Generator help
 

Need a small portable generator.
2000-3000watts.
What is a good brand, and don't want to spend too much.
Anyone have a spare?

There was a long discussion on unFASTrowBOATS.com on this subject. There were a few members picking up the cheap Chinese imitations of the Honda EU2000i for a couple hundred bucks on eBay. (hmmm, irony?? :D)

I, and about 10 of my friends all have the Honda EU2000i, and we all LOVE them. They are small, dependable, QUIET, and overall a very good package. Expect to pay between $890 and $990 for a new one.

Honda, Yamaha makes one as well, but the one a buddy owns has been plagued by problems and dealer eventually bought it back.

I'm looking at the Honda 2000i too..... Just searching for the best deal :drink:

Team up and buy from a dealer. We did this before for a $50 buck discount.

The Honda 2000, runs my 7k btu a/c, and lights and tv for overnighters. Paid about $950 from the local Honda cycle dealer. :D

I love the honda.Has anyone heard anything about the new Coleman 1800.It has a Subaru motor and claims to be very quiet at just 400 bucks.

HONDA - nuff said :D

Hmm, ask Dan to remind me of that when we discuss my order.. I can get you Honda, Yamaha, or Robin-Subaru... RS actually makes some of Yamaha's units.. We have found them to be quite reliable..

Can a portable generator be used to run shore power on boats. Where is the generator placed while the boat is at rest?

I have the solution, has been in my engine compartment for two years without a problem. Have TWO carbon manoxide detectors in the cabin and has about 50 hours on the Honda.
If you want the specs pm me.
It powers my 10k A/C and battery charger.

Most of us put ours out on the swim platform, and run the shore power cable with a 120VAC pigtail right to the Generator. It works great. I advise using a ratchet strap to keep the Generator put in case some waves pop up unexpectedly.

The Honda base has well engineered anti-vibration feet, and the unit itself is also designed to isolate vibration. There are no ill effects with having it on the platform. Mine will usually run for 6-8 hours depending one how much juice we are pulling.

Advantage to the Honda EU2000i is it has a smart throttle that allows it to automatically throttle up and throttle down based on the amount of juice demanded. This really saves on the gasoline consumed and extends your run time.

come on guys,buy american,you can get a 12 horse briggs and stratton that sounds like twelve actual lawn mowers,people in the marina will love you,

Thanks for all the input peeps.
I got a Honda EU2000i.
Buyin this is just like anything else... quality counts.

Excurion, what did you use for exhaust pipe that wouldn't melt? Seems like the thru-hull would get awfully hot!

I welded a stainless barb on the muffler and installed 600 degree high temp silicone hose and ran it to a stainless thruhull fitting. Have had it there for two years now and ran for many weekends and nights. Tested the temp at the muffler tip only to reach about 215 and at the thru hull it is only about 90. The 215 is at full throttle and when ides down the temp drops. PLEASE !!!! install two carbon manoxide detectors in the the cabin.

Just picked up the EU2000i as well. Paid 1k even with tax tags etc.

Question for the guys who put em on the swim platforms, anyone put em in a tray to prevent a stray wave from getting to the unit? I was thinking rubbermaid bucket with abotu 6" sides.

-mike

If anyone else is interested in a Honda generator...pm me.

Keith

I put mine out on the very front of the bow. I put a line from 1 cleat, through the handle, to the other cleat. I can't even tell it's even running when we're hanging out in the cockpit/platform.

Do you run your blower whenever the gen is running?

If You Guy's Get Together And Buy At Least Five Or More, We Cane Sell'm At $845-$850 Range. Retail Is $1100
Let Me Know. Shipping May Outway Savings.

You Can Put Them In The Engine Hatch, But I Highly Recomend Running Your Blower, And Co2 Detectors.
Sure Makes Alot More Sense Than The $6000 Gens That Are In Some Boats.

Good Thing About The Honda Eu Model Is That You Can Link Them Together And Make More Power.

No, I do not run the blower, believe it not, it is louder than the generator. I do crack open the engine hatch at night about 1 foot, it does get a little warm in there closed up. I do have plenty of air vents on my engine compartment.

Has anyone had any experience with the 1000 Honda? I plan on powering a 5000 btu window unit with it for about 4-5 hours at night.

Recently, our new dock and lift was installed, but it took a few weeks to get the electricity connected. In that time I used my Honda to raise the lift. While I was not using the generator, I stored it under the bow cushions (Envision 32 Intruder), or, under the engine hatch (I just kept it under the hatch for more secure storage-I never started the engine with it under there).

I was really suprised at the amount of gas fumes that I could smell whenever I opened either compartment after the generator had been in there. Don't get me wrong, I would be all for a more permanent mount for it, but I would be afraid of the "big boom" storing it under the hatch. I also don't believe that any insurance company would be overly impressed.

Your answer to the exhast is the best that I have seen, though.

Haven't used the 1000, I have the 2000. If it will run the A/C it will be stressed doing so. The 2000's barely get the 10K BTU units started. (Compressor kicking in really draws some amps)

I seriously doubt you will be able to get that a/c unit started with a Eu1000. They are comparable to a average size home refrigerator and it won't run it.

My Mermaid 6500Btu unit manual says it will run off the Honda 1000 gen.