find a promissing site.

Well now we don't have to dig by flashlight. Instead, haul out the 30lb generator (so long as it's not too far of a hike) and plug in just about as many lights as we could possibly want and dig away. Just did that last night. Very handy to have.

By the way, anything we find is usually photographed and recorded and left at the site, or if it's significant enough, donated for public display at a local musuem. We keep nothing...as it should be.

At first I wondered if I could justify buying this thing, but I was happy to have it.
http://www.brian894x4.com/HondaEU1000generator.html

Fun stuff.
:archaeolo

 

[erin]

More and more uses everyday. Having used many sizes of generators for construction over the years, I have been considereing a small unit like yours for some time, just something handy to have. Are they really as quite as people say?

 

[Brian894x4]

More and more uses everyday. Having used many sizes of generators for construction over the years, I have been considereing a small unit like yours for some time, just something handy to have. Are they really as quite as people say?

I wish I had something else of similier size to compare it too. It definately makes noise, but it's quieter than I think you would expect. I wouldn't, for example, want to run it in a close quarter camp ground with neighbors over night (nobody would notice it during the day) but I wouldn't have a problem running in the middle of nowhere with no neighbors over night. It's quiet enough, that I could fall asleep with it running.

I could hold a normal tone of voice conversation with people around me as it was running. Perhaps the closest thing I can think of that sounds about the same level is a typical little autoparts store 12 volt compressor is probably louder than this generator. With the eco-switch, the engine runs only as fast as the power requires, so with minimal draw it's quieter.

Power is only about 900 amps constant, so always consider the next size up, like the EU2000, if you think you might need it. They apparently sound about the same, with the biggest difference between more heft and size. What I like most about the EU1000 is that I can literally carry it down a trail with one hand and my lights and pick ax in the other...for example. And it doesn't take up much more room in the truck than a loaded mid sized duffle bag.

You could probably go to an equipment rental place and pick one up to try out or at least hear for yourself.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Power is only about 900 amps constant, so always consider the next size up, like the EU2000, if you think you might need it. They apparently sound about the same, with the biggest difference between more heft and size.

What a stout little generator...I could run my whole streeet on 900 amps! :wings:

 

[Brian894x4]

What a stout little generator...I could run my whole streeet on 900 amps! :wings:

whoops! That's what I get for typing that out a little too early in the morning...that would be watts...yes watts.

 

[DaveInDenver]

More and more uses everyday. Having used many sizes of generators for construction over the years, I have been considereing a small unit like yours for some time, just something handy to have. Are they really as quite as people say?

Hard to argue that they are fairly quiet for a generator, but I still find them unpleasantly loud anywhere but an established commercial campground where you'd find RVs anyway. Just my $0.02, but beyond the hiss of a Coleman lantern or the sound of a bottle being uncapped, I'd rather not hear much else man-made. This of course is completely hypocritical since I ride my mountain bike and ski squeaky bindings in the backcountry.

 

[beemerchef]

As I am getting ready to leave... soon if not again postponed... I went ahead and bought the 2000Ie... I use to have a 1000 on a sailboat... but now... MORE power!... Ah! consumerism... I agree with the noise... but... at "Echo Throttle" setting it is very quiet... I figured no one ever camps near me... and it will be for emergency... real hot day use of... the air unit!... Just had to have it!

I cannot hear the gen set when inside the camper...
If ever camping in a real campground... then of course no need for it if a power outlet is near by...
And then again, I think one of the best purchase as been the Xantrex 600HD Power pack.

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/182/p/1/pt/29/product.asp

with 3 AC outlets... one DC and cables to jump start a battery or run my Winch as I keep the Power Pack in the Sidecar's trunk when riding in rough terrain...

Great for not running the gen set every five minutes... for laptop... coffee grinder... XM Boombox... recharging camera batteries... maybe too much comfort... but it works... rechargable with the gen set or while driving/riding!

Be well... Ara

 

[HINO SG]

long term usage

anyone have any experience in long term maintainance and overhaul of the 1000i? How many hours should it run without maintainance and has anyone had one apart?

Also, somone out there posted the high-capacity fuel tank; how is that working?

TIA

 

[chet]

my buddy works at a honda powersports dealer and he rebuilds these all the time as they have plastice cranks and valves etc!:yikes: They are not as robust as the older Honda gennies that is for sure. He said not to buy one when I enquired and suggested one of the older used ones would be better

 

[Brian894x4]

Ouch...I did not realize that. That's explains why they've dropped in the price the last few years.

 

[HINO SG]

honda longevity

I hadn't noticed prices coming down that much (~$650). Anyway, my 1000i probably has around 500 hours on it, most at a fairly light load, but I depend on every week, so I'd like to be able to budget my remaining usage.

 

[Brian894x4]

I thought the older ones cost in the $1000 range. But even if prices didn't change, Honda would have to cut cost somewhere to offset inflation. Usually manufacturing costs are the first to get cut, with outsourcing to China, etc.

Perhaps, the plastic crank/valves were part of that, to keep the price per unit the same or slightly lower. I also wonder if there's any advantage of the plastic crank/valves...perhaps in terms of noise reduction?

 

[Robthebrit]

I have taken a number of small engines apart and plastic components are common across all makes. Its not until you get to the larger engines (10+hp) that you get an all metal engine.

I very recently rebuilt my briggs 6hp lawn mover engine and it had lots of plastic parts and its getting on for 10 years old and hundreds of hours. The good news is they are dead easy to rebuild, the plastic makes them even easier as lots of places that had bearings or even worse shimmed bearings are now simple plastic to plastic or plastic to metal journals.

Rob

 

[HINO SG]

Honda generator longevity

Nothing new here, just wanted to bump this thread up a little.

I still havn't found much information concerning the maintainance and longevity of small Honda generators, esp. the 1000i.

Anyone?

 

[Desertdude]

had my 1000i since 1999 - have not done a thing to maintain it - just added gas and pull the cord - it has run 4-500 hrs a year - usually I spend more time on maintenance but this Honda has not asked for any