Generators

[msully8548]

Anyone know anything about these All-Power 2000 watt digital generators? They are on sale at Pepboys for $249. Would appreciate any feedback or experience.

[emam]

I've never used one, but I know there is a pretty long on-going thread over at RVNet about them.

Reading through them, it looks like some swear by them, and others purchase one, use it for a camping season and move up to the Honda.

If you're only going to be using it as an emergency, then it'll save you a bunch of money over the Honda, but if you plan on using it regularly, then I'd save your money and go with the Honda.

Good Luck
Pat

[Poppy & Nana]

I can tell you that we had a Coleman generator "so called a camping generator" and we used it once, it was so loud! We now have two Honda 2000's and the parallel kit....yes we have kept the Coleman and use it at the house when we lose electric.....works great for that kind of application, just not in a campground.

Now we spend almost 400.00 for the Coleman, so I can just imagine how load the 250.00 Pepe Boys unit will be.

[pwb01]

I've read the same reviews about noise on those generators so I'd be afraid to buy one for camping use without hearing one run first. It's real annoying to have a neighbor with a loud generator.

We dry camp most of the time. We don't need to use the microwave, airconditioner nor a hair dryer so I don't need 120V. I would like to know how long it takes a generator to charge a battery. I know the trickel charger on my system takes overnight but how about connecting directly to the battery with a 12v generator output? If it takes hours then I couldn't use one but if they charge in an hour or so I'd consider maybe a 1000 watt generator for charging batteries.

Currently, I use two batteries which last us 4 or 5 days if we're careful.

Any information on charging?

[emam]

We just got the Honda EU200i after taking back the Coleman 1800 watt because of it's obnoxious noise level. Forget the neighboring campers, Cindy and I couldnt stand to be in the 2499 with that thing running outside

Once we got the Honda, out batteries were pretty taxed out because we had gone for 4 days with no sun to recharge them and had used the 2000watt inverter for a full day which brought them really low.

Once I hooked the Honda up, it only took about an hour for them to come back up to full charge. But I've read that batteries dont like to be quick charged, they'd rather have the slow trickle charge of the solar panels or a smaller charger.

In the future, I plan on just running the generator for short periods if this cloud thing was to happen again.

Pat

[pwb01]

Thanks Pat, I never had an idea how long it took to charge. If I pick up a Honda, 3000w is needed for the A/C but cost too much. 1000W is adequate for most operations I'd need but for only $300 more for the 2000W, might as well have one big enough for the Microwave too.

I have a 7500w for home or I might have thought about 3000w for double duty which would be about bare minimum for home use.

I'll consider the Honda 2000 although as this thread started out, the All-Power ad last weekend was tempting.

I Googled it myself last Sunday and never did find any rating on sound. I did find that 2 suppliers, Amazon for one, had none in stock saying they didn't know when or if they would. In fact Amazon had several other All-Power generators all with the same note. Are they discontinued and Pep Boys was selling them out? I couldn't even find any info on the company so I could call them. Honda does exist.

[264SRinPA]

Paul:
I have a yamaha ef2400 generator. It has plenty of power to run the a/c. Like emam said, it will charge your batteries in an hour using your onboard charger. And it only weighs 70lbs, so it's easy to move around.

[Greg Morin]

I bought a Kipor 3000 watt new on ebay for $1000 delivered similar to honda but cheaper with electric start. and quiet too!

[emam]

Hey Greg, I've seen a few of those at differet RV shows, but never heard one run. What decible are the rated at?

Pat

[Greg Morin]

I am not sure of the decibel rating but are comprable to honda or yamaha it is electric start and can be run either wide open or on an energy conserving mode that modulates as load changes. I like it so far used 1 season with no issues .