Choosing a portable gas generator.

[jentzschman]

Looking to get a portable gas generator and not sure where to start.

I would like one to provide enough power to power at least a tv so in case of an emergency I could get emergency communications.

Also to provide enough power for garage type work lights.

I don'w want to break the bank, but don't want a crappy and cheap one either.

Any suggestions on brands and power rating?

Thanks.

 

[Caleb]

If you can afford it, get an inverter type, not the traditional type. Honda or Yamaha will be your best, but both will run you ~$800 for something big enough to be useful but not too large. If you want inexpensive but gets great reviews, the Champion generators are great. You can get a 4000W champion for around $300 (traditional style) or a 2000W inverter type for about $400.

 

[Cascadia]

We have loved our honda inverter generators. Enough power from one to run all the lights and radio and tv in our camper. Hook the 2 together and it's more than enough to power the ac microwave and previous mentioned items. They are also very very quiet and don't suck on the gas.

 

[jentzschman]

I have looked at the Yamaha inverter and really like those. Cheapest I have found was amazon, but right now there are over 1k on there. I have looked at the champion ones as well. Glad to hear they get some good reviews.

 

[Caleb]

If it were me, I would go with the Honda over the Yamaha, but both are great units. $1000 is retail for the Yamaha and Honda, so you should be able to walk in to any place that sells them and buy one for that. If you can find the sales, I've seen the Honda (2000i) for as low as $600.

 

[jentzschman]

From my research, the yamaha has got better reviews.... if I remember right, it had a few nice features the honda did not... but I could be mistaken.

 

[TRNDRVR]

I use a Honda EU3000iS for my cabin. It runs my microwave, coffee maker, lights, and a little electric heater if need be. Obviously I'm not using everything at the same time, but it does my little place just fine. It's quiet, and has a remote start.

 

[phatfoto]

Reminds me, I need to finish the homemade gennie I have parts for... An old washing machine kickstart motor, an alternator and a 1000W power inverter...

 

[jackjoh]

What Caleb said.

 

[XJEEPER]

We use a little Honda 1000 on the houseboat at Powell to run the DVD and projector, so we can watch movies on the deck without running the boat generator for 2 hours. Sips fuel and is quiet too.

 

[gijohn40]

Just and FYI if there was a bad disaster most the emergency communications of info are run thru the radio... not tv... this is cause most the power will be out and so no one will have a tv running but most everyone has a car radio that will work or a battery operated radio.

As for the generators... get the Honda ones that can be linked together that way as you can afford you can add another one to increase your power supply.

 

[Maverick]

We have loved our honda inverter generators. Enough power from one to run all the lights and radio and tv in our camper. Hook the 2 together and it's more than enough to power the ac microwave and previous mentioned items. They are also very very quiet and don't suck on the gas.

That's my plan. My friend has one (Honda) and we've used it a few times. It's my goal to pick one up this winter. I'll be watching the sales.

 

[Caleb]

As for the generators... get the Honda ones that can be linked together that way as you can afford you can add another one to increase your power supply.

That would be the inverter type. The Honda, Yamaha, and Champion inverter generators can all be linked. A lot of RV'ers will get two 2000i Hondas so that they have the capacity to properly run their A/Cs, Microwaves, etc but can also only run a single one for even less consumption of fuel when they only need it for lights, tv, or whatever.

 

[Toad]

I have also been thinking about a generator. I want something big enough to run my freezers in my garage. I want to be prepared for a long term power outage. I have looked at the Hondas a little bit. I dont know how big of generator I need. Any suggestions?

 

[gijohn40]

if you are ok with used... you can find the inverter and other types in the pawn shops for alot less then new...

 

[jeep-N-montero]

There are usually some nice used Honda models on ksl, should save you a lot over a new one.

 

[jentzschman]

The Honda's do not have a fuel petcock, which I think is a very nice bonus. The yami also has a fuel gauge, not big deal there, buts still nice... Why the Honda over the yami?

 

[Rusted]

Dad has 2 of the Yamaha's that I am impressed with. Surprizingly quite, can be linked together. Best price I have seen on them has been in RV stores. Very easy to start, weather proof switches. Fuel lasts a long time. Honda vs Yamaha in these is probalby more an issue of color than features.

 

[jentzschman]

One think I just found out is the Honda has a 98.5 cc engine and the yami has a 80 cc... wonder how much of a difference that makes?

 

[Rot Box]

Have you bought one yet? I'm most likely going to buy one within the month. I can't seem to figure out what size I need though. I need one that will power my deep freezer (typical standup the size of a large fridge) in the event of a power outage. Running power tools would be handy as well. Looks like the Honda 2000's should handle that but whats written on paper doesn't always work in the real world :-\

Found Honda's website very helpful. The tab on the left answered a lot of my questions. http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators

EDIT: Forgot this link also helpful http://www.endtimesreport.com/Generators.html