Got me a cute generator (2019 update)

Sweet generator. They don't get better than that. I'm really happy with my Champion 3200 except for weight.
 
I had one of the 2000 Honda's until some SOB decided to lift it from my campsite in the middle of the night. (hence my precautions in an earlier thread to chain that sucker down) It did everything I expected and more. I got it through a group buy at The Hull Truth and best as I recall I paid about 750.00. Great piece of equipment.
 
I only put 93 octane in mine to avoid ethanol. And since I run mine for 3 days straight every 8 weeks I just store mine with whatever's left in it.
 
I just started up my Generac this afternoon. Started on the 2nd pull, I was shocked, ran it for 30 minutes and cut it off.
I run it with 89 octane gas and use Mobil 1 synthetic, regular oil changes.
 
There is no fuel cutoff on my older little Honda so I use my siphon pump to empty the extra gas back into a can and run the rest out, the newer Hondas might have one now. Remember do not try and tip your generator to the side tompour out gas ... oil can flow into places you do not want it. As to fuel I only run non-ethanol gas if at all possible and add 1oz of Seafoam per gallon of gas when I fill small engines.

My bigger Generac has a fuel shut off and I just turn it off and run out the gas in the line and carb. I try to not leave gas in the tank and if I think it's old I'll pump it out into a special can we use for non-engine things (cleaning, ant hills, burning a stump, etc).
 
There is no fuel cutoff on my older little Honda so I use my siphon pump to empty the extra gas back into a can and run the rest out, the newer Hondas might have one now. Remember do not try and tip your generator to the side tompour out gas ... oil can flow into places you do not want it. As to fuel I only run non-ethanol gas if at all possible and add 1oz of Seafoam per gallon of gas when I fill small engines.

My bigger Generac has a fuel shut off and I just turn it off and run out the gas in the line and carb. I try to not leave gas in the tank and if I think it's old I'll pump it out into a special can we use for non-engine things (cleaning, ant hills, burning a stump, etc).
I like my Generac because is has a fuel shut-off and a quick disconnect on the fuel line, then take the tank off and go fill it.
 
I'll guess I'll run it dry, fuel cut off and on/off is the same switch.
Would I be gtg with pure gas stored in it?
I use 93 octane with Stabil in it. My owner's manual says to cut the gas off and let it run dry. I store fuel in the tank and I've had no issues so far. I run mine about every 4-6 weeks whether I need to or not. For example, when we're getting ready to go on a trip in the summer I use it to run the AC in the camper while we pack cause it's about hot as the damn sun in there if we don't.
 
All generators regardless of appearance are not created equal. These little Honda's are the Mercedes of their class.
Generators by their very nature, are terrible in regards to clean power. They spike, they drop. For things like refrigerators and blow dryers that's not much of an issue.
But stuff like computers and other sensitive stuff, that's bad.
The EU2000 is an inverter type generator. It creates AC power, converts it to DC, and then back to AC. The result is nice clean power. Run your most high dollar computer no worries.
Yeah. They're a 1000 bucks. It's not a Kia and you ain't gonna buy one for that kinda money.
And if I see any of the OMG-it's-a-$1000-that's-ridiculous! guys in any of the scope threads talk about how you need a Zeiss because buy once cry once ya-know, I'm gonna feed your dog a whole box of slim jims. :D

These are top of the line. Best in their class.
You did good Mike, real good.


Sure can.

Here's something to consider. We have a Samsung refrigerator that is about 2 years old. It has a frequency drive in it to run the compressor. Drives will tolerate some dirty power but not for long. I just bought a Honda gen and one of the main reasons was for the regulated voltage supply so I could run our refrigerator for extended periods without having to worry about dirty power goofing up the electronics on it as well as run the rest of the stuff we need to as well. Before buying I would advise everyone to evaluate your needs carefully and take into consideration what your features your equipment has beforehand.
 
I use 93 octane with Stabil in it. My owner's manual says to cut the gas off and let it run dry. I store fuel in the tank and I've had no issues so far. I run mine about every 4-6 weeks whether I need to or not. For example, when we're getting ready to go on a trip in the summer I use it to run the AC in the camper while we pack cause it's about hot as the damn sun in there if we don't.
My kill switch and fuel shut off are one in the same
 
^^ and Generac is a pretty good brand. Just goes to show how good the Honda's really are.
I might have to save up and get myself one of those (Honda).

I have one now (not a Honda like in the OP), but a PowerHorse I got at Northern Tool on Monday...
Just wanted something to keep the freezer & fridge running bc there's some money stored away in those.
 
I might have to save up and get myself one of those (Honda).

I have one now (not a Honda like in the OP), but a PowerHorse I got at Northern Tool on Monday...
Just wanted something to keep the freezer & fridge running bc there's some money stored away in those.
That'll work fine for you Wolfie.
Best thing you can do with any portable generator is keep the gas fresh, stabil is fine, and run the thing (we call it exercising) on occasion. I like to run mine once a month. At least every couple/3 months minimum. Doesn't have to be long, 1o minutes or so.
 
I would like to suggest adding a RUBBER mat of some type to setup you generator on. The little Honda sits on a heavy rubber door mat and it deadens the vibrations while on the patio (concrete) or worse sound amplifying wooden deck. The larger Generac has a 4'x4' piece of stall mat I set it up on for the same reason. Also it keeps them out of the dirt, grass, etc that can be drawn up in the air vents and such when I set either up in the field.
 
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Good comments about dirty power....but.... laptops dont care. They're buffered thru a battery
I run a full sinewave old school Liebert ups off my Generac wheelhouse. At Field Day we run off the Honda directly.
 
I think the quote is "all small engine problems are fuel problems". That's probably close to truth. I run all gas engines dry if I'm not going to use 'em for a while (like chainsaws, Generators, etc) and it's been worth the effort. Chain saws I can dump most fuel back in the can.
 
I have a Generac 5500 watt generator, I pit "stabil"-ized non ethanol gas in it a couple of years ago and kept it topped off until fairly recently, where I've been running it down to replace the fuel with fresh. I run it under load just about every month for about 30 minutes. I starts on the first pull every time, as does the mower which also gets non ethanol gas (it runs dry at the end of the season).
 
That'll work fine for you Wolfie.
Best thing you can do with any portable generator is keep the gas fresh, stabil is fine, and run the thing (we call it exercising) on occasion. I like to run mine once a month. At least every couple/3 months minimum. Doesn't have to be long, 1o minutes or so.
LOL, I exercised my generator today, ran it about 15-20 minutes then turned the fuel cutoff and let it die. Started on the second pull, not too bad for it sitting for 6 months. I really need to take better care. Pretty sure I had stabil in it.
 
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I might have to save up and get myself one of those (Honda).

I have one now (not a Honda like in the OP), but a PowerHorse I got at Northern Tool on Monday...
Just wanted something to keep the freezer & fridge running bc there's some money stored away in those.
The key is to exercise it regularly. Under load.
 
I used one of these flounder gigging back before we used LED lights that could run most the night on a 12 volt battery. Regular bulbs would drain a battery fast, and these little generators were small and great in a boat. Didn't vibrate and make a ton of noise.
 
Ok guys, do y'all store them with or without fuel. Does the ethanol bother these carbs much?
I pour in a can of Sea Foam when I fill the one we have. Sometimes I forget to test it for a few months. It helps the guy doin the demagnetization get it started. :)
 
I had one of the 2000 Honda's until some SOB decided to lift it from my campsite in the middle of the night. (hence my precautions in an earlier thread to chain that sucker down) It did everything I expected and more. I got it through a group buy at The Hull Truth and best as I recall I paid about 750.00. Great piece of equipment.
Is a group buy possible? I'd be interested in participating and willing to help organize it but I know nothing of the pitfalls involved.
 
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Is a group buy possible? I'd be interested in participating and willing to help organize it but I know nothing of the pitfalls involved.

The group buy I got in on with THT (The Hull Truth) was through a major marine supplier, I believe it was BOE. I'll go back in my 6K posts there and see who it was.
I seem to recall shipping was one of the biggest hurdles since the THT members are scattered all over the country. I do believe there was a small upcharge for drop shipping but there was a bunch that shipped to one address and picked up by people that were local. I got mine from the local drop so I don't recall how much the drop ship charge was.
I'll check into it and if possible I'll start a new thread to gauge interest.
 
Those are quite handy, strip the word "cute" from your vocab.
I looked into the 5-6K generators, we built the house w/ well, gas water heater and stove.
I decided to spend a couple hundred dollars more for the dual purpose Miller welder. I just wish it was diesel.
 
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There is something to be said for tractor powered generators...if you have a tractor available. My father's reasoning was that you would probably keep the tractor maintained and running. If the generator gets fired up once a year, is it going to start?

Now with this group and what I've been reading, that reasoning may not apply.
 
Just as a discussion point, the EU2000i
Is designed to be turned sideways to change the oil. You basically dump the oil out of the fill hole.

Yes, to pour out the oil but I am saying do not try to pour out gasoline. When you drain the oil you've removed the dipstick cap so the oil flow out the port as you tip it to the right and not back into the engine. If you try to empty the gasoline by tipping it with oil in the generator the oil can flow up into the engine and cause problems ... like fouling the spark plug, entering the exhaust valve, etc.
 
Could someone tell me why you'd get this for $1k versus a higher watt generator with just as good reviews for less $ ?

Is it just the portability factor and Honda name?
 
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