Time for a new genny… Honda or Yamaha?

[urbanhillbilly]

Ok, time for a new generator/inverter for the camper. I had one of the “iPower” 2000w from Costco, wasn’t the happiest with it. I’m looking at either the Honda EU2200i or the Yamaha EF2200iS

I know that both of these companies are known for their reliability and quality, but I also know that things still aren’t made like they were 20 years (heck, even 10 years) ago.

So, what do you know of these machines nowadays? I’m open to other suggestions as well. This will be primarily for my RV, but will also provide for me a remote power source when needed.

 

[MacGyver]

Could the problem be you need a bigger generator? What is your maximum AC load for the camper?

 

[swampdonkey]

I have both of the mentioned generators and quite honestly, I cant really tell a difference between the two for what I've used them for. I used them for power tools out at the cabin, power for the cabin, a couple of RV's, and little projects at the house.. Both are just a few yrs old and have never had a problem with either. They're both quiet, sip fuel, easy to maintain, and reliable.... If there is any difference, I'd say that the Honda would appear too be just a scosh quieter.

 

[urbanhillbilly]

Could the problem be you need a bigger generator? What is your maximum AC load for the camper?

That I do not know…. My iPower was stolen, so I need a new one. My iPower wasn’t powerful enough for my camper, it would pop the fuse every time I tried to run the microwave. Not a big deal, learn to roll with it, but I am looking for a new one.

 

[Daveinthebush]

My generator is a Honda. I've had several Honda products; outboards, brush cutter, power washer, ATV, gold dredge... all worked flawlessly.

 

[Cheeser]

Friends have tried the Yamaha gennie. They said it gets louder and more difficult to start with age. But overall still very reliable.

My Honda gennie (2000eu) has been going for 15 years and it's as reliable as every other piece of Honda equipment I have/had - vehicles, gennie, dredge engines, ATV, power washer, yard equipment, etc.). They all start on the first try and just purr along.

Reliability is my #1 consideration when I head out into the bush, so all of my outdoor equipment is Honda. They're the one part of every adventure that I do not have to worry about.

 

[urbanhillbilly]

Here is what I have found from my research…

The Yamaha is bigger, 10 lbs heavier, has a larger (1.24 gallon) fuel tank. Yamaha has a smaller engine, 80 cc to the Honda 121cc. The Honda is about 7db quieter on eco mode, but both run at 73db under full load.

The Yamaha has a carb drain valve for quick draining of the carb while the Honda has a fuel shutoff that allows it to run dry after restarting.

Yamaha has a 120v 30a rv outlet while the Honda has 120v 15a and would require an adapter. Both seem to run a 15k ac unit no problem. The Honda has Bluetooth and an app to see exactly how much power is being used and hours used. Yamaha does not.

All seem very close, while the Yamaha has a couple small features (12v outlet, fuel gauge, easy access service panel) that seem more user friendly, but the Honda seems more simple….

Might all come down to price and availability locally here in Anchorage

 

[4merguide]

Might all come down to price and availability locally here in Anchorage

Good luck finding either one right now. They've been out of stock everywhere down here on the Kenai, and none expected to arrive till who knows when. The boss ended up ordering a Honda 2000 online.

 

[AKBEE]

Here is what I have found from my research…

The Yamaha is bigger, 10 lbs heavier, has a larger (1.24 gallon) fuel tank. Yamaha has a smaller engine, 80 cc to the Honda 121cc. The Honda is about 7db quieter on eco mode, but both run at 73db under full load.

The Yamaha has a carb drain valve for quick draining of the carb while the Honda has a fuel shutoff that allows it to run dry after restarting.

Yamaha has a 120v 30a rv outlet while the Honda has 120v 15a and would require an adapter. Both seem to run a 15k ac unit no problem. The Honda has Bluetooth and an app to see exactly how much power is being used and hours used. Yamaha does not.

All seem very close, while the Yamaha has a couple small features (12v outlet, fuel gauge, easy access service panel) that seem more user friendly, but the Honda seems more simple….

Might all come down to price and availability locally here in Anchorage

I have 2 Honda generators and another with a Honda engine. I think Honda makes great stuff. I have heard great things about Yamaha generators and love other stuff they make. Just an fyi if you can’t find a Honda, Anchorage Yamaha on Spenard shows a 2200iS for $1199 in stock.

 

[LeonardC]

We run a Honda 2000 for our RV use and emergency power at home. The unit has been problem free. One 2000 does not have the power to run the RV AC, so we bought the companion 2000 to run with it...we've never used them together. I can pick up a single 2000 twice; not sure I want to pick up a larger unit once and put it in the RV or truck.

Our 2000 has a 12 Volt spot. "DC 12V 8A Battery Charging Only" Anything that needed 12V we'd just run the power through the RV system.

Even with both hooked up together we still couldn't run our home well pump 240V so we bought one of the multi fuel generators from Costco. When the lights go out for a "short time" we still fire up the Honda 2000

 

[gbflyer]

Can't go wrong with either. There is a Honda 2000 model with a 30amp camper plug. I have one. It also has a a single 15 amp plug. I have the 1000 also, very handy size.


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[urbanhillbilly]

And then there’s the budget option…

The Firman Dual fuel 3200/2900 at Costco…

Definitely bigger in every way… but when it goes on sale next week it will be half the price of the Honda.

Plus side is that if I buy it and totally regret it I can take it back to Costco for a full refund.

 

[NRick]

Many of the cheap generators are LOUD. That alone, in my book is reason to buy one that may cost more but isn't nearly so obnoxious.

 

[bkmail]

The Hondas can suck from an alternative fuel source with an aftermarket gas cap. Yamahas dont.
Hondas are all we see here on the cabin scene so we bought 5 and all run excellent 10-15 years later.
Bk


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[DRIFTER_016]

I have a Yamaha 2000is that I built most of my cabin with.
After about 6,000 hours it started to burn oil pretty badly so it sitting aside until I can get around to rebuilding the engine.
Currently using a Champion 2kw inverter generator. I also have a 4.5kw I use at the cabin when running heavier draw tools like my compressor.
Once I get my solar power system in place I will put in a 7kw Honda inverter unit for backup and topping up the batteries in the winter.
I don't think you can go wrong with either Yamaha or Honda.

 

[ak_fisher_man]

That I do not know…. My iPower was stolen, so I need a new one. My iPower wasn’t powerful enough for my camper, it would pop the fuse every time I tried to run the microwave. Not a big deal, learn to roll with it, but I am looking for a new one.

Get a bigger inverter generator than 2000 watts. Based on A/C usage alone, a 15000 BTU AC requires 3,500 watts to start. A good choice would be a 3,500 or 4,000 watt generator or get two 2200 watt Hondas with adaptor kit to run in parallel. A 2200 watt generator is easier to move than the 98# generator. Add a microwave and a coffee maker to the A/C mix and you are pushing it with a 2000 watt generator. My two cents.

I have a 13.5K A/C unit on my travel trailer and you can hear the 3700 watt inverter generator really kick in to pump out Peak wattage for the start of the A/C. My Cummins Onan P4500i Inverter Generator weighs 98#, but puts out 4500 "PEAK" watts and 3700 "Running" watts which handles all our electrical loads. Oil changed every 6 mo. or 50 hrs of use with 100% synthetic oil - no issues (3 yrs so far 2023-will be 4 yrs). 53dB in ECO mode, average 62dB, highest 70 dB. Review: https://www.rv.com/gear-accessories/gear-review-cummins-onan-p4500i-generator/

 

[yukon254]

I have both. Got the Yamaha at the trapline. It is a good unit but it did burn some oil when I first got it. After a couple of oil changes it seemed to stop. Bought the Honda new this year for our camper. The new ones are 2200 not 2000. At least here in Canada. Used the Honda on a trip this fall from Yukon to Missouri and back in October/ November. It did everything we needed it to do including running a small electric heater. I will say that on eco mode the Yamaha seems to be better on fuel than the Honda.

 

[Redlander]

Everybody out where our remote cabin is seems to use the Honda generators.

 

[berwin]

Ok, time for a new generator/inverter for the camper. I had one of the “iPower” 2000w from Costco, wasn’t the happiest with it. I’m looking at either the Honda EU2200i or the Yamaha EF2200iS

I know that both of these companies are known for their reliability and quality, but I also know that things still aren’t made like they were 20 years (heck, even 10 years) ago.

So, what do you know of these machines nowadays? I’m open to other suggestions as well. This will be primarily for my RV, but will also provide for me a remote power source when needed.

Here is the difference. A Honda 2000 is rated for 2000 watts usable power and a Yamaha 2000 is rated 2000 watts Peak and 1750 useable power. Most electrical devices cause a surge of power on start up then require less once started. So the peak wattage is for the start up. A Honda 2000 has a peak rating of 2250 watts & 2000 watts Continuous. VS the Yamaha that is 2000 watts peak and 1750 watts continuous. I found this out after purchasing a 2400 Yamaha and then figured out that it only had a 2350 watt peak rating and a 1950 watt continuous. It would run my tiny RV AC unit for 3 seconds then overload protection would kick in. I grabbed my sisters 2000 Honda and it would run the AC unit (at full throttle). So make sure to check what the continuous watt rating is on any generator.

 

[trekarima]

I have the Honda 2200 It is absolutely perfect.I use a 100 ft 12 amp extension cable and do not hear it.I run the AC alone in the camper or the microwave alone.
Honda now has a portable 3200 watt generator that is only 10 lbs heavier than the 2200.BUT twice as expensive.This is the cats meow