Portable generators - which brands are best?

[CoPilots]

Presently, we plan to run the generator for a short period each afternoon to re-charge the battery. We have no AC...yet. We've read lots of praise for the Honda EU2000 with its option to be hooked in tandem with a second one. But, I saw a Coleman for sale, having comparable output, for 40% of the price. Any comments on that? What about the Yamaha generators? Others?

[tlhdoc]

Welcome to PUT.

 
With the Honda's you are paying for a much quieter generator.  There is no comparison between the Honda and the Coleman generator.  You can stand next to the Honda and have a conversation.  You will get a headache form listening to the Coleman.  Yamaha's are louder than the Honda's, but not as loud as the Coleman's.  I have the Honda EU2000 and it is a very nice generator.

[chkster]

i have a kipor and it is quiet as well

[tlhdoc]

i have a kipor and it is quiet as well

What is the decibel output on the kipor under full load?

[chkster]

What is the decibel output on the kipor under full load?

listed at 61 for the 2000ti/and tc
link to stats

[griffsdad]

I have the Honda EU2000i. It's great and quiet. Spend the extra dough. Linking two EU2000i is an option only available through Honda.

[CoPilots]

Thanks for the electrifying responses!
We don't get to test these things in the store and the Honda costs a chunk o' change. We'll listen in here a bit longer, then make a decision.

[tlhdoc]

Linking two EU2000i is an option only available through Honda.

Ummm...not any more
 
The Yamaha 2400 can be linked giving you 4800 watts.  2 of the Honda EU2000's cost less than 2 of the Yamahas.

[CoPilots]

How do the noise level and weight of the Yamaha compare to those of the Honda?

[tlhdoc]

The Yamaha 2400s are more in line with the quiet Hondas.  The Yamaha 2800 is louder.  I have the Honda EU2000 and it really is quiet compared to other generators.  We were camping at Assateague Island in July.  You couldn't hear my pair of Hondas off of my site.  The other generators that were down the loop a ways could be heard all over the loop, even in part of my site (20 feet away from my generators).

[chasd60]

$2000 to operate your AC is a pretty steep price to pay. I guess we all have to have our toys though.

[CoPilots]

Well, campers, we sprang for a Honda EU2000. Our decision was based on your input and reading elsewhere.

You may be interested to note that the Canadian version of the EU2000 does not have the little jumper to synch two units, while the EU1000 does. This is the wisdom of the Canadian safety mavens.

We decided that, since we don't plan on getting AC for the trailer, this isn't a big issue.

Thanks for the input.

Cheers.

[griffsdad]

Good choice. I love mine. Don't forget to change the oil after the first 5 hrs. of use.

[CoPilots]

We have test-driven the Honda EU-2000. Excellent!

Thanks to all.