Replies

1. 
   JulianTracy | Oct 15, 2006 04:20pm | #1

   It's the nicest generator you can buy in that power range.

   Quiet, easy to carry, etc. You might find that unless you want to use it for other needs such as camping, computers, etc. - it is a bit of overkill as it's designed to have "clean" power for special uses, but if you have the money than you cannot go wrong.

   You might also be suprised at what you cannot run on it - many powertools, circ saw included have high start-up power draw and will pop the breaker of a smaller generator before you actually use them.

   For the same money as the EU2000i, you can find a high quality 3200-4000 watt unit that'll run more stuff - at the expense of loudness and weight.

   One really cool thing about the small fancy Honda generators is the ability to have two of them connected in parallel to create "one" 4000watt generator. Honda sells the wiring kit to achieve this and that's a great feature.

   One thing you can forget about running is an air compressor. I have a high quality 5.5hp 4000 watt generator and it trips trying to fire up my small portercable twin stack oil lube.

   If you've got the bucks then get one or two - but if you have a budget to work with then get a larger one.

   JT

1. 
   Crash | Oct 16, 2006 08:04am | #2

   Thanks, JT.  I did find some others with more power for around the same price but what I liked about the Honda 2000 was the very light weight and quiet.  But I definitely want to runa circular saw on it.  The link to the 2000 says that it will run a circ saw (compared to the 1000).  I did find a Yamaha 2400 that weighs only 70 lbs."War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."  Ambrose Bierce

    

2. 
   danski0224 | Oct 16, 2006 01:45pm | #3

   I have their 3kW inverter.

   It was quite expensive compared to other manufacturers offerings in the same kW range.

   The Honda is very quiet (even with the auto throttle off). It is fully enclosed in a cabinet, so it weighs a bit more than 60 pounds, too. It will run all day on less than 1/2 a tank of gas at half load (about 2.5 gallons).

   It will stall out if I try to use any large power tool with the Eco Throttle (low idle) on, but it does ok with the feature off. It will run my Emglo compressor if it is plugged right into the genset, but it probably won't do that on a real cold day if it isn't plugged into the twist outlet. It will also run a sump pump.

   I wouldn't get anything less than 3kW for larger power tools like circular saws and compressors. 

1. 
   Crash | Oct 17, 2006 08:01am | #4

   Thanks danski,

   One reason I wanted a smaller generator is so that I can have it delivered to an APO address in Europe and they have a 70 lb limit.  The 3 kw Honda is about 135 lbs compared to the 2 kw at  46 lbs.  But no point buying it if it can run my US tools.  Maybe I can find a larger generator at a PX somewhere over here."War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."  Ambrose Bierce

    

1. 
   danski0224 | Oct 17, 2006 12:53pm | #5

   Honda makes a 3kw inverter generator that isn't fully enclosed and may fit your weight limit.

   http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/ModelDetail.asp?ModelName=eb3000

   It worked well and it is reasonably quiet. It would not run my variable speed Metabo grinder, though.*

   *That was a company generator and I do not know the condition after much abuse. I have not tried my grinder on a new version of the same generator.

   Edited 10/17/2006 6:09 am ET by danski0224

1. 
   Crash | Oct 17, 2006 02:11pm | #6

   Ooh..  that's pretty close at 68.4 lbs.  A bit pricey at $1.5K but it should last a long time.  Thanks for the lead!"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."  Ambrose Bierce

    

3. 
   jrnbj | Oct 21, 2006 01:50am | #7

   I've been running one five days now in Buffalo...it runs the furnace, the sump pump,a few lights & TV.....heck, if I shut of the furnace it runs the wife's hairdryer (dang was she happy!)

   It is pricey, but it's quiet, portable, and gives clean power..

   Be sure & check with your shipper...I had to have it Fed-Ex'd here after Southwest Airlines refused it--- never run,still in the original box, no oil in it, but they insisted it was flammable
   and I'm betting Fed-Ex flew it here....

   Once the powers on, I'll see how it does with the tools...