BOE Honda portable generators (NOT for boat)

[Bridog]

I wanted to start a thread about portables NOT for boating ,but for other applications. We have been very lucky compared to our neighbors here in NJ, but I will not go through another storm/power failure without a portable generator. I know that Jim here at BOE/CSR won't screw us when it comes to pricing. http://www.boemarine.com/subcategory/honda_generators so I'm thinking of a 3K unit. Whats the pros and cons of the 2 Honda's in this size range. What does a typical refrigerator use? What is the most fuel efficient? I'm looking at running a TV, computer, small space heater, refrigerator, some lights. What will I need? Being quiet will also be a big plus. Thanks for your help. Brian

 

[northern]

Base on my friends in the east a 5KW generator is required to make a house comfortable. It will run frigerator, freezer, gas or oil furnace and a few light. Most people I know have the $599 ones from Hardware Stores. I used to use 5KW Honda inverter generator to run portable offices. It would run AC unit, computer and lights. We used about 5 gallons in 8 hours. A 3KW Honda would give you a little less power than a 30 AMP plug at your marina.

 

[fwebster]

To figure your needs, add up the wattage on each appliance and divide by 120 to get total amps needed.

I have a Honda EU2000i that I use for short term emergencies or for needs away from the house/shop. I chose it because it is light (46 lbs) which means you can handle it by yourself. It is quiet......you cannot hear it thru a closed door and it burns almost no fuel (.27 GPH) which gives you about 9 hours at 1/4 - 1/3 load. I do have to watch the load and be careful we don't turn on much when operating on the generator. The 2000i is usually under $1000. I chose it over the 3000i because it was 1/2 as expensive ($900 vs $2000), easier to handle (46 lbs vs 135 lbs) and it burns less fuel (.27 gph vs .5 gph). Part of my decision was based on the fact that I also have a 10KW diesel/welder generator wired directly to my main panel with appropriate switch gear, but it takes a while to set up and you can hear it run from 2 counties away. I have not used it for power outages since I bought the Honda, but definitely would if we found ourselves without power for an extended period of time.

Another approach with Hondas is to buy the 2 EU2000's in parallel set up. You get 4KW capacity, the flexibility of the lighter weight, burn rate is the same as a single 3000i, and the cost is the same as a single 3000i.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

I borrowed a Yamaha dual fuel (gas/propane) 3000 watt genny from work as I usually do . I run fridge, some lights and freezer .I have only run it during Irene, not during the winter months. I have gas heat so all I need to run is the igniter so I'm guessing it wouldn't draw much more. The propane is the quietest I have heard in this size plus it lasts a very long time. We're talking it up at work about natural gas gennies you never have to worry about running out of gas or diesel. Anyone have experience with these? The electricians at work also said that a 5000w would be fine for most of the essentials at home.

 

[JVM225]

I borrowed a 5500 watt genny yesterday. It powered all the lights in my house, oil burner with 4 zones, TV, Internet, and fridge. It was loud, but not bad at all with the windows closed and I turned it off before I went to sleep.
I decided it was time to buy one and after researching I decided to order an 8000 watt unit for back up at the house. That way I can run everything in the house, and even use a small air conditioner if we lose power in the summer. Losing power for multiple days twice in 14 months made me a believer in having a back up plan.
I know plenty of people that got by very nicely this week on a 3000 watt unit, but they had to manage their power.
An electrician neighbor of mine was very comfortable in his house all week with his 8000 watt unit and I figured if it was good enough for him, then it will be good enough for me.
If you will be using it a lot then you probably want to go with something smaller to conserve fuel. If you are like my electrician friend who has used it 3 times in 7 years then maybe fuel isn't too much of a concern.
The quiet inverter ones are real nice, but they are way more expensive then the standard herdware store types.
Again, if you are using it all the time then it is probably worth it to go for the quieter one. If it is a standby for emergencies that may never happen, then the cheaper loud ones might be a better choice.

 

[endless seas]

Has anyone compared the Yamaha 2000 to the Honda 2000?

 

[sdarc]

I am going with Frank's idea. That way if I lose power at the house and the boat I can manage both. If we only lose power at the house it gives us more wattage to run more things at the house. If power is lost at the boat that area will be one of the first back up as the main transmission lines and power plant are very near by.

Joe, also take into account the fan motor running too.

 

[JimG]

As for the two Honda's at 3000W... They both have the same engine/inverter. The 3000iS has electric start and a larger gas tank than the 3000i. The 3000i has a pull cord start, wheels, and handles for mobility.

 

[JimFromMD]

I wanted to start a thread about portables NOT for boating ,but for other applications. We have been very lucky compared to our neighbors here in NJ, but I will not go through another storm/power failure without a portable generator. I know that Jim here at BOE/CSR won't screw us when it comes to pricing. http://www.boemarine.com/subcategory/honda_generators so I'm thinking of a 3K unit. Whats the pros and cons of the 2 Honda's in this size range. What does a typical refrigerator use? What is the most fuel efficient? I'm looking at running a TV, computer, small space heater, refrigerator, some lights. What will I need? Being quiet will also be a big plus. Thanks for your help. Brian

Hey Brian,
Glad to see you on the air. I have the 2kw EU2000 honda. I got it off craigslist several years ago and it's great for just what you are looking for although I've not run a space heater / window unit ac off of it, it's covered pretty much everything else you mentioned. Refrigs, freezer, battery charger for batteries, several fans, several different power tools etc. very quiet, especially in eco mode. Definitely louder when close to full load, but for sure quieter than the 5kw rackmounted lawnmower home depot type we use at my folks when the power is out.

Only issue for me is no where to store gas, so the generator lives with another family memeber in the shed and only comes to my place when needed. I've looked into the propane conversion kits for it, but havent made the jump. That would make it ideal.

James

 

[Bridog]

Hey Brian,
Glad to see you on the air. I have the 2kw EU2000 honda. I got it off craigslist several years ago and it's great for just what you are looking for although I've not run a space heater / window unit ac off of it, it's covered pretty much everything else you mentioned. Refrigs, freezer, battery charger for batteries, several fans, several different power tools etc. very quiet, especially in eco mode. Definitely louder when close to full load, but for sure quieter than the 5kw rackmounted lawnmower home depot type we use at my folks when the power is out.

Only issue for me is no where to store gas, so the generator lives with another family memeber in the shed and only comes to my place when needed. I've looked into the propane conversion kits for it, but havent made the jump. That would make it ideal.

James

Thanks James, Frank, Jim, everyone... I live in a townhome so being quiet is important. I have been looking at the Yamaha Tri- fuel units since I have natural gas already at the house. It works on Gas, LP or natural gas. They seem to be as economical and quiet as a Honda. I don't know if Honda makes a tri-fuel in a portable? If so, please point me in that direction. I like the idea of not waiting in line for gas. Thanks again for everyones input. Brian

 

[jason78]

Maybe after the demand dies back down for generators, we could see if Jim could put together another CSR group buy on the Honda Generators if we can get enough people in on it. The last deal had some great prices. At that point I was not ready to lay out that kind of cash for something else to sit in garage. I have since priced home generators and realize one of these small portables may be the way to go. I have gas heat so I would only need something that could run the basics and the fan in my air handler.

 

[Ike]

I live in my motorhome. It has a 5kw Onan. I don't know the exact amount of fuel it uses but I have run it for 12 hours straight on only a few gallons. 5 KW runs everything in the MH including the Fridge and Air Conditioning. Some of these little portable units are so quiet you can only hear them when you're standing a few feet away. Make sure you place your genny where exhaust will not enter your house. Every winter a lot of people die from CO because they were running the genny in the garage or on their patio or balcony. Make sure you have a power transfer switch. Without that, if you power your house wiring the electricity will feed back into the neighborhood system and some one could get electrocuted, especially the electrician trying to restore power to your neighborhood. Other wise run an extension cord to whatever you are powering.

Back in the 80's I was responsible for some USCG housing and we had a landslide which wiped out the cable to three houses, We got them all back up with one 10KW genny. The only thing they couldn't run was their laundry driers.

Good luck to you folks in NJ, NY and other NE states, especially Staten Island, Breezy PT and the Jersey Shore. I have relatives who live in NY and NJ and fortunately they have all, but one, had their power restored. He and his wife live in Old Bridge. But her mom lives on SI and has power so they are staying with her for now. We are all praying for you.