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rmak
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 02:20pm
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I was talking to a electrician yesterday who was doing some work on our house. I was discussing my power dilemmas with my cabin and my generator/solar ideas. When I said the prevailing wisdom here was that the Honda generators were the state of the art and the 2000i was selling for around $1000, he got a funny look on his face. He said he is sure there are equally quiet/reliable generators selling for less. He implied substantially less.
Just wondering what he was talking about. I know Honda is top notch quality, but I also know that most technology isn't a secret. Anyone heard of a good less expensive alternative?
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jackaxe
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 03:05pm
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I love my honda 2000. Always in my truck. Can do anything anywhere.
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 03:11pm
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I'm pretty sure the Honda 'I' type generators produce power with a sine wave compatible with home electronics like computers, am I right? That's why it's more expensive. So, are you asking if there are generators that are less expensive that produce such power? There are plenty of cheaper construction type generators, that are noisier and can't be used with electronics.
My Briggs and Stratton 10 horse one cylinder 5000 watt is well made and reliable, cost $750, but is noisy and can't be used with electronics. I just use it for construction.
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hueyjazz
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 03:26pm
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The Honda is a inverter sine wave type generator that has electronic built into it to keep power stable and clean. The Honda is regarded as the quietest and best.
However, they do have some competition from Yamaha, Generac and Hyundai to name a few for this same class of generator. But I'm sure there are some trade offs for the lower cost generators.
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MJW
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 03:46pm
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I can't imagine using anything else.
Yes, I was hesitant at first with the 1k apiece price tag but these generators have been the sole source of power we have had here for over 1 year now.
They powered every tool during the construction of our place and have powered our home every day and everything in it every day since...sometimes 24 hours a day since completion.
7 to 8 hours on a gallon of gas (up to 12 hours at night with a light load) with next to zero maintenance other than an oil change every 50 to 100 hours.
I have read that with decent care, you can expect to get 15,000 hours out of a Honda.
Expensive but well worth it. I am very happy with the product.
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beachman
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 03:52pm
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I purchased a cheaper Champion 6250/5000W generator to build my cottage a couple of years ago. It was fantastic for the build, but the next year, it was very difficult to start. I had a guy look at it and it turned out to have a stuck intake valve. It has worked great ever since. It is little noisy but good on fuel. It runs all of my saws and vacuums and even charges my tool batteries. I am not sure about the inverter whether it is modified or pure sine, but it seems to run everything just fine. It also runs my battery charger for my 12v system to recharge it. I paid $499 plus tax at Costco.
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Darenkcbiggar
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 04:44pm
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I have a small 1000 watt champion that I bought for around $150.00 and it only puts out 58 db for noise. Most cheap generate put out 90 db of noise. It's a real good light generator to haul back and forth to camp. Idea or running lights, toaster and tv.
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silverwaterlady
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 06:44pm
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No. When it comes to certain things you get what you pay for. Generators being in that category.
Sure if you want you can go buy a cheap,noisy generator. You will regret that until it finally dies.
Buying a cheap generator is one of the top mistakes we made when we were purchasing items for our cabin.
Our next generator will be a Honda with remote so when I am in the kitchen and want to use a appliance like the mixer or microwave I won't need to go outside to start the genny.
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rayyy
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 06:58pm
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I bought a Generac brand small compact look alike to a Honda EU2000i for half the money but it is much noisier,hard to start and runs rough.Definitely not even close to my Honda performance.
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groingo
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 07:45pm
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He is correct, inverter technology is wide spread but the only ones who have really made it both reliable and efficient are Honda and Yamaha.
The other thing to keep in mind is it's servicabilty down the road and again Honda and Yamaha are well established in that area.
Nearly all of the import generator makers claim to have service networks by my experience has show that not to be the case, it is hot air as you will find if you verify for yourself.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 07:56pm - Edited by: MtnDon
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Honda or Yamaha are the best generators if we are talking inverter types in the 1000 to 3000 watt range. There are some cheaper, sometimes much cheaper, inverter generators around. Some are real junk and are hard to buy parts for, others are too darn noisy.
I have never regretted spending the cash required for our Yamaha or Honda generators. In fact we just took delivery of another Honda EU2000i and got the best deal I've ever seen; 899.99. Time from order to the FedEx delivery (free shipping) was less than a week.
The H & Y 3000 watt inverter generators have electric start and can be 'remoted'.
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buckybuck
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 08:07pm - Edited by: buckybuck
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I've also got one of the Chinese lookalikes. It's definitely cantankerous. My latest project with it is trying to repair the stop valve in the gas cap/air pump mechanism--apparently the rubber used in a gasket in the gas cap doesn't hold up well to the alcohol-laced gasoline we have to use in the U.S. (I have a couple of tools with small, Chinese-made engines in them, and the Chinese seem to like to cut corners that way).
If I absolutely had to have a reliable generator, I probably would spend the extra money on the Honda. But I also have to admit that I get a lot of satisfaction out of troubleshooting, cursing and tearing into those little Chinese engines, that seem to taunt you by finally firing up just as soon as you've given up. It's probably similar to (and a lot cheaper than) the pleasure some people get by working on older British motorcycles or American muscle cars.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 08:46pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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I wouldn't buy anything else except the Honda generators. Or the near equivalent Yamaha. I have had the Generac, The big noisy 5400 water, the small Coleman Powermate 1800. What convinced me to get the Honda? A buddy showed me is while it was operating, I could hardly hear it, just barely above an idle. I couldn't get my other stuff sold fast enough. Bought the Honda and and finished building my cabin using just that for all my power. It ran absolutely everything with ease and in eco mode except the "worm drive Skil saw", that I would have to give it an extra second to spool up before getting into any wood with it, otherwise, that was it. A non worm drive saw, no issue. Keep in mind, this was just an extra second or so if wait after pulling the trigger, really a non issue anyway. It runs my 1000 watt microwave with ease, table saw, pancake compressor (not piston type, but diaphragm type) to run all my air nailers and every other power tool like I was hooked up on the grid.
I paid $899 and there was no tax or shipping on that price.
After becoming hooked on Honda, I sold my 5400 watt Generac for my house and bought a new Honda EU6500is, retails for $3999 then, think its more now. The same place i got my 2000 from, I said how much for a cash deal. They said $3125, no tax includes shipping. So I got that and it runs my entire home, electric hot water, electric range, electric clothes dryer, all heavy loads my home has. But just not more than one of those heavy loads at a time. Easily managed at the breaker panel. Oh, and it runs those heavy load in eco-mode and has the exact same noise rating as the EU2000i Electric start, super fancy unit, wheeled unit, fold down handles, pull start for low batter,y ability to go remote and you can get an aftermarket wireless remote too.
Honda only for me. 
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OwenChristensen
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2014 09:52pm
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I have to agree. I've had Generac, Yamaha and several others. I'm very pleased with the 2000I. I too paid about $900. Honda has a fair trade clause with the dealers and you rarely will find them lass than $960. I just seen one in a hardware store in WY for $1,440.
I would like to know more about Daren's 1,000 watt that only makes 58 dbs. That is unreal.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 24 Feb 2014 03:42pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Quoting: OwenChristensen I would like to know more about Daren's 1,000 watt that only makes 58 dbs. That is unreal.
Keep in mind, the Honda EU2000i max noise level (the loudest it gets) is 59db, most of the time, way under that, ie eco throttle on etc. Even the big EU6500 is rated at the exact same noise level as the 2000, next to nothing.
A normal conversation between 2 people is 60db
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OwenChristensen
Member
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# Posted: 24 Feb 2014 03:46pm
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I had a Honda 1000 watt running in the shop last week and it sounded quieter than a 2000 watt. I know the sound rating is the same, I'm just saying. I like the little bugger. It might be nice for just lights or charging batteries.
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Dillio187
Member
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# Posted: 24 Feb 2014 04:42pm
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I run a 5000 BTU air conditioner from my 1000i in the summer at the cabin. I wouldn't leave home without it!
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mojo43
Member
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2014 12:55pm
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I bought a Hyundai generator. It cost at least half of the price. I had a few problems on the first one, but I returned it and got a second one. No problems so far.
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OwenChristensen
Member
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2014 05:57pm
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mojo43
Is it quiet?
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fishinator
Member
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# Posted: 26 Feb 2014 09:28pm
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Quoting: MtnDon we just took delivery of another Honda EU2000i and got the best deal I've ever seen; 899.99. Time from order to the FedEx delivery (free shipping) was less than a week.
Thats a crazy price, I just called there and they won't ship to Canada
The same generator is 1299.99+tax+shipping up here!!! Man I wish I lived closer to the border or knew someone you lived in the states.
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Bzzzzzt
Member
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# Posted: 26 Feb 2014 09:44pm
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I have a black max generator I bought from Sam's club about 2 yrs ago. 3650 watt and has started on the first or second pull every time. It's in the mid range on quiet and the only electronics I've ever tried to power off of it are chargers for a laptop and cell phones which do not require very clean power.
The only problem (if you can really call it a problem) that I've ever had with the thing is that part of the LED digital display stopped working. It's a cosmetic issue and the functionality of the machine is not hampered by it.
Oh and it cost about $300
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 26 Feb 2014 09:50pm
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Quoting: fishinator Man I wish I lived closer to the border or knew someone you lived in the states.
What state you in???? Certainly there must be someone in here that can help.
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fishinator
Member
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# Posted: 26 Feb 2014 10:39pm
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I live in northern ontario, about 6 hours from the US border. Shipping is the only viable option for me
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OwenChristensen
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2014 07:30am
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I don't understand why Canadians have to pay more. Our dollars are close, yet prices are not.
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silverwaterlady
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2014 08:27am
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 That is also something I would like to know. I was going to get appliances for my cabin this year but won't be able to since DH is having a hernia operation and we are not driving the truck for three weeks.
One thing is the taxes are higher just add 14% to the price of everything. The laws for propane appliances are different everything must be CSA approved. This raises the price and means I cannot bring propane appliances from the USA. So my appliances were going to cost me $5,500.00.
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cbright
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2014 09:46am
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My Honda 3000i runs so well it is kind of scary.... The battery died in it long ago, but I've never bothered replacing it because it has started EVERY time on the first light pull.... even after sitting for months. Quiet and lots of power. Also, I scored it for a crazy deal (used) which makes it even sweeter.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2014 10:02am
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Canadian government import tariffs / duties?
I don't know much about that. I believe there are exemptions for goods made in North America because of NAFTA. But not sure. If something is not made in NA, like PV panels from China, then there are going to be duties or tariffs to be paid. Up to 35% is what I've heard.
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Truecabin
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2014 11:50am - Edited by: Truecabin
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some things ive learned about generators
often when you need it you really need it
you lost all your economy if your cheap generator doesnt start or doesnt put out power and your whole weekend went down the tubes and just the driving cost $80 each way in gas
dont underestimate how useful it is to be quiet you can think better and talk to people not drop what your doing and walk closer to hear what there saying
if you dont think this is important your not paying attention
theives like hondas you have to be more careful with a honda
i read in another forum a guy painted his honda black so it hides better in the truck
and its not so easy to post on craigslist
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mojo43
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2014 11:55am
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OwenChristensen
It is a louder than the Hondas, but not by much.
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Truecabin
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2014 12:11pm
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inverter generator is good for electric motors and for electronics because if the generator motor speed pulls down under load the voltage and 60hz cycles stay constant
bldginsp maybe your thinking of $40 12vdc inverters that chop dc into a square wave thats not good for electronics
phone chargers and laptop chargers usually can handle dirty power but tvs and vcrs microwaves and other plug in electronics need clean power
all generators put out a clean power even a big cheap $300 gen but they dont all hold the 60hz steady under load for that you need inverter type
if your gen is operating normal not under load and the engine speed is not changing you can assume its making clean power
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