2,000 watt inverter generators

[moey]

Cheap is never cheap it will always cost more

262 pages of reviews/comments of the champion inverter generators http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24022161/
mostly very positive. I tend to look at the champion generators as the Chevy model and the honda generators as the Cadillac model.

Theres a big difference between getting the Coleman generator, Harbor Freight or some offbrand vs one of the brands mentioned above.

I just had a problem with bad gas in my champion generator before I decided to take the carburetor apart and clean it I figured I would call the 800 number and ask what the best approach is. They recommended draining the gas and adding a gallon of fresh gas and seafoam sure enough it fixed the problem. Not rocket science but they were there to help.

 

[N.E S4]

Well, I believe their are the three things to look at: Cost, Quality and Value. Value is the combination of cost and quality. I make my purchases based on value not cost or quality.

The things that I want to keep for a long time I'll buy quality.

 

[Thaddius Wenderoth]

The things that I want to keep for a long time I'll buy quality.

So if they last longer they add value. Your time not replacing them = value. If it cost me $50 for an item that last a year or $150 for an item that last for 2 years and it is a pain to replace, I buy the one that lasts twice as long for three times the money just because there is "value" in my time I am not spending to replace it.

 

[N.E S4]

So if they last longer they add value. Your time not replacing them = value. If it cost me $50 for an item that last a year or $150 for an item that last for 2 years and it is a pain to replace, I buy the one that lasts twice as long for three times the money just because there is "value" in my time I am not spending to replace it.

You're right quality product will give you a better value on the long run. If you're living in the Northeast with small children you gotta have product hat you can depend on.

 

[imacman]

....I just had a problem with bad gas in my champion generator before I decided to take the carburetor apart and clean it I figured I would call the 800 number and ask what the best approach is. They recommended draining the gas and adding a gallon of fresh gas and seafoam sure enough it fixed the problem.......

Keep a capful of Stabil (Ethanol version) in a full tank all the time....should end any problems. Put the capful in, rock the genny around some to mix, start genny and run for about 15 minutes to get the mix into the fuel system. Good to go.

 

[briansol]

That ebay seller has the combo pack with 2 gens and the wire kit and covers for just 70 bucks over the price of 2 of them.
(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-73538i-Champion-2000w-Inverter-Generator-Manufacturer-Refurbished-/251224189014?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7e20e856)

seems like a pretty good deal to me.

it's definitely on my radar. 4000 peak should cover everything i ever need to run.

 

[tbuff]

If you can save for the Honda, get it.

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[imacman]

That ebay seller has the combo pack with 2 gens and the wire kit and covers for just 70 bucks over the price of 2 of them.
(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-73538i-Champion-2000w-Inverter-Generator-Manufacturer-Refurbished-/251224189014?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7e20e856)

seems like a pretty good deal to me.

it's definitely on my radar. 4000 peak should cover everything i ever need to run.

If I was in the market, that would be something I'd consider getting....very good deal with all that's included, and his feedback rating is 100%, so they must be pretty nice units. And it even includes a cover!

 

[rwthomas1]

You're right quality product will give you a better value on the long run. If you're living in the Northeast with small children you gotta have product hat you can depend on.

Bingo! I depend on the Honda. Its quite possible that it would be the difference between life and death if the storm is big enough. I trust the Honda completely. It has been rock solid requiring nothing but oil changes. Simple to service and prep for storage too. I actually own a cheap POS All-Power chinese and have attempted to work on a buddy's Lifan. There is no comparison to the Honda in quality and output. You get what you pay for. I have 3 kids a wife and four elderly people that depend on Honda EU2000i's. I'm not rolling the dice on the cheap chinese stuff, my time and their safety, security are worth the extra money. I don't own these gennys for camping or hobby use, they are potentially to keep us alive.

 

[Thaddius Wenderoth]

Bingo! I depend on the Honda. Its quite possible that it would be the difference between life and death if the storm is big enough. I trust the Honda completely. It has been rock solid requiring nothing but oil changes. Simple to service and prep for storage too. I actually own a cheap POS All-Power chinese and have attempted to work on a buddy's Lifan. There is no comparison to the Honda in quality and output. You get what you pay for. I have 3 kids a wife and four elderly people that depend on Honda EU2000i's. I'm not rolling the dice on the cheap chinese stuff, my time and their safety, security are worth the extra money. I don't own these gennys for camping or hobby use, they are potentially to keep us alive.

If it were to keep me alive I agree. But honestly if it were to keep me alive I wouldn't be looking at consumer grade at all. Not even an EU series. Just my thoughts.

 

[briansol]

the idea is to have multiple options. NOTHING is fail proof. NOTHING is 100%. every time you add in another one, you cut risk, but it always exists.

 

[imacman]

the idea is to have multiple options. NOTHING is fail proof. NOTHING is 100%. every time you add in another one, you cut risk, but it always exists.

Yep, for sure. But that deal you showed above isn't bad....even if one of the units craps out, you still have one to keep your stove running.

 

[briansol]

Since the big plug is only on the connector kit, i wonder if it will still function if one until dies out, or if you have to revert to using a standard wall outlet plug from the single unit, as there is no big plug on the units themselves.

 

[Thaddius Wenderoth]

Since the big plug is only on the connector kit, i wonder if it will still function if one until dies out, or if you have to revert to using a standard wall outlet plug from the single unit, as there is no big plug on the units themselves.

I saw a video one time of one running the big plug.

 

[N.E S4]

There are products for every budget. You'll get what you pay for. Some product you get more for the money but very rare.

 

[smalltown]

While at Home Depot today I noticed not surprisingly that almost all the generators were gone. There was one item still on the shelf a Ryobi 2200 watt inverter generator priced the same as the Champion inverter gen. It did not say on the box it if it was modified sine wave output of pure sine wave. I looked at the Ryobi web site and between the two all I get is "completely safe for even the most sensitive electronics" The Champion, Generac and the Ryobi all seem to have about a 4.5 hour run time on 50% load.
(broken link removed to http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=203617901&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC%2d%5f%2dNavPLPHorizontal1%2d2%2d%5f%2dNA%2d%5f%2d203617901%2d%5f%2dN)

 

[rwthomas1]

If it were to keep me alive I agree. But honestly if it were to keep me alive I wouldn't be looking at consumer grade at all. Not even an EU series. Just my thoughts.

Thats why I have access to FIVE EU2000i's..... Unlikely they will give any trouble, but there is backup in a pinch. Also seriously looking at a milsurp generator. From what I've seen, no generator, consumer or commercial is built to the DoD's "cost no object" standards. We'll see....

 

[seige101]

While at Home Depot today I noticed not surprisingly that almost all the generators were gone. There was one item still on the shelf a Ryobi 2200 watt inverter generator priced the same as the Champion inverter gen. It did not say on the box it if it was modified sine wave output of pure sine wave. I looked at the Ryobi web site and between the two all I get is "completely safe for even the most sensitive electronics" The Champion, Generac and the Ryobi all seem to have about a 4.5 hour run time on 50% load.
(broken link removed to http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=203617901&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC%2d%5f%2dNavPLPHorizontal1%2d2%2d%5f%2dNA%2d%5f%2d203617901%2d%5f%2dN)

The champion is 8.5-9 hours run time at 50% load based on real world experience.

 

[N.E S4]

While at Home Depot today I noticed not surprisingly that almost all the generators were gone. There was one item still on the shelf a Ryobi 2200 watt inverter generator priced the same as the Champion inverter gen. It did not say on the box it if it was modified sine wave output of pure sine wave. I looked at the Ryobi web site and between the two all I get is "completely safe for even the most sensitive electronics" The Champion, Generac and the Ryobi all seem to have about a 4.5 hour run time on 50% load.
(broken link removed to http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=203617901&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC%2d%5f%2dNavPLPHorizontal1%2d2%2d%5f%2dNA%2d%5f%2d203617901%2d%5f%2dN)

Buy it and test it out for yourself then let us know. Plug in as many appliance as you can.

 

[smalltown]

Buy it and test it out for yourself then let us know. Plug in as many appliance as you can.

Personally I don't think that people buying these types of generators intend on running "a lot of appliances"
Myself I would prefer a large portable to run "a lot of things", but large portable generators with a pure sine wave output are quite expensive.
I only mentioned the Ryobi model hoping to move the conversation along with another alternative to those who could get by with something as basic as heat from a pellet stove, and keeping a refrigerator cold.

I haven't previously considered this class of generator, and as far as quality goes I don't know if even some of the Honda models are actually manufactured in China. Who knows these days.
Until recently it seemed that the large Generac portable engines were all "made in the U.S.A." now I realize that most are not save for the XP and XG models.

 

[John_M]

smalltown asked: "...How are you guys connecting these up to run your stoves?..."
The safest and best way to connect a generator to any home appliances (stoves, refrigs, etc.) is via a code compliant installation of a UL Listed Transfer Switch. These properly installed transfer switches prohibit electricity from your generator passing through your house wiring to the outside utility wires, where personnel might be repairing power lines. Power from your generator could injure or kill those utility workers.

A single, properly sized, single extension cord might be used safely on a temporary basis. As you mention, the cord must pass through a window or door so that might defeat the purpose of the extension cord.

NEVER, NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES should you connect the power cord from your generator into a wall outlet. Doing so risks the life of any person working on the utility wires outside (and perhaps miles from) your home. Call your local utility company and ask for their recommendation(s).

I suspect some readers will read this post and declare something like "hogwash", I have been plugging my generator into a wall outlet for years and never have injured any other person. My answer: Wonderful, sometimes, we are just plain lucky.

I stand by my statement above and will not argue electrical safety on the internet.

Good health, and best wishes to all for a comfortable and safe winter.

 

[moey]

I haven't previously considered this class of generator, and as far as quality goes I don't know if even some of the Honda models are actually manufactured in China. Who knows these days.
Until recently it seemed that the large Generac portable engines were all "made in the U.S.A." now I realize that most are not save for the XP and XG models.

Some Honda generators are made in China not sure about the inverter type.

(broken link removed to http://www.diytrade.com/china/pd/4422622/Honda_engine.html)

 

[smalltown]

John_M couldn't agree more!

 

[John_M]

moey provided an informative link above.

Here is another informative link: (broken link removed)

The reader is encouraged to decide for her/him self which Honda to purchase.

Continued good health and best wishes for a safe and comfortable winter.

 

[N.E S4]

I have a couple of Honda generator and power equipment that I bought from a Honda dealer. I will take a look at it tonight whether it's Japan made, U.S.A made or China.