Honda Generator.

[flapbreaker]

I'm contemplating the purchase of a honda generator but wanted some input from those with experience. I was thinking the EU1000i would be sufficient for charging the batteries on extended cruising. Is there any reason to buy the higher wattage models? I know someone with a brand new one who is willing to sell it for $599 which looks to be about $100 less than retail. Thoughts?

[bshillam]

Check out what your specific needs are now and possibly in the future. I know for about $270 more dollars you can upgrade to the eu2000i. It is my personal opinion that this makes for a better all around gen, both on the water and at home in emergencies. If all you'll ever do is charge your batteries - go with the eu1000i. Check out the forum, I know someone earlier dropped in a note as to the watts required for various electronics. It's interesting at the least.

[Capn Jack]

Go for the 2000, it's only rated 1700 continuous, the 1000 would be even less and they're the same size. I use the 2000 for a small micro-wave, water heater, 20 amp. batt.charger and a small electric heater. Granted NOT all at once, but we do watch movies on the laptop while the batteries are charging.
Capn Jack
PS. I found sitting it on a throwable cussion helps with the noise.

[SEA3PO]

I chose the Yamaha 1000 watt unit because of size.... it's 28 pounds the 2000watt size weighs 53 pounds.... I won't ever need a water heater or a microwave.... just enough power to charge the batterys and use for lights... for extended nights out.... I use my 22 as a camper on the road too....so having dead batteries is a real possibility.

Joel
SEA3PO

[tsturm]

[Sea Wolf]

I have a Honda 1000i, and use it to power a small microwave, a 40 amp battery charger, or anything else that runs on about 750 watts continuous or less. It's peak output is 1000 watts, but not continuously.

I love it's small size and weight. 29 lbs. is a lot easier to hoist around than 46.3!

You'd need a 2000i for a small air conditioning unit, a water heater, or anything else that runs between 800-1600 watts continuous, or some combination of appliances that draw that amount of power that you want to run simultaneously.

The 1000i fits in one half of the foot well under the dinette, but the 2000i will probably also fit there, but with less foot room left over.

You just have to be committed to live within the limits of the 1000i to make that choice.

Two 1000i's or two 2000i's can be linked together in parallel to make a 2000 or a 4000 watt generator, respectively, but buying two of eiither of them is an expensive way to get a larger generator capacity. (You can't link a 1000i and a 2000i together in parallel.)

Here's a site devoted to the Honda 2000i genertor that also discusses the 1000i occasionally:

Honda EU2000

Good Luck whatever you decide!

Joe.

[JamesTXSD]

We went with the 2000i Honda and have found it to be very useful onboard. If you use the factory 10/5/5 battery charger, you will have to run the generator for a VERY long time to put juice back in the batteries. We use an automotive charger that I hook directly to the batteries for a faster charge... but the alternator on the motor is still more efficient if you are moving everyday. Having said that, like others, we use our water heater and cook with a small toaster/convection oven. I can see that some kind of air conditioning is likely in our future on Wild Blue, and the 2000 will be a good match for that. Not much more money, a little more weight, more versatility. If you don't think you'd be using those other appliances (or a coffee maker, blow dryer, curling iron, etc, etc), the 1000 would be a handy addition.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Diana and I went with a Yamaha 1000, but I wish I would have gone for the 2000. This past December, we were with out power at the beach for 6 days, and the 1000 is not big enough to power the refrigerator. It did fine for the pellet stove and lighting, but we had to use my dad's Coleman 2500 for the refrigerator and freezer.

BTW, don't leave fuel in them for an extended period of time (like over a month). The carbs have a tendency to gum up, and it is about $100 for a cleaning if you do not have the skill yourself

[CatyMae n Steve]

[Sea Wolf]

[Sea Wolf]

Caty-

The microwave on the pontoon boat is a Sharp R230KW 800 watt 0.8 cubic foot unit. The generator can handle it OK. In fact, you can use a 1000 watt unit at a reduced power level, then go back to the higher level when on shore power.

Here's a SEARCH for the Sharp unit.

Here are some other units that can do the job with the Honda 1000i:

SHARP R-55TS WARM & TOASTY TOASTER AND MICROWAVE

HAIER AMERICA TRADING MWG7047TW 0.7CF 700W MICROWAVE

HAIER 900 WATT 0.8 CU. FT. MICROWAVE OVEN (Use this unit at a reduced power setting.)

Hope This Helps. I'll check out the other two boats when Im up at the lake and down in the marina.

Joe.

[thataway]

Hmm--I thought I put up a post before I took Marie to our 30th anniversary dinner...

Anyway, we own a 1000, a 2000 and a 500 (30 years old and still running)
We use the 1000 on the CD 25 for battery charging and running the WalMart Artic King 5,000 watt air conditioner. We use a 30 amp charger on the 1000. It will not run our 900 watt microwave (but a 1500 watt inverter will). The problem is that the 900 watt microwave takes 1000 watts input. We may change out the microwave...but no big deal.

The 2000 will run the water heater, microwave 1000 watt, 8300 BTU Airconditiner and the 40 amp battery charger on the Tom Cat 255.

We went with the 1000 for the CD 25, because we were concerned with the weight (28 lbs vs 46). The 1000 is definately smaller. The noise is about the same on both.

If I was to have only one, I would go with the 2000, if the weight was not an issue. Because it will heat the water heater and charge the batteries at the same time....If that is important.

[flapbreaker]

[Ozark Boater]

Another word for the wise. Although portable generators appear to be as resistant to the weather as your outboard motor, don't forget to read the manual about the dangers of electrocution. It isn't a good idea to leave them out in the elements without a cover and never operate them in the rain.

Some of the Honda and Yamaha models have sine wave inverters, which means that you can run your laptop or sensitive electronics.

The idea of two hooked up in parallel also increases their usefulness in the event of a power outage at home. I've used my Honda 3000 to run the refrigerator and a couple of lights more than once.

Happy shopping!

[mccml]

Does anyone know of a great place on line to purchase a Honda 2000 generator?