Generators

I just bought a new ice castle and now need a generator. Primary use will be for ice fishing but would also like to have it power outages and power in the woods for building/maintaining deer stands. I am looking at the 2000 watt size but have also seen some new ones around 3100 watts that claim to be just as quiet. The brands I have been looking at are Honda, generac, and champion. For the ice castle I would like to run the fridge, furnace, tv, microwave and not max out the generator. I know Honda is a very popular one but it seems more brands are emerging lately to rival the Honda. Any real world experience’s would be greatly appreciated. I know a 2000 watt is only 1600 watts continuous and won’t run the a/c but I would use the camp grounds electric for that in the summer.

I know that you didn’t mention Yamaha, but I have one of these, and am very happy with it. Fairly light weight, quiet, inverter (clean power), and a big fuel tank.

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/generator/models/inverter-ef2800i

HRG

I have a Briggs and Stratton P2200 it has 2200 start watts and running 1700

I hooked up a portable heater and it ran no problems .

I also hooked up my heater to my friends Honda 2000 and it rev up and shut down so the little wattage difference work for me..

Seems quiet also it is a suit case style generator

I have a champion 3100 for bowfishing and it does great. It cannot be hooked up to run in parallel.The champions noise level is pretty close to the little Honda.

I also have a Honda 2000, again it’s great. Can be hooked up in parallel. I haven’t put a decibel meter to them though. I’ve never had problems with either.

Harbor freight makes a predator generator 3500 that has great reviews. It’s also an inverter style and should be quiet. It’s has the capability to be hooked up parallel with another one of the same to create a lot more power.

No experience with the Yamaha, but have heard great things.

You need to figure out exactly what your running watts will be. Generators usually only like to be run at 80% of their continuous watts. Obviously they do more, but aren’t overly happy about it. Do your research on RV forums. My 3100 champion has powered an ac unit no problem in a camper. It was a bigger ac unit, 13000 or 14000 btu’s. Something like that

I love my Honda 2000. Only gripe with it is changing the oil but I have fabricated my own little screw on funnel to keep the mess down. I have powered a small Frigidaire window AC unit with it no problems and no bogging down. It’s usually only used to power a TV, electric griddle and charge the batteries, however. It’s been used once to keep my chest freezer running during a power outage and it worked fine. Quiet and sips fuel in Eco mode.

Honda or Yamaha. Do it right and only once if you can afford to.

Im not sure about linking Yamahas like you can the Honda but I bought the eu2000i Companion that has the 30a plug in the mind set that most everyone I know has the eu2000 so we could then link another and have the 30Amp option.

X3 on yamaha! They can link together like honda. I feel they are more user friendly then honda. All the controls are on one panel, the honda switch, choke and fuel switch are on different sides

Thanks for all the help so far. I have a budget of $1000 (still need to get an electric auger for the house) so no issue with getting a Honda or Yamaha but I have been told the Yamahas don’t have a fuel pump like the Hondas so if I want to run the extended run tanks I would have to elevate it above the Yamaha where the Honda can pull the fuel out if they are on the same level.

I do like the 3100 champion and it is less than the Honda I just don’t want to go cheap and regret it but also don’t want to spend more just because it says Honda on the side. I have also seen the harbor freight predator generators and they do get good reviews but everything I have seen from harbor freight hasn’t really been the best quality as far as there tools go so I may pass on that one for now.

I believe there is a solid reason that Hondas are always the one that are used for comparisons.

(Disclaimer: re: Yamaha, I believe the extensive dealer network makes Honda a better choice for most people…..Yamaha just isn’t as readily available, and I think that is Hondas only advantage to them….).

My buddy has a yamaha and swears by it. I have a honda 2000 and love it too. I usually just run a 32 inch tv and occasionally a pizza cooker so I don’t run a heavy load. Hasn’t given me any issues in the year I’ve had it.

Be sure you guys run good gas through them generators. Spend a bit more on gas and you won’t be repairing the generators.

Take a look at the Predator series of inverter generators from Harbor Freight. Key features are same as Honda, price is hslf, hundreds of satisfied reviews posted. I’d have brought one if they came out a year earlier.

I just can’t see spending $1k for an occasional use generator. Generac and Harbor Freight have been selling good units for years.

Grouse

I would recommend either a Honda or Yamaha. We had a 2000 watt champion which worked well, and then a 3100 champion which we had a hard time starting. We upgraded to a 3000 Honda last year and absolutely love it. Super quiet and easy to start with the electric start. We were fishing on lake of the woods last year and had no problem starting it in -20 to -40. I was impressed to say the least. Had a hard time choosing between the Honda and Yamaha. Bought the Honda because they took $100 off for us.

I have a Honda 2000. A buddy of mine got a Yamaha this summer. They both have low noise economy switches and they sound the same to us. They’re probably made in the same factory.

Dutchboy wrote:

Be sure you guys run good gas through them generators. Spend a bit more on gas and you won’t be repairing the generators.

True about any small engine!

I use a honda 2000. Runs a 1500w space heater fine if my wife is waiting for me to set stuff up. I also ran the smallest portable a/c menards sells with it on one particularly hot camping weekend. With propane heat it more than takes care of any electrical and battery charging needs. Might need one fueling if you want to run all night with no external tanks.

Well worth buying a $10 threaded tube for oil changes.

We have a Champion 2000 from Cabela’s. On sale at $350, with Cabela Bucks it was around $275. Very quiet, no problems to report. Or you can spend $1000 on a Honda….

Don Miller wrote:

e have a Champion 2000 from Cabela’s. On sale at $350, with Cabela Bucks it was around $275. Very quiet, no problems to report. Or you can spend $1000 on a Honda….

I have heard nothing but good things about Champion as well. Looking at Champion, Generac, Ironhorse, and the Harbor Freight brand of inverter generator they all look almost identical as if they’re being made in the same factory… Hmmm…

Most of the “problems” reported with any power equipment are owner problems, not mechanical problems. Shut off the fuel, run it dry, use good fuel and oil.

Grouse

Why do you suppose that every time generators are discussed the word Honda always pops up the most?

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

Take a look at the Predator series of inverter generators from Harbor Freight. Key features are same as Honda, price is hslf, hundreds of satisfied reviews posted. I’d have brought one if they came out a year earlier.

I just can’t see spending $1k for an occasional use generator. Generac and Harbor Freight have been selling good units for years.

Grouse

My dad bought the Generac iq2000 when the first model year was released and has been very happy with it.

which ones start and run at -35 below

I’ve done extensive research on the Honda vs Yamaha 2,000 generators, you can’t go wrong with either, but the Yamaha has the advantages of a Fuel Shutoff, Fuel gauge and it comes with a few extra cords the Honda doesn’t…I’ve seen several local MN locations selling the Yamaha for as low as $850

there are several youtube videos that show the differences…

I have been doing some more research and looking at dealer/service availability close to me and that has ruled out champion but Honda, Yamaha and generac all have service dealers close so if I have a problem I can get it fixed locally which is a big plus. Thanks again for the help, this is a pretty big investment just want to make the right choice for my needs.

For the honda 2000 gen look up low oil sensor problems.I went through this problem with mine and it was a hassel to get it diagnosed and fix. The diagnose and fixing wasnt honda’s fault it was the dealer trying to soak me. I’ve used yamaha and liked them but not for extended times like the honda.
Wish Mitsubishi offered a 2000 I would go that route in a heartbeat

What is the deal with the ones you can use 2 of at the same time? Is there some cable between them to sync the power phase?

mark-bruzek wrote:

Why do you suppose that every time generators are discussed the word Honda always pops up the most?

The same reason iPhone pops up when talking about cell phones.. if you have it, IT HAS TO BE THE BEST or you look like a fool paying way too much….

Honestly, Honda DID have the best generator about 10 years ago… others have caught up.

Jeremy wrote:

What is the deal with the ones you can use 2 of at the same time? Is there some cable between them to sync the power phase?

yes. https://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/generator-parallel-capability

HRG

2000. Is to small. It won’t even run a hot plate or skillet with lights on. A skillet. Takes around 1800 wats.

Anyway. I have a 3000 wat Yamaha. It lower noise than a 2000 Honda. I have electric incinerating toilet in my ice shack. Sat tv microwave etc. This thing can run everything including the skillet. Spend the money buy the best the first time