1000 watt generator opinions

[JonesFamilyJayco]

I really like the looks of both the Honda eu 1000 and the Yamaha 1000 generators.  Both claim to be very quite, small, and dependable.  I have been looking a ebay for a while to see how used ones compare to new in price.  I have found several Honda's but no Yamaha's.  

Does anyone have either one of these? Have you been happy with its performace for dry camping or do you wish you had a larger one?  How well do they charge the battery?  Could you run a portable refrigerator (like Coleman's power chill), a fan, and lights without overloading the system?

Thanks!

[MtnCamper]

Does anyone have either one of these?

I have one, have had it for 3 years or so.

Have you been happy with its performace for dry camping or do you wish you had a larger one?

It has never failed me at all. Very happy with it, But I don't have AC to worry about either.

How well do they charge the battery?

It charges just exactly like at home, I use the same charger. it delivers a better charge, because it's a smart charger. Don't try to use the 12V hookup to charge with, use your charger. The generator puts out a steady 8 amps, and doesn't know when to stop.

Could you run a portable refrigerator (like Coleman's power chill), a fan, and lights without overloading the system?

Check the demand on the fridge, I think it will. Anything above about 600 watts, will make it throttle up, and it gets louder. But I run the whole camper, water pump, lights, TV, DVD player...... everything at idle. Don't even know it's there. This fall, I plan on camping with it powering a heated mattress pad. Where we go it will be excellent.

Would I buy another just like it? YES.

[OC Campers]

I have the Honda model. It starts on the first pull every time and on the gas conservation mode you can't even hear it in the next camp site. I have a set of 12 volt leads and just spent a week dry camping with it. It worked very well but on the next trip, I think I'll use it to run my battery charger instead of using the leads. Over a week I ran the generator between 1-3 hours per day and used a gallon of gas.
 
Mine was purchased from Mayberrys for $640.00 including shipping about 6 months ago. You can check them out at www.mayberrys.com.
 
Randy

[Martorious]

I have one, have had it for 3 years or so.
It has never failed me at all. Very happy with it, But I don't have AC to worry about either.

Gary, which one do you have, the Honda or the Yamaha?

[MtnCamper]

I have the Honda, but I would expect the same performance from either one.

[JonesFamilyJayco]

Thanks for your input!  I think I have finally made my decision; I plan on purchasing the Yamaha 1000 watt generator for dry camping and rent an inexpensive (but loud) 3000+watt generator for camping at the race tracks.  I would never take a loud generator to a state or federal park, but at the race track, they are everywhere and mine would not be a problem.  I only go to 1 or 2 races a year, so a rental would be best.

[MtnCamper]

Sounds like a good plan to me. I hope you have as good luck with yours as I've had with mine, I'm sure you will. It's nice not having to worry about how much you leave the light on, or how much battery you got left. After all, the next day, just hook up the charger and charge it up! The generator just sits there and hums a merry tune, not complaining at all.

Most of the campgrounds around here are winding down now, they will be closing the weekend after Labor day.... Me I'm looking forward to abandoned (almost) campgrounds, and I'll camp for half price, (water will be off), It will be cool, but not yet cold. So I will run the Honda all night powering an electric blanket.

Enjoy....

[calstate360]

Thanks for your input! I think I have finally made my decision; I plan on purchasing the Yamaha 1000 watt generator for dry camping and rent an inexpensive (but loud) 3000+watt generator for camping at the race tracks. I would never take a loud generator to a state or federal park, but at the race track, they are everywhere and mine would not be a problem. I only go to 1 or 2 races a year, so a rental would be best.

That sounds like a good solution. Don't worry about the Yamaha two of us in Neck-Neff-Cough have them and mine has never failed me. I have yet to go dry camping, but mine is set up on my patio and I have used it during power failures. My neighbors can't figure out how come I have lights because they can't hear it running. It is just as quiet as the Honda and costs less. I paid about $425 for mine new.
Sal

[vjm1639]

ooo..i''m excited...we just ordered one!!  We ordered the Honda 2000i. We've wanted one for emergencies at  home too...and this seemed to be the best for our needs.   Just so you know..Honda has apparently made all their sellers take them off the internet for some reason.  They can no longer show prices.  DH saw the Mayberry's link that Randy posted and the price was quite a bit lower than everywhere we'd checked so, even though they don't show the Honda online anymore he called them.    They said  yep, they had to take them off the websites...but they quoted us a price WITH shipping that was lower by $150 - $200 than anything we've been able to find around here. He ordered it yesterday and the extrememely nice lady on the phone said we should have it by the weekend!  thanks for the reference Randy....we told them they were referred here and we would continue to refer them!   oooooo.......camping in the woods in the fall and still being able to use my heated blanket sounds wonderful!!  :>

[OC Campers]

ooo..i''m excited...we just ordered one!! We ordered the Honda 2000i. We've wanted one for emergencies at home too...and this seemed to be the best for our needs. Just so you know..Honda has apparently made all their sellers take them off the internet for some reason. They can no longer show prices. DH saw the Mayberry's link that Randy posted and the price was quite a bit lower than everywhere we'd checked so, even though they don't show the Honda online anymore he called them. They said yep, they had to take them off the websites...but they quoted us a price WITH shipping that was lower by $150 - $200 than anything we've been able to find around here. He ordered it yesterday and the extrememely nice lady on the phone said we should have it by the weekend! thanks for the reference Randy....we told them they were referred here and we would continue to refer them! oooooo.......camping in the woods in the fall and still being able to use my heated blanket sounds wonderful!! :>

You are welcome Vicki and Bill.  ENJOY!!
 
Randy

[tlhdoc]

ooo..i''m excited...we just ordered one!!  We ordered the Honda 2000i. We've wanted one for emergencies at  home too...and this seemed to be the best for our needs.   Just so you know..Honda has apparently made all their sellers take them off the internet for some reason.  They can no longer show prices.  DH saw the Mayberry's link that Randy posted and the price was quite a bit lower than everywhere we'd checked so, even though they don't show the Honda online anymore he called them.    They said  yep, they had to take them off the websites...but they quoted us a price WITH shipping that was lower by $150 - $200 than anything we've been able to find around here. He ordered it yesterday and the extrememely nice lady on the phone said we should have it by the weekend!  thanks for the reference Randy....we told them they were referred here and we would continue to refer them!   oooooo.......camping in the woods in the fall and still being able to use my heated blanket sounds wonderful!!  :>

What was the price for the Honda?

[vjm1639]

What was the price for the Honda?

I don't have the price here with me...DH ordered it, but it was $8something...$879 I "think"..... That's for the 2000i..the 1000 was $6something. Shipping price is included when they quote you! And of course...no tax ..which saved a bit right there!!

[JonesFamilyJayco]

Just recieved my generator today.  I went with the Honda eu2000i after going back and forth on the Honda eu1000 and the Yamaha 2800 watt inverter model.  The bigest factors were:  quietness, relatively light weight, a little more flexability with 2000 watts vs. 1000 watts.  I purchased it new off of ebay, only after loosing a couple of close bids on used units that went almost the price of a new unit.  The final price was $906.00  including shipping.  This was a little more than $100 less than for the same unit at my local Northern Tool.  

I am really happy with the quietness of the generator.  I feel that it will not be a disturbance at state and national park campgrounds.  It will be nice to have full use of our fans, portable refrigerator, lights, etc without draining our battery.  I hope to try it out this weekend at Lake Norman State Park, just hope the rain and wind stay away.

Thanks for your helpful responses; I hope to write more as I get to use it.