Honda Generators question

[wynot]

I generally take a look at the generators available out there, and now I am really getting confused.
 
I know to run a Coleman Mach, I need to either have a 3000W gen or a pair of EU 2000i parallelled. There is just something which mentally seems wrong about running a pair of engines, although I guess the real answer is that you only need run one if your power requirements don't need A/C.
 
Anyhow, I ran into another Honda option of a E?(Y?)3000 the other day for a $1,000 new, and the EU 3000 was $1769. They both seemed rated for quiet running. Anyone who can tell me what the true difference is in the real world? They're both heavy as all get out, I would hate to try to wrestle that thing out of the back of the 3/4 ton pickup bed I have in front of the 5th wheel hitch.

[zamboni]

I know to run a Coleman Mach, I need to either have a 3000W gen or a pair of EU 2000i parallelled.

That is not entirely accurate.

I have a Coleman Mach AC unit on my Jayco 23B (13,500 BTU or 15000 - I cannot remember at this moment).  I can run it with my Honda 2000 generator.  I just have to ensure not much else is running (ie, battery is not drawing a lot from the converter to recharge).

I have a Kill-A-Watt meter, so I can measure power draw.  I plugged my camper into the meter, and plugged the meter into the generator.  This way, I can be sure how much my TOTAL wattage draw is.

The AC appears to be a "soft start" - it starts at about 1300 watts, and ramps up from there to a max of about 1700 watts, with my converter taking about 150 watts.  Thus, if my battery were not connected, I'd be drawing about 1600 watts from my AC.  I have intended to, but not yet, put a battery disconnect switch on - but have not needed the AC yet for dry camping.

This is about in line with my more-efficient portable AC I have in my house -- it draws right about 1000 watts for 12,000 BTU's of cooling.

So, there is a good likelihood that if your AC is newer, and you plan your total draw, you can quite possibly run it on a Honda 2000 without exceeding its continuous rated load of 1600 watts

[wavery]

I have had the same experience with my CarrierV AC and 1 Honda EU2000i generator, with a slight difference.

If I run the AC through my converter (even with the battery disconnected) the AC will run until the first time that it cycles. When cycling, my EU2000i Honda generator will overload when the compressor restarts. If I run the AC through a 12g extension cord, directly from the generator to the AC , it will cycle fine (most of the time). I have had one failure on a real hot day. I restarted it after about 15 minutes and it ran fine.

The Ideal set-up would be 2 of the EU2000i generators because they are individually and collectively lighter weight. (90% of the time that we run our generator is without the AC) and the fuel economy is much better than a single Honda 3000w generator.

I actually had 2 of the EU2000i generators and found that the 2nd one was never used so I sold it to my brother. I still have the wiring for hooking the 2 together. When we dry-camp together, we hook them up, we both run our AC and most anything else that we want and never have a problem. Probably because the AC compressors don't start (cycle) at exactly the same time.

BTW......not all Honda generators are "Quiet" generators. They make a series of generators that are made for commercial job-sites and not for camping. They may be advertised as "Quiet" but the real test is the db rating.

[Recumbentman]

I have heard that the honda will run your AC at or near sea level, but you will have problems the higher you go.
Have you thought about one of these

click here
One will geter done  

[wavery]

I have heard that the honda will run your AC at or near sea level, but you will have problems the higher you go.
Have you thought about one of these click here
One will geter done  

Brad.....your link isn't working .

[wavery]

I have heard that the honda will run your AC at or near sea level, but you will have problems the higher you go.
Have you thought about one of these

click here
One will geter done  

The Yamaha is a great selection also. Just remember. It weighs 70# (Honda EU2000i is 43#). Even if you are talking 2x43#, the user will only have to lift one at a time. With the 70# generator, you'd better be able to man-handle the 70# from the back of your TV. If the user is elderly, a wimp (like me) or smaller in stature, that could make a big difference.

The Yamaha uses 3g of fuel in 15 hrs @1/4 load (Honda 1.1G in 15 hrs @ 1/4 load). That is a substantial difference. That means that you will need to carry twice as much fuel for the same run time. Yamaha does not give you the "Full load" rating. Honda advertises 1.1g in 4 hours. I would assume that the Yamaha would use about 50% more @ the same load.

I can tell you that MOST of your engine running time will be @ or around 1/4 load. I can also tell you that my Honda generator runs for 6 hours with the AC running.