I have a Yamaha 4500 generator. The only time I really need it's size is to power the AC if its hot. But often I am primitive camped and need to just charge the batteries, or run the microwave, Kuerig coffee maker, electric heater or furnace blower. The 4500 is hard to load and unload (carried in front stall and use ramp to roll in and out). So I was thinking if I bought a Honda or Yamaha 2000, wouldn't it provide sufficient power to run (one at a time) the things I need and it would be lighter and easier to unload. Then I would only need to mess with the big gen if I needed AC. Most of the time when I am at competitions I need heat rather than cool, and of course some I have a RV hook up. Thoughts? Will the 2000 power what I need easily?
Posted 2014-03-31 3:33 PM (#158354 - in reply to #158353) Subject: RE: 2000W Generator
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I got a Yamaha 2000, running wattage is something like 1600. It has it's britches full with a 1500 watt heater. It will run my 48" fan, sounds like the rpm runs to the max. for the first 3 or 4 seconds but throttles way back once fan is up to speed, really good on fuel. light weight, wife can sling it up into the truck bed, haven't used the 3000 much after getting the 2000. http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/outdoor/products/modelhome/626/0/home.aspx
Posted 2014-03-31 4:44 PM (#158357 - in reply to #158353) Subject: RE: 2000W Generator
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430 Location: TN
I have a Honda Handi 3000i. Light weight, well less than 75 lbs., runs everything separately. Good on fuel- I can go 5 days on about 10 gallons. Love my Honda!
Posted 2014-04-01 2:12 PM (#158379 - in reply to #158353) Subject: RE: 2000W Generator
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
Thanks Cutter99 but the specs say 78 lbs. That kind of defeats the purpose of a 2nd gen that is light enough to easily unload. I have an auxiliary fuel tank in the truck bed that limits hauling space. Hence interest in the 2000 watt. We actually first bought a Honda 3000 because it will fit between the hitch and fuel tank and I could unhook for extended/overnight running, but the 3000 would not crank our AC so we took it back and exchanged for the 4500 Yamaha.
So basically I could easily use the furnace rather than an electric heater, and it should run my microwave for short heatings? What about the coffee pot? Its really a waste of money and no good to me if it cant run these things, because I could just worry with the big gen :)
Posted 2014-04-02 3:12 PM (#158418 - in reply to #158353) Subject: RE: 2000W Generator
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
Kooner the trailer is a 2009 Cherokee Super Chief with a Dream Catcher 10 ft LQ. The AC is a ducted Carrier Air V same age as trailer. It is both an AC and heat pump and has the furnace feature. It is remote controlled. It is also just a 13,500 BTU but the brand new Honda 3000 would not start up the compressor even with the fan running. We have had the Yamaha 4500 since 2011 and have almost 700 hours on it, so it sees a lot of use. Will run everything at once, but just a little harder to load. It will run 14 hours on one tank of gas and is very quiet. I think it holds 4 1/2 gallons.I could sell it and spend some $$ having an on board installed, and have thought about that.
Posted 2014-04-09 1:24 AM (#158572 - in reply to #158418) Subject: RE: 2000W Generator
Member
Posts: 15
Location: Southern Oregon
Originally written by CTRider on 2014-04-02 1:12 PM
Kooner the trailer is a 2009 Cherokee Super Chief with a Dream Catcher 10 ft LQ. The AC is a ducted Carrier Air V same age as trailer. It is both an AC and heat pump and has the furnace feature. It is remote controlled. It is also just a 13,500 BTU but the brand new Honda 3000 would not start up the compressor even with the fan running. We have had the Yamaha 4500 since 2011 and have almost 700 hours on it, so it sees a lot of use. Will run everything at once, but just a little harder to load. It will run 14 hours on one tank of gas and is very quiet. I think it holds 4 1/2 gallons.I could sell it and spend some $$ having an on board installed, and have thought about that.
The starting load of AC units of the same BTU can vary. The starting load is right at the edge of a 3,000 watt generator. If either the generator or compressor unit aren't in perfect shape you will have problems. In my case, my Honda 3,000 will start the A/C. It's light weight so I find it to be a good compromise. I also have a Honda 2,000 generator. It does a good job of recharging the batteries and running the microwave. For winter camping the 2,000 is all we need.
Posted 2014-04-16 2:51 PM (#158695 - in reply to #158353) Subject: RE: 2000W Generator
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
I have two Honda EU2000 generators and it's quite a nice set-up. When I only need to run lights, radio, pump, fan, etc I use just one but when I need to run the AC they connect to make a 4000 watt power source. Best of both worlds.
Posted 2014-04-16 3:40 PM (#158697 - in reply to #158695) Subject: RE: 2000W Generator
Regular
Posts: 61 Location: Pueblo, CO
Originally written by blackcows on 2014-04-16 1:51 PM
I have two Honda EU2000 generators and it's quite a nice set-up. When I only need to run lights, radio, pump, fan, etc I use just one but when I need to run the AC they connect to make a 4000 watt power source. Best of both worlds.
We do the same with our EU2000s and they work fine with a small space heater or the microwave but not both. Also, a person wants to keep in mind the elevation that you will be operating the generators. You lose quite a bit of capacity as you go up the mountain. We have extended tanks for our EU2000s, have not used them much, but they should be a big help!
2000W Generator
