Generators for Camping, Who Has them and what do you have, like, dislike, What brand what Size?

NateDesign

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2006
Location
Graham, NC
Generators for Camping, Who Has them and what do you have, like, dislike, What brand what Size?


Many of you know I work for a power equipment company.
Do any of you have any of the following Generators? I would like to ask you a few questions if you do PLEASE!

Yamaha EF2000is
Chapion #73536i (2000 watt)
RYOBI RYI2200 (2200 watt)
What about Honda EU2000, 1000, or 3000.

Do you use them for camping, Construction, Work, Standby emergency, Does it sit in your garage and collect Dust?

Do you run your camper/s with them?
How about Weight and Portability. Is you current model Heavy, Light, OK?
 
I just bought a new Honda EU2000i. I've only used it once so I am not experienced enough to be offering advice, but I can say I sure do like it. We bought a popup last fall and the little Honda is a perfect match for it. It isn't big enough to handle the air conditioner, but if it's that hot we most likely won't be camping anyway. The biggest appliance we currently have to use with it is a 1500 watt electric heater which it handles just fine. It is also very nice to be able to use the electric coffee pot... anytime... anyplace. The 45 lb. weight gets along perfectly with my back so as far as I am concerned it was cash well spent.
 
I have an eu2000 got it about 3 years ago use it for camping its great I run my a.c. in the summer time and heat and electric blanket in the winter rustic camping is for the birds only complaint is the small c.f. as tank will not make a full night of a.c. on 1 tank so I got an extra tank made an adapter to go to 5 gal can generator has built in fuel pump so it will run like 50 ours now
 
Does anyone KNOW anyone that owns or plans to purchase a:?
Champion #73536i (2000 watt)
RYOBI RYI2200 (2200 watt)

We have been to MANY shows, Events, Races, Etc and the majority are Honda, Followed by Yamaha. But we would like to know feedback on the Champion and RYOBI.

Great information so far guys THANKS! regarding the Honda, We have heard many times the "Short-falls" of the EU2000is.
With everything, there are Pros and Cons as you all know.
Thanks for input.
And for those that have PM'd me, I believe I have replied to all. THANKS!
 
We've had a gas generator for our house and Onan generators in all three of our RV's.

Reguardless of what you buy, make sure you run it and keep water out of the gas. The only time I've had issues with a generator is when I didn't run it under a load every month or two and when the gas got water in it or I didn't put stable in the gas. Keeping the gas tank full at all times helps too.
 
IF you are buying a gas air cooled generator today the engine is made in the same plant in China.
I have personally stood in an engine plant and watched engines coming down a manually powered assembly line and watched the ame exact engine get Onan, Briggs, Tecumseh, and Robin/Subaru plastic installed on it.

What honda does pretty well is there mufflers and their marketing.

For an inverter type Id still yake an Onan over a Honda, however Onan quit making inverters a few years ago but the ones that are still around are the tits.

Ive watched my 1700i (same size as a honda 1000) start and run an A/C in a camper that a 2000eui couldnt pick up. I have no idea if the 2000 had an issue (It was brand new out of the box) or if that performance was typical but again that is something I witnessed.
 
Honda EU3000
love it! use it instead of fixing the Onan on RV. Friend uses his on his RV, and it
uses a lot of fuel. he bought a EU2000 to use when he don't have to run the AC
 
So even though Camping World and Home Depot sells quite a few of the Chapion #73536i (2000 watt) and the RYOBI RYI2200 (2200 watt) No-one on NC4x4 has one or knows someone with one?
If anyone does, please send them my way. Did they buy it simply due to cost, convenience, because they liked the color, the transport handle, Etc Etc Etc. The stacking feature of the Champion?

And what about Weight, When you guys are shopping for a generator, is weight that important?
The EU2000 Honda is weighing in at about 45 lbs
Champion at about 48 lbs
The RYOBI at hefty 57 lbs
Those of you that have or know people that have EU2000s and run in Parrallel, is it easy to transport two of them, is the weight managable to the average person?
Those that have the EU2000, would you like lighter and louder or Heavier or same weight and Quieter?

I am going to try to get an online survey going soon and I appreciate all input.
What about the 12volt DC power that the EU2000 is capable of. Does anyone use it?
My camper has built in battery tender voltage converter so I do not, but I know of some that do.

I appreciate the feedback.
 
Thread quickly tunring into a Honda commercial.

Maybe Shawn will get a new sponsor.
 
Seems like Mike Yagar had a Yamaha, that was pretty quiet.
It run a small AC unit in the van he used to have.
 
Polaris generators are worth checking out also. As quiet as the Yamahas and price is a bit better. Good warranty also.
Performance East Powersports in Goldsboro, NC carries them. My brother just got a 2000 size one from there and is happy with it.
 
A good friend uses an eu2000 in his flounder boat to run the florescent drop lights while gigging.

He said it was the one of the only ones quiet enough to run in the boat and not disturb the fish
 
Ron said:
Thread quickly tunring into a Honda commercial.

Maybe Shawn will get a new sponsor.
Click to expand...

Just trying to talk to Honda and other customer base to try to see what the customer wants, uses, needs etc. Continuous improvement keeps us all competitive.
Who Knows what someone will come up with next. Hopefully the USA customer can have an influence in the design of their new future product.

Most of the information people have posted has been helpful and most is already known short-comings and Satisfactory achievements.

If anyone knows of anyone elses' concerns or information, please post em up.
Just trying to improve upon what is out there to provide Joy to the Customer.
Maybe if this place let's me get out of the office on a "Survey" I can get back to some MUCH needed REAL wheeling my Rig and Camping TOO!
 
I inherited a honda eu1000 a few years ago. I love the weight and fuel consumption but 1000 watts isn't enough. It charges batteries and runs some tools fine like angle grinders and small drills but it doesn't like the circular saw. I would at least get a 2000. If I were going to buy a new gen I would probably get the Yamaha 2400. Big enough to run the a.c. but still easy to move and fuel efficient.
 
Nate, I'm curious about this one as well. I've debated the Ryobi or Champion myself for those times I don't need a/c on my 5th wheel and running the Onan 5500 Marquis doesn't make sense.
 
If you're not running AC or the microwave, why run the genset? That's what batteries are for.
 
Granny said:
^ ^ ^ Good lord.... only half my age, and already so soft he sits in the camper and watches movies! :shaking: :lol:
Click to expand...
Nobody I camp with wants to stay up all night and tell lies all night anymore so I usually end up watching movies and enjoying refreshing beverages on my own till the wee hours in the morning.
 
John B. said:
Nobody I camp with wants to stay up all night and tell lies all night anymore so I usually end up watching movies and enjoying refreshing beverages on my own till the wee hours in the morning.
Click to expand...

I have to admit that I miss those old days even though I was one of the ones who hit the sack about 11:30. The evenings around the campfire were great. Good to hear from you... hope all is well. :)
 
shawn said:
Inverter.
Click to expand...

In spite if my ragging John about the movie thing... which we also do on occasion ourselves (rainy evenings, too cold, etc.). Your mentioning "inverter" sparked a question: I have a small 300 watt inverter that will power a laptop just fine. I bought it back when I was doing the TBI conversions. Do you, or anyone else, have any idea as to just how long an average 12v battery might hold up powering just the laptop, plus a small speaker set.
 
A damn long time.

We have a pair of 6V Trojans in our camper. It will run on battery for three days straight, no problem. How long it lasts after that depends on how much stuff we're running and how full the batteries were before we left the house.
 
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