A New Generator?

ikk

Adventurer
Yes you can stack the champion, and buy the additional parallel power kit and get 1 - 120V Twistlock Receptacle (L5-30R) and 1- RV Receptacle (TT-30R) for 3600 watts. I only have one, so I cannot comment on how well it works. There are a ton of YouTube videos. Here is one running both.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4lrPJ18k3s. If you were to say the Honda is better I would say your probably right but I would also say its not 450 dollars better, and I think I paid less then that from Costco wish I got 2. Mine is quite. I had it out back during a power outage to keep my fridge cool and some lights on, my neighbors stated they did not hear it from inside there house during the evenening. As for longevity I have had mine for about 3 years. I cant say I use it much, but when I need it, it works for me. Heck, with the simple instructions on the generator my wife was even able to run it.
 

PaintRock

Adventurer
I have an OLD Honda 1800 that starts on the first pull every time and runs great. My hunting buddy has a somewhat newer Yamaha 2000. They are both great generators. I wouldn't hesitate to pick either brand. The next time I buy, however, I will go with at least a 3500 watt model with remote start. My generator won't push a camper AC unit. And, if you're looking for a unit that can power a small space heater, it is so nice to hit that remote starter an hour or so before you have to get out bed. As it is now, I run my generator all night to power the forced air, but the heat source comes from propane. With a bigger, remote start, generator, I could just use the remote start generator with the electric heater and crank it up an hour or so before it's time to get up.
 

M1A1TankerTom

New member
I have a Yamaha 2400ishc inverter for my little travel trailer. Thing works great, is quiet, and will even run my trailers AC. I think I paid around $1100 shipped to my door.
 

XJINTX

Explorer
PaintRock, you said it would not run your AC? I have a FWC with the AC option and it's new to me. I am in TX and I am in process of buying a small generator for whn I'm off grid and my wife still wants AC. What wattage does the AC require?
 

Ducky's Dad

Explorer
If I buy new, I'm zeroed in on the Yamaha EF2000. They make three versions, all designated as the EF2000, but one ends in"iS", one is an "iSH", and the newest is the "iSV2." I spent a couple hours on the phone yesterday trying to figure out the differences, including multiple calls to Yamaha in Georgia and So Cal (the Georgia calls seem to get routed to So Cal for generator questions). Spoke with three different people at Yamaha, and nobody knows the actual practical differences. It looks to me like the H version is just a camo dip, but for a $150 price diff I expect more than a dip. The V2 version has some new programming that supposedly allows it to power more and different loads, but no indication anywhere of what those loads might be. I infer that they may have tweaked it to provide a little more peak output for starting loads on things like A/C compressors, refrigerator compressors, and tool motors, where the running load is relatively low compared to the starting load. Pure assumption at this point, but could be relevant to those who want to run A/C is a camper. The Yamaha dealers don't know squat about the new version. For those of you thinking about a single big generator (3500-4500W), you might want to consider a pair of 2000W gens from somebody like Yamaha or Honda or Champion and then paralleling them to deliver 4000W. All you need is a parallel cable, and you get units that are easier to move, store and service, plus you have the redundancy of two generators. And a pair of 2000s usually weighs less than a single 4000.

My last voicemail to the good folks at Yamaha included "Seems like you are trying to convince me to buy Honda." Trying to get their attention. Even their generator "product specialists" don't have any answers.
 

PaintRock

Adventurer
XJINTX, I'm not sure what wattage the AC requires. There is a start-up wattage, and the running wattage, which will be lower. It's an older camper and my 1800 Honda is rated for 1800 watts for about a minute, with a constant voltage of 1500. My buddies 2000 Yamaha won't run the AC either. The AC unit kind of tries to get going, but can't quite get there. A 3500 watt generator runs it ok.

Of course, this is a mid-80s vintage 28 foot camper. Newer campers probably have more efficient AC units, and I'm sure the unit in your FWC draws fewer watts. I would check the specs on your unit. Make sure you check the startup amps and the running amps. Just like anything with an electric motor, it takes more juice to get the thing going.

M1A1TankerTom states above his 2400 runs his camper's AC.
 
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Ducky's Dad

Explorer
The AC unit kind of tries to get going, but can't quite get there. A 3500 watt generator runs it ok.
Might work if everything else is turned off when you start the A/C, turn off the econo mode on the generator so that it is running at full speed for startup, and use a bigger/shorter cable to minimize voltage drop. If using a 12 gauge cord, try a 10 gauge.
 

PaintRock

Adventurer
My old Honda does not have an econo-mode to turn off. It's not nearly as "smart" as the newer generators and not as fuel efficient. I've tried running the AC with everything off, it's just not making it. I've just now done some research out of curiosity on replacement units. It looks like most of the 13,500 and 15,000 btu units manufacturers recommend 3500 watt generators, although if you dig into the specs, a 2000 watt generator would be ok (barely) for the 13500 units. And that's only running the AC, without figuring in lights, etc. My guess is the Four Wheel Campers can be had with a 5000-ish btu unit. I think the 2000 watt generators would work fine for those.
 

M1A1TankerTom

New member
Disclaimer: when I run my AC with my 2400 Yamaha I have to turn all the other breakers off when I first start the AC, after start up I can run a few other things as well.
 

Ducky's Dad

Explorer
Disclaimer: when I run my AC with my 2400 Yamaha I have to turn all the other breakers off when I first start the AC, after start up I can run a few other things as well.
One of the Yahama dealers has a chart showing what the various Yamaha models will run, and the list is identical for the 2000 and the 2400. More is always better as long as the tradeoffs are not too great.
 

Darwin

Explorer
I have a yamma 2000 genny, it runs my rooftop AC but not micro at same time obviously. AC is Coleman I believe 9000 btu it will charge the battery at the same time through the converter but only at a few amps otherwise if batts are really low the genny shuts off. I would go for the 2400 if it was me.
 

moabian

Active member
Living 26 miles outside of Moab, my power goes out relatively often, sometimes for nearly 24 hours at a time. I've had a Yamaha EF2000iS for 5 years and it has been very reliable. It's quiet and I've never had to pull it more than twice to start it...even after sitting for many months between starts.
 

PPCLI_Jim

Adventurer
PaintRock, you said it would not run your AC? I have a FWC with the AC option and it's new to me. I am in TX and I am in process of buying a small generator for whn I'm off grid and my wife still wants AC. What wattage does the AC require?

for most AC you will want 3.5 kw . to know how much wattage you need look up your brand model specs.
for me I'm still running a small 650 w honda. powers all and charges all that I travel with. nice light small
 

PaintRock

Adventurer
XJINTX states he has a FWC camper with AC. I think those are only 5000 btu AC units. So, a 2000 watt generator should be fine. It should power everything in a little pop-up like that, and be easier to stow.
 

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